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Associations between Depression and Self-Reported COVID-19 Symptoms among Adults: Results from Two Population-Based Seroprevalence Studies in Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Piumatti

    (Fondazione Agnelli, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Rebecca Amati

    (Institute of Public Health, Faculty of BioMedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland)

  • Aude Richard

    (Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Hélène Baysson

    (Division of Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Marianna Purgato

    (Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
    Cochrane Global Mental Health, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy)

  • Idris Guessous

    (Division of Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Silvia Stringhini

    (Division of Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Emiliano Albanese

    (Institute of Public Health, Faculty of BioMedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
    Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Specchio-COVID19 Study Group

    (Specchio-COVID19 Study Group and the Corona Immunitas Ticino Working Group are listed in Acknowledgments.)

  • the Corona Immunitas Ticino Working Group

    (Specchio-COVID19 Study Group and the Corona Immunitas Ticino Working Group are listed in Acknowledgments.)

Abstract

(1) Mental health may modulate the perceived risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it is unclear how psychological symptoms may distort symptom perception of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed whether depressive symptoms predicted self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, independently of serologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. (2) Participants (aged 20–64) in the Geneva (N = 576) and Ticino (N = 581) Swiss regions completed the Patient Health Questionnaire before being tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and recalled COVID-19-compatible symptoms on two occasions: April–July 2020 (baseline), and January–February 2021 (follow-up). We estimated prevalence ratios for COVID-19 symptoms by depression scores in interaction with serological status. (3) At baseline, in Geneva, higher depression predicted higher probability of reporting systemic, upper airways, and gastro-intestinal symptoms, and fever and/or cough; in Ticino, higher depression predicted systemic, upper airways, and gastro-intestinal symptoms, fever and/or cough, dyspnea, and headache. At follow-up, in Geneva, higher depression predicted higher probability of reporting systemic symptoms and dyspnea; in Ticino, higher depression predicted higher probability of reporting systemic and upper airways symptoms, dyspnea and headache (all p values < 0.05). (4) We found positive associations between depressive symptoms and COVID-19-compatible symptoms, independently of seropositivity. Mental wellbeing has relevant public health implications because it modulates self-reported infection symptoms that inform testing, self-medication, and containment measures, including quarantine and isolation.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Piumatti & Rebecca Amati & Aude Richard & Hélène Baysson & Marianna Purgato & Idris Guessous & Silvia Stringhini & Emiliano Albanese & Specchio-COVID19 Study Group & the Corona Immunitas Tici, 2022. "Associations between Depression and Self-Reported COVID-19 Symptoms among Adults: Results from Two Population-Based Seroprevalence Studies in Switzerland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16696-:d:1001278
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Erin A. West & Daniela Anker & Rebecca Amati & Aude Richard & Ania Wisniak & Audrey Butty & Emiliano Albanese & Murielle Bochud & Arnaud Chiolero & Luca Crivelli & Stéphane Cullati & Valérie d’Acremon, 2020. "Corona Immunitas: study protocol of a nationwide program of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroepidemiologic studies in Switzerland," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(9), pages 1529-1548, December.
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