Anxiety and Depressive Symptomatology among Iranian Patients Hospitalized for COVID-۱۹ in January ۲۰۲۰

Background: Widespread outbreaks of Coronavirus disease among Iranian people are not only associated with physical illness but also with psychological symptoms which need special attention. Objectives: This study was an endeavor to examine the relationship between comorbidity and death anxiety with Anxiety and Depressive Symptomatology among those survived after the COVID-۱۹ pandemic in Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the probands o survivors of COVID-۱۹ participated. By means of convenient smpling method and adhering to selection criteria we chose ۳۰۰ patients admitted for COVID-۱۹ in a university affiliated hospital in Isfahan-Iran during the January ۲۰۲۰. We collected the data pertaining to their illness history, including information about their comorbidity and demographic background by means of an interview schedule with closed-ended questions. We used the Persian version of Templer's Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were computer analyzed using SPSS-۱۹ and running Hierarchical Log-linear analysis symptomatology in a saturated model. Results: Majority of the participants were female (۶۴%) with the mean (SD) age of ۴۴.۸ (۱۲.۸) years. Positive comorbidity was accompanied by a higher chance of exhibiting depressive symptoms (OR=۳۴.۶۷, df =۱, P=۰.۰۰۰). High death anxiety was accompanied by higher chances of anxiety-depressive symptoms (OR=۹۰.۱۳, df =۱, P=۰.۰۰). Conclusion: These observations reinforce the hypothesis proposed on the basis of Hill’s (۱۹۵۸) ABC-X model and provided impetus to idea that how absence of comorbidity and positive perception of illness condition protect individuals from psychological hazards of COVID-۱۹.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , death anxiety , anxiety , depression , Iran