Cognitive and affective disorders in critical SARS-CoV-2 patients and caregivers

We investigated cognitive and affective disorders in patients with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Care givers quality of life, psychological distress and satisfaction with the information received by health-care professionals were assessed. From March 1 to April 30, 2020, 22 consecutive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by PCR on oronasopharyngeal swab, requiring ICU admission were recruited together with a caregiver. Patients with previous cognitive disorders were excluded. Three months after ICU discharge, patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and filled out validated questionnaires. Seven of 22 resulted mildly cognitively impaired. Memory was the most impaired domain, followed by attention and verbal fluency. Three out of 22 patients reported an average high level of anxiety but no depression. Quality of life was mild impaired for 19 patients. Lower performances at MoCA were related to higher APACHE score at T0 (r = −.44; p < .04). Lower performances in working memory, short- and long-term memory and verbal fluency were correlated to longer ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and longer treatment with opioid and antipsychotics drugs (rs > −.48; ps < .04). Long term memory performances were related to higher Sequential Organ Failure assessment (SOFA) score and longer treatment with propofol and benzodiazepines (rs > −.53; ps < .02). Higher patient’s anxiety was correlated to higher psychological distress of the caregiver (r = −.64; p < .001). Higher SOFA score is related to lower caregiver quality of life and lower satisfaction with information received (rs > −.53; ps < .02). At 3 months from ICU admission, cognitive and psychological distress sequelae can be observed in SARS-CoV2 ICU patients.