Characteristics, onset, and evolution of neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19.
Neurol Sci
; 42(1): 39-46, 2021 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-928489
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
A wide range of neurological manifestations has been described in COVID-19.METHODS:
In this nationwide retrospective observational study, patients in Tunisia diagnosed with COVID-19 between the 2nd of March and the 16th of May 2020 were contacted by telephone. We collected demographic and clinical data and specified characteristics and evolution of main neurological symptoms.RESULTS:
Of 1034 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 646 were included (mean age 42.17 years old) and 466 (72.1%) had neurological symptoms. Neurological symptoms were isolated 22.7% (n = 106). Headache was the most frequent neurological symptom (n = 279, 41.1%) mainly frontotemporal (n = 143, 51.1%) and mild or moderate (n = 165, 59.1%). When associated with fever (n = 143, 51.3%), headache was more likely to be severe and present at onset. Recovery was reported in 83.2%. Smell and taste impairment were found in 37.9% (n = 245) and 36.8% (n = 238) respectively. Among them, 65.3% (156/239) were anosmic and 63.2% (146/231) were ageusic. A complete improvement was found in 72.1% (174/240) of smell impairment and in 76.8% (179/233) of taste impairment. Myalgia (n = 241, 37.3%) and sleep disturbances (n = 241, 37.3%) were also frequent. Imported cases had more neurological symptoms (p = 0.001). In 14.5%, neurological symptoms preceded the respiratory signs (RS). RS were associated with more frequent (p = 0.006) and numerous (p < 0.001) neurological symptoms.CONCLUSIONS:
Neurological symptoms in COVID-19 are frequent, can be isolated and present at onset. A total recovery is the most recorded outcome. RS are predictive of neurological symptoms. Studies in to virus and host genetics should be considered to understand the different phenotypes.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sleep Wake Disorders
/
Ageusia
/
Myalgia
/
COVID-19
/
Headache
/
Olfaction Disorders
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Neurol Sci
Journal subject:
Neurology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S10072-020-04866-9
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