Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension after the Removal of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions.

ABSTRACT

Background: There was increased risk of mental disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with chronic diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), were particularly vulnerable. Our previous study showed high levels of fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S), anxiety (HADS-A), and depression (HADS-D) in the second year of the pandemic among PAH/CTEPH patients. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in the levels of FCV-19S, HADS-A, and HADS-D after removing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 141 patients (62% females, 64% PAH) with a median age of 60 (range 42-72) years were included. Patients completed appropriate surveys in the second year of the pandemic, and then, after the restrictions were lifted in Poland (after 28 March 2022). Results: FVC-19S decreased significantly from 18 (12-23) to 14 (9-21), p < 0.001. The levels of anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 8 points) and depression (HADS-D ≥ 8 points) were abnormal in 26% and 16% of patients, respectively; these did not change at follow-up (p = 0.34 for HADS-A and p = 0.39 for HADS-D). Conclusions: Among PAH/CTEPH patients, fear of COVID-19 decreased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were removed, but anxiety and depression remained high, indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic was not a major factor in causing these disorders.