CASWELL
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Wellbeing and Reintegration After COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome
IRAS ID
290469
Contact name
Vicky Salem
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020. The consequences have imposed an unprecedented impact on all of our lives and the broader implications are yet to be fully understood.
There have been many reports of a surge of pandemic-related psychological distress. Recent surveys have indicated that anxiety levels in the general UK population remain considerably higher than in pre-lockdown and will affect work patterns and social interaction for some time to come (1). This has been particularly pronounced in certain groups who are at higher risk of severe infection, including patients with diabetes and obesity. Studies including patients with diabetes reveal that over a quarter of this patient group have experienced severe levels of psychological distress during the pandemic, with tangible consequences on their ability to self-manage their chronic health condition or effectively engage with healthcare providers (2).
We have established the C-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19 ASS), a questionnaire-based assessment of the presence of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome in normal, healthy members of the public (3). The aims of this present study are to apply this in our patient cohorts: patients with diabetes mellitus attending Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT) clinics and patients with obesity referred to the ICHT specialist obesity services. We will align the results of the C-19 ASS score with general health anxiety psychometric measures and, crucially, any functional impairment that has resulted relating to our patients’ ability to self manage their chronic condition.
The central aim of our study is to widen the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic including at-risk patient groups. We know both anecdotally (from friends, family and of course our patients) and now increasingly from the peer-reviewed scientific literature, that the COVID-19 pandemic has induced a stress response almost universally in our society. Some people, particularly those who are at increased risk of severe infection because of underlying health disorders, have experienced such profound psychological distress that it has affected their ability to successfully re-integrate into the demands of daily life, as we enter a period of graded easing of lockdown and new normal in the UK. Even more worryingly, altered behaviours due to this anxiety response could result in maladaptive coping strategies that put people’s health at risk. For example, patients with obesity could develop even poorer eating habits and patients with diabetes could avoid contact and checks with their healthcare providers.
This research aims to use a validated questionnaire-based measurement tool to reliably identify the presence of anxiety syndrome features associated with COVID-19 in our local patient population. We will use it to quantify the extent and ramifications of COVID-anxiety both in our higher-risk patient groups with diabetes and/or obesity. This is important to help carers better understand the needs of our patient groups and to effectively communicate with them. Ultimately, we wish to use this data to inform the development of better-targeted interventions and therapies to help people who are most adversely affected by COVID-19 anxiety back to work, social interaction, self-management and general wellbeing.
1.2 Rationale for current study
The results of this study will
1. Extend the validity of the C-19 ASS score to people living with long-term conditions.
2. Help us gauge COVID-19 anxiety levels in our local patient groups.
3. Link the results of the C-19 ASS score to other established psychological questionnaires assessing health anxiety and health self-management efficacy.
4. Help us design targeted interventions to specifically help people whose COVID-19 anxiety affects their ability to engage with healthcare or work.
5. Inform healthcare and broader policy on the effective re-enablement of people who have suffered a functional impairment as the result of COVID-19 anxiety.REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0181
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion