My comment : this study is high quality af

Abstract

Background

Cognitive impairment can be caused by infections with various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. Research has yet to determine the true incidence and course of cognitive impairment in older adults following COVID-19. Furthermore, research has theorised that COVID-19 is associated with dementia progression and diagnosis but this association has yet to be fully described.

Methods

A systematic review was registered in Prospero and conducted on the databases PubMed, Embase, Ovid, CENTRAL and Cochrane Library. Studies reporting cognitive impairment and dementia outcomes in post-acute and post-COVID-19 patients aged ≥65 years, and which included control data, were included in this review.

Results

15,124 articles were identified by the search strategy. After eliminating duplicate titles and completing title, abstracts and full-text review, 18 studies were included comprising of 412,957 patients with COVID-19 (46.63 % male) and 411,929 patients without COVID-19 (46.59 % male). The overall mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score in COVID-19 patients was 23.34 out of 30 (95 % CI [22.24, 24.43]). indicating cognitive impairment. The overall proportion of patients identified as having new onset cognitive impairment was 65 % (95 % CI [44,81]). Subgroup analyses indicated that time since infection significantly improves overall MoCA score and reduces proportion of patients with cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

This study indicates that cognitive impairment may be an important sequela of COVID-19. Further research with adequate sample sizes is warranted regarding COVID-19’s association with new-onset dementia and dementia progression, and the effect of repeat infections. There is a need for development of diagnostic and management protocols for COVID-19 patients with cognitive impairment.

  • laziestflagellant [they/them]
    ·
    1 day ago

    The conspiracy brainworm in me wants to believe that this was part of some long term Burgerland plan to push widespread acceptance of culling of socially undesirable peoples, because facing the reality that the people in charge either never took this outcome into account or just didn't care that they were obliterating what's currently left of elder care institutions is almost unthinkable.

    We are just straight up not prepared what this is going to do to the future 65+ demographics. It terrifies me every day

    • Ivysaur [she/her]
      ·
      1 day ago

      Oh we are prepared, prepared to leave ‘em in a ditch just like we did at the start of the pandemic.