April 19, 2022
The study found that roughly 3% of patients who were hospitalized for more than 24 hours with COVID-19 pneumonia developed new-onset dementia over a median of 182 days after their recovery. Researchers found that the risks were significantly higher compared to those with pneumonia unrelated to a COVID-19 infection. The risk was more common in patients over the age of 70 and primarily affected memory, self-regulation and the ability to perform everyday tasks, with language, awareness of time and location generally intact. Researchers say the findings suggest a role for screening for cognitive deficits among COVID-19 survivors.