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Microbes & Immunity Physiological and cognitive effects of PASC

A B

Figure 3. Pearson correlation heat maps represent the strength of correlations between (A) severity of symptoms and (B) duration of symptoms. The color
of a square signifies the extent to which two symptoms are correlated: Dark red signifies a strong positive correlation (r>0.5), light red signifies a weak
correlation (r≤0.5), and white signifies no correlation (r≈0).

3. Results Table 3. Severity and duration of post‑acute sequelae of
SARS‑CoV‑2 symptoms
In this study, the results were analyzed through two
correlations: The severity of symptoms and the duration Symptom Severity Severity Duration Duration
of symptoms. Pearson correlation analysis and correlation mean SD mean SD
matrix heatmaps (Figure 3) were performed to analyze and Breathlessness 0.436 0.711 0.706 1.176
visualize the results. Upon assessing symptom severity, Cranial nerve dysfunction 0.100 0.357 0.147 0.556
a strong positive correlation was observed between the Dysgeusia 0.555 0.711 0.468 0.786
severity of depression and working memory, with a Anosmia 0.545 0.973 0.431 0.840
Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.73. Cough 0.595 0.679 0.803 1.007
Across all demographics, most participants (n=44) Fatigue 0.602 0.754 0.954 1.309
reported testing negative for COVID-19 within 6 – 10 days Sleep 1.155 0.940 1.257 1.281
post-infection (Figure S4). Similarly, the median duration Throat sensitivity 0.564 0.894 0.550 0.963
for symptoms to disappear fell within 6 – 10 days
(Figure S5). Suicidal thoughts 0.058 0.355 0.092 0.517
Depression 0.245 0.711 0.560 1.169
Sleep was the most affected symptom of COVID-19 in
the study, with the mean severity score being 1.155 on a scale Behavior 0.394 0.632 0.890 1.336
of 0 – 3 (Table 3). Correspondingly, sleep also demonstrated Stress 0.645 0.797 0.991 1.340
the longest duration, with a mean of 2 – 4 weeks. Overall, Working memory 0.385 0.668 0.890 1.423
68% of participants reported changes in sleep, indicating Chronic pain 0.139 0.711 0.486 1.210
that sleep disruptions are among the most common and
persistent effects of COVID-19 infection. The physiological severity for both males and

In contrast, suicidal thoughts represented the least females encompasses eight symptom categories. Upon
severe symptom found in this study, with a mean severity examination, the median and distribution were not
score of 0.06 (Table 3). This symptom also showed the statistically significantly different. The physiological
shortest duration, with the mean being 0 – 1 week. Only severity of both males and females showed a median
approximately 0.04% of participants in our study reported score of 0.47 (Figure S6). However, for the physiological
experiencing suicidal thoughts during their COVID-19 duration, females exhibited a greater standard deviation
illness, suggesting it is one of the rarest symptoms of (0.72) than males (0.52), despite a similar median value of
COVID-19. 0.5 (Figure S7).

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 110 doi: 10.36922/mi.8545