Cognitive profile following COVID-19 infection: Clinical predictors leading to neuropsychological impairment.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive manifestations associated with the severity of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection are unknown. An early detection of neuropsychological manifestations could modify the risk of subsequent irreversible impairment and further neurocognitive decline. METHODS: In our single-center cohort study, we included all consecutive adult patients, aged between 20 and 60 years old with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Neuropsychological assessment was performed by the same trained neuropsychologist from April, 22nd through June 16th, 2020. Patients with previous known cognitive impairment, any central nervous system or psychiatric disease were excluded. Demographic, clinical, pharmacological and laboratory data were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Patients presenting headache, anosmia, dysgeusia, diarrhea and those who required oxygen therapy had lower scores in memory, attention and executive function subtests as compared to asymptomatic patients. Patients with headache and clinical hypoxia scored lower in the global Cognitive Index (P â€‹= â€‹0.002, P â€‹= â€‹0.010). A T score lower than 30 was observed in memory domains, attention and semantic fluency (2 [5.7%]) in working memory and mental flexibility (3 [8.6%]) and in phonetic fluency (4 [11.4%]). Higher scores in anxiety and depression (P â€‹= â€‹0.047, P â€‹= â€‹0.008) were found in patients with cognitive complaints. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of COVID-19 patients neurologic manifestations were frequent, including cognitive impairment. Neurological symptoms during infection, diarrhea and oxygen therapy were risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. Cognitive complaints were associated with anxiety and depression.

[Neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q): Spanish validation of an abridged form of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)]. / Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q): validación española de una forma abreviada del Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)*

BACKGROUND: The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) is a validated clinical instrument for the evaluation of psychopathology in dementia. OBJECTIVE: To validate a brief questionnaire form of the NPI (NPI-Q) in Spanish from NPI-Q original version, intended for use in routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We have developed a crossed validated form between NPI and NPI-Q in 120 Alzheimer's disease patients. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of the NPI-Q, using Pearson correlation index was r = 0.89 for total symptom scale and r = 0.90 for distress scale. The prevalence of analogous symptom ratings differed by less than 6.7%. Convergent validity between NPI-Q and NPI, using Pearson correlation index was r = 0.879 for total symptom and r = 0.92 for distress scale. CONCLUSIONS: The NPI-Q Spanish version offers the possibility to use a reliable and brief instrument that can be used as a screening in the evaluation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and associated caregiver distress. It may be suitable for use in general clinical practice and it could be used as a brief neuropsychiatric interview.

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q): validación española de una forma abreviada del Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) / Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q): Spanish validation of a brief clinical form of the Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI)

FUNDAMENTOS: El Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) es un instrumento validado para la evaluación clínica de la sintomatología neuropsiquiátrica para las enfermedades que cursan con demencia. OBJETIVO: Ofrecer una validación en castellano de un instrumento breve que se ha desarrollado desde el NPI, llamado NPI-Q, diseñado para el uso en la práctica clínica diaria como método de cribado. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se ha desarrollado una validación cruzada entre NPI y NPI-Q en 120 pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer. RESULTADOS: El test-retest de la escala NPI-Q, mediante el empleo del índice de correlación de Pearson, fue de r = 0,89 para la escala de total de presencia de síntomas y de r = 0,90 para la escala de estrés del cuidador. La prevalencia de síntomas análogos difiere en menor del 6,7 per cent. La validez convergente entre el NPI-Q y el NPI, usando el índice de correlación de Pearson, fue r = 0,879 para la escala gravedad y r = 0,92 para la escala de estrés. CONCLUSIONES: La versión castellana del NPI-Q ofrece la posibilidad de usar un instrumento válido y fiable, a la par que breve, lo que favorece su uso como método de cribado en la evaluación de los síntomas neuropsiquiátricos en la demencia, así como para la valoración del agotamiento emocional provocado en el cuidador, pudiendo ser utilizada en la práctica clínica diaria, ya como entrevista breve, ya en forma autoadministrada. (AU)