A significant increase in the number of people with memory and concentration problems

A large study of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic by RIVM and the Dutch Institute for Medical Research (Nivel) found a marked increase in the number of people visiting doctors with memory and concentration problems. It was revealed. In the first quarter, 40 percent more adults aged 45 to 74 visited their general practitioner with cognitive problems than in the same period in 2019. NOS report.

There was a 31% increase in the 25- to 44-year-old group. Young people under the age of 25 did not seek help more frequently.

“This is a development that worries us,” said Michel Dukas, Distinguished Professor of Risk, Safety and Health at Groningen and Research Leader on behalf of RIVM and Nivelle. “Although the long-term effects are not yet well understood, there is emerging evidence that the pandemic could lead to accelerated population aging on a significant scale.”

Among people aged 75 and older, the number of people reporting dementia problems to their primary care physician increased by 18% compared to 2019. “Before the pandemic, people of this age group were already more likely to have dementia problems than other age groups, so the increase is probably not that big,” he said. duckers.

While the researchers have not formally proven that the increase in cognitive problems is due to the pandemic, they believe this is consistent with growing knowledge about the effects of the coronavirus. How viruses cause these problems is not yet fully understood.

One explanation could be that COVID-19 lockdown measures have accelerated the decline in the number of people with early memory and concentration problems. Researchers at the Alzheimer’s Center predicted early in the pandemic that social restrictions could increase the number of people with mild memory and concentration problems.

The virus itself could also be behind the problem, Dukers said. Some people have long-term symptoms after Covid-19, and some studies show that memory and concentration problems are common with long-term Covid-19.