Cognitive effects of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: Neurological involvement can be seen in Covid-19 and cognitive functions can be affected negatively. There is not enough study and data about cognitive functions of patients followed with Covid-19 diagnosis. For this reason, the current study aims to examine the cognitive functions of patients diagnosed with Covid-19. Material and Methods: Patients, who were hospitalized and followed-up with the diagnosis of Covid-19, were selected as consecutive. For evaluating cognitive functions, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was performed to under 65-year-old participants, Standardized Mini- Mental State Exam (MMSE) test was performed to 65-year-old and older participants and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was performed to all participants. Results: The study has consisted of 32 patients and 35 volunteers. The mean of MMSE scores was found to be lower in the patient group than the control group (p>0.05). The mean of MoCA scores was found to be lower in the patient group than the control group, and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, in the sub-group analyzes that assessed the attention of the MoCA test group, the patient group scores were lower than the control group and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Hospital anxiety scale scores of the patient group were found to be significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study is showed the presence of cognitive impairment and increased anxiety in patients with Covid-19 who had no previous cognitive deficit. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the patients with Covid-19 in terms of mood and cognition in detail.