The SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the respiratory system of the infected individual. But lately, neurological manifestations are being reported in COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to determine the neurological associations of COVID-19.
This study included 901 COVID-19 patients with a wide array of neurological manifestations. However, most patients had insufficient detail, making it challenging to study each patient. The team of researchers carefully monitored the neurological condition of each patient.
Encephalopathy was reported for 93 patients. Encephalitis was described in 8 patients to date and Guillain-Barré syndrome in 19 patients. Ageusia and anosmia were common among all patients and can occur in the absence of other clinical features. Acute cerebrovascular disease is also emerging as a critical collection, with studies indicating stroke in 2-6% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Out of the 901 patients, 96 patients with stroke have been described who had vascular events.
In conclusion, COVID-19 has neurological effects, with anosmia and ageusia being common complications. Acute cerebrovascular disease is emerging as another complication, as around 2-6% of hospitalized patients reported stroke.
Thus, careful clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological studies are required to define the risk of neurological disease caused by the coronavirus.
Ref: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(20)30221-0/fulltext
