Publication date / reference: 17/09/2021 Kearns et al. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Wellington, New Zealand: a retrospective, observational study. N Z Med J.

Summary: This was a clinical study of all 96 patients in Wellington, New Zealand, who had COVID-19 during the study period. Fatigue (21%) was common at disease onset, with headache (43%) and fatigue (42%) the most common neuropsychiatric manifestations overall.

Publication date / reference: 19/08/21. Kleineberg et al. Neurological symptoms and complications in predominantly hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Results of the European multinational Lean European Open Survey on SARS-Infected Patients (LEOSS). Eur J Neurology

Summary: Kleineberg et al. analyzed 6537 COVID-19 patients from 127 centers (92.1% hospitalised) in a multinational, observational cohort study (the Lean European Open Survey on SARS-Infected Patients [LEOSS]). Common neurological symptoms in the acute phase included fatigue (28.0%), headache (18.5%), nausea (16.6%), weakness (17.0%), anosmia (9.0%) and dysguesia (12.8%), and delirium (6.7%). The most frequent neurological complications In patients with a complicated or critical disease course were ischemic stroke (1.0%) and intracerebral bleeding (ICB; 2.2%).  Excessive tiredness or a history of neurodegenerative disease increased the risk of a poor outcome. The results of this large-scale prospective study broadly agree with a comprehensive systematic review of the early emerging literature on a similar topic

Publication date / reference: 26/08/2021 Hazzaa NM. Neurological complications associated with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): MRI features. Heliyon.

Summary: The authors of this study assessed neurological complications of COVID-19 in 23 patients who presented with major neurological symptoms. The neurological presentations included headache, dizziness, anosmia, myalgia, seizures, focal neurological deficit and loss of consciousness. Brain MRI scans showed cerebrovascular thromboembolism-related acute infarcts, autoimmune meningoencephalitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like white matter lesions. Further research is essential to determine the mechanisms of CNS-involvement in COVID-19 – associated neurological conditions.

Publication date / reference: 02/07/21 Fleitas et al. Clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of symptoms of COVID-19 at presentation. Germs.

Summary: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to describe the main symptoms associated with COVID-19 by age group (paediatric (0-17 years), young adults (18-44 years), adults (45-64 years), and elderly (65-103 years)) in order to aid clinical diagnosis. They found significant differences in symptoms and clinical characteristics between age groups and that interactions between different symptoms were highly associated with COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 06/08/21 Deeb et al. Neurological Presentations of COVID-19: Characteristic Features in a Case Series of Hospitalized Patients from Abu Dhabi, UAE. Biomed Res Int.

Summary: This single centre, retrospective observational study identified all COVID-19 diagnosed patients with neuropathological features between March and May 2020. They identified 33 patients; ten patients presented with encephalopathy and exhibited altered behaviour; seven presented with myositis; eight with stroke; and four with seizures, and four had peripheral and cranial nerve involvement. 15 of these patients died, with risk of death higher in the older age group. 22 had abnormal brain imaging.

Publication date / reference: 16/08/2021 Liu et al. Clinical Characteristics and Factors Associated with Disease Progression of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients in a Makeshift (Fangcang) Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ther Clin Risk Manag.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study analysed the clinical characteristics of 714 patients admitted to hospital with covid-19. Headache (42% vs. 58%) and myalgia (30% vs. 60%) were more common in the more severely unwell patients.

Publication date / reference: 22/07/2021. Nasrullah et al. Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units in a Large Health System in Western Pennsylvania. Cureus.

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU in Western Pennsylvania. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. The secondary outcomes were complications during admission, length of ICU stay, discharge disposition, and an oxygen requirement at discharge. The authors noted a high mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU in this region. Further studies assessing early risk stratification would be highly valuable in improving outcomes for patients.

​​Publication date / reference: 27/08/2021 Espiritu et al. COVID-19 outcomes of 10,881 patients: retrospective study of neurological symptoms and associated manifestations (Philippine CORONA study). J Neural Transm (Vienna).

Summary: This Philippines based cohort study aimed to identify neurological features of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients (n=1342). The most common new-onset neurological symptom of COVID-19 was headaches (n=607) and anosmia (n=544). 8.97% of hospitalised patients developed a neurological complication with encephalopathy being the most common disorder. There was no significant difference in duration of ventilator dependence between those with and those without neurological symptoms (p=0.612). However, a greater proportion of those needing ICU admission were from the neurological symptom group (p<0.001); length of ICU stay did not differ between groups (p=0.887). Data in this study was collected before the introduction of mass vaccinations, potentially impacting the current validity of results.

Publication date / reference: 17/08/2021 Azab et al. Neurological problems in the context of COVID-19 infection in Egypt. A multicentre retrospective analysis. Interdiscip Neurosurg.

