Authors (including presenting author) :
Fung HT, Lai KP, Luk MH, Chan PF
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, United Christian Hospital and Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Kowloon East Cluster, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Introduction :
Since the first outbreak reported in mainland China in December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had rapidly spread into a global pandemic. To date (1 September 2020), over 25,000,000 confirmed cases and 800,000 deaths attributable to this disease had been reported. In Hong Kong, COVID-19 had also been rapidly transmitted since late January 2020 with 4,823 confirmed cases as of 1 September 2020. Reports already indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic would not only affect physical heath, but also mental health. The pandemic and the related containment measures i.e. lockdown curfew, quarantine, social distancing and self-isolation could have a detrimental impact on mental health. In particular, the increased loneliness and reduced social interactions, was the main risk-factor for depression and anxiety. Fear of unknown was found to raise anxiety levels in both healthy individuals as well as those with pre-existing mental health conditions. Symptoms of anxiety and depression and self-reported stress were found to be common psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, downturn in the economy caused by COVID-19 would lead to unemployment, financial insecurity and poverty; and, could thus induce mental health problems in previously healthy people and negative effect on those with pre-existing mental disorders And people with mental health conditions could be more substantially influenced by the emotional responses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in relapses or worsening of an already existing mental health condition.
Objectives :
This study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese patients with existing common mental disorders in primary care in Hong Kong.
Methodology :
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 Chinese patients with common mental disorders and being followed up in integrated mental health clinics in Kowloon Bay General out-patient clinic (GOPC) and Tseung Kwan O Jockey Club GOPC respectively from 1st November 2020 to 31st January 2021. Patients would be evaluated about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their mood and daily life by using a questionnaire which assessed social distancing effects, financial impact, relationship with family, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire would also be used to assess patients’ mood symptoms. Factors which were related to COVID-19 pandemic and associated with anxiety or depressive symptoms would be analysed.
Result & Outcome :
The mean age of the subjects was 58.0 years and more patients were female (77.5%). 84.3% and 72.5% of patients reported their anxiety and depressive symptoms being affected by COVID-19 pandemic respectively. 17.6% of patients had their income decreased or were unemployed. 30.4% of patients indicated that their relationship with their family was worsen while 8.8% was improved. Social distancing was significantly associated with anxiety (p=0.006) and depressive symptoms (p< 0.001) in patients with common mental disorders. Our study showed that there was considerably more psychological impact including increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms due to COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese patients with common mental disorders (CMD) in primary care in Hong Kong. It is important that Family Physicians must be aware of the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their patients with CMD through this study and provide additional support to the patients. During COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures were necessary for preventing disease transmission, but it was often associated with negative psychological impact especially on patients with existing CMD. Extra awareness and psychological support would therefore be needed for patients with CMD when social distancing measures were implemented during an infectious disease pandemic.
