The Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19: Meta-analysis of the Most Extensive Review of Published Case Reports
Objective:
The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of neurological manifestations and complications, identify the neurodiagnostic findings, and compare these aspects between severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases
Background:
The spectrum of neurological involvement in COVID-19 has been rapidly reported during this pandemic in order to support fellow colleagues in prompt identification and management. This is the most extensive review of published case reports of neurological manifestations of COVID19.
Design/Methods:
A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between the 1st of January 2020 and March 2021. We included all published studies that were English or translated to english, patients from all demographics with a confirmed COVID19 infection (either non-severe or severe) and had sufficiently documented investigation efforts to reach a diagnosis of a neurological manifestations. The main outcomes of the study were to identify the frequency and nature of neurological manifestations and complications, and the neuro-diagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients.
Results:
389 articles were included with a pooled sample size of 45,340 patients. The mean age was 55 years and 63% were males. The most common neurological manifestations were a combination of minor symptoms such as Myalgia, taste and smell impairment, headache, dizziness and most prominent major manifestations were vascular episodes, encephalopathy, seizures, neuropathies and Gullian Barre Syndrome
Conclusions:
Neurological involvement is common in COVID-19 patients (whether non-severe or severe). Prompt identification and management of these cases would improve outcome and decrease morbidity