Preference of Acute Stress Disorder in Patients Diagnosed with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease

Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology Vol.7 Issue.4

Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.25.4.05

RESEARCH ARTICLE / ARAŞTIRMA YAZISI

Preference of Acute Stress Disorder in Patients Diagnosed with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease

Kırım Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi Hastalığı Tanısı Konulan Hastalarda Akut Stres Bozukluğu Yaygınlığı

Burak Taşova¹, Nesim Kuğu²

Abstract:

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne viral infection characterized by high fever, bleeding tendency, and multiple organ failure, with a mortality rate between 5% and 30%. The disease’s severe course, isolation requirements, and uncertain prognosis can cause significant psychological stress in patients. Studies examining the development of acute stress disorder (ASD) after CCHF are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ASD and its related sociodemographic and clinical factors in patients diagnosed with CCHF. Eighty-one patients with confirmed CCHF were included. Clinical interviews were conducted twice by a psychiatrist in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. The first interview took place during hospitalization, and the second about 20 days after discharge. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using a researcher-designed data form. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0, with chi-square tests for categorical variables and paired samples t-tests for dependent variables. ASD was significantly more common among women, married individuals, and patients with chronic illnesses or prior psychiatric diagnoses. It was also more prevalent in those with a history of bleeding and in patients receiving fresh-frozen plasma treatment. A lower educational level was associated with greater stress responses at the initial assessment. In conclusion, CCHF has long-term psychological and physical consequences. Ongoing psychiatric follow-up, early identification of high-risk groups, and the provision of psychosocial support are essential. These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing psychiatric effects after infectious diseases and can inform future multidisciplinary research.

Keywords: Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever disease, Acute stress disorder, Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus

¹Asst. Prof. Dr., Amasya University, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye, E-mail: [email protected], Orcid Id: 0000-0002-4525-3349

²Prof. Dr., Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye, E-mail: [email protected] Orcid Id: 0000-0002-3582-235X

Address of Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: Burak Taşova, Amasya University, Kirazlıdere Neighborhood, Kemal Ilıcak Street, Estapark, Block A, Apartment 5, Amasya City Center, 05100, Türkiye, E-mail: [email protected]

Date of Received/Geliş Tarihi: 13.03.2025, Date of Revision/Düzeltme Tarihi: 01.12.2025, Date of Acceptance/Kabul Tarihi: 23.11.2025, Date of Online Publication/Çevirimiçi Yayın Tarihi: 15.12.2025

Citing/Referans Gösterimi: Taşova, B. & Kuğu, N. (2025). Preference of Acute Stress Disorder in Patients Diagnosed with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease. Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 7(4), 373-381.

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Cyprus Mental Health Institute / Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology (www.ktppdergisi.com). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/