Coronavirus Disease 2019 and its Impact on the Cognition of Older Adults: Unraveling the Role of Inflammation (preprint)

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant global impact, particularly on the older adult population. To address concerns regarding the emergence and persistence of cognitive impairment and its potential risk factors, this study aimed to investigate cognitive function and its relationship with inflammation in older COVID-19 survivors during a three-month follow-up. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 177 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 aged >60 years were examined between July 2021 and February 2022.Psychiatric and cognitive assessments were conducted at discharge and at one month and three months post-discharge. All the statistical analyses were conducted using a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 (P<0.05). Cognitive status was analyzed with the Repeated Measures Test, and relationships between inflammatory indices and cognitive function were explored via the Pearson correlation test and Mann‒Whitney U test. The normality of the data was examined using the Kolmogorov‒Smirnov test. Results:A cognitive assessment of patients indicated lower scores onthe informant subscales of the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) during the time of discharge, as well as at the 1-and 3-month follow-up intervals. Negative correlations were found between cognitive function and depression/anxiety. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were linked to lower cognitive scores, while the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were not significantly correlated. Over time, cognitive function and anxiety improved, while depression and daily activity challenges persisted. Conclusions: This study highlights the lingering impact of inflammation on cognition among older COVID-19 survivors. Moreover, these findings underscore the urgent need for focused interventions and rehabilitation efforts to foster sustained cognitive recovery in this population.

Clinical Presentation, Management and Outcome of Staffs with COVID-19 Disease: a large tertiary Oil and Refinery Grand Hospital Study (preprint)

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess clinical characteristics, managing and controlling, and in-hospital outcome of COVID-19 among oil refinery workers in a single referral center.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-COVID single referral center from March to August 2020. At the Naft grand Hospital, the COVID-19 specimen collection and molecular detection unit was established with staff trained to collect suitable samples (sufficiently deep swabs), storage, packaging, and transportation. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.Results Overall, 500 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included, of which the most common comorbidities were hypertension (52.2%) and diabetes (45.6%). Moreover, 298 patients (59.6%) had one to three comorbidities, 148 patients (29.6%) had four to six cases, and two patients (0.4%) had seven and more comorbidities. Finally, 23 people (4.6%) have cancer and 206 people (41.2%) have other diseases. 390 (78.8%) received Kaletra, and 387 (78.02%) receive Azithromycin. Overall, PCR test result was positive in 377 (75.4%) patients, computed tomography scan (CT-scan) test was positive in 413 (82.6%) patients, and CRP test had positive result in 335 patients (67%) patients.Conclusion Most referred cases were survivors with mild to moderate symptoms, and a few of them were unfortunately non-survivor. This could be due to those people with mild COVID-19 symptoms may respond well to the treatment and institutional isolation. Thus, good and evidence-based clinical care combined with strong public health interventions will save the lives of thousands, if not millions, worldwide.