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Mumbai, October 8
According to one study, patients who have recovered from Covid-19 may experience neurological sequelae from the infection including mental confusion and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Brain fog is the lack of memory or sharp concentration.
Post-traumatic stress disorder was the most common mental health experienced during previous outbreaks of human coronavirus, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
The researchers stated in the study published in the journal The Clinical Neuropsychologist that recovered patients have experienced difficulty concentrating, headaches, anxiety, fatigue or sleep disturbances.
According to the study authors, some patients also feared symptoms would persist throughout their lives.
A paper co-authored by clinical professor and neuropsychologist Andrew Levine, MD, of UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, and graduate student Erin Kaseda, of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences in Chicago, conducted the study.
Also read: Covid-19 alters the mental state of around a third of patients: study
They looked at the records of previous coronavirus survivors, which caused SARS and MERS.
Commenting on neurological symptoms, Levine said in a statement: “The idea is to raise awareness among neuropsychologists that PTSD is something you may want to consider when assessing persistent cognitive and emotional difficulties among Covid-19 survivors.”
Levine explained: “When we see someone for a neuropsychological test, we hope they are in their prime, relatively speaking. If we identified a psychiatric illness during our evaluation, and if we believe that the symptoms of that condition are interfering with your ability to perform at your best, we would want it to be treated first and then reassessed once it is under control. “
Researchers believe that by exploring psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, a clearer picture will emerge regarding underlying brain problems.
Another researcher on the study, Kaseda, said: “Once they are treated, and hopefully have some remission of their psychiatric symptoms, if the cognitive complaints and deficits in neuropsychological tests are still there, then there is more evidence that something else is. going “.
“It will be important for general practitioners to keep up with the literature that is coming out to ensure they have the most up-to-date information as these survivors begin presenting for neuropsychological testing,” he added.
He also said that when these symptoms persist for months or years after the original injury, they are much more likely due to the presence of a psychiatric disorder.
A review of the data from the SARS and MERS outbreaks showed that these survivors were at increased risk for PTSD.
According to another study cited in the previous report, nearly a third of hospitalized Covid-19 positive patients had experienced some type of altered mental function. Mental instability ranged from confusion to delirium and lack of response.
