The Effect of Symptoms Seen in Inpatients Receiving Treatment Due to a Diagnosis of COVID-19 on Functional Independence Status and Anxiety Levels: A Descriptive Study COVID-19 Tanısı ile Hastanede Yatarak Tedavi Uygulanan Hastalarda Görülen Semptomların Fonksiyonel Bağımsızlık Durumuna ve Anksiyete Düzeyine Etkisi: Tanımlayıcı Bir Çalışma
Gazi Medical Journal, vol.37, no.3, pp.330-340, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 37 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.12996/gmj.2026.4012
- Journal Name: Gazi Medical Journal
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Page Numbers: pp.330-340
- Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, functional independence, nursing, symptom
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the effects of symptoms seen in inpatients receiving treatment due to a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on functional independence status and anxiety levels. Methods: This research was conducted as a descriptive study between July 2021 and April 2022. It included 150 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Modified Barthel Index, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Percentage calculations, Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used in data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 52.3 ± 13.18, 55.3% were male, 80% were married, 32% were university graduates, and 72.7% had at least one accompanying disease. The most common symptoms on admission to the hospital and during the hospital stay were dyspnea (63.3%, 64%), cough (58.7%, 46%), fever (56%, 32%), and fatigue (40.7%, 22.7%), respectively. It was determined that participants were slightly functionally dependent (95.7±8.98), most of them had high levels of anxiety (82%), and about half of them had COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety (46%). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of early symptom management and anxiety screening in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Nursing interventions should be individualized and aimed at improving functional independence while reducing anxiety levels. Future nursing practices and healthcare policies should integrate mental health support as a core component of inpatient COVID-19 care.