Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.
Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2023 Apr-Jun;59(2):101-107. doi: 10.4415/ANN_23_02_02.
Post-acute COVID-19 consequences are gaining global recognition. This study explores Long COVID characteristics and associated mental health impact/s among the highly vaccinated adult population of Malta.
A social media survey gathered demographics, vaccination, and COVID-19 data. Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 assessment tools were used for anxiety and depression. Quantitative analyses were performed.
41% reported Long COVID, mostly female, 30-39 years, absence of chronic disease/s and vaccinated. Shortness of breath commonest persistent symptom among males, and fatigue for females. Significantly higher depression scores were present in Long COVID cohort compared to no persistent symptoms (p=0.001) and never acquiring COVID-19 (p=<0.01). A significant higher anxiety scores was present for Long COVID cohort than never acquiring COVID-19 (p=<0.01).
Long COVID occurs even in healthy individuals and vaccinated, while exacerbating mental health burdens. Urgent action is required to manage Long COVID and preventing the sequela.
急性新冠病毒感染后综合征正在引起全球关注。本研究旨在探讨马耳他高接种率成年人群中长新冠的特征及其与心理健康的关联。
通过社交媒体调查收集人口统计学、疫苗接种和新冠病毒感染数据。使用广泛性焦虑障碍量表和患者健康问卷 9 项评估工具评估焦虑和抑郁。进行定量分析。
41%的参与者报告存在长新冠，主要为女性，年龄在 30-39 岁，无慢性病/无新冠病毒感染史且已接种疫苗。在男性中，持续性呼吸急促最常见，而在女性中则为疲劳。与无持续性症状（p=0.001）和从未感染新冠病毒（p=<0.01）的参与者相比，长新冠组的抑郁评分显著更高。与从未感染新冠病毒的参与者相比，长新冠组的焦虑评分显著更高（p=<0.01）。
即使是健康人群和接种疫苗的人群也会发生长新冠，同时加重心理健康负担。需要采取紧急行动来管理长新冠并预防其后遗症。
