Memory impairment and concentration problems in COVID‐19 survivors eight weeks after non‐ICU hospitalization: a retrospective cohort study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Memory impairment and concentration problems in COVID‐19 survivors eight weeks after non‐ICU hospitalization: a retrospective cohort study Via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Background Studies on the SARS-CoV-1 have shown long term effects on health, rehabilitation and quality of life in patients. Objective To evaluate effects on recovery and mental health in COVID-19 survivors Methods A single centre, retrospective cohort study in (non ICU admitted) adult patients with COVID-19 infection was conducted. Next to baseline characteristics during hospital admission, data on remaining symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were extracted at the 8-week follow-up at the outpatient clinic. The HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was used to detect anxiety and depression. Results 211 patients were included, median age 63 years, 61% male, with overweight (average BMI 28.6 kg/m2). At the outpatient clinic 13% of the patients were symptom free, whereas 25% reported more than three symptoms. Persisting physical symptoms were mainly fatigue 68%, dyspnea 56% and cough 26%. Most patients had norma lisation of chest X-ray (61.1%) and oxygen saturation (89.9%). Interestingly, 33% reported memory impairment and concentration problems 28%. 7.8% scored for anxiety and 7.1% for depression on the HADS. Correlations were found between the number of physical symptoms and scores on the HADS. Conclusion Only 13% had symptom free recovery after 8 weeks. Besides physical symptoms memory problems were frequently seen. The number of mental and physical symptoms were correlated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.