Anxiety, depression linked to 78% higher risk of long COVID in older women

Older women with a history of anxiety and depressive symptoms face a significantly elevated risk of developing long COVID, according to a recent large-scale analysis. The study, which focused on postmenopausal women, highlights a potential link between mental health and the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms.

Understanding the Research

The Women’s Health Initiative Study

Researchers from the University of California led a study following 18,820 postmenopausal women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative. These participants had provided assessments of their mental health symptoms over almost three decades and, in 2020 and 2021, reported on their COVID-19 experiences, including symptoms, test results, and adherence to safety protocols. The average age of the participants was 83 years.

Depression and Anxiety Increase Long COVID Risk

The analysis revealed that a prior history of depressive or anxiety symptoms did not increase the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19. However, women who had reported these mental health symptoms before the pandemic were considerably more likely to develop long COVID. Specifically, women experiencing both clinically significant depressive symptoms and self-reported anxiety symptoms had a 78% higher chance of developing long COVID compared to women reporting neither condition.

Did You Know? The study followed participants for nearly three decades, utilizing pre-pandemic mental health assessments to determine risk factors for long COVID.

Behavior and Immune Function

The study also found a correlation between mental health symptoms and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Women with both depression and anxiety were less likely to consistently use preventive measures like masking and physical distancing. Conversely, women reporting anxiety symptoms alone were slightly more likely to follow these guidelines.

Researchers suggest that the connection between mental health and long COVID may extend beyond behavioral factors. They note that the immune system is known to be impacted by psychiatric illnesses, potentially leading to immune system dysfunction and increased vulnerability to long COVID.

Expert Insight: This research underscores the complex interplay between physical and mental health, suggesting that addressing pre-existing mental health conditions could be an important component of public health strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of long COVID.

What Could Happen Next

Public health officials may consider targeted preventative measures for women with a history of anxiety and depression. Further research could explore the specific biological mechanisms linking mental health and long COVID. It is also possible that increased awareness of this connection could lead to greater emphasis on mental health support during and after public health crises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did having anxiety or depression make women more likely to get COVID-19?

No, the analysis found that a history of depressive or anxiety symptoms was not associated with a higher likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19.

What was the average age of the women studied?

The average age of the 18,820 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative was 83 years.

What did the authors say about the relationship between having both depression and anxiety versus having only one of those conditions?

The authors wrote that having a history of both depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms may be more strongly associated with long COVID than having a history of either condition alone.

How might understanding the link between mental health and long COVID influence future public health responses to pandemics?