Predictors for Depression, Sleep Disturbance, and Subjective Pain among Inpatients with Depressive Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: Dian-Jeng Li, Su-Ting Hsu, Frank Huang-Chih Chou, Li-Shiu Chou, Kuan-Ying Hsieh, Wei-Tsung Kao, Guei-Ging Lin, Wei-Jen Chen, Che-Hun Liao, Joh-Jong Huang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: depression; sleep disturbance; pain; social impact; psychiatric inpatient
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/12/6523
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can have a negative impact on patients with mood disorders. The aim of this study is to explore the societal influence of COVID-19 and associated impacts on levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain among patients with mood disorders. This cross-sectional study recruited inpatients with depression and bipolar disorder. Levels of depression, sleep disturbance, subjective pain, and related demographic variables were collected through self-reported questionnaires. Potential factors associated with levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain were identified using univariate linear regression and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify the independent predictors. A total of 119 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 50.42% had bipolar disorder and 49.58% had unipolar depression. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher level of depression was associated with female subjects, subjects with partners, present history of psychological trauma, and drinking alcohol. Sleep disturbance was associated with subjects with partners and drinking alcohol. A higher level of subjective pain was associated with a higher level of social anxiety and a history of psychological trauma. The current study identified several predictors of psychological burden and subjective pain among inpatients with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are warranted to extend the application and generalizability of our results.