Cognitive manifestations associated with the severity of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection are unknown. An early detection of neuropsychological manifestations could modify the risk of subsequent irreversible impairment and further neurocognitive decline.
In our single-center cohort study, we included all consecutive adult patients, aged between 20 and 60 years old with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Neuropsychological assessment was performed by the same trained neuropsychologist from April, 22nd through June, 16th 2020. Patients with previous known cognitive impairment, any central nervous system or psychiatric disease were excluded. Demographic, clinical, pharmacological and laboratory data were extracted from medical records.
Thirty-five patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Patients presenting headache, anosmia, dysgeusia, diarrhea and those who required oxygen therapy had lower scores in memory, attention and executive function subtests as compared to asymptomatic patients. Patients with headache and clinical hypoxia scored lower in the global Cognitive Index (P = 0.002, P = 0.010). A T score lower than 30 was observed in memory domains, attention and semantic fluency (2 [5.7%]) in working memory and mental flexibility (3 [8.6%]) and in phonetic fluency (4 [11.4%]). Higher scores in anxiety and depression (P = 0.047, P = 0.008) were found in patients with cognitive complaints.
In our cohort of COVID-19 patients neurologic manifestations were frequent, including cognitive impairment. Neurological symptoms during infection, diarrhea and oxygen therapy were risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. Cognitive complaints were associated with anxiety and depression.
Presenting neurological symptoms, having diarrhea and oxygen therapy during COVID-19 infection are risk factors for cognitive deficit.
Headache and oxygen therapy are the symptoms most associated to poor performance in neuropsychological tests and in the Global Cognitive Index.
Neuropsychological deficits related to COVID-19 infection are seen in attention, memory and executive function domains.
An inferior performance in the Digit Backwards test is common for all symptoms.
Cognitive complains in patients with COVID-19 are associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms.