Characteristics of 100 consecutive patients with COVID-19 referred to consultation-liaison psychiatry services in Qatar: A comparison of patients with delirium versus other psychiatric diagnoses

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with various neuropsychiatric manifestations. This study reports on patients with COVID19 who were referred to the consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatry services in Qatar and compares the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of those diagnosed with delirium versus other psychiatric diagnoses. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the first 100 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who were referred to the CL services. Results: Within the total cohort (n = 100), most patients (92%) were male, and the mean age was 46 years. About 27% of patients had asymptomatic COVID-19, 35% had a past psychiatric history, and 48% reported pandemic related psychosocial stress. Delirium was the most common psychiatric diagnosis (n = 29), followed by acute stress reaction/adjustment disorder, depression, mania, anxiety, nonaffective psychosis, and dementia. Among patients with delirium, agitation was the most common symptom (76%), 86% were treated with psychotropic medications, and 17% died. Higher age, longer hospital stays, lower oxygen saturation, lower lymphocytic count, and higher Creactive protein (CRP) values were significantly associated with delirium versus other psychiatric diagnoses. Higher age and lower oxygen saturations predicted delirium. Conclusion: Delirium was associated with a range of clinical variables and had significant mortality, despite the relatively young age of the patients. COVID-19 should be considered in patients presenting with delirium. Finally, early identification and management of delirium should be integral to COVID19 protocols.