In:
Pharmacopsychiatry, Georg Thieme Verlag KG, Vol. 56, No. 06 ( 2023-11), p. 227-238
Abstract:
Introduction In patients with a pre-existing mental disorder, an increased
risk for a first manifestation of a psychiatric disorder in COVID-19 patients, a more severe course of COVID-19 and an increased mortality have been described.
Conversely, observations of lower COVID-19 incidences in psychiatric in-patients suggested protective effects of psychiatric treatment and/or
psychotropic drugs against COVID-19. Methods A retrospective multi-center study was conducted in 24 German
psychiatric university hospitals. Between April and December 2020 ( the first and
partly second wave of COVID-19), the effects of COVID-19 were assessed on psychiatric in-patient care, the incidence and course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection,
and treatment with psychotropic drugs. Results Patients (n=36,322) were admitted to the hospitals.
Mandatory SARS-CoV-2 tests before/during admission were reported by 23 hospitals (95.8%), while 18 (75%) conducted regular testing
during the hospital stay. Two hundred thirty-two (0.6%) patients were tested SARS-CoV-2-positive. Thirty-seven (16%) patients were receiving
medical treatment for COVID-19 at the psychiatric hospital, ten (4.3%) were transferred to an intermediate/intensive care unit, and three
(1.3%) died. The most common prescription for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was for second-generation antipsychotics (n=79, 28.2%)
and antidepressants (SSRIs (n=38, 13.5%), mirtazapine (n=36, 12.9%) and SNRIs (n=29, 10.4%)). Discussion Contrary to previous studies, our results showed a low number
of infections and mortality in SARS-CoV-2-positive psychiatric patients. Several preventive measures seem effective to protect this vulnerable group. Our
observations are compatible with the hypothesis of a protective effect of psychotropic drugs against COVID-19 as the overall mortality and need for
specific medical treatment was low.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0176-3679
,
1439-0795
Language:
English
Publisher:
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
605670-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2041961-2
SSG:
15,3
Bookmarklink