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PN0521 SR CognitiveScreeningAfterCOVID
PN0521 SR CognitiveScreeningAfterCOVID
TABLE. SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE COGNITIVE article, and future research is needed to continue examining
IMPAIRMENT AFTER COVID-19 differences between those who had COVID‑19 and were or
were not hospitalized, as well as between people with mild vs
Domain Population Studied severe symptoms during COVID‑19.
Subjective Concentration >28 days after symptom onset3
cognitive and attention and ≤110 days after hospital Cognitive Screening Tests
impairment discharge3 Assessing cognitive complaints objectively during the short
Memory >28 days after symptom onset3 time of a typical office visit can be challenging, but screening
and ≤10 days after hospital tests can be done by a primary care physician or neurologist
discharge4,5 to determine whether more comprehensive cognitive testing
is indicated. Several cognitive screening tests have been devel‑
Executive >28 days after symptom onset3
oped and used in a variety of populations. It is important to
functioning
note, however, that literature directly comparing the 3 cogni‑
Slowed >28 days after symptom onset3 tive screening tests discussed in this article with each other is
thinking or and ≤3 months after hospital somewhat limited. There is also no literature yet regarding use
brain fog discharge6,7 of cognitive screening tests in a COVID‑19 population.
Objective Concentration 2 people after acute phase8
cognitive and attention and severe COVID-19; inpatient Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Examination
impairment post-critical acute stage9 The SLUMS exam was created to detect mild cognitive
impairment (MCI) in veterans,17 age 18 years and up; however,
Memory 2 people after acute phase8
research regarding use in younger adults is limited. The SLUMS
and severe COVID-19; inpatient
exam takes approximately 7 minutes to administer and is avail‑
post-critical acute stage9
able in multiple languages. It is free to the public, with a brief
Executive 37 and 149 days after COVID‑19;10 training video available on the developers’ webpage.
functioning mixed participant group,11
severe COVID-19, inpatient MoCA
postcritical acute stage9 MoCA was developed as a rapid screening measure to detect
Visual mixed participant group11 mild cognitive dysfunction18 and has been validated for use
attention in individuals ages 55 to 85. MoCA has been used as a screen‑
Visuospatial severe COVID-19, inpatient ing tool in multiple populations, including people with a large
functioning post-critical acute stage9 range of neuropsychiatric conditions from Alzheimer disease
(AD) to HIV-related dementia. Multiple versions are available
from COVID‑19 (ages 33 and 56), who were not hospitalized, to allow for serial testing in approximately 100 languages. The
had screening and neuropsychologic testing 37 and 149 days MoCA takes about 10 minutes to administer and is available
after symptom onset. Cognitive screening with the Montreal digitally. The MoCA is available to the public, although the
Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State publishers require completion of brief (1 hour) training and
Examination (MMSE) was unremarkable, but more comprehen‑ certification, which costs $125, before administering the MoCA.
sive tests revealed deficits in executive functioning and work‑
ing memory.9 Neuropsychologic tests were administered to MMSE
matched groups, age 30 to 64, who had recovered from vs not The MMSE was developed to screen for cognitive impair‑
had COVID-19. Tests included the Trail Making Test (TMT), ment19 and is validated for use in ages 18 to 85 years. The
Sign Coding Test (SCT), Continuous Performance Test (CPT), MMSE takes approximately 10 minutes to administer and is
and Digital Span Test (DST). No differences were seen on the available in about 70 languages. Before 2001, the MMSE was
TMT, SCT, or DST, but individuals who had recovered from free, but in 2001, the test was licensed to a commercial com‑
COVID‑19 scored lower on several aspects of the CPT, indicat‑ pany, PAR, through which MMSE must now be purchased.
