Covid-19 - related cognitive impairment in patients followed at a referral center in são paulo, brazil

Background: Central nervous system involvement associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported, including cognitive impairment, even in patients with mild COVID-19. processes. Objective: To assess cognitive decline related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with neurological disease after COVID-19. Methods: Longitudinal prospective study developed to compare the cognitive performance of patients after COVID-19 based on cognitive complaints. The Addenbrooke´s Cognitive ExaminationRevised (ACE-R), a 100-point test, was applied for investigation, with cut-off score for cognitively normal individuals ≥ 78. Results: Fifty patients were evaluated, 33 women (66%). Thirty-six patients with cognitive complaint (72%), this being the only symptom in 18 (50%), more frequent in women (5:1). Among all patients, the mean score of ACE-R was 80.8 (SD 11) and median of 84. In patients with cognitive complaints, mean of 80.37 (SD 12.2) and median of 84. For the other patients, mean of 81.86 (SD 7.65) and median of 82.5 (p value = 0.9869). Cognitive decline was confirmed in 10/35 (28.57%) of patients with cognitive complaint, and in 4/14 (28.57%) of other patients (exacto de Fisher = 0.8809). Regarding the ACE-R subanalyses, impaired attention and orientation were observed in both groups. Conclusion: Cognitive complaint was not a predictor of cognitive decline, but impairment in attention and orientation were observed in the entire sample.