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Alteration of neurocognitive and functional status related to post-COVID infections

Background: The impact of COVID-19 on bodily functions is vivid. Acute respiratory distress in individuals infected with COVID-19 may lead to hypoxemia and oxygen deprivation, causing functional difficulties in brain's functioning. Studies on alterations in cognitive functioning of COVID-infected patients are less reported. The present study explored cognitive functions and functional status of COVID-infected individuals post recovery and differences, if any, corresponding to COVID infection severity. Methods: A total of 32 individuals of both sexes infected with COVID-19 were recruited 3 months post recovery to assess their cognitive functions and functional status across physical, psychological, social, and role function domains. The sample was further divided into two as per the infection severity and compared over differences in cognitive deficits and functional status. To understand the long-term impact, a qualitative interview was taken after 6 months from a total of ten individuals from the primary sample of moderate-to-severe group. Results: COVID-infected individuals as a whole did not show significant cognitive impairment on Mini–Mental Status Examination. However, the subgroups differed significantly in domains of recent memory and physical, psychological, and role functions. At six-month follow-up, select participants in qualitative interview reported to have deficits in cognitive and psychological domains. Conclusion: There might be subtle changes in the cognitive functions of COVID-19 patients. The changes might be transient in nature and appear not significant. However, within-group differences in recent memory function and functional status in relation to infection severity stress the need of further exploration of the domain with a larger sample in longitudinal perspective.