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Article

Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization

by
Ilenia Piras
1,2,*,
Maria Francesca Piazza
3,
Cristina Piccolo
4,
Antonio Azara
5,
Andrea Piana
5,
Gabriele Finco
6,7 and
Maura Galletta
7
1
Department of Biomedical Sciences, PhD School in Biomedical Sciences (Public Health), University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
2
Emergency Department SS. Trinità Hospital, ASL Cagliari, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
3
Liguria Health Authority (A.Li.Sa.), 16121 Genoa, Italy
4
Intensive Care Unit SS. Trinità Hospital, ASL Cagliari, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
5
Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
6
Intensive Care Unit Policlinico Universitario, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
7
Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106263
Submission received: 14 April 2022 / Revised: 18 May 2022 / Accepted: 19 May 2022 / Published: 21 May 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Wellbeing and Quality of Life during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic)
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Abstract

Literature suggested that COVID-19 patients experienced hospitalization as a physically and psychologically stressful event, with the risk to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study aimed to understand psychological experiences of COVID-19 survivors with severe complications during and after ICU hospitalization, and any relevant health consequences. From October 2020 to January 2021, a qualitative study was conducted in Italy via semi-structured interviews by phone or video call addressed to COVID-19 survivors, randomly enrolled among people who released their stories publicly on newspapers, television, or social media. Fifteen individuals (three women and twelve men with average age of 56.4 years) were interviewed. Four main themes emerged: (i) emotion of fear; (ii) isolation and loneliness; (iii) unawareness about the gravity of the situation as a protective factor; (iv) “Long COVID” as consequences of the disease on physical and psychological health. During hospitalization, 66.7% of participants had mild or moderate values of anxiety and depression. After discharge, 86.7% moved to normal values. The results suggest that long-COVID is an important problem to manage to improve patients’ quality of life. It is essential to guarantee a holistic take in charge starting before the discharge and continuing care after discharge in the community where they live.
Keywords: COVID-19; emotions; psychological experience; health consequences; long COVID; hospitalization; intensive care unit COVID-19; emotions; psychological experience; health consequences; long COVID; hospitalization; intensive care unit

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MDPI and ACS Style

Piras, I.; Piazza, M.F.; Piccolo, C.; Azara, A.; Piana, A.; Finco, G.; Galletta, M. Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 6263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106263

AMA Style

Piras I, Piazza MF, Piccolo C, Azara A, Piana A, Finco G, Galletta M. Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(10):6263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106263

Chicago/Turabian Style

Piras, Ilenia, Maria Francesca Piazza, Cristina Piccolo, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Gabriele Finco, and Maura Galletta. 2022. "Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 10: 6263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106263

APA Style

Piras, I., Piazza, M. F., Piccolo, C., Azara, A., Piana, A., Finco, G., & Galletta, M. (2022). Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(10), 6263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106263

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