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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 39585884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314131

Fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in previously hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A 1-year follow-up.

PLoS One 19(11):e0314131

Authors: Ingrid Andreasson, Hanna C Persson, Ann Björkdahl

Affiliations

  • Department of Orthopedics, Clinical sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract

PURPOSE

The aim was to longitudinally explore changes in fatigue- and cognition-related symptoms during the first year after hospital treatment for COVID-19.

METHOD

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Gothenburg, Sweden, were consecutively included from 01-07-2020 to 28-02-2021. Patients were assessed at the hospital (acute) and at 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge. Cognition was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Trail Making Test B (TMTB), and the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ). Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) and the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). Data was analyzed with demographics and changes over time calculated with univariable mixed-effects models.

RESULT

In total, 122 participants were included. Analyzes of Z-scores for MoCA indicated improvement over the year, however the results were 1 SD below norm at all assessments. Alertness (TMTB scores) improved significantly from the acute assessment to the 12- month follow-up (p = <0.001, 95% CI 34.67-69.67). CFQ scores indicated cognitive impairment, and the sum scores for MFI reflected a relatively high degree of fatigue at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In the first year after hospitalization for COVID-19, most patients experienced fatigue and cognitive impairment. Alertness improved, but improvements in other domains were limited.

MeSH

Cognitive Dysfunction, Covid-19, Fatigue, Cognition Disorders