Gender differences among the dimensions of MOCA over time in COVID-19 Survivors.

Studies show gender disparities in COVID-19. Women often display a stronger immune response during infection but suffer from prolonged effects, including a heightened risk of ischemic stroke linked to memory loss. Although gender differences in memory loss and MOCA performance have been studied, it's been limited to small, non-Mexican samples, excluding those with COVID-19 experience. The objective was to assess gender differences in MOCA dimension evolution among COVID-19 survivors. A longitudinal comparative study of 82 survivors (43 men; mean age 54.8 ± 12.3) grouped by gender. MOCA was administered across two follow-ups. Descriptive analysis, Wilcoxon Ranks for MOCA dimension evolution comparison, and Mann-Whitney U for sex differential analysis were conducted using Jamovi. Results showed that 66.7% showed mild cognitive impairment, primarily men (38.3%). Both genders differed in language, delayed recall, and executive function (p=.002; p=0.023; p<.001) by Wilcoxon Ranks. Men's delayed recall scores decreased while women remained stable. Mann-Whitney U revealed no sex-based differences in MOCA dimension evolution (visuospatial, p=0.660; attention, p=0.111; language, p=0.785; delayed recall, p=0.750; executive function, p=504; orientation, p=892; Total MOCA, p=0.579). The study found disparities in language, delayed recall, and cognitive function domains over time in both sexes. However, apart from delayed recall, no differences were noted between groups. Unexpectedly, men scored lower in delayed recall while women remained stable. Future studies should consider larger samples and confounding factors like education level, comorbidities, severity, and longer follow-ups.