Authors: Kristen Nishimi; Thomas C. Neylan; Daniel Bertenthal; Emily A. Dolsen; Karen H. Seal; Aoife O'Donovan · Research
How Does PTSD Impact COVID-19 Outcomes? New Research Reveals Important Links
Research shows that PTSD and other psychiatric conditions increase risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19
Source: Nishimi, K., Neylan, T. C., Bertenthal, D., Dolsen, E. A., Seal, K. H., & O'Donovan, A. (2022). Post-traumatic stress disorder and risk for hospitalization and death following COVID-19 infection. Translational Psychiatry, 12(1), 482.
What you need to know
- People with PTSD have an 18% higher risk of hospitalization and 13% higher risk of death after getting COVID-19
- All psychiatric conditions studied were linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes
- Mental health should be considered when assessing COVID-19 risk factors
The Mind-Body Connection in COVID-19
When Sarah first developed COVID-19 symptoms, she worried that her history of PTSD might affect her recovery. As it turns out, her concerns weren’t unfounded. New research shows that mental health conditions, including PTSD, can significantly impact how our bodies respond to COVID-19 infection.
Understanding the Research
Researchers analyzed medical records from over 228,000 Veterans Affairs patients who tested positive for COVID-19. About one-quarter had PTSD, and another quarter had other psychiatric conditions. By tracking what happened to these patients in the 60 days after their positive test, researchers discovered important patterns about how mental health affects COVID-19 outcomes.
Key Findings
The results were striking: people with PTSD had an 18% higher risk of needing hospitalization and a 13% higher risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to those without any psychiatric conditions. These increased risks remained significant even after accounting for other health factors like obesity, smoking, and other medical conditions.
Why Mental Health Affects Physical Health
There are several ways PTSD might influence COVID-19 outcomes:
- Inflammation: PTSD is associated with chronic inflammation in the body, which can worsen COVID-19’s effects
- Health behaviors: People with PTSD may be more likely to smoke or less likely to exercise
- Stress response: PTSD affects how the body handles stress hormones, which could impact immune response
- Medical conditions: PTSD often occurs alongside other health conditions that increase COVID-19 risk
What This Means for You
If you or someone you love has PTSD or another psychiatric condition, these findings suggest:
- Taking extra precautions against COVID-19 may be warranted
- Discussing your mental health history with your healthcare providers is important
- Maintaining both mental and physical health practices could help reduce risk
- Getting appropriate screening and early treatment for COVID-19 is crucial
Conclusions
- Mental health conditions, including PTSD, should be considered risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes
- Healthcare providers should consider mental health when assessing COVID-19 risk
- Integrated care addressing both physical and mental health is crucial for optimal outcomes