Supplementary Material for: Cognitive performance and mental health in Long COVID patients: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Long COVID (LC) is characterized by enduring impairments in cognitive functions and increased stress, anxiety, and depression, lasting for more than 2 months. We investigated the extent of these impairments and their interrelation in individuals with self-reported LC compared to a non-LC control group. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from September 2020 to December 2022, involving participants from the general population. The survey, in German and French, included the Verbal Learning and Memory Test and the Go/No-Go Task to behaviorally assess cognitive function, and questionnaires for depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress. A total of 1218 individuals with LC and 314 controls completed the study, with case-control matching applied for comparisons between individuals of a similar age. Results: Verbal memory retention, as well as attentional and inhibitory control, were significantly lower in LC compared to controls. LC reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress. Behaviorally assessed cognitive impairments correlated with psychological distress. In the LC group levels of self-reported cognitive difficulties were higher, and the correlation with cognitive performance test-results was weaker, compared with controls. Conclusions: LC is associated with significant cognitive impairments and psychological distress that are inter-correlated. This underlines the need for targeted interventions to address the multifaceted consequences of LC.

引言：长新冠（Long COVID, LC）以持续超过2个月的认知功能持久受损及应激、焦虑和抑郁水平升高为特征。本研究旨在探究自我报告确诊长新冠人群相较于非长新冠对照组的认知受损程度及其相互关联。
方法：本研究于2020年9月至2022年12月开展横断面线上调查，招募普通人群作为研究对象。调研采用德语与法语版本，包含言语学习与记忆测试（Verbal Learning and Memory Test）及Go/No-Go任务以行为学方式评估认知功能，同时辅以抑郁、焦虑、疲劳及应激相关问卷。最终共有1218名长新冠患者与314名对照受试者完成研究，研究采用病例对照匹配法，对年龄相近的个体进行组间比较。
结果：相较于对照组，长新冠组的言语记忆保留能力、注意力与抑制控制能力均显著更低。长新冠组报告的抑郁、焦虑、疲劳及应激水平均更高。行为学评估的认知受损程度与心理困扰程度呈显著相关。相较于对照组，长新冠组自我报告的认知困难程度更高，且与认知功能测试结果的相关性更弱。
结论：长新冠与显著的认知受损及心理困扰相关，且二者存在相互关联。这一结果凸显了针对长新冠多维度后遗症开展针对性干预的必要性。