입원 시 우울과 코로나19 중증도의 연관성

Association Between Depression at the Time of Admission and COVID-19 Severity

Objectives: This study examines the relationship between mental health at the time of admission to hospital and the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a nationally designated COVID-19 treatment center between February 2020 and December 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records, along with mental health assessments completed upon admission. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between mental health and COVID-19 severity. Results: Among the 1414 participants, 241 (17.04%) had moderate to severe depression, 151 (10.68%) showed moderate to severe anxiety, 155 (10.96%) had post-traumatic stress symptoms, and 401 (28.36%) exhibited somatic symptoms. Patients with moderate to severe depression upon admission to hospital had a 4.12 times higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared to those without depression. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant association between depression and COVID-19 severity in patients hospitalized for seven days or less. However, in those hospitalized for more than seven days, moderate to severe depression was associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19. Conclusion: The results indicate that heightened attention to moderate to severe depression in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is necessary.