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Long-Lasting COVID-Associated Brain Fog: A Follow-Up Study
Ali A Asadi-Pooya1,2, Mina Shahisavandi1, Hamid Nemati1
1Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
European Neurology
|February 27, 2023
Summary
A minority of COVID-19 survivors experience long-lasting brain fog over a year post-infection. This cognitive impairment is linked to initial illness severity, particularly ICU admission during hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19, a global pandemic, has been associated with various long-term health issues.
- Brain fog, characterized by cognitive difficulties, is a frequently reported post-COVID symptom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence and characteristics of brain fog in COVID-19 survivors.
- To determine the association between long-lasting brain fog and the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up phone survey was conducted with 1,164 adult COVID-19 survivors.
- Data collected 11 months post-initial study assessed concentration difficulties and self-perceived cognitive status.
Main Results:
- 2.2% of participants reported persistent brain fog (difficulty concentrating and thinking) over a year after COVID-19.
- Long-lasting brain fog was significantly more prevalent in patients admitted to the ICU during their initial hospitalization (23.1% vs. 9.3%).
Conclusions:
- A small percentage of hospitalized COVID-19 patients may experience long-lasting brain fog for over a year.
- The severity of the initial COVID-19 illness is a significant factor associated with the development of long-lasting post-COVID brain fog.
