Cognitive profiles in severe post-COVID 19 patients in a rehabilitation center

Abstract

Background: After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been described that many patients evolve with neurological alterations, including cognitive deficits. Method: All severe post-COVID patients admitted to hospitalization for rehabilitation between October 1, 2020 and July 30, 2021 were included. Those with central neurological pathology, altered state of consciousness, or psychiatric history were excluded. An abbreviated cognitive assessment was performed, including MoCa, CVLT, logical memory, forward and reverse digit span, IFS, TMT, Beck Depression Inventory. Result: 196 severe post-COVID patients were included, of which 76 did not present exclusion criteria and were able to perform the complete cognitive evaluation. The mean age was 60.8 years, 65% male. The average schooling in years was 12. 67% showed poor performance in the initial screening test; 6.58% presented an amnesic profile; 7.89% a dysexecutive profile; 34.21% showed multidomain failures; 21% presented a performance within normality. The remaining patients presented isolated cognitive failures, without being able to characterize a type of profile. 5.26% had a Beck score compatible with depression. Conclusion: In our sample, 79% of the patients showed some type of cognitive alteration. We found a low percentage of patients with depression, contrary to what is described in the literature. We consider that the investigation of cognitive alterations and the possibility of defining a type of profile is extremely useful in order to be able to optimize all the rehabilitation work with the possibility of improving the results, social reinclusion and quality of life of patients.