Coronavirus Disease 2019 and its Impact on the Cognition of Older Adults: Unraveling the Role of Inflammation

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant global impact, particularly on the older adult population. To address concerns regarding the emergence and persistence of cognitive impairment and its potential risk factors, this study aimed to investigate cognitive function and its relationship with inflammation in older COVID-19 survivors during a three-month follow-up. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 177 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 aged >60 years were examined between July 2021 and February 2022.Psychiatric and cognitive assessments were conducted at discharge and at one month and three months post-discharge. All the statistical analyses were conducted using a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 (P<0.05). Cognitive status was analyzed with the Repeated Measures Test, and relationships between inflammatory indices and cognitive function were explored via the Pearson correlation test and Mann‒Whitney U test. The normality of the data was examined using the Kolmogorov‒Smirnov test. Results:A cognitive assessment of patients indicated lower scores onthe informant subscales of the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) during the time of discharge, as well as at the 1-and 3-month follow-up intervals. Negative correlations were found between cognitive function and depression/anxiety. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were linked to lower cognitive scores, while the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were not significantly correlated. Over time, cognitive function and anxiety improved, while depression and daily activity challenges persisted. Conclusions: This study highlights the lingering impact of inflammation on cognition among older COVID-19 survivors. Moreover, these findings underscore the urgent need for focused interventions and rehabilitation efforts to foster sustained cognitive recovery in this population.