Prolonged Neurocognitive Consequences of COVID-19 in Workers from the Escuela Politécnica del Litoral of Ecuador

Abstract

Background: Post-SARS-CoV-2 recovery, individuals often experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cognitive disorders such as attention and memory deficits, persisting for weeks. Objective: evaluate cognitive performance, through memory and executive functions in young adults, 12 weeks after recovering from COVID-19 infection. Method: A retrospective case-control observational study was conducted with 40 COVID-19 recovered subjects and 13 non-infected individuals. The study evaluated executive functions, memory, and attention 12 weeks post-recovery. Results: The findings reveal that recovered COVID-19 patients exhibit decreased processing speed, increased omission of stimuli, slower reaction times, and impaired ability to recall visuospatial stimuli compared to uninfected individuals. These cognitive deficits were noted weeks following recovery from COVID-19's acute phase. Conclusions: Recovered individuals show significant cognitive function alterations, particularly in attention and executive functions, 12 weeks post-acute phase. Early detection of these impairments is crucial for timely intervention, essential to prevent further cognitive decline. The study highlights the necessity of prospective research to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on previously infected adults. Such insights are vital for developing strategies to maintain the mental health of this population.