COVID-19 NEUROLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS - THE EXPERIENCE OF A TERTIARY HOSPITAL FROM NORTHEASTERN ROMANIA

Authors

  • Iulia Elena DIACONU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Raluca Erika IRIMIE-BALUTA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • A. VATA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • A.N. AVADANEI Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi
  • A.M. VASILESCU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • B.E. IGNAT “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi
  • Mihaela Catalina LUCA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Abstract

Well-known for its respiratory tropism, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can further affect both the central and peripheral nervous system causing a substantial source of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the neurological manifestations in SARS-CoV2-infected hospitalized patients and to evaluate the short-term outcomes based on clinical features, neurologic comorbidities, and laboratory. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the “Sf. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases Iasi between May 2020 and December 2022. Clinical features, frequency of neurological manifestations, and correlation with risk factors, pandemic waves, and the severity of the disease were evaluated. Results: We identified 160 patients hospitalized during the investigated period, the most frequent neurologic manifestations at the time of admission were fatigability (85% cases), headache (51.25% cases), myalgia (41.25% cases), vertigo (26.88% cases), confusion (21.25% cases) and less frequent anosmia (16.88% cases), ageusia (15% cases), paresthesia (3.13% cases). In all phases fatigability was predominant, being in over 80% of cases one of the symptoms at the moment of hospitalization, followed by cephalalgia and myalgia. Anosmia (25%) and ageusia (27%) were found most in phase two compared to all phases. In the second phase, the variant of concern was delta, causing more critical cases than all the other mentioned periods. Previous neurologic comorbidities such as dementia and stroke were correlated with a higher mortality risk. Conclusions: Neurological symptoms were a relatively frequent part of the clinical picture of SARS-CoV2 infection, and their incidence varied in different pandemic waves. Fatigability was the most constant finding. Previous neurologic comorbidities such as dementia and stroke were correlated with a higher mortality risk.

Author Biographies

  • Iulia Elena DIACONU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II)

  • Raluca Erika IRIMIE-BALUTA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II)
    “Sf. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases Iasi

  • A. VATA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II)
     “Sf. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases Iasi

  • A.N. AVADANEI, Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi

    Vascular Surgery Department

  • A.M. VASILESCU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Surgery (I)

  • B.E. IGNAT, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi

    Vascular Surgery Department

  • Mihaela Catalina LUCA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II)
    “Sf. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases Iasi

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Additional Files

Published

2024-03-29

Issue

Vol. 128 No. 1 (2024): The Medical-Surgical Journal

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INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS

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