A recent investigation published in JAMA Network Open suggests that COVID-19 patients who experience cognitive deficits or “brain fog” within the first four weeks of infection may be more likely to develop long COVID. The study, conducted by UCLA researchers, involved 766 patients with confirmed COVID-19. The objective was to understand the characteristics of patients who perceived cognitive deficits early in their infection and the links between these deficits and long COVID. The study found that neuropsychiatric symptoms, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating, trouble focusing, and PTSD, were common in both acute COVID-19 and long COVID. The participants were followed up with questionnaires administered by nurses over a period of 30, 60, and 90 days after hospital discharge or the date of the first positive COVID-19 test for non-hospitalized patients. The questionnaires assessed various symptoms and cognitive difficulties experienced during the previous four weeks. At baseline, about a quarter of the participants reported trouble organizing things, while a third reported trouble concentrating on activities and forgetting what they had talked about during phone conversations. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and muscle aches were identified as the most common symptoms of acute COVID-19. For patients with long COVID, those who reported cognitive deficits were more likely to experience long COVID symptoms at 60 and 90 days compared to those without cognitive deficits. The study authors concluded that there is an association between early cognitive deficits and long COVID, suggesting a need for further exploration of the underlying causes of long COVID.

To know more: About the original article click here.