Long-Lasting Cognitive Abnormalities after COVID-19

Considering the mechanisms capable of causing brain alterations in COVID-19, we aimed to study the occurrence of cognitive abnormalities in the months following hospital discharge. We recruited 38 (aged 22–74 years; 27 males) patients hospitalized for complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in noninte...

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Published in:Brain sciences Vol. 11; no. 2; p. 235
Main Authors: Ferrucci, Roberta, Dini, Michelangelo, Groppo, Elisabetta, Rosci, Chiara, Reitano, Maria Rita, Bai, Francesca, Poletti, Barbara, Brugnera, Agostino, Silani, Vincenzo, D’Arminio Monforte, Antonella, Priori, Alberto
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 13.02.2021
MDPI
Subjects:
acute respiratory distress syndrome
Blood pressure
cognition
Cognitive ability
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Hospitalization
Infections
Information processing
Measuring techniques
Memory
Nervous system
Oxygen
Oxygen therapy
processing speed
Psychology
Questionnaires
Recall
Respiratory distress syndrome
Semantics
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Variables
COVID-19
acute respiratory distress syndrome
cognition
processing speed
ISSN:2076-3425, 2076-3425
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Considering the mechanisms capable of causing brain alterations in COVID-19, we aimed to study the occurrence of cognitive abnormalities in the months following hospital discharge. We recruited 38 (aged 22–74 years; 27 males) patients hospitalized for complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in nonintensive COVID units. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing about 5 months after hospital discharge. Of all patients, 42.1% had processing speed deficits, while 26.3% showed delayed verbal recall deficits. Twenty-one percent presented with deficits in both processing speed and verbal memory. Bivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between the lowest arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) (P/F) ratio during hospitalization and verbal memory consolidation performance (SRT-LTS score, r = 0.404, p = 0.027), as well as a positive correlation between SpO2 levels upon hospital arrival and delayed verbal recall performance (SRT-D score, rs = 0.373, p = 0.042). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during hospitalization was associated with worse verbal memory performance (ARDS vs. no ARDS: SRT-LTS mean score = 30.63 ± 13.33 vs. 44.50 ± 13.16, p = 0.007; SRT-D mean score = 5.95 ± 2.56 vs. 8.10 ± 2.62, p = 0.029). Cognitive abnormalities can frequently be found in COVID-19 patients 5 months after hospital discharge. Increased fatigability, deficits of concentration and memory, and overall decreased cognitive speed months after hospital discharge can interfere with work and daily activities.
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ISSN:2076-3425
2076-3425
DOI:10.3390/brainsci11020235