PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND IMMUNE DYSREGULATION IN POSTCOVID PATIENTS. RESULTS OF A SINGLE-CENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY

DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2023-20-4-140-151

R.V. Ibragimov¹, A.A. Zolotareva², M.V. Komelkova¹,
A.V. Zurochka¹, V.A. Zurochka¹, A.P. Sarapultsev¹

¹Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology»
Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation;
²Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution higher education «National Research University» Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract. Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant repercussions for global public health and economies, with marked impacts on psychological wellbeing. A consequential condition referred to as «Post-COVID Syndrome» has been observed following the acute phase of the disease. The underpinnings of this syndrome are thought to involve immune dysregulation and autoimmune response mechanisms, resulting in residual damages to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Persistent symptoms can include physical ailments such as weakness, headaches, chest discomfort, and muscular pain. Fatigue, apathy, anxiety, and difficulties with social adaptation and communication are among other potential issues, especially amidst an immune imbalance.
Objective. The study aims to examine the relationship between the manifestation of symptoms of psychopathology and immune imbalance.
Methods. The data was obtained from a questionnaire survey. A total of 82 respondents took part in the study. The Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data.
Results. Significant gender-based differences were observed in the manifestation of immune imbalance symptoms like allergic, autoimmune, lymphoproliferative, and infectious syndromes. A positive correlation was found between immune imbalance and psychopathological symptoms, particularly depression, anxiety, and somatization in relation to infectious syndrome, and fatigue and recurrent experiences with allergic syndrome and depression.
Conclusions. Our findings affirm the link between mental and immunological disorders post-COVID-19. Gaining insights into these interactive mechanisms may aid in the development of novel therapeutics and the early identification of complications.

Keywords: COVID-19, long-Covid, post-Covid syndrome, immune dysregulation, psychopathology, SARS-CoV-2 infection

There is no conflict of interest.
Contact details of the corresponding author:
Roman V. Ibragimov
Ibragimovroman98@yandex.ru
Received 11.07.2023
For citation:
Ibragimov R.V., Zolotareva A.A., Komelkova M.V., Zurochka A.V., Zurochka V.A., Sarapultsev A.P. Psychological disorders and immune dysregulation in postcovid patients. Results of a single-center prospective study [Online] Vestn. Ural. Med. Akad. Nauki. = Journal of Ural Medical Academic Science. 2023, Vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 140–151. DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2023-20-4-140-151 (In Russ)

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Authors
Roman V. Ibragimov
Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology» Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Postgraduate Student
Ibragimovroman98@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg

Alena A. Zolotareva
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution higher education «National Research University» Higher School of Economics
Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Senior Researcher
alena.a.zolotareva@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow

Mariya V. Komelkova
Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology» Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PhD, MD (Biology). Professor
mkomelkova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg

Aleksandr V. Zurochka
Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology» Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PhD, MD (Medicine), Professor, Honored Worker of Science of the Russian Federation, Leading Research Associate, Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation
av_zurochka@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg

Vladimir A. Zurochka
Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology» Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PhD, MD (Medicine), Senior Research Associate, Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation
av_zurochka@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg

Aleksej P. Sarapulcev
Federal State Budgetary Institution «Institute of Immunology and Physiology» Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PhD, MD (Biology), Leading Research Associate, Laboratory of Immunopathophysiology asarapultsev@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg