TITLE
Cognitive impairment in the post COVID 19 pandemic. Prevalence study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the appearance of cognitive sequelae.
Objective:
To detect the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a primary care clinic in a post-pandemic period and to verify variations with what was expected in the general population, with pre-pandemic data.
Material and methods:
Cross-sectional observational study during 2023-2024. Population: 207 patients from two consultations of primary care health centers. SAGE self-administered test is distributed. Chi-square and Student's t, with significance level 0.05%, were used. Descriptive statistics are expressed in percentages, means, and standard deviation (SD) or 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RR (relative risk) study and ANOVA test.
Results:
77 (37%) obtained a score < 17, and < 70 years old in 18.3%. Higher scores in women (17.6; 95% CI: 16.73-18.43) than in men (15.9; 95% CI:14.78-16.9), ascending score according to level of education (14, SD: 5.1 primary; 17.8, SD: 4.1 secondary; 19.7, SD: 3.5 university) and results in COVID-19 (17.5; 95% CI: 16.77-18.36) compared to non-COVID-19 (15.8; 95% CI: 14.52-17) (p < 0.05), and with age, COVID-19, memory, execution, and language.
Conclusions:
Global data are two times the expected cognitive impairment for the general population. Deterioration in reasoning, orientation and execution have been more strongly associated with COVID-19. The socioeconomic and educational level achieved have functioned as protective factors.
