Cognitive impairments in patients with subacute coronavirus disease: Initial experiences in a post-coronavirus disease clinic

• Published in: Frontiers in aging neuroscience Vol. 14; p. 994331
• Main Authors: Chang, Jhin Goo, Ha, Eun-Hye, Lee, Wangjun, Lee, Su Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 09.11.2022
• Subjects: cognitive function; cognitive sequelae; long COVID; neurocognitive function test; Neuroscience; subacute phase
• ISSN: 1663-4365; 1663-4365
• DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.994331

Background A significant number of patients experience persistent cognitive impairment after coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the cognitive function of patients in the subacute phase of COVID-19 and to identify the clinical factors associated with cognitive sequelae. Materials and methods Data from patients who visited the psychiatric department of our post-COVID clinic between March and May 2022 were analyzed. The results of neuropsychiatric function tests, including the digit span forward (attention/processing speed) and backward (working memory) tests, the trail making test part A (attention/processing speed) and part B (executive functioning), and the Stroop word color interference test (executive functioning), as well as clinical data from 40 patients in the subacute phase of COVID-19 were analyzed. We calculated the frequency of impairments in each cognitive measure, defined as a z-score of ≤−1.5 standard deviations below measure-specific age- and sex-adjusted norms. Results Of the participants, 72.5% ( n = 29) had impairments in at least one cognitive domain. Impairment in executive function was the most frequent (64.9%), followed by impairments in processing speed/attention (52.5%) and working memory (42.5%). Age was inversely correlated with T scores in all cognitive function tests. Conclusion Regular examination of cognitive function is needed, especially in elderly individuals, regardless of the subjective symptom manifestations.