Multivariate profile and acute-phase correlates of cognitive deficits in a COVID-19 hospitalised cohort.

Background

Preliminary evidence has highlighted a possible association between severe COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits. Further research is required to confirm this association, determine whether cognitive deficits relate to clinical features from the acute phase or to mental health status at the point of assessment, and quantify rate of recovery.

Methods

46 individuals who received critical care for COVID-19 at Addenbrooke's hospital between 10th March 2020 and 31st July 2020 (16 mechanically ventilated) underwent detailed computerised cognitive assessment alongside scales measuring anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder under supervised conditions at a mean follow up of 6.0 (± 2.1) months following acute illness. Patient and matched control (

Findings

COVID-19 survivors were less accurate (G_SScore=-0.53SDs) and slower (G_RT=+0.89SDs) in their responses than expected compared to their matched controls. Acute illness, but not chronic mental health, significantly predicted cognitive deviation from expected scores (G_SScore (

Interpretation

Cognitive deficits after severe COVID-19 relate most strongly to acute illness severity, persist long into the chronic phase, and recover slowly if at all, with a characteristic profile highlighting higher cognitive functions and processing speed.

Funding

This work was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility (BRC-1215-20014), the Addenbrooke's Charities Trust and NIHR COVID-19 BioResource RG9402. AH is funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre and Imperial College London Biomedical Research Centre. ETB and DKM are supported by NIHR Senior Investigator awards. JBR is supported by the Wellcome Trust (220258) and Medical Research Council (SUAG/051 G101400). VFJN is funded by an Academy of Medical Sciences/ The Health Foundation Clinician Scientist Fellowship. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Informations de copyright

© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Dr. Hampshire reports grants from UK Dementia Research Institute, grants from NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, and grants from NIHR, outside the submitted work; and is Co-director and owner of H2 Cognitive Designs Ltd and director and owner of Future Cognition Ltd, which support online cognitive studies and develop custom cognitive assessment software, respectively. Ms. Chatfield has nothing to disclose. Ms. Manktelow has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jolly has nothing to disclose. Mr. Trender has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hellyer reports being Chief Executive of H2 Cognitive Designs LTD, which provides a platform for online cognitive tests for remote assessment and receives remuneration for role. Ms. Del Giovane has nothing to disclose. Dr. Newcombe reports grants from Academy of Medical Sciences / The Health Foundation Clinician Scientist Fellowship during the conduct of the study. Ms. Outrim has nothing to disclose. Mr. Warne has nothing to disclose. Mr. Bhatti has nothing to disclose. Ms. Pointon has nothing to declare. Ms. Elmer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sithole has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bradley reports grants from Funding for NIHR BioResource (IS-BRC-1215-20014) during the conduct of the study. Dr. Kingston has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sawcer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bullmore reports personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline, personal fees from Sosei Heptares, outside the submitted work; and is Honorary Treasurer and member of Council for the Academy of Medical Sciences. Dr. Rowe reports grants from Wellcome Trust, grants from NIHR, grants from Medical Research Council, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Menon reports grants from Lantmannen AB, grants from GlaxoSmithKline Ltd, personal fees from Calico LLC, personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline Ltd, personal fees from Lantmannen AB, other from Integra Neurosciences, outside the submitted work; and reports leadership and fiduciary roles for Queens’ College, Cambridge, Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, London, and European Brain Injury Consortium.