Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder?

Abstract

Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. The post-COVID-19 condition patients refer physical fatigue and cognitive impairment sequelae. Given the similarity between both conditions, could it be the same pathology with a different precipitating factor? Objective To describe the cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and general symptomatology in both groups, to find out if it is the same pathology. As well as verify if the affectation of smell is related to cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19 condition. Methods The sample included 42 ME/CFS and 73 post-COVID-19 condition patients. Fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms, the frequency and severity of different symptoms, olfactory function and a wide range of cognitive domains were evaluated. Results Both syndromes are characterized by excessive physical fatigue, sleep problems and myalgia. Sustained attention and processing speed were impaired in 83.3% and 52.4% of ME/CFS patients while in post-COVID-19 condition were impaired in 56.2% and 41.4% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in sustained attention and visuospatial ability, being the ME/CFS group who presented the worst performance. Physical problems and mood issues were the main variables correlating with cognitive performance in post-COVID-19 patients, while in ME/CFS it was anxiety symptoms and physical fatigue. Conclusions The symptomatology and cognitive patterns were similar in both groups, with greater impairment in ME/CFS. This disease is characterized by greater physical and neuropsychiatric problems compared to post-COVID-19 condition. Likewise, we also propose the relevance of prolonged hyposmia as a possible marker of cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19.

Aging and long COVID-19 syndrome: what’s new in 2023?

“…In particular since little is known about long COVID mechanisms that may impair oxygen delivery, and bone health, as well as balance, more careful consideration of what treatment strategies will be safe to deliver and recommend to the older adult COVID-19 survivor, where sustained attention and processing speed, physical problems and mood issues may well prevail. As well, there may be serious safety issues, 16 especially among those with signs of a reduced limb muscle mass. 17…”

Use of either transcranial or whole‐body photobiomodulation treatments improves COVID‐19 brain fog

“…It has been well documented that assessment of outcomes is usually a combination of musculoskeletal and neurocognitive functions [103][104][105]. In fact, a recent study noted several similarities between chronic fatigue syndrome and post-COVID-19 sequelae on physical fatigue, poor sleep quality, increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perturbation of a wide range of attentional and visuospatial cognitive domains [106]. This is, to our knowledge, the first human clinical report on utilizing a whole-body PBM treatment to target a central neural ailment, although similar approaches have been successfully employed in animal models [49].…”

Post-COVID-19 syndrome and related dysautonomia affect patients’ life and work productivity

“…The major clinical manifestation of post-COVID-19 dysautonomia is fatigue and therefore patients show limited capability to work and exercise. The frequent development of brain fog among post-COVID-19 patients is also a factor that affects their ability to work and adapt to daily activities (Azcue et al, 2022; Orfei et al, 2022). Impaired memory or multitasking that occur frequent among post-COVID-19 patients with brain fog are risk factors for a poorer quality of life at work (Chatys-Bogacka et al, 2022).…”

“…patients is also a factor that affects their ability to work and adapt to daily activities (Azcue et al, 2022;Orfei et al, 2022). Impaired memory or multitasking that occur frequent among post-COVID-19 patients with brain fog are risk factors for a poorer quality of life at work (Chatys-Bogacka et al, 2022).…”