A severe COVID-19 infection that involves hospital admission and ventilator support can have a considerable impact on a recovered patient′s intelligence as part of long-COVID symptoms, reported a UK study.

Investigators assessed 81,337 participants from January through December 2020 as part of the Great British Intelligence Test. The questionnaire items included self-report of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 infection and respiratory symptoms. The results agree with the reports of long-COVID, where brain fog, difficulty in concentrating and difficulty finding the correct words are common, stated the study. Recovered individuals had significant cognitive deficits compared to controls after controlling for age, gender, education level, racial-ethnic group, pre-existing medical disorders, tiredness, depression and anxiety, and income.

The findings are published in The Lancet – Eclinical Medicine… (NDTV – PTI, July 26, 2021)