In:
European Journal of Neurology, Wiley, Vol. 29, No. 6 ( 2022-06), p. 1685-1696
Abstract:
Neurological sequelae from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) may persist after recovery from acute infection. Here, the aim was to describe the natural history of neurological manifestations over 1 year after COVID‐19. Methods A prospective, multicentre, longitudinal cohort study in COVID‐19 survivors was performed. At a 3‐month and 1‐year follow‐up, patients were assessed for neurological impairments by a neurological examination and a standardized test battery including the assessment of hyposmia (16‐item Sniffin' Sticks test), cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment 〈 26) and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5). Results Eighty‐one patients were evaluated 1 year after COVID‐19, out of which 76 (94%) patients completed a 3‐month and 1‐year follow‐up. Patients were 54 (47–64) years old and 59% were male. New and persistent neurological disorders were found in 15% (3 months) and 12% (10/81; 1 year). Symptoms at 1‐year follow‐up were reported by 48/81 (59%) patients, including fatigue (38%), concentration difficulties (25%), forgetfulness (25%), sleep disturbances (22%), myalgia (17%), limb weakness (17%), headache (16%), impaired sensation (16%) and hyposmia (15%). Neurological examination revealed findings in 52/81 (64%) patients without improvement over time (3 months, 61%, p = 0.230) including objective hyposmia (Sniffin' Sticks test 〈 13; 51%). Cognitive deficits were apparent in 18%, whereas signs of depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorders were found in 6%, 29% and 10% respectively 1 year after infection. These mental and cognitive disorders had not improved after the 3‐month follow‐up (all p 〉 0.05). Conclusion Our data indicate that a significant patient number still suffer from neurological sequelae including neuropsychiatric symptoms 1 year after COVID‐19 calling for interdisciplinary management of these patients.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1351-5101
,
1468-1331
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020241-6
