Anxiety symptoms and risk factors in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Shanghai, China.

Objectives: The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been shown to include anxiety. However, the association between demographic and physiological factors in COVID-19-associated anxiety symptoms is poorly understood. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study was conducted to examine anxiety symptoms and associated factors among patients with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during the quarantine period in Shanghai.

Methods: The study was conducted between April 16, 2022, and May 21, 2022, at Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Shanghai, China. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire. Demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, vaccine dose, comorbidities (such as hypertension and diabetes), type of work, and mental health symptoms were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between anxiety symptoms and risk factors. Stratified analyses were performed to investigate potential interactions.

Results: A total of 2132 patients with confirmed Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. The results demonstrated that female gender (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.11-1.94), nonmanual labor (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.25-2.09), respiratory symptoms (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 2.30-4.43), and having other comorbidities (OR = 1.65, 95% = 1.09-2.50) were positively associated with anxiety symptoms. A significant interaction was found between gender and (a) nonmanual labor (OR = 1.54, 95% = 1.29-1.85), (b) respiratory symptoms (OR = 2.06, 95% = 1.72- 2.48), and (c) comorbidities (OR = 1.57, 95% = 1.16-2.12), such that the relationship with anxiety symptoms was stronger in women compared to men. There were also significant interactions between age group and (a) nonmanual labor (stronger in those ages >46) and (b) respiratory symptoms (stronger in those ages 36-45) regarding the association with anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions: Alleviation of respiratory symptoms, addressing comorbidities, and implementation of both psychological and psychopharmacological treatments may help reduce anxiety symptoms following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in mainland China.