Elsevier

Journal of Affective Disorders

Volume 299, 15 February 2022, Pages 52-59
Journal of Affective Disorders

Review article
Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors of severe COVID-19 infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.040Get rights and content

Highlights

  • This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of PTSD among severe cases of COVID-19 as per our knowledge.

  • The prevalence of PTSD among the severe cases of COVID-19 is high compared to the general public.

  • PTSD manifests as a post COVID symptom beyond four weeks of acquiring the COVID-19 infection. Hence resources must be allocated to follow up these patients closely.

Abstract

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a person has experienced a traumatic event which can be highly accounted for amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of PTSD among the severe cases of COVID-19.

Methods

We included the observational studies done to estimate the burden of PTSD among severe COVID-19 patients. Data was extracted manually using structured data extraction form and analyzed in STATA version 14.2. A random-effects model was applied, and the final pooled data was reported as proportion with a 95% confidence interval. Multivariable meta-regression analysis was carried out, and a forest plot was utilized to represent the study-specific and pooled estimates for overall and subgroup analysis.

Results

We included 13 articles with 1,093 participants in our analysis. The pooled prevalence was estimated to be 16% (95%CI: 9% to 23%). We found a substantial heterogeneity between the studies that reported the outcome (I2=87.9%, p<0.001). In subgroup analysis, the difference in prevalence estimate between the regions was statistically significant.

Limitations

We found significant between-study variability for the outcome. In addition, our review was found to have substantial publication bias. We also found that the lower quality of the majority of the studies being included in our review.

Interpretation

Our study states that the risk of PTSD is higher following severe COVID-19 infection. Understanding this burden will help us in diverting the resources and adapting necessary interventions to control the situation.

Keywords

PTSD
COVID-19
Hospitalization
ICU admission

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