Autor:innen:
Nikolaus Röthke, Mainz (Germany)
Saskia Lindner, Mainz (Germany)
Maria-Inti Metzendorf, Düsseldorf (Germany)
Alexandra Sachkova, Göttingen (Germany)
Eva Rehfuess, Munich (Germany)
Jacob Burns, Munich (Germany)
Michaela Coenen, Munich (Germany)
Christine Schmucker, Freiburg (Germany)
Joerg J. Meerpohl, Freiburg (Germany)
Klaus Lieb, Mainz (Germany)
Introduction Given the immediate disease-related threats and the various measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with pre-existing mental disorders may present a vulnerable group regarding mental health problems. Within the project CEOsys, as part of the German national network of academic medical research into COVID-19 (NUM), the evidence on a) mental health consequences and b) on the efficacy of interventions to foster mental health in this population will be synthesized in a (living) systematic review.
Methods The study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed in duplicate, using machine-learning at the level of title/abstract screening. We will include longitudinal and repeated cross-sectional studies investigating mental health (a) as well as quantitative studies (e.g., randomized controlled trials) evaluating any form of (non-)psychological intervention to foster mental health (b). A variety of mental health outcomes will be eligible, including disorder-specific symptoms (e.g., depressive symptoms) as primary outcome and general secondary outcomes (e.g., perceived stress). Random-effects meta-analyses will be conducted, if appropriate, with the certainty of evidence being assessed using GRADE. Several subgroup analyses are planned.
Results A first search has been performed on May 31, 2021, yielding a total of 10203 references. The talk will present the findings of the review, in narrative form and using meta-analyses, if possible. The impact of population (e.g., type of mental disorder) and intervention characteristics (e.g., delivery) will be addressed.
Conclusion The systematic review will allow important conclusions regarding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with pre-existing mental disorder. It may inform policymakers and medical decision-makers in addressing any psychological burden in this target group during the current pandemic as well as potential future crisis situations.