Hu HS, Sun BQ. Understanding the etiology of mental health problems in post-rehabilitation COVID-19 patients: Insights and strategies for effective intervention. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12(23): 5308-5312 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i23.5308]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Bao-Qing Sun, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Qiaozhong Middle Road, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China. sunbaoqing@vip.163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Infectious Diseases
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Cases. Aug 16, 2024; 12(23): 5308-5312 Published online Aug 16, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i23.5308
Understanding the etiology of mental health problems in post-rehabilitation COVID-19 patients: Insights and strategies for effective intervention
Hai-Sheng Hu, Bao-Qing Sun
Hai-Sheng Hu, Guangzhou Respiratory Health Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China
Bao-Qing Sun, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Hu HS and Sun BQ contributed to this study; Sun BQ designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Hu HS contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Hu HS and Sun BQ contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript, illustrations, and literature review.
Supported byGuangzhou Laboratory Emergency Research Project, No. EKPG21-302.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest related to this study or its publication.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Bao-Qing Sun, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Qiaozhong Middle Road, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China. sunbaoqing@vip.163.com
Received: April 19, 2024 Revised: May 22, 2024 Accepted: June 3, 2024 Published online: August 16, 2024 Processing time: 77 Days and 2.7 Hours
Abstract
In this editorial, we comment on an article by Alhammad et al that was published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases (Manuscript No.: 91134). We specifically focus on the mental health problems caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), their mechanisms, and targeted rehabilitation strategies. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, via its spike protein, binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and other receptors prior to infiltrating diverse cells within the central nervous system, including endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, thereby contributing to the development of mental illnesses. Epidemiological data from 2020 underscored the global upsurge in major depressive and anxiety disorders by 27.6% and 25.6%, respectively, during the pandemic. The commented research show that 30% of post-intensive care unit discharge patients with COVID-19 in the Arabic region exhibited Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores that were indicative of anxiety and depression. While acknowledging psychosocial factors, such as grief and loss, it is crucial to recognize the potential neurological impact of the virus through various mechanisms. Accordingly, interventions that encompass dietary measures, health supplements, and traditional Chinese medicine with neuroprotective properties are necessary. This editorial underscores the urgency to implement comprehensive rehabilitation approaches to address the intricate interplay between COVID-19 and mental well-being.
Core Tip: Epidemiological data from 2020 have revealed a worldwide escalation in major depressive disorders by 27.6% and in anxiety disorders by 25.6% amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The prevalence of mental health issues among patients with COVID-19 after rehabilitation is on the rise and is potentially linked to bereavement or the neurological impact of the virus. Implementing dietary interventions, health supplements, and traditional Chinese medicines with neuroprotective properties is imperative to safeguard the nervous systems of these individuals and improve their mental well-being.
