Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19: Lay Summary
With the help of our Patient Advisory Group, we have created a 'lay summary' of our BMJ Practice Pointer - Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19. A lay summary is a brief description of a research article written for a general audience.
Cognitive dysfunction after covid-19: Lay Summary
The number of people who carry on being ill after infection with covid-19 isn’t known. In March 2023 over 1.8 million said they were still having problems 12 weeks later. It seems the longer people have been unwell the less likely it is they will get better.
Some of the most difficult problems people face affect the brain and thinking. These problems can make it hard to concentrate, take decisions, or remember things. People can find their speech is affected, and they can find it difficult to understanding information. Many people say their brain feels foggy which makes it difficult to think clearly.
These problems can affect people’s relationships, their work, and their day-to-day life. Some days are often worse than others.
We don’t know why certain people have these problems. We know that older people, women, and people who are overweight are more likely to have them. We know that poor sleep and being overtired can make them worse. Studies have tried to find out what is causing them but there are no clear answers.
Tests don’t offer much help, but brain scans can be used to make sure nothing else is going on. It is possible to test how the brain is working, but we don’t know how good these tests are after Covid infections. Studies show most people with brain problems get better within a year. If they are still having difficulty at this point then it may be helpful to see a specialist.
Sadly, there are no drug treatments. General Practitioners can help patients by making sure nothing else is going on. They can also give general support and encouragement. There are things patients find helpful such as planning days to make the best use of their energy, making lists, following routines, and avoiding distractions. Some find doing word games and puzzles can also help.
Visit our Lay Summaries page to find other lay summaries of scientific publications from the LOCOMOTION study.