A new study suggests that serious infections may have lasting effects beyond physical recovery. Researchers found that people hospitalized with infections faced a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders.
A large multicohort study analyzing more than 1 million hospitalized infection cases found that serious infections were associated with a significantly increased risk of psychiatric and neurological disorders following two years after hospitalization. (1)
Hospitalization for a serious infection may mark the beginning of a longer health journey, as the effects can extend beyond recovery and increase the risk of brain and psychiatric disorders for up to two years.
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The Hidden Mental Health Risk Doctors Are Watching After Infections
A serious infection may not end its impact when the illness disappears. As new research suggests, people hospitalized with infections may face a higher risk of psychiatric disorders and neurological problems for up to two years after recovery.
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What Did the Study Find About Infections and Long-Term Brain Health Risks?
A large retrospective multicohort study published in JAMA Psychiatry examined whether serious infections requiring hospitalization could increase the risk of psychiatric and neurological disorders after recovery. (2)
Researchers analyzed electronic health record data from 62 healthcare organizations in the U.S. using the TriNetX US Collaborative Network. The study included 1,062,722 matched pairs of individuals (over 2.1 million people) who were followed for two years after hospitalization.
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What Health Problems Were Linked to Infections?
The study identified higher risks of several conditions following infection-related hospitalization, including:
- Anxiety and mood disorders such as depression
- Psychotic disorders
- Sleep disorders, including insomnia
- Cognitive impairment and memory problems
- Dementia-related conditions
- Seizures and stroke-related neurological complications
Among the outcomes studied, cognitive problems showed one of the largest increases in absolute risk after serious infections.
Why Could Infections Affect the Brain?
Researchers suggest that severe infections may influence brain health through immune system activation and inflammation.
During an infection, the body releases inflammatory substances to fight harmful pathogens. If this inflammatory response is intense or prolonged, it may affect brain function, potentially contributing to changes in mood, sleep, memory, and thinking abilities.
Why Is This Study Important?
The findings suggest that infection recovery involves more than treating the infection itself.
People recovering from serious infections may benefit from monitoring for mental health and neurological symptoms, allowing early identification and support for conditions that may develop after hospitalization.
Senior author Professor Paul Harrison, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said, “Our findings highlight the need to understand how and why many infections seem to increase the risk of many psychiatric disorders. In this way potential new treatments may be identified.” (3)
When the Body Heals, the Brain May Still Need Care.
The scars we cannot see can sometimes be the hardest to heal. However, serious infections may leave lasting effects beyond physical recovery. Early monitoring of mental health and brain health after hospitalization can help identify and manage long-term risks.
References:
- Mapping 2-Year Psychiatric and Neurologic Risks After Infections Across Body Systems and Age Groups – (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2851369)
- Infections Linked to Increased Risk of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders – (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2852499)
- Infections linked to higher risk of brain and mental health conditions for up to two years – (https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/news/infections-linked-to-higher-risk-of-brain-and-mental-health-conditions-for-up-to-two-years)
Source-Medindia