COVID-19の成人個体における認知機能の評価

Evaluation of cognitive functions in adult individuals with COVID-19.

抄録

背景と目的:

コロナウイルス症2019（COVID-19）に関連し、急性期に発生する認知障害が重要視されている。ほとんどの研究は、急性感染時に重篤な影響を受けた高齢者に焦点を当てているが、軽度から中等度のCOVID-19が若い患者において認知障害をもたらすかどうかは、依然として不明である。本研究は、COVID-19の症状が軽度から中等度の若年成人を対象に、感染後の認知機能を評価することを目的とする。

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cognitive deficits that are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and occur in the acute period are gaining importance. While most studies have focused on the elderly severely affected during acute infection, it remains unclear whether mild to moderate COVID-19 results in cognitive deficits in young patients. This study aims to evaluate the post-infection cognitive functions of young adults with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

方法:

年齢と学歴がほぼ同じ成人100名を本研究に参加させた。そのうちの半数は過去60日以内にCOVID-19に感染したことがあり（N=50）、残りの半数は感染していなかった（N=50）。認知機能はMontreal Cognitive Assessment Scale（MoCA）とClock-Drawing Test、記憶機能はÖktem Verbal Memory Processes Test（Ö-VMPT）、注意力はDigit Span Test、実行機能はFluency Test、Stroop Test、Trail Making Test、視覚能力はRey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test（ROCF）、精神神経状態はNeuropsychiatric Inventory（NPI）で評価された。評価は、実験群では発症から21日から60日間、対照群では研究期間中行われた。

METHODS: A total of 100 adults with similar age and educational background were included in the study. Half of those had been infected with COVID-19 in the last 60 days (N = 50), and the other half had not (N = 50). Global cognitive skills of the participants were evaluated through Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) and Clock-Drawing Test; memory functions with Öktem Verbal Memory Processes Test (Ö-VMPT); attention span with Digit Span Test; executive functions with Fluency Tests, Stroop Test, and Trail Making Test; visual perceptual skills with Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF); and neuropsychiatric status with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Evaluations were performed in the experimental group for 21 to 60 days from the onset of the disease, and throughout the study, in the control group.

結果:

COVID-19では、グローバル認知スキル、言語記憶、視覚記憶、実行機能、精神神経状態が影響を受けることがわかった（p＜0.05）。

RESULTS: It was found that global cognitive skills, verbal memory, visual memory, executive function, and neuropsychiatric status were affected during COVID-19 (p < 0.05).

結論:

症例を重症度別に分析したところ、認知障害と重症度との間に関連性は認められなかった。

CONCLUSION: When the cases were analyzed according to disease severity, no relationship was found between cognitive deficits and disease severity.