Neurological symptoms and findings in COVID-19: a prospective clinical study

Neurol Res. 2022 Jan;44(1):1-6. doi: 10.1080/01616412.2021.1952740. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to evaluate neurologic symptoms and findings in patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized in a ward and intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This study was designed as a prospective study. Hospitalized COVID-19 rRt-PCR positive patients in the ward and ICU were included in the study. A 54-item questionnaire was used to evaluate the patients. Patients were examined within 3 hours of hospitalization.

Results: A total of 379 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 ± 17.8. 89 of the patients were in intensive care. At least one general symptom was recorded in 95.5% of patients. The most common neurologic symptoms were myalgia (48.5%), headache (39.6%), anosmia (34.8%), and dysgeusia (34%). Neurological symptoms in ICU patients were higher than in the ward. 53.6% of patients had comorbidities.

Discussion: This study indicated that the prevalence of neurological symptoms was very high in patients with COVID-19. The percentage of neurological symptoms and findings was higher in patients hospitalized in ICU.

Keywords: COVID-19; hospitalization; neurologic manifestations; neurology.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anosmia / etiology*
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Dysgeusia / etiology*
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myalgia / etiology*