Long-Lasting Cognitive Abnormalities after COVID-19

• 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
• DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020235

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 (PaO
) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO
) (P/F) ratio during hospitalization and verbal memory consolidation performance (SRT-LTS score,
= 0.404,
= 0.027), as well as a positive correlation between SpO
levels upon hospital arrival and delayed verbal recall performance (SRT-D score,
= 0.373,
= 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,
= 0.007; SRT-D mean score = 5.95 ± 2.56 vs. 8.10 ± 2.62,
= 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.