Clinical correlates of COVID-19 disease in psychiatric outpatients

INTRODUCTION: Patients suffering from psychiatric illness represent a population that is particularly vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to the pandemic situation due to several factors. OBJECTIVES: We aimed in our study to determine the rate of COVID-19 infection and to identify its correlated factors in outpatients of the psychiatry department of Monastir, Tunisia. METHODS: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 178 outpatients at the department of psychiatry (Monastir, Tunisia) over a period of one month (from March 2022 to April 2022). Data was collected via a questionnaire focused on two main attributes: (1) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics; (2) questions about the COVID-19 personal and family history. RESULTS: The mean age of our population was 44.9±13.7 years. The majority of them (81.5%) had a chronic evolution of their psychiatric disorder (> 2 years) and 68.7% were hospitalized at least once in psychiatry. Psychosis was the most represented disorder with 57.3% compared to mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Among our population, thirty seven patients (21%) had a SARS-CoV-2 infection and 3.1% required hospital care. The infection by the virus of a family member was reported by 46% of cases and 2.5% had intrafamilial death due to COVID-19 disease. Patients with depressive disorder were the most affected (55%). COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with gender (p=0.02), marital status (p=0.016), diagnosis (p=0.001), treatment (p=0.02) and intrafamilial spread of the disease (p<10-3). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psychiatric disorders experience a distinct burden of the COVID-19 disease. Awareness of the vulnerability of this population and psychiatric institutions is necessary in order to adapt mental health care planning and implement preventive measures during potential subsequent pandemics. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: None Declared