Background: SARS-COV-2 infection has been associated to long-lasting neuropsychiatric sequelae, including cognitive deficits, that persist after one year. However, longitudinal monitoring has been scarcely performed. Here, in a sample of COVID-19 patients, we monitor cognitive, psychological and quality of life-related profiles up to 22 months from resolution of respiratory disease. Methods: Out of 657 COVID-19 patients screened at Manzoni Hospital (Lecco, Italy), 22 underwent neuropsychological testing because of subjective cognitive disturbances at 6 months, 16 months, and 22 months. Tests of memory, attention, and executive functions were administered, along with questionnaires for depressive and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life. Cross-sectional descriptives, correlational, as well as longitudinal analyses considering COVID19-severity were carried out. A preliminary comparison with a sample of obstructive sleep apneas patients was also performed. Results: Around 50% of COVID-19 patients presented with cognitive deficits at t0. The most affected domain was verbal memory. Pathological scores diminished over time, but a high rate of borderline scores was still observable. Longitudinal analyses highlighted improvements in verbal and non-verbal long term memory, as well as attention, and executive functioning. Depression and PTSD-related symptoms were present in 30% of patients. The latter decreased over time and were associated to attentional-executive performance. Conclusions: Cognitive dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients may extend over 1 year, yet showing a significant recovery in several cases. Cognitive alterations are accompanied by a significant psychological distress. Many patients displaying borderline scores, especially those at higher risk of dementia, deserve clinical monitoring.

Diana, L., Regazzoni, R., Sozzi, M., Piconi, S., Borghesi, L., Lazzaroni, E., et al. (2023). Monitoring cognitive and psychological alterations in COVID-19 patients: A longitudinal neuropsychological study. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 444(15 January 2023) [10.1016/j.jns.2022.120511].

Monitoring cognitive and psychological alterations in COVID-19 patients: A longitudinal neuropsychological study

Diana L.;Bolognini N.;
2023

Abstract

Background: SARS-COV-2 infection has been associated to long-lasting neuropsychiatric sequelae, including cognitive deficits, that persist after one year. However, longitudinal monitoring has been scarcely performed. Here, in a sample of COVID-19 patients, we monitor cognitive, psychological and quality of life-related profiles up to 22 months from resolution of respiratory disease. Methods: Out of 657 COVID-19 patients screened at Manzoni Hospital (Lecco, Italy), 22 underwent neuropsychological testing because of subjective cognitive disturbances at 6 months, 16 months, and 22 months. Tests of memory, attention, and executive functions were administered, along with questionnaires for depressive and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life. Cross-sectional descriptives, correlational, as well as longitudinal analyses considering COVID19-severity were carried out. A preliminary comparison with a sample of obstructive sleep apneas patients was also performed. Results: Around 50% of COVID-19 patients presented with cognitive deficits at t0. The most affected domain was verbal memory. Pathological scores diminished over time, but a high rate of borderline scores was still observable. Longitudinal analyses highlighted improvements in verbal and non-verbal long term memory, as well as attention, and executive functioning. Depression and PTSD-related symptoms were present in 30% of patients. The latter decreased over time and were associated to attentional-executive performance. Conclusions: Cognitive dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients may extend over 1 year, yet showing a significant recovery in several cases. Cognitive alterations are accompanied by a significant psychological distress. Many patients displaying borderline scores, especially those at higher risk of dementia, deserve clinical monitoring.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Cognitive functions; COVID-19; Long-COVID; Longitudinal assessment; Neuropsychology;
English
29-nov-2022
2023
444
15 January 2023
120511
none
Diana, L., Regazzoni, R., Sozzi, M., Piconi, S., Borghesi, L., Lazzaroni, E., et al. (2023). Monitoring cognitive and psychological alterations in COVID-19 patients: A longitudinal neuropsychological study. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 444(15 January 2023) [10.1016/j.jns.2022.120511].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/404796
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