Cognitive function in patients following COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Recent scientific research shows that the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, can cause cognitive impairments of varying nature and severity in people who suffer from it.

Objective: To evaluate cognitive functioning in individuals who have suffered from mild COVID-19.

Methods: A descriptive and longitudinal study was carried out with people who suffered from COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test, belonging to the Wilfredo Santana Rivas Polyclinic in the municipality of Habana del Este, in the period from March 2021 to March 2023. The sample was intentional guided by selection criteria and consisted of 44 subjects. The participants were examined with a neuropsychological evaluation battery, at epidemiological discharge, in the immediate recovery period and a group of them one and a half years after evolution.

Results: Among the subjects of the study, the following predominated: female sex, ages between 50 and 59 years and university education. The average MoCA value at baseline was 23.6 points, attention was significantly impaired according to SDMT results, the HLVT-R showed impairment of delayed recall and preservation of short-term memory, executive functions were impaired in most subjects with an average of 15.2 points in the FAB.

Conclusions: Global cognitive functioning was impaired in all participants. The profile of cognitive alterations showed greater impairments in attention, executive functions and long-term memory.