Long-term cognitive performance and its relation to anti-inflammatory therapy in a cohort of survivors of severe COVID-19

Background and objectives: Long-term cognitive performance data in former critically ill COVID-19 patients are sparse. Current evidence suggests that cognitive decline is related to neuroinflammation, which might be attenuated by COVID-19 related anti-inflammatory therapies. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to study long term cognitive outcomes following severe COVID-19 and the relation to anti-inflammatory therapies.Methods: Prospective observational cohort of patients that survived an intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to severe COVID-19. Six months after hospital discharge, we extensively assessed both objective cognitive func-tioning and subjective cognitive complaints. Furthermore, patients were stratified in cohorts according to their anti-inflammatory treatment (i.e. no immunomodulatory therapy, dexamethasone, or both dexamethasone and interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab).Results: 96 patients were included (March 2020-June 2021, median [IQR] age 61 [55-69] years). 91% received invasive mechanical ventilation, and mean & PLUSMN; SD severity-of-disease APACHE-II-score at admission was 15.8 & PLUSMN; 4.1. After 6.5 & PLUSMN; 1.3 months, 27% of patients scored cognitively impaired. Patients that did or did not develop cognitive impairments were similar in ICU-admission parameters, clinical course and delirium incidence. Pa-tients with subjective cognitive complaints (20%) were more likely women (61% vs 26%), and had a shorter ICU stay (median [IQR] 8 [5-15] vs 18 [9-31], p = 0.002). Objective cognitive dysfunction did not correlate with subjective cognitive dysfunction. 27% of the participants received dexamethasone during intensive care admission, 44% received additional tocilizumab and 29% received neither. Overall occurrence and severity of cognitive dysfunction were not affected by anti-inflammatory therapy, although patients treated with both dexamethasone and tocilizumab had worse executive functioning scores (Trail Making Test interference) than patients without anti-inflammatory treatment (T-score 40.3 & PLUSMN; 13.5 vs 49.1 & PLUSMN; 9.3, p = 0.007). Discussion: A relevant proportion of critically ill COVID-19 patients shows deficits in long-term cognitive func-tioning. Apart from more pronounced executive dysfunction, overall, anti-inflammatory therapy appeared not to affect long-term cognitive performance. Our findings provide insight in long-term cognitive outcomes in patients who survived COVID-19, that may facilitate health-care providers counseling patients and their caregivers.

Automated summary

A relevant proportion of critically ill COVID-19 patients exhibit deficits in long-term cognitive functioning. Anti-inflammatory therapy does not seem to affect long-term cognitive performance, except for more pronounced executive dysfunction. Additionally, subjective cognitive complaints are associated with patient gender and ICU stay duration.