Post-Traumatic Stress Risk Among COVID-19 Survivors in Colombia

Abstract

Background

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress are common in people who have experienced a life experience that significantly threatened their physical or psychological integrity. Nevertheless, little information about post-traumatic stress disorder risk (PSTD-R) in Colombian COVID-19 survivors is available.

Objective

To establish the prevalence and variables associated with PTSD-R in a sample of COVID-19 survivors in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Method

A cross-sectional study was designed with a non-probabilistic sample of adult COVID-19 survivors. Participants were demographically characterized and completed scales for depression risk, insomnia risk, and PTSD-R.

Results

Three hundred and thirty COVID-19 survivors between 18 and 89 years participated; 61.5% were women. The frequency of depression risk was 49.7%; insomnia risk, 60.6%; and PTSD-R, 13.3%. Depression risk (OR = 41.4, 95% CI 5.5–311.6), insomnia risk (OR = 5.3, 95% CI 1.8–18.7), low income (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.4–8.7) and being married or free union (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.2) were associated with PTSD-R.

Conclusions

Two out of every fifteen COVID-19 survivors are in PTSD-R. Depression and insomnia risk are strongly associated with PTSD-R among Colombian COVID-19 survivors. Studies that follow COVID-19 survivors long-term are needed.

Resumen

Antecedentes

Los síntomas del estrés postraumático son comunes en personas que han vivido una experiencia de vida que amenazó significativamente su integridad física o psicológica. Sin embargo, hay poca información disponible sobre el riesgo de trastorno de estrés postraumático (R-TEPT) en los sobrevivientes colombianos de COVID-19.

Objetivo

Establecer la prevalencia y las variables asociadas al R-TEPT en una muestra de sobrevivientes de COVID-19 en Santa Marta, Colombia.

Método

Se diseñó un estudio transversal con una muestra no probabilística de adultos sobrevivientes de COVID-19. Los participantes fueron caracterizados demográficamente y completaron escalas de riesgo de depresión, riesgo de insomnio y R-TEPT.

Resultados

Participaron 330 sobrevivientes de COVID-19 de entre 18 y 89 años; el 61,5% eran mujeres. La frecuencia de riesgo de depresión fue del 49,7%; la de riesgo de insomnio, del 60,6%, y la de R-TEPT, del 13,3%. El riesgo de depresión (OR = 41,4; IC 95%: 5,5-311,6), el riesgo de insomnio (OR = 5,3; IC 95%: 1,8-18,7), los bajos ingresos (OR = 3,5; IC 95%: 1,4-8,7) y estar casado o en unión libre (OR = 2,7; IC 95%: 1,1-6,2) se asociaron a R-TEPT.

Conclusiones

Dos de cada 15 supervivientes de COVID-19 se encuentran en R-TEPT. El riesgo de depresión e insomnio está fuertemente asociado al R-TEPT entre los sobrevivientes colombianos de COVID-19. Se necesitan estudios que sigan a los supervivientes de COVID-19 a largo plazo.