Dynamics of newly emerging schizophrenic-like psychotic disorders, taking into account the influence of acute respiratory infection

Abstract

In this original study, in order to track the variability of the diagnosis of acute schizophrenic-like psychotic disorder, taking into account the effects of acute respiratory infection and the specifics of therapy, 251 patients (111 men, 140 women; cf. age 28.2±6.3) from among those hospitalized in specialized departments for patients with mental pathology and concomitant coronavirus infection were examined for 36 months. The study participants were examined in two stages: at the time of hospitalization and 36 months after discharge from the hospital (n=169). The present study has shown that the diagnosis of schizophrenia-like disorder is unstable and variable. Thus, among patients with the onset of the disease as an acute schizophrenic disorder against the background of COVID-19, 43% (n=40) of cases were diagnosed with schizophrenia, 24% (n=22) with schizoaffective disorder, and 2% (n=2) with bipolar affective disorder after 36 months. In the group of patients without COVID-19, the diagnoses were as follows: schizophrenia in 46% (n=35) of cases and schizoaffective disorder in 28% (n=21). Patients with COVID-19 needed to use higher average therapeutic dosages of antipsychotics compared to patients without a history of COVID-19 (cf. chlorpromazine equivalent 342±188 vs 259±153 mg/day).