Neurologic, neurocognitive symptoms of COVID-19 persist for 1 year after diagnosis
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CHICAGO — Persistent neurocognitive impairment, depression and anxiety were frequently reported in individuals with mild COVID-19 infection in Lima, Peru, according to a poster at ANA 2022.
“Given the fact that this population has a different background, different culture and socioeconomic status, the outcomes aren’t necessarily going to be the same as those from high-income countries,” Hanalise V. Huff, MD, MPH, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said.
Huff and colleagues sought to examine whether neurologic and neurocognitive symptoms persisted in patients with mild COVID-19 infection in Lima, Peru, as the city faced significant morbidity and mortality during the first wave of the virus, as well as acute neurologic symptoms in those hospitalized with mild to moderate disease.
The prospective, observational cohort study included 54 individuals (69% women; mean age, 37 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, who were followed up between 90 days and 1 year after infection. During these visits, participants completed neurologic symptom and history questionnaires, as well as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression screening and General Anxiety Disease-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety screening.
Researchers used the NIH Toolbox Neurocognitive assessment (NTCA) and the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Screening (RUDAS) to evaluate participants.
Results showed two patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Half of the study group (n = 27) met criteria for depression on the PHQ-9 and 41% (n = 22) met criteria for anxiety on the GAD-7. Two individuals met criteria for mild cognitive impairment on RUDAS.
On the NTCA, 54% of participants (n = 29) scored below average for processing speed, 57% (n = 31) for inhibitory control and attention, 46% (n = 25) for executive function and 54% (n = 29) for working memory.
In addition, data showed that when participants were asked to self-report how they felt at their follow-up visits, 80% (n = 43) stated they felt less than 100% and 35% (n = 19) reported feeling less than 75%. Further, 22% (n = 12) reported job loss or dropping out of school following COVID-19 diagnosis.
“There are quite a few neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric deficits that are found within this population following COVID infection, and it lasts up to a year following initial infection,” Huff said.