Psychological and Cognitive Sequelae of COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated global mental health problems with the development of persistent symptoms.

AIM: To conduct a prevalence meta-analysis of persistent psychological and cognitive sequelae of COVID-19 based on cohort studies.

METHOD: This study followed PRISMA. Cohort studies that followed individuals for at least 12 weeks post-COVID-19 were included and pediatric studies were excluded. The databases Embase, Lilacs/BVS, PubMed, SciELO and Scopus were searched in November 2023. Meta-analyses were performed with subgroup analyses conducted. Results were presented with forest plot graphs and tables. Risk of bias and methodological quality were assessed using Eggers's Test and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

2,456 studies were identified and screened. Forty-seven articles were included in the systematic review, and 46 in the meta-analysis (192,158 participants). The most prevalent psychological outcome was anxiety (0.17; 95% CI 0.11-0.27, 19 studies), followed by cognitive impairments (0.15; 95% CI 0.11-0.20, 35 studies), sleep disturbances (0.14; 95% CI 0.09-0.19, 33 studies) and depression (0.11; 95% CI 0.06-0.19, 16 studies).

DISCUSSION: The mental health consequences of COVID-19 highlight the need for long-term monitoring and represent a significant public health challenge. The limitation is the heterogeneity among the studies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/RECOMMENDATIONS: These findings represent a public health issue emphasizing the need for public policies and support strategies to mitigate consequences.

CONCLUSION

Although high prevalence rates were identified, the prediction intervals were wide and heterogeneity remained high-common characteristics of studies conducted during the pandemic.

REGISTRATION: Registered in the international Prospective Register of Ongoing Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42023460632, on September 5, 2023.