Does having COVID-19 infection history lead to a different clinical presentation and treatment response in patients with major depression?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether a history of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects depression severity, symptoms, and treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: The study included 76 patients with a history of COVID-19 and 98 patients without, all diagnosed with first-episode MDD. After one month, 32 patients with and 36 without a history of COVID-19 were re-evaluated. Beck Depression Inventory, Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale, Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, WHO Quality of Life Scale Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) were administered to the patients at the initial presentation. The self-report scales were re-administered at the follow-up visit.

Results: Patients with a history of COVID-19 infection had significantly higher SIGH-SAD scores for increased appetite, weight gain, somatic anxiety, and paranoid symptoms. After treatment, improvement in the physical subscale of quality of life was significantly better in these patients.

Conclusion: While depression severity was similar in both groups, atypical symptoms were more prominent in patients with a history of COVID-19 infection. These patients also showed greater improvements in mixed symptoms and quality of life after treatment.