Cognitive impairment in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction. The COVD-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 continues from March 2020. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system. Moreover, there is new data about the various organ damage caused by COVID-19 such as heart, skin, kidney and central nervous system. That’s why it is necessary to investigate the neurological features of the COVID-19.The aim of the study. To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the cognitive functions of hospitalized patients.Materials and methods. the PCR-positive patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Hospital No. 3 had been included in the study since March 2020 for May 2021. Thorax CT scan, physical and neurological examination, the biochemical blood test was provided for all patients. The neuropsychological examination was made by: MoCA, TMTA, TMTB, and emotional condition was tested by HADS.Results. 33 patients (21 (64.6%) women) were included; the median age was 73.0 [67.0; 76.0]. The average MoCA value was 22.64 points, median: 24.00 points [20.00; 25.00], median TMTA execution speed: 68 seconds [49.00; 84.00], TMTB: 194 seconds [153; 245.75]. HADS (depression) median: 7.0 [5.00; 9.00], for HADS (anxiety) median: 8.0 [4.00; 10.00]. A link between the olfactory disorders and low MoCA results (p = 0.015) was found according to the regression analysis. Moreover, the patient’s age, lung damage degree had a negative impact on the duration of TMTB (p = 0.001 and p = 0.049). The propensity score matching was made to confirm that the olfactory disturbances, regardless of other factors, are associated with a lower MoCA result (p = 0.012).Conclusion. The potential mechanisms, modality, defect duration and pharmacological response of cognitive disorders have a great interest. That’s why it is necessary to conduct clinical and experimental studies on patients, pathomorphological material and animal models.