This cohort study enrolled adult patients with neuro-COVID seen in neurological consultation. Data were collected prospectively or retrospectively in the European Academy of Neurology NEuro-covid ReGistrY ((ENERGY). The outcome at discharge was measured using the modified Rankin Scale and defined as ‘stable/improved’ if the modified Rankin Scale score was equal to or lower than the pre-morbid score, ‘worse’ if the score was higher than the pre-morbid score. Status at 6 months was also recorded. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed as predictors of outcome at discharge and 6 months. From July 2020 to March 2021, 971 patients from 19 countries were included. 810 (83.4%) were hospitalized. 432 (53.3%) were discharged with worse functional status. Older age, stupor/coma, stroke and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were predictors of worse outcome at discharge. 132 (16.3%) died in hospital. Older age, cancer, cardiovascular complications, refractory shock, stupor/coma and ICU admission were associated with death. 262 were followed for 6 months. Acute stroke or ataxia, ICU admission and degree of functional impairment at discharge were predictors of worse outcome. 65/221 hospitalized patients (29.4%) and 10/32 non-hospitalized patients (24.4%) experienced persisting neurological symptoms/signs. 10/262 patients (3.8%) developed new neurological complaints during the 6 months of follow-up. The authors concluded that neuro-COVID is a severe disease associated with worse functional status at discharge, particularly in older subjects and those with comorbidities and acute complications of infection.
Beghi E, Helbok R, Ozturk S, Karadas O, Lisnic V, Grosu O, Kovács T, Dobronyi L, Bereczki D, Cotelli MS, Turla M, Davidescu EI, Popescu BO, Valzania F, Cavallieri F, Ulmer H, Maia LF, Amodt AH, Armon C, Brola W, Victoria G, Riahi A, Krehan I, von Oertzen T, Azab MA, Crean M, Lolich M, Lima MJ, Sellner J, Perneczky J, Jenkins T, Meoni S, Bianchi E, Moro E, Bassetti CLA; ENERGY Study Group. Short- and long-term outcome and predictors in an international cohort of patients with neuro-COVID-19. Eur J Neurol. 2022 Feb 23.
doi: 10.1111/ene.15293.