Risk of stroke in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the most common and fatal neurologic abnormalities. Multiple risk factors, including smoking, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, can lead to a stroke. This study aimed to estimate the stroke short-term risk and its associated factors among SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized cases. Methods: This cross-sectional comparison groups was conducted on SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in two phases: Phase 1: cross sectional study in which the prevalence of stroke could be estimated. Phase 2: grouping among the study population in order to find out different risk factors. All patients underwent medical history taking, full general and neurological examinations, PCR or chest CT scan screening, brain CT scan and Canadian Neurological Scale Results: There was no significant correlation between the stroke different types and risk factors. There was an insignificant correlation between stroke severity and risk factors. There was no statistically significant difference in stroke severity; assessed by Canadian neurological scale; between different stroke types. Conclusion: We detected a low incidence of imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke in hospitalized COVID-19-infected individuals. Mild, Moderate, and Severe on the Canadian neurological scale were unrelated to the observed results (AIS, ICH, and CVT).