[The "Fourth Wave"? COVID-19 and consecutive cognitive impairment]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents ongoing healthcare challenges beyond acute care.
• A significant number of COVID-19 survivors develop post-COVID syndrome, affecting various age groups.
• Risk factors for post-COVID syndrome include pre-existing conditions, severe illness, and intensive care unit stays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the characteristics and potential management of post-COVID syndrome.
• To highlight the cognitive and psychological sequelae of COVID-19 infection.
• To inform healthcare providers about the long-term needs of COVID-19 survivors.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical observations and existing literature on post-COVID syndrome.
• Analysis of risk factors associated with developing post-COVID cognitive deficits.
• Description of common manifestations of COVID-19 related encephalopathy.

Main Results:

• Post-COVID syndrome commonly involves frontal dysexecutive syndrome, fatigue, and dysphoria.
• Cognitive deficits include attentional and memory impairments.
• Pathogenetic mechanisms of COVID-19 encephalopathy are being elucidated, but specific treatments are lacking.

Conclusions:

• Post-COVID syndrome presents a significant long-term challenge for healthcare systems.
• General practitioners, psychiatrists, neurologists, and social workers will be crucial in managing patients with post-COVID fatigue and cognitive deficits.
• Activation, reintegration, and expert assessments are key components of future patient care.