United States: Prolonged health complications, including cognitive impairments and psychological distress, have continued to afflict individuals who were hospitalized due to Covid-19 in the early phase of the pandemic, according to recent research. Even after a year, some patients have experienced exacerbated symptoms or developed new health issues. 

The study revealed that although some long Covid sufferers showed signs of improvement over time, a notable percentage continued to grapple with cognitive difficulties two to three years post-infection. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue not only persisted but often intensified. 

Researchers conducted an extensive investigation involving 475 individuals hospitalized with Covid-19 prior to the availability of vaccines. The aim was to determine the persistence or emergence of cognitive, physical, and mental health problems beyond the first year following infection, according to The Guardian.  

Despite the lack of pre-infection cognitive data for participants, tests conducted two to three years later indicated that, on average, patients’ IQs were approximately 10 points lower than anticipated based on their age, education, and other demographic factors. Alarming findings showed that one in nine participants exhibited severe cognitive deficits, equating to an IQ reduction of 30 points. 

Participant-completed questionnaires highlighted that many experienced moderate to severe levels of depression (47 percent), fatigue (40 percent), and anxiety (27 percent) two to three years after their Covid-19 diagnosis. Contrary to expectations, these symptoms generally worsened over time rather than improved. 

Dr Max Taquet, a co-author from the University of Oxford, noted, “Our previous understanding indicated that Covid-19 was linked to heightened risks of cognitive issues, depression, and anxiety compared to other respiratory infections. Our cohort demonstrated a significant neuropsychiatric burden two to three years post-infection,” as per The Guardian.  

The study also found that over 25 percent of participants changed occupations post-infection, often due to an inability to meet the cognitive demands of their previous jobs. Those with the most severe long-term symptoms were frequently among the sickest six months post-infection, though initial illness severity did not predict long-term outcomes. 

While the proportion of patients reporting depression, anxiety, and fatigue increased after six months, cognitive issues showed signs of improvement. Six months post-infection, 44% had objective cognitive deficits, decreasing to 33 percent at the two to three-year mark. 

Published in Lancet Psychiatry, the study underscores the necessity of early diagnosis and management of long Covid symptoms to mitigate the risk of developing more complex disorders. 

The Office for National Statistics reports a growing number of long Covid cases, with 2 million people in England and Scotland now experiencing symptoms. Brain fog, a common complaint, correlates with a six-point IQ reduction, according to a recent study, as per The Guardian.  

Danny Altmann, an immunology professor at Imperial College London not involved in the study, described the findings as “profound and alarming,” cautioning against complacency even in the era of vaccines and milder Covid variants. Although the risk of long Covid has decreased from approximately 10 percent in the initial wave to around 2.5 percent today, the sheer number of cases remains significant. Altmann emphasized, “Covid-19 continues to pose serious risks, underscoring the importance of staying vaccinated and avoiding reinfection.” 

Researchers urge caution in interpreting the results, noting that only 19 percent of the 2,500 invited participants took part in the study. If those who participated had either much worse or much better outcomes than the broader population, this could skew the results. It also remains unclear whether individuals who developed long Covid later in the pandemic, after vaccination, and without hospitalization, would experience similarly severe health issues.