Resumo

JARA CASCO, Eliana M. et al. Cognitive sequelae in patients with severe COVID-19: preliminary evidence from Paraguay. Investig. estud. UNA [online]. 2026, vol.17, n.1, pp.52-64. ISSN 2070-0415.  https://doi.org/10.18004/ieuna2709-0817/3117015715.2026.

This preliminary study analyzed cognitive alterations in patients who had recovered from severe COVID-19, comparing them with patients who had experienced mild forms of the disease. Delayed memory, attention, verbal fluency, and global cognitive performance were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), administered after clinical recovery. The sample included 20 adults residing in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, divided into two groups according to clinical severity. Patients with severe COVID-19 showed lower delayed memory scores than those with mild COVID-19 (3.1 ± 1.7 vs. 4.7 ± 0.7; p = 0.002), lower verbal fluency scores (1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5; p = 0.002), and lower total MoCA scores (20.5 ± 2.3 vs. 25.9 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Differences in attention did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). These findings provide preliminary evidence of possible persistent cognitive sequelae following severe COVID-19 and support the need for neurocognitive follow-up. Longitudinal studies with larger samples and analyses adjusted for age, comorbidities, educational level, and length of hospitalization are recommended.

Palavras-chave : cognitive impairment; attention; memory; verbal fluency; severe COVID-19.

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