Avaliação do perfil cognitivo e executivo de indivíduos infectados por SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused what is officially known as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has plunged the population into one of the world's largest and most rapidly spreading health crises. The effects of the pandemic vary widely and include impacts on neurological and psychiatric aspects, as well as the association with chronic diseases and comorbidities. The pandemic has led to the need to identify and assess the long-term consequences on an individual's general well-being, including cognitive functioning. To this end, this research

aimed to assess the cognitive and executive profile of individuals infected with SARS-CoV- 2. It was divided into two stages, comprising two studies, using a mixed methodology. Study

I aimed to assess the main emotional experiences of a sample of people in the first twelve months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Amazon. The DETECTCoV-19 project database was used. 2,355 individuals of both sexes were selected, 1,480 women (62.85%), with an age range of 18 to 90 years and an average age of 42.02 years (SD = 13.79), and complete higher education or more (70.06%), who answered the form with sociodemographic data and information about their experience during the Pandemic period related to aspects of health, organization of daily life, and perceived affections. The results indicated that there were significant differences in different times and categories of emotional aspects, when assessing the beginning of the pandemic, as well as when reassessed at a later time, such as panic (p=0.003), sadness (p<0.001), depression (p=0.042), anxiety (p=0.008), insomnia (p=0.002), fear (p<0.001), calm (p<0.001), worry (p<0.001) and tranquility (p<0.001). Study II aimed to assess the cognitive and executive profile of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, recruited from the project database and Study I based on the criterion of having received a positive diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2 in 2021 and 2022, using RT-PCR. 91 individuals of both sexes participated, 61 women (67%), the age range varied from 18 to 59 years, with an average age of 33 years (SD = 29.40), 62% were single, with some work (86%), monthly income of 1 to 2 minimum wages (35%), in relation to education, individuals with higher education predominated (91%). The participants answered a sociodemographic data form made up of quantitative and qualitative questions. This was followed by the application of the Cognition Combo, which includes the following tests: (a) On-line Attention Test-AOL, comprising the assessment of Alternating Attention (AOL-A), Concentrated Attention (AOL-C) and Divided Attention (AOL-D), (b) the Non-Verbal Intelligence Test (G-38), and (c) the Test of Recognition Memory-2 (TEM-R-2); the Barkley Executive Dysfunction Evaluation Scale (BDEFS) was used to assess executive functions; and finally, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess the clinical importance of screening for depression. In terms of cognitive and executive aspects, 28% of the participants suffered impairments in alternating attention, 33% in average concentrated attention and 37% in divided attention. As for recognition memory, 37% were average and 66% were normal in terms of executive dysfunction. The results provided an in-depth understanding that perceptions of cognition and executive functioning have repercussions in the present day and can transcend time, causing behavioral, social and subjective changes.