Percepção das pessoas idosas sobre as alterações cognitivas e funcionais na COVID longa

Abstract

Population aging is a phenomenon that has gained prominence in academic and public policy discussions. It is expected that by 2030, one-sixth of the world's population will be composed of individuals aged 60 years or older. During the pandemic, the elderly formed the most vulnerable group to COVID-19, as increased longevity is accompanied by a rise in comorbidities and risk factors that affect health conditions. Long COVID, a term used to describe persistent symptoms beyond the acute phase, has become a growing concern. Although there is no consensus definition, it is generally described as the persistence or emergence of new symptoms three months after the initial infection. Among the most common symptoms are fatigue, respiratory difficulties, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances, and neurological symptoms such as cognitive impairment, which has been frequently observed among the elderly, possibly due to the neurological alterations caused by the infection. The aim of this study was to understand and discuss the cognitive and functional changes perceived by elderly individuals who experienced long COVID. A qualitative investigation was conducted based on the thematic oral history method. The three participants were elderly individuals aged 60 years or older, residing in the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the technique of reflexive thematic analysis. After analysis, the results were grouped into two themes: "What was the illness like?" and "Challenges of long COVID: cognitive dysfunctions and decreased functionality." The elderly perceived that long COVID can lead to a variety of cognitive deficits, including short-term memory, language, attention, and executive functions. Short-term memory, often affected, interferes with the ability to retain recent information and perform daily tasks. Cognitive processing speed, changes in naming and verbal fluency, difficulties in maintaining attention, and impairment of executive functions were the most reported among the elderly, negatively impacting their independence and functionality. Additionally, behavioral changes such as depression and anxiety were mentioned. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and amplified existing limitations in elderly healthcare, and this study highlighted the relevance of cognitive rehabilitation programs, in addition to a multidisciplinary approach to help affected individuals adapt to new situations and maintain independence in more complex activities. Finally, these results may contribute to improving the practice of healthcare professionals in addressing the effects of long COVID, aiming at the development of effective therapeutic interventions, as well as helping to formulate public policies aimed at promoting the well-being of the elderly.