The Effect of Symptoms Seen in Inpatients Receiving Treatment Due to a Diagnosis of COVID-19 on Functional Independence Status and Anxiety Levels: A Descriptive Study

The Effect of COVID-19-Related Symptoms on Functional Independence Status and Anxiety Level

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the effects of symptoms seen in inpatients receiving treatment due to a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on functional independence status and anxiety levels.
Methods: This research was conducted as a descriptive study between July 2021 and April 2022. It included 150 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Modified Barthel Index, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Percentage calculations, Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used in data analysis.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 52.3 ± 13.18, 55.3% were male, 80% were married, 32% were university graduates, and 72.7% had at least one accompanying disease. The most common symptoms on admission to the hospital and during the hospital stay were dyspnea (63.3%, 64%), cough (58.7%, 46%), fever (56%, 32%), and fatigue (40.7%, 22.7%), respectively. It was determined that participants were slightly functionally dependent (95.7±8.98), most of them had high levels of anxiety (82%), and about half of them had COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety (46%).
CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of early symptom management and anxiety screening in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Nursing interventions should be individualized and aimed at improving functional independence while reducing anxiety levels. Future nursing practices and healthcare policies should integrate mental health support as a core component of inpatient COVID-19 care.