FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 ADMISSIONS in patients diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder: A restricted scheme case study AUTHORS Michael Willie Sipho Kabane
PEER REVIEWER: Edmore Marinda
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 epidemic has adversely affected health systems globally. Most are overwhelmed because of the unprecedented spread of the virus. Previous pandemics have had persistent mental health effects. The 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic significantly elevated rates of psychiatric disorders and psychological distress. The prevalence of bipolar mood disorder (BMD) has increased by more than 10% in the past 10 years and is among the top ten most prevalent chronic conditions in medical scheme members. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess admissions of BMD patients of a large restricted scheme who were confirmed positive for both COVID-19 and a non-COVID-19 related diagnosis. METHODS: The study entailed a descriptive cross-section analysis of a restricted medical scheme using claims information on COVID-19. Patients were included if they had laboratory confirmed (RT – PCR assay) COVID-19 infection and had also been diagnosed with BMD. Comparisons were made between COVID-19 related admissions and non-COVID-19 related admissions. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess factors associated with re-admission rates of BMD patients. RESULTS: The analysis covered a total of 89 restricted medical scheme patients diagnosed with BMD who were admitted for suspected COVID-19 infection. The primary diagnosis for admission was used as guide to identify a COVID-19 related admission. The median age of patients admitted to hospital was 48 (IQR 39-54). The median number of inpatient days was seven (IQR 4-11) and six (IQR 3-12), for the confirmed COVID-19 cases and other non-COVID cases, respectively. The median risk-benefit paid for the confirmed cases per event was R26 704: (IQR R12 165-R46 232). Overall, 80% of the sample were females; among confirmed
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2 0 2 0 SOU T H ERN AFRICAN H E A LT H JO UR N A L P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B O A R D O F H E A LT H C A R E F U N D E R S
