SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes across mental disorders and the role of sex: A register-based study from Catalonia.

Monistrol-Mula A, Giné-Vázquez I, Caggiu G, Conflitti C, Gemes K, Hecker I, Mediavilla R, Monzio Compagnoni M, Pinucci I, Stoffers-Winterling J, Witteveen AB, Smith P, Walter H, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Melchior M, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Sijbrandij M, Haro JM, Felez-Nobrega M

Psychiatry Res 344 (-) 116325 [2025-02-00; online 2024-12-12]

This study investigated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes among different mental health diagnoses and the role of sex in these associations. Using electronic records from Catalonia, we identified adults receiving mental health care from 2017-2019 with diagnoses of non-affective psychosis (NAP), bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DEP), stress-related disorders, neurotic/somatoform disorders (NSD), and substance misuse (SUB) (exposed). The outcomes assessed were SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19-related death, compared to matched individuals without these mental disorders (unexposed). Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted. 785,378 adults were included (70.3% < 65 years old; 57.1% women). Compared to unexposed, those with NAP, BD, DEP, and SUB had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while those with NSD had an increased risk. Infected individuals with DEP, NSD, and SUB had a lower risk of hospitalization but a higher risk of COVID-19-related death. Higher COVID-19-related death was also observed in individuals with NAP and BD. Sex-stratified analysis revealed that women with NSD were especially vulnerable to infection, and women with DEP and NSD had a higher risk of COVID-19-related death. These findings emphasize the need for tailored public health strategies to reduce excess mortality risk among individuals with certain mental disorders, while accounting for sex differences.

Category: Social Science & Humanities

Type: Journal article

PubMed 39708616

DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116325

Crossref 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116325

pii: S0165-1781(24)00610-3


Publications 9.5.1