Psychoemotional state and hormonal status of adolescent girls in the post-covid period

Introduction. Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) in children and adolescents represents a relevant medical and social problem. Adolescent girls may be particularly vulnerable to the development of psychoemotional and endocrine disorders associated with PCS due to hormonal changes during the pubertal period.

The aims. To assess the psychoemotional status and hormonal profile in adolescent girls depending on the presence of post-COVID syndrome symptoms, and to establish correlations between psychoemotional indicators and hormone concentrations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid-adrenal axis in the post-COVID period.

Materials and methods. A total of 126 girls aged 11–16 years were examined: 44 with PCS symptoms (main group); 40 without PCS symptoms (comparison group); and 42 conditionally healthy girls (control). The main group was divided into subgroups depending on the time period after COVID-19: 3–5 (n = 11), 6–9 (n = 12), 11–12 (n = 10), and 13–24 months (n = 11). Psychoemotional status was assessed using the SAN (Well-being, Activity, Mood) scale, BDI-1A, and A.M. Prikhozhan’s Manifest Anxiety Scale. Concentrations of TSH, free T4, and cortisol were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results. Girls with PCS symptoms showed more pronounced forms of depressive symptomatology, increased anxiety, and reduced activity and well-being. Elevated levels of TSH and cortisol were observed compared to control groups. The differences persisted throughout the entire post-COVID period with maximum severity at 6–12 months after COVID-19. Correlations were established between the severity of depressive symptoms and TSH concentration (p = 0.002), and between anxiety and cortisol (p = 0.001) in respondents throughout the post-COVID period.

Conclusion. The established correlations between psychometric indicators and hormone concentrations indicate the involvement of neuroendocrine mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psychoemotional manifestations of PCS. The results substantiate the need for comprehensive examination of adolescent girls with PCS symptoms for timely diagnosis and correction of disorders.

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