People with Covid-19 infection are four times more likely to develop schizophrenia, according to a study
Researchers have discovered a connection between severe Covid-19 infection and schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder, in a recent study.
The results show that individuals with Covid-19 infection have a diagnosis of schizophrenia that is more than four times higher than that of those without the infection.
Researchers from West Virginia University in the US have published in the National Library of Medicine about a possible interaction between vaccines and clozapine, a common medication used to treat schizophrenia.
Although the cause of schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by hallucinations and cognitive impairments, is unknown, earlier research has hypothesized that viral infections may be involved. This theory is strengthened by the latest discovery, which demands more research.
The study also made clear how important it is to carefully consider immunization plans for patients receiving clozapine therapy.
"According to our data, younger people who have Covid-19 are more likely to develop SSPD (Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders). These findings highlight the necessity of careful mental evaluation and assistance in the Long-Covid era, particularly for younger populations, and are consistent with the known neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and past research", the authors wrote.
The correlation observed between severe Covid-19 infections and a heightened likelihood of developing schizophrenia underscored the pressing requirement for an all-encompassing strategy to tackle the pandemic's enduring impact on mental health.
Additionally, the study examined how the pandemic affected primary care providers' ability to provide Brief Interventions (BIs) for alcohol and tobacco use.