The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. This longitudinal study investigates the prevalence of mental health problems (obsessive compulsive, or depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress...) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients and their live-in family members. We also aim to investigate the impact of the pandemic, isolation measures, exposure to media and changing therapeutic setting in OCD patients and their live-in family members through qualitative research.
The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. Previous studies during the SARS outbreak demonstrated a significant burden and increase of mental health problems in people with preexisting psychiatric problems, but little is known about the impact on preexisting obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This longitudinal study aims to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems of OCD patients during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. We also want to investigate the impact on family accommodation (FA). There is growing evidence that FA maintains and/or facilitates OCD symptoms. OCD patients and their live-in family members, followed at the Centre for OCD of the Ghent university hospital, will be included. Sociodemographic data, data regarding employment and previous mental health problems will be collected at the first survey. The Y-BOCS (OCD symtoms) and FAS (family accommodation) will be taken from patients and family members respectively at the start, after 1, 3 and 6 months. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Dutch translation of the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) will be administered at the same time points through an online survey. Secondly, patients and live-in family members will be interviewed about their experiences concerning the covid pandemic, the isolation measures, media exposure and change of mental health practice and the impact on the OCD (qualitative research).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
75
Y-BOCS or FAS and online survey will be administered interview will be conducted
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium
OCD symptoms in patients at baseline
OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS
Time frame: Baseline
Family accommodation in family members at baseline
FA as measured by the family accommodation scale (FAS)
Time frame: Baseline
Change in OCD symptoms in patients
OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days
Change in family accommodation in family members
FA as measured by the family accommodation scale (FAS)
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days
Depressive symptoms at baseline in patients and family members
Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline
Change in depressive symptoms in patients and family members
Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days
Anxiety symptoms at baseline in patients and family members
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Anxiety symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more anxiety symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline
Change in anxiety symptoms in patients and family members
Anxiety symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more anxiety symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days
Stress levels at baseline in patients and family members
Stress as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline
Change in stress levels in patients and family members
Stress as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days
Covid-19 related psychological stress at baseline in patients and family members
Specific distress regarding Covid-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.
Time frame: Baseline
Change in Covid-19 related psychological stress in patients and family members
Specific distress regarding Covid-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.
Time frame: Baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days