Long-term Outcomes of COVID-19 Survivors with Pre-Existing Dementia
Abstract
It is known that patients with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to older age and may be susceptible to worse acute outcomes. Whether or not acute COVID-19 infection predisposes patients with pre-existing dementia to worse longer-term outcomes is unknown and few studies compare COVID-19 survivors with non-COVID controls. This retrospective study evaluated 9,806 patients with dementia in the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx (January 2016 to July 2023), which serves a large minority population in the epicenter of the pandemic. Patients who had pre-existing dementia at the time of COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 group) or the beginning of the pandemic (non-COVID group) and survived the acute infection were selected for the study. Patients who were infected with COVID-19 were younger on average, were more likely to be male, Black, and had more pre-existing comorbidities. After adjusting for demographics and pre-existing comorbidities, those who were infected with COVID-19 had a higher long-term risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio=1.65), major adverse cardiovascular event (aHR=1.58), dysphagia, dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disturbances, altered mental status, and fall (p<0.05 for all). COVID-19 infection status was not linked to long-term development of headaches, depression, or anxiety. Cox proportional hazards model was able to predict long-term mortality with 70% accuracy given demographics and comorbidities at presentation. Identifying risk factors for worse long-term outcomes may draw clinical attention to the need for careful follow-up of at-risk individuals post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Eloy Martinez
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2024 1:30 PM
Long-term Outcomes of COVID-19 Survivors with Pre-Existing Dementia
Alvin Sherman Library
It is known that patients with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to older age and may be susceptible to worse acute outcomes. Whether or not acute COVID-19 infection predisposes patients with pre-existing dementia to worse longer-term outcomes is unknown and few studies compare COVID-19 survivors with non-COVID controls. This retrospective study evaluated 9,806 patients with dementia in the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx (January 2016 to July 2023), which serves a large minority population in the epicenter of the pandemic. Patients who had pre-existing dementia at the time of COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 group) or the beginning of the pandemic (non-COVID group) and survived the acute infection were selected for the study. Patients who were infected with COVID-19 were younger on average, were more likely to be male, Black, and had more pre-existing comorbidities. After adjusting for demographics and pre-existing comorbidities, those who were infected with COVID-19 had a higher long-term risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio=1.65), major adverse cardiovascular event (aHR=1.58), dysphagia, dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disturbances, altered mental status, and fall (p<0.05 for all). COVID-19 infection status was not linked to long-term development of headaches, depression, or anxiety. Cox proportional hazards model was able to predict long-term mortality with 70% accuracy given demographics and comorbidities at presentation. Identifying risk factors for worse long-term outcomes may draw clinical attention to the need for careful follow-up of at-risk individuals post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
