Correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 among older people with psychiatric illness - a mixed methods study
Abdulrahman, Surajudeen Al-Balushi, Naser Holdcroft-Long, Jason Khan, Uzma Ravindran, Bipin Das, Sujata Rajkumar, Anto P.
Abdulrahman, Surajudeen
Al-Balushi, Naser
Holdcroft-Long, Jason
Khan, Uzma
Ravindran, Bipin
Das, Sujata
Rajkumar, Anto P.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 may lead to a range of clinical outcomes among older people with psychiatric and medical conditions. Evidence guiding management of future outbreaks among this vulnerable population in psychiatric hospital settings are sparse. In this study, we examined the correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 and explored the perspectives of COVID-19 survivors hospitalized in psychiatry settings. METHOD: The correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 were examined using a retrospective chart review of 81 older people hospitalized in psychiatry settings. Correlates of clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. In addition, the perspectives of 10 COVID-19 survivors were explored by qualitative interviews. The qualitative data was subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Although 25.9% (n = 21) participants were asymptomatic, there was high COVID-19 related mortality (14.8%; n = 12). Vitamin-D deficiency, anticholinergic burden, and isolation policies within psychiatric wards were significantly (p < 0.05) related to COVID-19 related deaths. In qualitative interviews, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening local support networks and making vaccination centers more accessible. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing anticholinergic prescriptions and improving isolation policies may help to mitigate poor clinical outcomes. Future research investigating the impact of vitamin-D supplementation on COVID-19 related outcomes is warranted.
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Date
2023
Type
Article
Subject
COVID-19, Mental disorders, Health services for the aged
Citation
Abdulrahman, S., Al-Balushi, N., Holdcroft-Long, J., Khan, U., Ravindran, B., Das, S. & Rajkumar, A. P. (2023). Correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 among older people with psychiatric illness - a mixed methods study. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 58 (5), pp.493-509.