Older age and depressive state are risk factors for re-positivity with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Maojun Li; Huawen Peng; Guangyou Duan; Jian Wang; Zhiqing Yu; Zhongrong Zhang; Liping Wu; Ming Du; Shiji Zhou

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1014470

Older age and depressive state are risk factors for re-positivity with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 4:10:1014470. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1014470. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Maojun Li¹, Huawen Peng², Guangyou Duan³, Jian Wang⁴, Zhiqing Yu⁵, Zhongrong Zhang¹, Liping Wu¹, Ming Du¹, Shiji Zhou⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, People's Hospital of Linshui County, Guangan, China.
² People's Hospital of Linshui County, Guangan, China.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁴ Department of General Surgery, People's Hospital of Linshui County, Guangan, China.
⁵ Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Linshui County, Guangan, China.
⁶ Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Abstract

Background: The reinfection rate of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is high; thus, exploring the risk factors for reinfection is important for the effective control of the epidemic. This study aimed to explore the effects of psychological and sleep factors on re-positivity with Omicron.

Methods: Through a prospective cohort study, 933 adult patients diagnosed with Omicron BA.2.2 infection and testing negative after treatment were included for screening and follow-up. We collected data on patients' demographic characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron vaccination status, anxiety, depression, and sleep status. Patients underwent nucleic acid testing for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron for 30 days. Regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine the risk factors for re-positivity of Omicron.

Results: Ultimately, 683 patients were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age (P = 0.006) and depressive status (P = 0.006) were two independent risk factors for Omicron re-positivity. The odds ratios of re-positivity in patients aged ≥60 years and with a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥5 was 1.82 (95% confidence interval:1.18-2.78) and 2.22 (1.27-3.85), respectively. In addition, the time from infection to recovery was significantly longer in patients aged ≥60 years (17.2 ± 4.5 vs. 16.0 ± 4.4, P = 0.003) and in patients with PHQ-9≥5 (17.5 ± 4.2vs. 16.2 ± 4.5, P = 0.026). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that there was a significantly higher primary re-positivity rate in patients aged ≥60 years (P = 0.004) and PHQ-9 ≥ 5 (P = 0.007).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that age of ≥60 years and depressive status were two independent risk factors for re-positivity with Omicron and that these factors could prolong the time from infection to recovery. Thus, it is necessary to pay particular attention to older adults and patients in a depressive state.

Keywords: COVID-19; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2; anxiety; depression; older adults; reinfection; sleep.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Humans
Nucleic Acids*
Prospective Studies
Reinfection
Risk Factors
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Nucleic Acids

Supplementary concepts

SARS-CoV-2 variants