ing sustained attention deficits.8
Although cognition is an important factor for assessing Evidence for Use of Cognitive Screening Tests
overall functioning and employment potential, other factors, Evidence for the MoCA
such as medical and psychologic history, may also affect func‑ In a minireview of studies that used the MoCA to assess
tioning. Fatigue, medication effects, possible dissimulation, people with traumatic brain injury (TBI),20 it was found to reli‑
and current psychologic functioning need to be considered. A ably detect cognitive impairment in people with mild TBI com‑
detailed discussion of these factors is outside the scope of this pared with normal controls. The MoCA is also said to differen‑
tiate cognitive disturbances between mild and severe TBI. Still, SLUMS raw score change over a year did not correlate with
more research is needed to determine if the the MoCA can any functional measures.29 In a population of veterans (mean
differentiate functional cognitive differences in mild vs moder‑ age 75) the SLUMS and the MMSE had similar sensitivity and
ate TBI. Use of the MMSE has been compared with use of the specificity in detecting dementia.17 In a nonveteran group of
MoCA in TBI for prediction of outcome at discharge from an 170 individuals age 60 or more who were administered the
acute care setting, and both were found to have similar predic‑ MMSE and the SLUMs as well as the more comprehensive
tive abilities compared with the Disability Rating Scale.21 In a neuropsychologic TMT, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test,
study of 130 individuals over age 55 without severe cognitive and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the SLUMS correlated
impairment who were administered 2 cognitive assessments more strongly with the TMT than the MMSE.30 The SLUMS
between 2 and 4 months apart, the MoCA was more reliable outperformed MMSE in predicting cognitive performance
than the MMSE, but all measures, including the MoCA, MMSE, across all measures and demographic variables, with the excep‑
and Color Trails Test (CTT) showed within-person variability.22 tion of perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
Subtests of the MMSE and the MoCA have been compared, Significant differences between the MMSE and the SLUMS
and the MoCA has more sensitivity for detecting executive were also been observed in people who resided in assisted- vs
dysfunction. In a study comparing Chinese-language versions independent-living environments (n=118, age 41 to 96).31
of the MMSE and the MoCA in 1,222 individuals who had A study of 136 veterans (median age 78) administered the
experienced a stroke, MoCA trail-making and abstraction sub‑ SLUMS, the Short Test of Mental Status (STMS), and the
tests were more sensitive to executive dysfunction than the MoCA in random order and the Clinical Dementia Rating
MMSE 3-step command test. The MoCA digit span forwards (CDR) scale at a separate session showed all 3 screening tests
and backwards test, however, was less sensitive to executive correlated with the CDR. All had adequate specificity, sensitiv‑
dysfunction than the MMSE 3-step command subtest.23 ity, and positive and negative predictive value. The authors also
point out that compared with the MMSE, the SLUMS has bet‑
Evidence for the MMSE ter sensitivity and specificity for detecting both dementia and
In a meta-analysis of cognitive screening to assess MCI, MCI when compared with DSM-IV criteria.32
Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R),
Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Working Model and Decision Tree
(CERAD), MoCA, and the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment As described in a New York Times article, “. . .a veteran nurse
(Qmci) screen were found to have similar diagnostic accuracy, practitioner at an urgent care clinic who fell ill with the virus
whereas the MMSE had lower sensitivity.24 The MMSE has in July, finds herself forgetting routine treatments and lab tests,
high sensitivity for dementia and is the most frequently stud‑ and has to ask colleagues about terminology she used to know
ied instrument used in assessing the US Hispanic population automatically.”33 If a patient presents to a physician’s office
according a meta-analysis, but ethnicity and education were with these cognitive symptoms, the physician could consider
significant confounders.25 This was also found for people over administering a cognitive screening measure (eg, MoCA,
age 60.26 In 93 individuals hospitalized for heart failure who had MMSE, or SLUMS) in order to obtain more information and
reported neurocognitive problems, scores on the MoCA and facilitate decision making (Figure). Additionally, the physician
MMSE were compared. The MoCA classified 41% as cognitively may ask the patient how long they have been experiencing
impaired who were not detected with the MMSE.27 In a study cognitive symptoms, and they may be interested in knowing if
comparing the MoCA and the MMSE 1 week and 3 months others have also noticed cognitive changes (Box). Ultimately,
after stroke in a group of 60 people (mean age 72), the MoCA it is up to the physician to decide which cognitive screening
scores were lower and the MMSE skewed more towards test tool to utilize in clinical practice. If no cognitive impairment
ceiling (the point at which items become too difficult to is apparent on the cognitive screening test, no action may be
answer). In this study, the MoCA was more sensitive than the necessary at that time. If symptoms re-emerge at a later date,
MMSE, but the MoCA had poorer specificity. The MMSE was the physician may choose to readminister a cognitive screen.
