Prevalence of mental health conditions and brain fog in people with long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal: General hospital psychiatry
Volume: 88
Issue:
Year of Publication:
Affiliated Institutions:
Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom; Hull York Medical School, (HYMS), University of York, York, United Kingdom; Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: christina.vanderfeltz-cornelis@york.ac.uk.
Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Department of Primary Care and Mental Health University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Department of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Research Centre, Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science and College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Institute of Infection Veterinary and Ecological Sciences and NIHR HPRU in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract summary
Long COVID can include impaired cognition ('brain fog'; a term encompassing multiple symptoms) and mental health conditions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate their prevalence and to explore relevant factors associated with the incidence of impaired cognition and mental health conditions.Searches were conducted in Medline and PsycINFO to cover the start of the pandemic until August 2023. Included studies reported prevalence of mental health conditions and brain fog in adults with long COVID after clinically-diagnosed or PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.17 studies were included, reporting 41,249 long COVID patients. Across all timepoints (3-24 months), the combined prevalence of mental health conditions and brain fog was 20·4% (95% CI 11·1%-34·4%), being lower among those previously hospitalised than in community-managed patients(19·5 vs 29·7% respectively; p = 0·047). The odds of mental health conditions and brain fog increased over time and when validated instruments were used. Odds of brain fog significantly decreased with increasing vaccination rates (p = ·000).Given the increasing prevalence of mental health conditions and brain fog over time, preventive interventions and treatments are needed. Research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms that could inform further research in development of effective treatments. The reduced risk of brain fog associated with vaccination emphasizes the need for ongoing vaccination programs.
Authors & Co-authors:
van der Feltz-Cornelis
Turk
Sweetman
Khunti
Gabbay
Shepherd
Montgomery
Strain
Lip
Wootton
Watkins
Cuthbertson
Williams
Banerjee
Study Outcome
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