Recent research on COVID-19 examined cognitive loss after an infection, how pandemic restrictions impacted excess deaths, and the increase in physicians experiencing PTSD.
Although cases of COVID-19 are significantly less than what has been seen previously, they have been increasing for several weeks. Cases are also likely much higher than what current reports suggest due to the scaling back of disease surveillance. The current rise in cases is due to the FLiRT variant, which is the name for a family of variants including KP.2 and JN.1.7, among others.1 And while the public health emergency ended in May 2023, the virus still represents a threat to public health. That’s why research into COVID-19 remains ongoing, with recent studies assessing cognitive loss after an infection, how pandemic restrictions impacted excess deaths, and the increase in physicians experiencing PTSD.
Long-term cognitive effects have been associated with COVID-19, regardless of if the infection was mild, moderate, or severe, according to research published in the journal BMC Psychology.2 Investigators from the University of São Paulo conducted a study to examine the cognitive performance of adults who recovered from COVID-19 who did not previously have cognitive complaints.
The study cohort included 302 adult patients, of which 102 had a mild infection, 102 had a moderate infection, and 98 had a severe infection. Patients took various tests to assess IQ, working memory, processing speed, sustained attention, visual-spatial memory, and depression, anxiety and stress. Investigators found that all 3 groups had cognitive difficulties, with the highest percentage being in the severe infection group.
“Our findings add additional empirical evidence toward understanding the long-term cognitive effects of COVID-19, particularly in individuals who experienced severe manifestations of the disease,” the authors concluded. “Furthermore, we acknowledge the necessity for a multidimensional approach encompassing comprehensive investigation and assessment criteria as foundational elements for developing rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing the lasting cognitive repercussions of COVID-19.”
READ MORE: COVID-19 Resource Center
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References
1. Katella K. 3 Things to Know About FLiRT and LB.1, the New Coronavirus Strains. News Report. Yale Medicine. July 11, 2024. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/3-things-to-know-about-flirt-new-coronavirus-strains
2. de Pádua Serafim A, Saffi F, Soares ARA, et al. Cognitive performance of post-covid patients in mild, moderate, and severe clinical situations. BMC Psychol. 12, 236 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01740-7
3. Ruhm CJ. US State Restrictions and Excess COVID-19 Pandemic Deaths. JAMA Health Forum. 2024;5(7):e242006. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.2006
4. Kamra M, Dhaliwal S, Li W, et al. Physician Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(7):e2423316. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.23316.