also found to be valid in this population.28 We propose that if there is evidence of impairment during
screening, the physician may choose to monitor the patient
Evidence for the SLUMS and reevaluate in 3 months. If impairment is still apparent on
In a study comparing the SLUMS and the MMSE in 304 par‑ a cognitive screen at reassessment, and the patient continues
ticipants age 70 and older, the MMSE and the SLUMS correlat‑ to report cognitive symptoms, a referral for comprehensive
ed with each other and with 2 functional measures; however, neuropsychologic assessment may be necessary. A neuropsy‑
the MMSE and the SLUMS categorized the same individual chologist can assess the validity and nature of the cognitive
differently. The 1-year change in MMSE raw scores correlated symptoms, along with severity of impairment and whether
with changes in 3 functional domains and age. In contrast, the psychologic factors may be contributing to the presentation.
Summary
To summarize, the following cognitive symptoms following
COVID‑19 have been reported: memory loss,3-5 attention and
concentration decline,3,4 executive functioning decline,3 and
slowed thinking/brain fog.3,6,7 The objective studies discussed
show cognitive decline in memory,10 attention and concen‑
Figure. A Working Clinical Model for Cognitive Screening After
tration,8,10 executive functioning,9-11 visuospatial function‑
COVID-19. Goals of this working model are to provide individuals
ing,10 and visual attention.11 It is expected that physicians will
with reasonable necessary diagnosis and efficacious treatment to
encounter patients who are reporting some of these persis‑
the degree possible and help them return to the highest possible
tent cognitive symptoms weeks or months after COVID‑19
level of functioning.
diagnosis, including some individuals who never had a positive
Additionally, a neuropsychologist can provide treatment rec‑ SARS‑CoV‑2 test. Physicians may choose to utilize cognitive
ommendations and facilitate return to work. screening tools in their practice as a quick and practical way
to identify symptoms and guide decision making. n
Limitations
1. Pilotto A, Masciocchi S, Volonghi I, et al. Clinical presentation and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome
Cognitive screening tools to assess individuals for cognitive coronavirus 2-related encephalitis: the ENCOVID multicenter study. J Infect Dis. 2021;223(1):28-37.
symptoms after COVID‑19 have limitations; there are none to 2. Huang C, Huang L, Wang Y, et al. 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort
study. Lancet. 2021;397(10270):220-232.
date designed specifically for use in a COVID‑19 population. 3. Davis HE, Assaf GS, McCorkell L, et al. Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their
Thus, cognitive screening tests developed for other patient impact [preprint]. SSRN. 2020;10.2139/ssrn.3820561. doi:10.1101/2020.12.24.20248802
4. Garrigues E, Janvier P, Kherabi Y, et al. Post-discharge persistent symptoms and health-related quality of life after
populations must be implemented. Cognitive screening tools hospitalization for COVID-19. J Infect. 2020;81(6):e4-e6. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.08.029
do not assess symptom validity or psychologic factors, for 5. Lambert N, Survivor Corps, El-Azab SA, et al. COVID-19 survivors’ reports of the timing, duration, and health impacts of post-
acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) infection [preprint]. medRxiv. 2021;03.22.21254026. doi:10.1101/2021.03.22.21254026
which comprehensive neuropsychologic evaluation is needed. 6. Rubin R. As their numbers grow, COVID-19 “long haulers” stump experts. JAMA. 2020;324(14):1381-1383.
Cognitive screening tests do not replace a comprehensive 7. Savarraj JPJ, Burkett AB, Hinds SN, et al. Three-month outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients [preprint]. medRxiv.
2020;10.16.20211029; doi:10.1101/2020.10.16.20211029
neuropsychologic assessment; however, a cognitive screening 8. Zhou H, Lu S, Chen J, et al. The landscape of cognitive function in recovered COVID-19 patients. J Psychiatr Res. 2020;129:98-102.
9. Hellmuth J, Barnett TA, Asken BM, et al. Persistent COVID-19-associated neurocognitive symptoms in non-hospitalized