New research from scientists at Northwestern Medicine in the U.S. and CES University in Colombia has revealed that more than 60% of people who had COVID-19 continue to experience neurological symptoms, such as brain fog and fatigue, even two to three years after their initial infection.
These symptoms significantly affect cognitive function and quality of life, according to the study, which is the longest follow-up of COVID-19 patients conducted in Latin America.
The study, led by Dr. Igor J. Koralnik, a specialist in neuro-infectious diseases at Northwestern University, and Dr. Carolina Hurtado Montoya from CES University in Medellín, is the first of its kind in Colombia and Latin America.
It analyzed the persistent neurological symptoms, cognitive function, and quality of life in patients suffering from long COVID-19, showing that these symptoms are as common in Colombia as they are in the U.S.
Researchers followed 100 patients in Colombia between April and December 2023.
The patients were divided into two groups: one with 50 people who had moderate or severe COVID-19 and were hospitalized, with an average age of 51, and another with 50 people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized, with an average age of 36.
One of the most significant findings was that 60% of patients experienced brain fog, a term used to describe cognitive difficulties, and 74% suffered from fatigue.
These symptoms, along with depression, had the most considerable impact on the patients’ quality of life, regardless of whether they had severe or mild COVID-19.
The study also found that both groups performed worse on tests of processing speed and attention compared to the general population.
The most common neurological symptoms in long COVID-19 patients were brain fog (60%), muscle pain (42%), and numbness or tingling (41%). Non-neurological symptoms included fatigue (74%), sleep problems (46%), and anxiety (44%).
The study’s findings, published on August 13 in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by long COVID-19 patients.
The researchers emphasized that brain fog and fatigue persisted regardless of how long a patient had been suffering from long COVID, stressing the need for comprehensive, long-term care for those affected.
The research team is now preparing for a second phase of the study, which will focus on cognitive rehabilitation to improve the functionality and quality of life of these patients.
They hope to develop a protocol that could be implemented as a service in healthcare settings in Colombia.
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