Clinical features and cognitive sequelae in COVID-19: a retrospective study on N=152 patients

Manera, M. R., Fiabane, E., Pain, D., Aiello, E. N., Radici, A., Ottonello, M., Padovani, M., Wilson, B. A., Fish, J. and Pistarini, C. (2022) Clinical features and cognitive sequelae in COVID-19: a retrospective study on N=152 patients. Neurological Sciences, 43(1), pp. 45-50. (doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05744-8) (PMID:34779965) (PMCID:PMC8591589)

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Abstract

Background: The novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) shows neurotropism and systemically affects the central nervous system (CNS). Cognitive deficits have been indeed reported as both short- and long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the association between these disturbances and background/disease-related clinical features remains elusive. This work aimed at exploring how post-infective cognitive status relates to clinical/treatment outcomes by controlling for premorbid/current risk factors for cognitive deficits. Methods: Cognitive measures (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) of N=152 COVID-19 patient were retrospectively assessed in relation to disease severity, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, steroidal treatment, and occurrence of other viral/bacterial infections by controlling for remote/recent/COVID-19-related risk factors for cognitive deficits (at-risk vs. not-at-risk: Neuro+ vs. Neuro−). Results: Descriptively, impaired MMSE performances were highly prevalent in mild-to-moderate patients (26.3%). ICU-admitted patients made less errors (p=.021) on the MMSE than those not admitted when partialling out risk factors and age—the latter negatively influencing performances. When addressing Neuro− patients only, steroidal treatment appears to improve MMSE scores among those suffering from other infections (p=.025). Discussion: Cognitive sequelae of COVID-19 are likely to arise from a complex interplay between background/clinical premorbid features and disease-related/interventional procedures and outcomes. Mild-to-moderate patients requiring assistive ventilation who however are not admitted to an ICU are more likely to suffer from cognitive deficits—despite their etiology remaining elusive.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fish, Dr Jessica
Authors: Manera, M. R., Fiabane, E., Pain, D., Aiello, E. N., Radici, A., Ottonello, M., Padovani, M., Wilson, B. A., Fish, J., and Pistarini, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Neurological Sciences
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:1590-1874
ISSN (Online):1590-3478
Published Online:15 November 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia
First Published:First published in Neurological Sciences 43(1):45-50
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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