The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population

The development of Long COVID is a complex disease process that may be partially driven by neuroinflammation. Antipsychotics have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects under certain conditions. Our study aimed to determine if veterans treated with antipsychotics and/or selective serotonin reup...

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Main Authors: Jerry Bradley, Fei Tang, Dominique Tosi, Natasha Resendes, Iriana S. Hammel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:COVID
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/4/11/118
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author Jerry Bradley
Fei Tang
Dominique Tosi
Natasha Resendes
Iriana S. Hammel
author_facet Jerry Bradley
Fei Tang
Dominique Tosi
Natasha Resendes
Iriana S. Hammel
author_sort Jerry Bradley
collection DOAJ
description The development of Long COVID is a complex disease process that may be partially driven by neuroinflammation. Antipsychotics have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects under certain conditions. Our study aimed to determine if veterans treated with antipsychotics and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a psychiatric condition had a reduced risk of developing long-term COVID. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with two cohorts of patients based on the COVID-19 wave in which the patient’s initial infection occurred (Cohort 1: alpha/beta waves, and Cohort 2: delta/omicron waves) with stratification by age. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the use of antipsychotics and Long COVID diagnosis. In Cohort 1, antipsychotic use was associated with 43% and 34% reductions in the odds of developing Long COVID in patients aged <65 and >65 years, respectively. This association was reduced in the second cohort to 11% in patients aged <65 years and without an association over 65 years of age. SSRIs showed no benefit in either age group or cohort. Our results show that antipsychotic use for the treatment of a mental health condition was associated with a reduction in the risk of developing Long COVID, and the magnitude of this reduction varied between COVID-19 cohorts.
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spelling doaj-art-752783fe49664d38b3031d350ddb66a32025-08-20T02:28:04ZengMDPI AGCOVID2673-81122024-10-014111694170310.3390/covid4110118The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran PopulationJerry Bradley0Fei Tang1Dominique Tosi2Natasha Resendes3Iriana S. Hammel4Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33125, USAMiami Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Miami, FL 33125, USADepartment of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33125, USADepartment of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33125, USADepartment of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33125, USAThe development of Long COVID is a complex disease process that may be partially driven by neuroinflammation. Antipsychotics have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects under certain conditions. Our study aimed to determine if veterans treated with antipsychotics and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a psychiatric condition had a reduced risk of developing long-term COVID. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with two cohorts of patients based on the COVID-19 wave in which the patient’s initial infection occurred (Cohort 1: alpha/beta waves, and Cohort 2: delta/omicron waves) with stratification by age. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the use of antipsychotics and Long COVID diagnosis. In Cohort 1, antipsychotic use was associated with 43% and 34% reductions in the odds of developing Long COVID in patients aged <65 and >65 years, respectively. This association was reduced in the second cohort to 11% in patients aged <65 years and without an association over 65 years of age. SSRIs showed no benefit in either age group or cohort. Our results show that antipsychotic use for the treatment of a mental health condition was associated with a reduction in the risk of developing Long COVID, and the magnitude of this reduction varied between COVID-19 cohorts.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/4/11/118long COVIDantipsychoticsSSRIsPTSDdepression
spellingShingle Jerry Bradley
Fei Tang
Dominique Tosi
Natasha Resendes
Iriana S. Hammel
The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
COVID
long COVID
antipsychotics
SSRIs
PTSD
depression
title The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
title_full The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
title_fullStr The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
title_short The Effects of SSRIs and Antipsychotics on Long COVID Development in a Large Veteran Population
title_sort effects of ssris and antipsychotics on long covid development in a large veteran population
topic long COVID
antipsychotics
SSRIs
PTSD
depression
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/4/11/118
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