COVID-19-associated Neurological Manifestations and Complications: An Observational Study

Background: Coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), led to one of the deadliest pandemics faced by mankind. The typical manifestation of COVID-19 infection includes respiratory distress. However, we know that the characteristic immunologic pathways of SARS-CoV-2 infection inflict systemic disorders and eventually multi-organ dysfunction in a subgroup of patients. The disease can affect both central and peripheral nervous systems. Objective: The aim of our study was to describe the wide spectrum of neurological manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical characteristics. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center, observational study to analyze neurologic manifestations associated with COVID-19 patients from May 2020 to September 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, South India. Results: A total of 80 COVID-19-confirmed patients with neurological disorders were included in our study. The most reported neurological manifestation was altered sensorium (29.6%). Twenty-nine (34.4%) patients were on noninvasive ventilation and a significant number of patients (22) (26.8%) needed invasive ventilation. The mortality rate was 34.1% and the large vessel involvement in stroke patients was 10%. Conclusion: Neurological issues in COVID-19 patients are relatively common and have the propensity to manifest later as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.