Prospective Memory Assessment before and after Covid-19

This large-scale Norwegian cohort study evaluated changes in self-reported everyday memory problems before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among more than 111,000 participants with confirmed Covid-19 status, memory scores assessed using the 13-item Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) were persistently higher (indicating more difficulties) in those testing positive compared to those testing negative, across all time points up to 36 months post-infection. Differences emerged only after testing and were not present beforehand, suggesting a possible causal link. Higher EMQ scores correlated with longer periods of being bedridden and were more frequent in women and those with elevated BMI. While average scores remained in the mild range, the sustained gap underscores a potential long-term cognitive impact of Covid-19, even after accounting for demographic and health-related covariates.

This large-scale Norwegian cohort study evaluated changes in self-reported everyday memory problems before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among more than 111,000 participants with confirmed Covid-19 status, memory scores assessed using the 13-item Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) were persistently higher (indicating more difficulties) in those testing positive compared to those testing negative, across all time points up to 36 months post-infection. Differences emerged only after testing and were not present beforehand, suggesting a possible causal link. Higher EMQ scores correlated with longer periods of being bedridden and were more frequent in women and those with elevated BMI. While average scores remained in the mild range, the sustained gap underscores a potential long-term cognitive impact of Covid-19, even after accounting for demographic and health-related covariates.