Long-Term Neurological Impact of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Recent research has observed the ability of coronavirus disease 2019 to spread in the brain from the respiratory system. The associated neurological disorder includes encephalopathies, inflammatory syndromes, stroke, peripheral neuropathies, and various other central nervous system disorders. This study aims to highlight the long-term neurological sequelae in patients with COVID-19 disease.Methods: This long-term study was carried out in the COVID-19 unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from July 2020 to July 2021. After obtaining informed consent, we enrolled 1000 patients who recovered from COVID-19 and were discharged. The participants were followed up after 30 and 90 days.Results: At the time of enrollment, there were 602 (60.2%) males and 398 (39.8%) females. The most common neurological symptom on 30-day follow-up was headache (8.8%), followed by insomnia. The most common neurological symptom on day 90 follow-up was insomnia (5.07%), followed by an altered sense of smell (3.3%).Conclusion: COVID-19 tends to produce a wide range of neurological symptoms, ranging from headache to anosmia to increased risk of stroke, that complicates clinical management. Potential neurologic effects and drug interactions have been reported secondary to the medications used to treat COVID-19. In light of the aforementioned facts, COVID-19 could potentially have a long-term effect on the brain. Therefore, it is important that the clinicians must be aware of the potential neurologic complications. Lastly, proper followup is recommended that would aid in timely recognition and management of the neurological disorder.

Sequelae of COVID-19 among previously hospitalized patients up to 1 year after discharge: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Second, some sequelae had a small sample size so that the pooled estimate may not be generalized. Third, clinical symptoms may have various diagnostic standards and symptoms such as cough and chest pain were mainly self-reported [ 20 , 25 , 29 – 31 , 36 , 38 , 40 – 43 , 46 , 47 , 51 – 58 , 60 , 62 , 74 , 80 , 81 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 91 ], as healthcare resources were already stretched coping with the evolving pandemic. Finally, the excess burden of each sequela compared to the general population was not quantified which were available from a limited number of controlled cohort studies only.…”

Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: A perspective from Pakistani medical students

“…Moreover, a recent study conducted in Pakistan found that 23% of participants infected with the novel coronavirus experienced severe neurological complications [ 5 ]. Despite the significant frequency of occurrence of these symptoms, there has been limited research conducted on the relevant topic in the Asian country [ [6] , [7] , [8] ]. Makda A. et al, after performing a cross sectional study in Karachi, concluded that neurological complications are frequently observed in Pakistani COVID-19 patients and that the most common symptom is dizziness [ 7 ].…”

“…Makda A. et al, after performing a cross sectional study in Karachi, concluded that neurological complications are frequently observed in Pakistani COVID-19 patients and that the most common symptom is dizziness [ 7 ]. Conversely, Kumar J. et al noted that the neurological deficit most likely experienced is headache and insomnia [ 8 ]. These contradictory findings make it difficult to address the presenting symptoms and signify the need to perform further research.…”

The importance of autopsies despite the declining number amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

“…

Reported for the first time in Wuhan, China in late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has since taken the world by storm. 1,2 Caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the disease's rapid worldwide spread led the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. 1,2 Authors' contributions: All authors of the article have made a substantial contribution to the information or material submitted.

…”

“…1,2 Caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the disease's rapid worldwide spread led the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. 1,2 Authors' contributions: All authors of the article have made a substantial contribution to the information or material submitted. Monika Bhatt performed the literature review and is the primary author of the manuscript.…”