Background

Depressed patients suffered from severe psychological distress even after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled. The longitudinal changes and associations among stress and other psychological problems during this period remained unknown. In this study we investigated stress symptoms and the longitudinal impact of stress symptoms on other psychological symptoms in depressed patients after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled.

Methods

A total of 5241 depressed patients at the outpatients of 56 hospitals across mainland China were recruited from May 18 to June 18, 2020. Five months later, 2113 of them responded again. Demographic characteristics were collected and psychological symptoms were evaluated at baseline and the follow-up. The longitudinal associations between stress symptoms at baseline and the changes of other psychological problems were assessed using Poisson regression.

Results

The prevalence of stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms declined over time. Having stress symptoms at baseline was positively associated with the new occurrences of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms (range, adjusted RRs 1.69–1.81).

Limitations

The sampling method and the high dropout rate are the major limitations. Additionally, the mental conditions of the participants were not obtained, which may lead to unavoidable bias.

Conclusions

The prevalence of stress symptoms declined over time after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled. We found that having stress symptoms at baseline was a predictor for the new occurrences of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms.