Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Psychotropic Medication Use Following SARS-Cov-2 Infection Among Elderly Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities

Authors

  • Diana Cruz-Santiago Montreal Geriatrics Institute Research Centre; University of Montreal
  • Xiangfei Meng McGill University; Douglas Research Center
  • Michelle Canac-Marquis Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Avik Sengupta Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Jean-Philippe Brassard Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Erik Pavey Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Hélène Girouard Montreal Geriatrics Institute Research Centre; University of Montreal
  • Donald C. Vinh Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program; McGill University Health Centre
  • Jean-Philippe Gouin Concordia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.28.770

Keywords:

neuropsychiatric symptoms, older adults, dementia, COVID-19, nursing homes

Abstract

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to persistent post-acute neuro-psychiatric symptoms. Older adults with multimorbidity may be at increased risk of post-acute symptoms after COVID-19. The goals of the present study were to assess the associations of SARS-CoV-2 infection with neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychotropic medication prescription among older adults living in long-term care facilities.

Methods

Nursing home residents (n=111) participated in this three-month longitudinal study. Nurse ratings of neuropsychiatric symptoms were conducted at baseline and at the three-month follow-up. SARS-CoV-2 infection status and psychotropic medication prescription were extracted from a medical chart review.

Results

About 73.9% of participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 on average 480.49 (SD= 228) days before study enrollment. There were no significant changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms during the study follow-up period. Participants with a SARS-CoV-2 infection had more agitation compared to those who were never infected. However, this effect disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, history of psychiatric disorder, neurocognitive status, and multimorbidity. Participants with SARS-CoV-2 had a higher number of psychotropic medication prescription. This effect was driven by increased use of anti-depressants and antipsychotic medications.

Conclusion

Both acute and short-term neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with COVID-19 may contribute to long-term psychoactive polypharmacy among older adults living in long- term facilities.

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Published

2025-03-05

How to Cite

1.
Cruz-Santiago D, Meng X, Canac-Marquis M, Sengupta A, Brassard J-P, Pavey E, Girouard H, Vinh DC, Gouin J-P. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Psychotropic Medication Use Following SARS-Cov-2 Infection Among Elderly Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities. Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 5 [cited 2026 Apr. 24];28(1):67-72. Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/770

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Research

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)

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