Cognitive Status in COVID-19 Survivors with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, co-morbid metabolic syndromes are identified as important risk factors. The presence of metabolic syndrome not only increases mortality rate and probability of hospitalization but is also predicted to have a long-term impact on cognition. A decline in cognitive functioning and functional abilities can be seen in the COVID-19 survivors and it became accelerated by metabolic syndromes that include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low HDL cholesterol, abdominal obesity, etc. In the present study, it was aimed to explore the cognitive status in COVID-19 survivors with and without metabolic syndrome. For this purpose, total 36 COVID-19 survivors participated who were divided into two groups, one with existing metabolic syndrome and the other without any significant co-morbidities. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) were administered to assess the cognitive status of the participants. Results suggest a significant difference between the groups in the domains of concentration and memory along with functioning and self-care.