Memory impairment and concentration problems in COVID-19 survivors 8 weeks after non-ICU hospitalization: A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

Studies on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 have shown long‐term effects on health, rehabilitation, and quality of life in patients.To evaluate effects on recovery and mental health in COVID‐19 survivors.A single center, retrospective cohort study in (non‐ICU admitted) adult patients with COVID‐19 infection was conducted. Next to baseline characteristics during hospital admission, data on remaining symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were extracted at the 8‐week follow‐up at the outpatient clinic. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to detect anxiety and depression.Resulting in two hundred and eleven patients were included, median age of 63 years, 61% male, with overweight (average body mass index 28.6 kg/m2). At the outpatient clinic 13% of the patients were symptom free, whereas 25% reported more than three symptoms. Persisting physical symptoms were mainly fatigue 68%, dyspnea 56%, and cough 26%. Most patients had normalization of chest X‐ray (61.1%) and oxygen saturation (89.9%). Interestingly, 33% reported memory impairment and concentration problems 28%. 7.8% scored for anxiety and 7.1% for depression on the HADS. Correlations were found between the number of physical symptoms and scores on the HADS.In conclusion, only 13% had symptom‐free recovery after 8 weeks. Besides physical symptoms memory problems were frequently seen. The number of mental and physical symptoms were correlated.