The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on major depressive disorder symptomatology

Abstract

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has a Spanish prevalence of 1.363.200 people. Regarding MDD pathophysiology, even though there are various hypothesis, the exact cause isn’t known. SARS-CoV-2 infection is causing a worldwide pandemic with more than 40 million cases and more than 1,5 million of deaths all over the World. It is known that is transmitted via small droplets and aerosols, and that while there’s a proportion of people that is asymptomatic, others suffer from Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome and other severe complications. Regarding the pathophysiology, it is discovered that the virus interacts with the immune system producing a cytokine release syndrome contributing to tissue damage. Previous studies indicate that since the pandemic begin, there has been an increase on depressive symptomatology and MDD. Linking with previous data that indicates that one of the most accepted and studied theory of the MDD aetiology is the proinflammatory hypothesis, the virus may cause depressive symptoms via inflammatory pathways. Main objective: to demonstrate that infection with SARS-CoV-2 aggravates MDD symptomatology in previously-diagnosed patients from Xarxa de Salut Mental i Addiccions de Girona (XSMA). Secondary objective: to study if patients with higher inflammatory parameters suffer from a major worsening of the MDD symptomatology. Study design: An observational prospective cohort study with matching carried out from August 2020 to October 2022 in the XSMA of Girona region. The patient’s follow-up will take 1 year. Participants: The study will be formed by adults with a previous MDD diagnosis of the XSMA of Girona region which had been diagnosed according DSM-5 diagnosis criteria. They will be selected by a consecutive non-probabilistic model, in theCentres of Mental Health of Girona region, Centres de Salut Mental d’Adults (CSMA), and included in the study when their informed consent will be signed