INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 08 Program Schedule 02/16/2024 01:45 pm - 03:00 pm Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120) Poster Session 08: Cognition \| Cognitive Reserve Variables Final Abstract #67 Racial Disparities Within Psychological Outcomes of Long COVID Patients. Sherly Smith, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States Ronnise Owens, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States Michelle Haddad, Emory University, Atlanta, United States Category: Infectious Disease (HIV/COVID/Hepatitis/Viruses) Keyword 1: infectious disease Keyword 2: diversity Keyword 3: mood disorders Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately exposed the depths of racial and ethnic disparities that persist within the realm of healthcare. Specifically, the Black community in the United States was disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with death rates up to six times higher than those in predominantly White counties (Andraska et al., 2021). Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the COVID global health emergency, many patients have reported persistent physiological symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Additionally, ongoing psychological distress following COVID-19 infection has been documented extensively, with increased rates of depression and anxiety (12.9% and 19.1%, respectively) (Kubota et al., 2023). However, it is unclear if the racial disparities noted are also present in the ongoing psychological effects of long COVID. This study aims to investigate the relationship between psychological outcomes and long COVID patients, particularly considering race. Participants and Methods: Fifty participants (Age M= 48.6 ± 12.19; 20% male, 80% female; 52% White, 38% Black, 10% Other) were selected from data collection of neuropsychological performance in adults with long COVID symptoms. Patients were recruited and assessed as part of a larger-scale IRB-approved database, which is designed to better understand the neurocognitive, physiological, and psychosocial trajectories of adults with long COVID symptoms within Emory Rehabilitation Hospital’s Long COVID Neuropsychology Clinic. Results: A one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences between racial groups across PHQ8 scores (F(2,44) = [.708], p = .49), GAD7 scores (F(2,44) = [.267] p = .76), and PCLC scores (F(2,43) = [1.04], p = .36). There were also no significant differences in premorbid psychiatric history (F(2,47) = [0.35] p = .96). When comparing premorbid psychiatric history to mental health outcome scores, a one-way ANOVA revealed those who endorsed a history of mental health stress reported significantly more symptoms of depression (F(3,43) = [3.59] p = .021) and anxiety (F(3,43) = [3.16] p = .034). Conclusions: There were no significant differences between racial groups and mental health outcome scores, though sample size may have been a limitation. However, based on a comparison of means, Black participants consistently reported more mental health distress than the White and Other racial groups. It is also important to note that there was no significant difference in the means between groups regarding the report of psychiatric history; however, this suggests that Black patients reported more distressing psychological effects of long COVID even when all groups reported similar psychiatric history.

Poster

02/16/2024
01:45 pm - 03:00 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 08: Cognition | Cognitive Reserve Variables

Final Abstract #67

Racial Disparities Within Psychological Outcomes of Long COVID Patients.

Sherly Smith, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
Ronnise Owens, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
Michelle Haddad, Emory University, Atlanta, United States

Category: Infectious Disease (HIV/COVID/Hepatitis/Viruses)

Keyword 1: infectious disease
Keyword 2: diversity
Keyword 3: mood disorders

Objective:

The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately exposed the depths of racial and ethnic disparities that persist within the realm of healthcare. Specifically, the Black community in the United States was disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with death rates up to six times higher than those in predominantly White counties (Andraska et al., 2021). Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the COVID global health emergency, many patients have reported persistent physiological symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Additionally, ongoing psychological distress following COVID-19 infection has been documented extensively, with increased rates of depression and anxiety (12.9% and 19.1%, respectively) (Kubota et al., 2023). However, it is unclear if the racial disparities noted are also present in the ongoing psychological effects of long COVID. This study aims to investigate the relationship between psychological outcomes and long COVID patients, particularly considering race.

Participants and Methods:

Fifty participants (Age M= 48.6 ± 12.19; 20% male, 80% female; 52% White, 38% Black, 10% Other) were selected from data collection of neuropsychological performance in adults with long COVID symptoms. Patients were recruited and assessed as part of a larger-scale IRB-approved database, which is designed to better understand the neurocognitive, physiological, and psychosocial trajectories of adults with long COVID symptoms within Emory Rehabilitation Hospital’s Long COVID Neuropsychology Clinic.

Results:

A one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences between racial groups across PHQ8 scores (F(2,44) = [.708], p = .49), GAD7 scores (F(2,44) = [.267] p = .76), and PCLC scores (F(2,43) = [1.04], p = .36). There were also no significant differences in premorbid psychiatric history (F(2,47) = [0.35] p = .96). When comparing premorbid psychiatric history to mental health outcome scores, a one-way ANOVA revealed those who endorsed a history of mental health stress reported significantly more symptoms of depression (F(3,43) = [3.59] p = .021) and anxiety (F(3,43) = [3.16] p = .034).

Conclusions:

There were no significant differences between racial groups and mental health outcome scores, though sample size may have been a limitation. However, based on a comparison of means, Black participants consistently reported more mental health distress than the White and Other racial groups. It is also important to note that there was no significant difference in the means between groups regarding the report of psychiatric history; however, this suggests that Black patients reported more distressing psychological effects of long COVID even when all groups reported similar psychiatric history.