Posttraumatic stress disorder in post-covid acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SESSION TITLE: Outcomes and Survival From the ICU SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Original Inv PRESENTED ON: 10/09/2023 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm PURPOSE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition frequently caused by COVID-19. This may lead to long-term complications and reduced quality of life. Prior studies have identified an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in ARDS survivors. (1) Patients with post-COVID ARDS are thought to be more susceptible to mental illness due to prolonged isolation and COVID-related brain injury. We aimed to estimate the event rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in patients who experienced ARDS due to COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a thorough literature search using pertinent keywords in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies reporting event rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in post-COVID ARDS patients within one year of follow-up. Data extraction and synthesis were performed to obtain pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Seventeen studies, involving 3,859 post-COVID ARDS patients, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled event rate for PTSD was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.39, P<0.01, I2=97.1%), signifying that approximately 28% of post-COVID ARDS patients experienced PTSD symptoms. The pooled event rate for depression was 0.24 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.30, P<0.01, I2=82.9%), indicating that about 24% of patients developed depressive symptoms. The pooled event rate for anxiety was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.39, P<0.01, I2=90.4%), showing that nearly 31% of patients experienced anxiety symptoms. A quantitative Egger test was performed using Stata software, yielding a p-value of 0.06, suggesting no publication bias in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis emphasizes the considerable prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in post-COVID ARDS patients. Healthcare professionals should be aware of these risks and prioritize mental health support and resources for them to enhance their overall quality of life and long-term recovery. Our research advocates for additional exploration into the effects of sedative and analgesic medications frequently used in ICUs on PTSD symptoms following ARDS. (2) Moreover, exploring potential factors that contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders in this population and establishing effective interventions to minimize these risks are crucial parts of care. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our findings highlight a considerable risk of psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, among patients who have experienced COVID-related ARDS. These results emphasize the need to ensure proper mental health support and interventions for individuals recovering from post-COVID ARDS. Early screening, evidence-based interventions, and pharmacotherapy when appropriate can all contribute to enhancing patients’ overall quality of life and long-term recovery. Additionally, healthcare professionals should educate patients and their families about mental health risks and available resources to ensure that they receive the support they need. By addressing mental health needs, healthcare professionals can help improve the lives of post-COVID ARDS patients and enhance their recovery. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Varun Bhalla No relevant relationships by Hemanth Krishna Boppana No relevant relationships by Leela Krishna Teja Boppana No relevant relationships by Ming-Yan Chow No relevant relationships by Hongli Liu No relevant relationships by Chengu Niu No relevant relationships by Qian Zhang No relevant relationships by Jing Zhang