• Jimin Kim, Nikita Rao, Alex Collins, Tochi Eboh, Julie Chugh, Shyam Sheladia, and Tarek H Naguib.
• From the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
• South. Med. J. 2023 Feb 1; 116 (2): 170175170-175.

ObjectivesThe association between the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and adverse mental health outcomes has been well documented; however, little is known about its impact in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to characterize and compare inpatient psychiatric admissions in West Texas before and during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using the electronic health records of 1392 inpatient psychiatric admissions from period A (March 13, 2019-July 3, 2019) to period B (March 13, 2020-July 3, 2020).ResultsDuring period B, there was a significant increase in the length of stay (P < 0.01) compared with period A. The pandemic was associated with an increased history of psychiatric medication use (P < 0.01), substance use (P ≤ 0.01), and suicide risk at the time of admission (P < 0.01). Significant differences were found in employment status (P < 0.01), living situation (P < 0.01), and ethnicity (P = 0.03).ConclusionsRural communities in West Texas experienced a decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an increase as lockdown restrictions began to lift; this warrants further investigation into healthcare service utilization during the pandemic.

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