JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The mutated strain of the new coronavirus, the OMICRON virus, began to spread in Shanghai in early April 2022. The government adopted a quarantine policy that lasted for two months. This study is looking at the effect that this specific time period had on mental health and quality of life (QOL) for the people of Shanghai 2022.

Objective:

The mutated strain of the new coronavirus, the OMICRON virus, began to spread in Shanghai in early April 2022. The government adopted a quarantine policy that lasted for two months. This study is looking at the effect that this specific time period had on mental health and quality of life (QOL) for the people of Shanghai 2022.

Methods:

Patients, caregivers, and community members who did not suffer from Covid-19, but did experience the closure of the city, completed 281 valid questionnaires either online or on paper within one week of unblocking. Questionnaires included 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Short Form-12 (SF-12).

Results:

281 valid questionnaires were completed; females 111, males 170, with an age range of 14 to 92,52.32 ± 16.26. Gender and subject’s education had no significant effect on depression or anxiety. For source, more patients in the rehabilitation setting scored＞9 on PHQ and GAD questionnaires (PHQ 28%, GAD 16%) than the other 2 groups, and a significant difference was found in PHQ score (p value=0.032), while the GAD difference was not significant (p value=0.339). For age, more participants from group 1 (age 19-39) scored ＞9 on PHQ and GAD questionnaires (PHQ 29%, GAD 16%) compared to the other 2 groups. A significant difference was found in PHQ score (p value=0.022), while the GAD difference was not significant (p value=0.392). Regarding populations, there was also significant differences in PCS12 scores between patients and community members, p value <0.0001; patients and caregivers have significant differences, p value <0.0001; caregivers and community members have no significant differences, p value is 0.9434. There is significant difference in PCS12 scores between patients and caregivers, p value < 0.0001. Regarding age, group 1 (age 19-39) and group 3 (age 60+) have significant difference in PCS12 scores, p value < 0.0001; and group 1 and group 2 (age 40-59) have no significant difference, with the p value 0.3903.

Conclusions:

This cross-sectional study looking at quality of life in three different populations of Shanghai residents during Covid-19 lockdown demonstrated no significant differences in overall QOL between people living in the community versus those living in a rehabilitation hospital setting. There were significant differences specifically in physical functional scores (PCS12) and depression scores (PHQ-9) between patients in the rehabilitation setting when compared to their caregivers or community members. Patients demonstrated decreased physical functioning and increased levels of depression. More surprisingly, there were differences in depression and anxiety scores between age groups in all populations, with younger Shanghai residents demonstrating increased levels of depression and anxiety when compared to older residents following lockdown. Clinical Trial: YK-2021-02-028