prevalence of cognitive impairment and its risk factors in patients with covid-19: a follow-up study

Background :cognitive impairment is a recognized consequence of covid-19, persisting long after recovery. this study investigates the prevalence and risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in post-covid-19 patients. objectives :the present study aimed to assess cognitive function at three months and one year post-hospitalization using the blind montreal cognitive assessment (blind moca) and analyze its correlation with demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. methods :a longitudinal study was conducted on 260 hospitalized covid-19 patients. cognitive function was assessed using the blind moca, and statistical analyses, including t-tests, anova, and correlation analysis, were performed to identify significant predictors of cognitive decline. results :cognitive scores significantly declined from three months (19.37 ± 1.54) to one year (18.85 ± 1.67) (p = 0.0001). older age, elevated c-reactive protein (crp) and creatinine levels, psychiatric history, hypertension, and severe pulmonary involvement were associated with worse cognitive outcomes. conclusions :post-covid-19 cognitive impairment worsens over time and is influenced by inflammation, oxygenation, and comorbidities. early intervention strategies, including cognitive rehabilitation and monitoring of high-risk individuals, are essential to mitigate long-term cognitive impairment.