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The contribution of psychological distress to resting palpitations in patients recovering from severe coronavirus disease 2019
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  • Bing Huang,
  • Hui Yan,
  • Limei Hu,
  • Guipeng Wang,
  • Jing Meng,
  • Wanting Li,
  • Gang Liu,
  • Juan Wang,
  • Wenqing Le,
  • Hong Jiang
Bing Huang
Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Hui Yan
Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University
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Limei Hu
Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
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Guipeng Wang
Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University
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Jing Meng
Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University
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Wanting Li
Wuhan Hankou Hospital
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Gang Liu
Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University
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Juan Wang
Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University
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Wenqing Le
Wuhan Hankou Hospital
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Hong Jiang
Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
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Abstract

Background: Increasing numbers of patients have recovered from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. This study aimed to evaluate the association of psychological distress with resting palpitations in those recovered patients. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 and complained of resting palpitations were included. Dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) was continuously monitored for 2 hours while patients were at rest. A survey using palpitation frequency scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administrated to all participants. Results: Of the 289 consecutive patients recovering from severe COVID-19, 24 patients (8.3%) suffered resting palpitations symptoms, and 22 patients were finally included. Dynamic ECG monitoring showed that 18 (81.8%) patients had tachyarrhythmias, of which, the most common was sinus tachycardia (17/22, 77.3%). However, patients with sinus tachycardia showed a similar frequency of palpitations episodes compared to those without sinus tachycardia. Anxiety (68.2%) and depression (59.1%) were prevalent among these recovered patients. Patients with anxiety or depression symptoms were respectively associated with a higher frequency of palpitations episodes than those without. In addition, both HADS-anxiety score (r =0.609, P<0.01) and HADS-depression score (r =0.516, P=0.01) were positively related to the frequency of palpitations episodes, respectively. Conclusion: Symptom of resting palpitations, manifested mainly by sinus tachycardia, is not uncommon in patients recovering from severe COVID-19. Psychological distress (anxiety and depression) may be responsible, at least in part, for the resting palpitations symptoms.