Associations between COVID-19 Severity, Cognitive Impairment, and Quality of Life in Individuals in Need of Care: Results from the Multicentre Registry Study BaCoM

Lukaschek K, Hofbauer S, Dreischulte T, Drey M, Rottenkolber M, Winter S, Sebastiao M, Teupser D, Gágyor I, Hausen A, Hoelscher M, Janke C, Kühlein T, Gensichen J (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra Karger Publishers

Book Volume: 16

Pages Range: 71-84

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1159/000551288

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults in need of care are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and cognitive impairment. This study investigates the association between COVID-19 severity, quality of life, and cognitive impairment in individuals requiring care. Methods: Data from 531 participants (68.4% female; n = 363; median age = 82.0 years, interquartile range = 13.0) of the Bavarian ambulatory COVID-19 Monitor (BaCoM) – all of whom were in need of care and had a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection – were analysed. We compared sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, cognitive performance, COVID-19 disease features, and quality of life between 80 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 and 451 individuals who were infected but not hospitalized. Associations between cognitive impairment and COVID-19 severity were examined using binary logistic regressions with the MoCA Blind and Six-Item Screener as dependent variables. The association between quality of life and COVID-19 severity was analysed using multiple linear regression with the EQ VAS as the dependent variable. Results: Hospitalized individuals had significantly lower MoCA Blind scores than non-hospitalized peers (17.0 vs. 19.0, p = 0.039), while SIS scores showed no difference. EQ VAS scores were similar between the groups, but hospitalized individuals had lower EQ-5D-5L Index scores (0.57 vs. 0.75, p = 0.004). COVID-19 severity (hospitalization, symptom duration) was not associated with MoCA Blind <18 or with the EQ VAS. Conclusion: The study found lower MoCA-Blind scores and reduced quality of life in hospitalized individuals, but adjusted analyses showed no significant link between COVID-19 severity and cognition or quality of life.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maria Sebastiao Institute of General Practice Thomas Kühlein Lehrstuhl für Allgemeinmedizin

Involved external institutions

Klinikum der Universität München (LMU Klinikum) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Fachhochschule Münster DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lukaschek, K., Hofbauer, S., Dreischulte, T., Drey, M., Rottenkolber, M., Winter, S.,... Gensichen, J. (2026). Associations between COVID-19 Severity, Cognitive Impairment, and Quality of Life in Individuals in Need of Care: Results from the Multicentre Registry Study BaCoM. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra, 16(1), 71-84. https://doi.org/10.1159/000551288

MLA:

Lukaschek, Karoline, et al. "Associations between COVID-19 Severity, Cognitive Impairment, and Quality of Life in Individuals in Need of Care: Results from the Multicentre Registry Study BaCoM." Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra 16.1 (2026): 71-84.

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