COVID-19 impact in those with Severe Mental Illness and NDD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COVID-19 impact in those with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in Northern Ireland: exploring COVID-19 as a health outcome in relation to patterns of hospitalisation and medication use; rates of suicide/suicidal behaviour, treatment and mortality – all associated with service access for people with SMI and the general hospital population
IRAS ID
299836
Contact name
Gerry Leavey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
The focus of this study is to assess the impact of the pandemic and quarantine on the health of people with severe mental illness or a neurodevelopmental disorder. People with severe mental illness (SMI) (schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and personality disorders) and those with NDD (neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism, ASD and ADHD) may have been more negatively impacted by Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown, than other people. Pre-Covid, they had a reduced life expectancy (15-20 years) when compared with those in the general population, mostly due to preventable causes, multiple-morbidities, poor diet and problematic lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and substance misuse. These problems are compounded by low self-esteem, stigma and poor physical healthcare provision.
In March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (WHO, 2020). Although people with SMI or NDD have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, the subsequent lockdown may have had more widespread and serious consequences for their physical and mental health. Thus, central to our study, we seek to examine the following outcomes for people with SMI during the Covid pandemic and quarantine period: (1) heightened psychiatric symptoms requiring changes in psychiatric medication; (2) contact with emergency health services; (3) self-harm; (4) medical events and hospital admissions.
To do this, we will analyse the hospital records data of people with a SMI or NDD and compare these to the data of people without SMI/NDD. Thus, we will use the diagnostic codes provided with hospital records to examine age and sex-specific outcomes (patterns of hospitalisation, duration of stay and treatment, medication use, emergency care, treatment and mortality) for people with SMI and/or NDD. Of particular interest are people identified as having serious life limiting diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes. We will identify and describe cases admitted to hospital with Covid-19 and will examine any differences between people with SMI/NDD and those without. This may provide better evidence on disparities, opportunities for early diagnosis, and gaps in screening and treatment. Our study is intended to assist policy makers, service providers and health practitioners in addressing this major health gap.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
21/HSC/0009
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion