Co-occurrence of psychopathological symptom severity and personality predisposition in post-traumatic stress disorder in patients several months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19.

Abstract

Objectives: The study's aim was to determine co-occurrence of psychopathological symptoms and personality predispositions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its dimensions several months after hospitalisation of patients with severe COVID-19 during the 2nd and 3rd waves of the epidemic.

Methods: At 7-8 months after admission, 138 patients completed the PCL-5 and TIPI questionnaires, as well as the HADS and AIS scales. Correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used in the models.

Results: 22.5% of patients met the PTSD criteria. There were no significant differences between women and men in terms of severity of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, distress and PTSD. Anxiety, sleep disorders and depression co-occurred with PTSD severity. All dimensions of PTSD were associated with anxiety. Intrusion, changes in arousal and reactivity correlated with sleep disorders. Changes in arousal and reactivity were explained by subjective assessment of distress. Negative changes in cognition and mood were related to depression and low levels of extraversion.

Conclusions: There is a co-occurrence of the severity of psychopathological symptoms: anxiety, depression, distress and sleep disorders with the severity of PTDS and its dimensions among patients who have undergone severe COVID-19 in the recent past. A protective factor against post-hospitalisation PTSD is higher level of extraversion.