Assessment of Cognitive and Mood Changes in Older Survivors of COVID-19: A Year's Follow-up.

ABSTRACT: The long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are not fully known. In this study, we aimed to evaluate cognitive function and mood changes with 1-year follow-up in the elderly after COVID-19 disease. Ninety COVID-19 survivors and 90 healthy controls were included in the study between April 2022 and 2023. The patients were evaluated at the 1st, 6th, and 12th months for cognition, depression, and sleep quality. Cognitive function is assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and depression by the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. COVID-19 survivors secured lower scores in certain domains of the MoCA in comparison with the controls at the first and sixth months. However, at the 12th month, no difference was observed in total MoCA ( p = 0.100), Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale ( p = 0.503), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( p = 0.907) between survivors and controls. Older patients who recovered from COVID-19 have lower cognitive function compared with controls up to 12 months. However, cognitive function scores were similar at the end of the first year except for memory scores.

Pulmonary artery diameter and NT-proBNP in patients with Covid-19: Predicting prognosis and mortality.

Background: The diverse and complex presentations of COVID-19 continue to impact the world. Factors related to prognosis and mortality are still not fully illuminated. Objectives: We aimed to asses the relationship of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) with COVID-19 prognosis and mortality. Methods: 152 COVID-19 patients over the age of 18, were included in the study. Thoracic CT, NT-proBNP values, laboratory and demographic data of these patients were obtained by retrospectively examining the patient files and scanning the results through the patient registry. Results: According to multivariate logistic regression (LR) analysis, high NT-proBNP level (OR=3.542; 95% CI=1.745-9.463; p=0.021) and MPAD/ascending aortic diameter (AAD) ratio>0.75 (OR=2.692; 95% CI=1.264-9.312; p=0.036) were determined as independent risk factors predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients. A significant positive correlation was observed between NT-proBNP level and MPA diameter (r=0.296, p<0.001). The cut-off value was measured as 27.5 mm for MPA diameter and 742 pg/ml for NT-proBNP. Conclusions: Accurate and effective interpretation of available radiological and laboratory data is essential to reveal the factors predicting prognosis and mortality in COVID-19. In this study,we evaluated that the thorax CTs and determined that the MPAD/AAD and NT-proBNP level were independent risk factors in predicting mortality.

Investigating ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels in prediabetic and Type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: This study aims to investigate the role of ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 on atherosclerosis and inflammation in prediabetic and diabetic patients. Patients & methods: Serum ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels were compared with the atherosclerotic and inflammatory markers in diabetic (n = 65, female 30.9%, mean age = 53 years), prediabetic (n = 55, female 36.6%, mean age = 49 years) and control groups (n = 55, females 32.5%, mean age = 49 years). Serum ADAMTS levels were determined by a human enzyme-liked immunoassay. Results: In terms of ADAMTS7, there was no significant difference between diabetic, prediabetic and control groups (50.93, 44.34, 59.07, respectively; p > 0.05). ADAMTS12 is lower in diabetics (p < 0.05), whereas it is similar in prediabetics and controls (14.53, 20.76, 25.05, respectively; p > 0.05). ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels did not differ in diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy (p > 0.05). Conclusion: While ADAMTS12 was significantly lower in diabetics and prediabetics, ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 were not related to diabetic complications (nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy).

Increased monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio in vitamin B12 deficiency: Is it related to cardiometabolic risk?

Vitamin B12 deficiency may have indirect cardiovascular effects in addition to hematological and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It was shown that the monocyte count-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (MHR) is a novel cardiovascular marker. In this study, the aim was to evaluate whether MHR was high in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and its relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors. The study included 128 patients diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency and 93 healthy controls. Patients with vitamin B12 deficiency had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), MHR, C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid levels compared with the controls (median 139 vs 115 mmHg, p < 0.001; 80 vs 70 mmHg, p < 0.001; 14.2 vs 9.5, p < 0.001; 10.2 vs 4 mg/dl p < 0.001; 6.68 vs 4.8 mg/dl, p < 0.001 respectively). The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was higher in vitamin B12 deficiency group (43.8%) than the control group (8.6%) (p < 0.001). In vitamin B12 deficiency group, a positive correlation was detected between MHR and SBP, CRP and uric acid (p < 0.001 r:0.34, p < 0.001 r:0.30, p < 0.001 r:0.5, respectively) and a significant negative correlation was detected between MHR and T-CHOL, LDL, HDL and B12 (p < 0.001 r: -0.39, p < 0.001 r: -0.34, p < 0.001 r: -0.57, p < 0.04 r: -0.17, respectively). MHR was high in vitamin B12 deficiency group, and correlated with the cardiometabolic risk factors in this group, which were SBP, CRP, uric acid and HDL. In conclusion, MRH, which can be easily calculated in clinical practice, can be a useful marker to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.