Memory Impairment and its Impact on Post-COVID-19 Patients among Saudi Population: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a global pandemic in late 2019, quickly affecting millions worldwide. It presents with a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory issues to severe cases requiring hospitalisation. The disease’s long-term effects, especially cognitive impairments post-recovery, remain an area of active research and concern. Aim: To assess the prevalence and severity of cognitive impairments, including memory loss, attention deficits, and executive function disorders, in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving 539 participants confirmed to have recovered from COVID-19 via Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests. Cognitive impairments, including memory loss, attention deficits, and executive function disorders were assessed. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 Chi-square tests and T-tests were utilised to examine the statistical significance of differences between recovered individuals and controls. Results: The study identified significant memory changes in 211 (39.15%) of post-COVID-19 patients, with specific challenges including difficulty recalling names/faces in 146 (27.09%), reduced attention span in 45 (8.35%), and verbal communication issues in 145 (26.9%) study subjects. Demographically, females (n=134, 24.86%) and individuals aged 21-30 reported higher rates of memory impairments compared to males (n=77, 14.29%) or other age groups, challenging prior assumptions about cognitive recovery and age. Further, patients with brain injuries and mental health conditions experienced exacerbated memory issues, underscoring the need for thorough patient assessments. Despite the considerable impact on daily activities reported by 111 (20.59%) of participants, only 17 (3.15%) sought medical help for these memory concerns. The findings highlight the prevalence of memory impairments among Saudi post-COVID-19 patients and call for increased healthcare interventions to manage these long-term cognitive effects. Conclusion: The study conclusively demonstrated that postCOVID-19 memory impairment was prevalent among recovered patients in Saudi Arabia, with significant variations by age, gender, and medical history. This underscored the critical need for healthcare providers to have enhanced awareness and to have developed targeted support services to effectively address and manage the long-term cognitive consequences of COVID-19.