Spectrum of Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19 Data from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

ABSTRACT

Background: Coronavirus is a novel virus which has disrupted life in the past year. While it involves the lungs in the majority and this has been extensively studied, it involves other organ systems. More number of studies need to be focused on the extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease. Objective: To delineate the clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus on the central and peripheral nervous systems and to assess the risk factors and the outcome of COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations. Materials and Methods: All patients who were SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive were assessed, and detailed clinical history and laboratory findings were collected. Data was analyzed using percentage, mean, and frequency. Results: Out of 864 patients, 17 (N = 17, 1.96%) had neurological manifestations. Twelve out of 17 had comorbid conditions. Patients had diverse presentations ranging from acute cerebrovascular accident to paraplegia and encephalopathy. Ten (58.8%) patients presented with acute cerebrovascular accidents. Of the patients who developed stroke, five (50%) died. Conclusions: COVID-19 usually presents as a respiratory disease. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are not uncommon. One should be aware of a wide spectrum of neurological signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for early diagnosis and treatment for preventing mortality and morbidity.