COVID-19 survivors and neuropsychological issues: A way forward

Abstract

Background: This brief article focuses on highlighting the importance of possible neuropsychological manifestations among the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) survivors. Studies have evidenced that like other Coronaviruses, COVID-19 is highly contagious and also responsible for the development of mild to severe respiratory symptoms. As COVID-19 is a recently emerged pandemic that has resulted in more than six hundred thousand deaths around the globe as of July 2020 and most of the researches has focused on the physical manifestations.

Purpose: The purpose of this review article was to highlight the importance of COVID-19 infection in perspective to mental health in those patients who are survived.

Methodology: For this purpose, an intensive literature review was conducted through different scientific search engines including PubMed, Google Scholars, Science Direct, etc.

Results and Conclusion: There is very limited data available on manifestations including psychological and neuropsychological. Studies have shown that viral infections including viruses from Coronaviridae have been implicated in the nervous system including the brain. So, it is important to investigate the post-COVID-19 infection in neuropsychological aspects. Such studies will highlight the importance of post-COVID-19 complications and will also help in redesigning the treatment plan for mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19, neuropsychological issues, mental health, Coronavirus Disease 19 Survivors, depression, anxiety, stress

Citation: Rafiq M, Bashir U, Hasnain J. COVID-19 survivors and neuropsychological issues: A way forward. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2020;24(6):667-670

Received – 30 July 2020, Reviewed – 7 August 2020, Revised – 8 August 2020, Accepted – 22 September 2020