Comparative analysis of psycho-cognitive status in elderly patients with comorbidities depending on the presence of post-COVID syndrome

Starichkova A.A., Khidirova L.D., Tsygankova O.V., Vasilenko A.A., Osmieva Z.M.

ABSTRACT

Objective. To compare psycho-cognitive status of elderly patients with various comorbidities depending on the presence of post-covid syndrome.

Materials and methods. This observational analytical cohort study included 133 patients with atrial fibrillation and various comorbidities (coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)) aged 60–72 years with and without history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-covid syndrome (PCS). Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included 123 patients without the history of COVID-19, group 2 — 110 patients with the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. All study participants underwent general clinical examination; assessment of psycho-cognitive status using the “SPMSQ” and “HADS” scales. Statistical analysis has been performed using RStudio software.

Results. Anxiety and depression have been established in 49–61% of patients with comorbid diseases and were more prevalent among patients after COVID-19. Subclinical anxiety was seen in 29% of patients without COVID-19 and in 27% of patients with PCS; clinically significant anxiety— in 13% of patients from both groups. The analysis of patients’ cognitive functions showed that cognitive dysfunction was more prevalent among patients with PCS (p = 0,007); while the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was comparable between groups, but was higher among patients with PCS – 22% vs. 8% (p = 0,005). Severe cognitive impairment was seen only in patients with PCS – 2%. The analysis of separate groups with various comorbidities showed significant differences in patients with T2DM, 51% in those without PCS compared with 28% among patients with PCS (p = 0,012).

Conclusion. The effects of COVID-19 remain uncertain. Therefore, the assessment of long-term consequences after the infection in patients with various comorbidities is required and can be achieved by reprofiling and initiation of large cohort studies aimed not only to assess long-term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also to investigate psycho-cognitive dysfunction.

Keywords: anxiety, depression, cognition, comorbid diseases, SARS-CoV-2, post-covid syndrome.

For citations:

Starichkova A.A., Khidirova L.D., Tsygankova O.V., Vasilenko A.A., Osmieva Z.M. Comparative analysis of psycho-cognitive status in elderly patients with comorbidities depending on the presence of post-COVIDsyndrome. International Journal of Heart and Vascular Diseases. 2023. 11(37): 21-28. doi: 10.24412/2311-1623-2023-37-25-34