The data source was represented by a registry established by the European Academy of Neurology during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Neurologists collected data on patients with COVID-19 seen as in- and out-patients and in emergency rooms in 23 European and seven non-European countries. Prospective and retrospective data included patient's demographics, lifestyle habits, comorbidities, main COVID-19 complications, hospital and ICU admissions, diagnostic tests, and outcome. Acute/subacute selected neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 were analysed comparing individuals with and without each condition for several risk factors. By July 31st 2021, 1523 patients (758 men, 756 women, and nine intersex/unknown, aged 16-101 years) were registered. Neurological manifestations were diagnosed in 1213 infected patients (79.6%). At study entry, 978 subjects (64.2%) had one or more chronic general and neurological comorbidities. Predominant acute/subacute neurological manifestations were cognitive dysfunction (N=449, 29.5%), stroke (N=392, 25.7%), sleep-wake disturbances (N=250, 16.4%), dysautonomia (N=224, 14.7%), peripheral neuropathy (N=145, 9.5%), movement disorders (N=142, 9.3%), ataxia (N=134, 8.8%), and seizures (N=126, 8.3%). These manifestations tended to differ with age, general and neurological comorbidities, infection severity and non-neurological manifestations, extent of association with other acute/subacute neurological manifestations, and outcome. The authors concluded that patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations present with distinct phenotypes. In particular, differences in age, general and neurological comorbidities, and infection severity characterize the various neurological manifestations of COVID-19.
Beghi E, Moro E, Davidescu EI, Popescu BO, Grosu O, Valzania F, Cotelli MS, Kiteva-Trenchevska G, Zakharova M, Kovács T, Armon C, Brola W, Yasuda CL, Maia LF, Lovrencic-Huzjan A, Laracho de Seabra MM, Avalos-Pavon R, Aamodt AH, Meoni S, Gryb V, Krehan I, Leone MA, Lolich M, Bianchi E, Rass V, Helbok R, Bassetti CLA; ENERGY Study Group. Major neurological complications of COVID-19 comparative features and outcome. Eur J Neurol. 2022 Oct 31.
doi: 10.1111/ene.15617