Evaluation of cognitive functions in a group of Egyptian recovered COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Background: Numerous investigations have found that cognitive deficits in COVID-19 survivors may be reversible; hence, early detection is essential. These cognitive deficiencies should be targeted with scaled cognitive therapies that can be widely used even in patients’ homes, supporting the best possible cognitive and functional outcomes. In the meanwhile, it has been observed that COVID-19 patients may experience worry, fear, depression, and other mental health problems. Therefore, subjective cognitive difficulties may be due to emotional discomfort. As a result, these data highlight the significance of early diagnosis of anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms in COVID-19 patients in order to prevent subsequent cognitive problems. All patients were selected in accordance with the case definition and used the following tools after 1, 3, and 6 months after being cleared of COVID-19 infection: developed questionnaire for both clinical and demographic data, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV disorders. Results: Fifty patients were participated in this study from both gender, different levels of education, and the major group was nonsmokers (82%). A total of 88% of participants had confirmed COVID-19, and 12% had contact with them. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test for preservative parameters revealed that the 2nd follow-up showed nonsignificant comparison to the 1st follow-up, while the 3rd showed highly significant comparison to the 1st follow-up. While for non-preservative errors, the 2nd follow-up showed significant comparison to the 1st, while the 3rd showed highly significant comparison to the 1st follow-up. Conceptual level response parameters showed that both the 2nd and the 3rd follow-ups showed nonsignificant comparison to the 1st follow-up. There was no significant correlation between Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and any parameter of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test or any parameter of Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised. Conclusions: While there was negative impact of COVID-19 infection on cognitive functions in Egyptian recovered COVID-19 patients which improves gradually by time, there was nonsignificant correlations between anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test as well as Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised parameters in tested individuals through three consecutive follow-ups of COVID-19 in Egypt. Further testing using other scales or larger sample is mandatory to elucidate further potential impact of COVID-19 on cognitive functions of recovered patients.