Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Investigation of the Psychological Status of COVID-19 Patients and its Influence on Defecation in Jinshan Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Shanghai, China

Xiao Chang-fang, Yao Yi-bo, Ding Ya-qing, Xu Yi-peng, Wu Jing-wen and Wang Chen*

Objective: To investigate the psychological state of asymptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients in Fangcang Shelter Hospital and the influence of psychological state on defecation.

Methods: The psychological status, defecation disorder and anorectal diseases of asymptomatic COVID-19 infected patients admitted to a shelter hospital in the Jinshan District of Shanghai were investigated using an online questionnaire from May 1 to May 7, 2022.

Results: A total of 568 valid questionnaires were received, excluding the respondents who had defecation disorders before entering the Fangcang Shelter Hospital. A total of 452 questionnaires were included for data analysis and the detection rate of anxiety was 24.6% (111/452). The detection rate of difficult defecation was 39.6% (179/452). The incidence of difficult defecation was 57.7% (64/111) among the subjects with anxiety and 33.7% (115/341) among the subjects without anxiety. The incidence of difficult defecation in anxious subjects was significantly higher than that in non-anxious subjects (P<0.001). The proportion of patients with dry stool (bristol type 1-2), anal mass prolapse after defecation and perianal pain were higher in the group with difficulty in defecation than those without (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients had anxiety at the Fangcang Shelter Hospital, which may cause difficulty in defecation and induce anorectal diseases.

Published Date: 2024-03-28; Received Date: 2024-02-26