Comparison of the diagnostic groups
Table 1 shows that there were significant differences between SCZ group and the other groups on several measures: the SCZ group diverged from others in terms of male-female ratio being close to unity, and lower percentage of married cases. The SCZ group reported much lower need for psychiatric services than other groups. Among those who reported a need, however, actual use of services was highest among SCZ patients, followed by BPD, and least for ANX/OCD and MDD. The reasons put forward for the need for contact, as well as the reasons for non-contact, did not differ between diagnostic groups (data not reported). Although the SCZ group had much longer duration of illness than other diagnostic groups, their scores on the PGI (self-assessment of illness severity) as well as their COVID-19-related anxiety were significantly lower than those in the other groups. Most of the patients (N=65, 73%) in the SCZ group had been hospitalized before, compared to only 6.5% (N=6) in ANX/OCD, 12.1% (N=21) in MDD and 42.6% (N=29) in BPD groups, p=.000. Diagnostic groups also differed in terms of a positive COVID-19 test: BPD group had the lowest (only 1 patient out of 68), and MDD group had the highest rate (14.9%) of a positive COVID-19 test.
The percentage reporting worsening of symptoms and emergence of new symptoms did not differ between the four diagnostic groups. Among those who reported emergence of new symptoms, new symptoms (sleep problems, OCD symptoms, etc..) did not relate to diagnostic group. Percentage of patients with an accessible doctor/psychologist was similar between diagnostic groups.