Summary: This observational retrospective study aimed to identify neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in Egypt (n=977). The most common neurological complications included optic neuritis, seizure and ataxia. Age was not found to be a strong risk factor for stroke (r=0.1), neither was diabetes (r=0) in the context of COVID-19. Neither hydroxychloroquine nor azithromycin benefited patients with neurological manifestations, in fact, those using immunosuppressants had higher mortality rates than those not using them. However, the authors note poor clinical records as a potential weakness of this study,

Publication date / reference: 14/07/2021 ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group. ISARIC Clinical Data Report issued: 14 July 2021. MedRxiv

Summary: The ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group have published their 15th report on the clinical data collection of COVID-19. This is part of a series and includes the results of data analysis for data captured before 26 May 2021. Data has been entered for 516,689 individuals from 788 partner institutions and networks, covering 1651 sites across 63 countries, 442 634 of these individuals met eligibility. The five most common symptoms at admission were shortness of breath, cough, history of fever, fatigue/malaise, and altered consciousness/confusion. Age-associated differences in symptoms are evident, including the frequency of altered consciousness increasing with age, and fever, respiratory and constitutional symptoms being present mostly in those 40 years and above.

Publication date / reference: 17/06/2021 Delorme et al., The wide spectrum of COVID-19 neuropsychiatric complications within a multidisciplinary centre. Brain Commun.

Summary: The authors of this study described the spectrum of neurological and psychiatric complications seen in COVID-19 patients. A retrospective, observational study was conducted, with a total of 245 COVID-19 patients involved in this study. All patients exhibited new neurological or psychiatric manifestations, with 47% of patients (n=114) admitted to ICU and 4% (n=10) died. The most common neuropsychiatric complication observed in COVID-19 patients included encephalopathy (43%), myopathy and clinical illness polyneuropathy (26%), isolated psychiatric disturbance (18%) and cerebrovascular disorders (16%); whereas no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 was obtained from patients’ CSF analyses. Encephalopathy was linked with older age and elevated risk of death. An association between critical illness neuromyopathy and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit was determined. This study highlights that the majority of these complications are associated with critical illness, intensive care and systemic inflammation.

Publication date / reference: 04/08/2021 Alghamdi. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of severe (ICU) COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia: A single centre study. Saudi Pharm J.

Summary: This single centre, retrospective cohort study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU in Albaha region in Saudi Arabia. They reviewed 171 patients admitted to ICU between APril and August 2020. They describe the clinical characteristics and treatment given to these patients, in particular 75% complained of headache.

Publication date / reference: 01/09/2021 Gorgulu  et al., Coexistence of neurological diseases with Covid-19 pneumonia during the pandemic period. J Clin Neurosci.

Summary: This retrospective single-centre study investigated COVID pneumonia infected patients  who also had a neurology consult when admitted to Emergency services (n=42). The authors noted that 59.5% (26) were then diagnosed with ischaemic stroke, of which the most common was PACI in 23.8% (10). 28.6% of patients had cerebral haemorrhage (11) of which most were categorised as lobar (n=5). 7.1% patients (3) were diagnosed with epilepsy, and 2.4% (1) with TIA. Amongst co-morbidities, the most common were hypertension (35.7%) and CAD (26.2%). The authors postulate that Thorax CT can be an important indication of severity of COVID infection. They note a key limitation was that it was retrospective but also no scoring systems were used to determine the COVID severity.

Publication date / reference: 04/08/2021 Abdel Azim GS, Osman MA. Neurological manifestations in mild and moderate cases of COVID-19. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg.

Summary: This cohort study (n=107) explored neurological symptoms in non-hospitalised mild and moderate COVID-19 patients. The authors administered questionnaires to patients within 10 days of clinical presentation. All patients reported at least one neurological symptom – most commonly headache (72%), anosmia/dysgeusia (52%) and myalgia (44%). The authors conclude that these results support CNS invasion of the virus and neurological assessment of COVID-19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 06/08/2021 Balajelini et al. Virus Load and Incidence of Olfactory, Gustatory, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal Disorders in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Clin Otolaryngol.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study examined 599 outpatient cases of COVID-19. They wanted to determine the relationship between viral load and incidence and recovery of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. They found a possible association between viral load and the incidence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction with good recovery.

Publication date / reference: 28/7/2021 Aleanizy et al. Clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with severe COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study. J Infect Public Health.

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to describe clinical and demographic features of COVID-19 and the influence of risk factors on the severity of the disease. The authors identified (n=1,026) COVID-19 patients based on the demographic data as follows: 69% were males and 54% were Saudi. Most patients were diagnosed with mild signs and symptoms (68%), while 16% demonstrated moderate signs and symptoms, 10% were severe and 6% had critical febrile illness. Fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms among patients with COVID-19. Among studied comorbidities in COVID-19 patients, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most prevalent. The results from the bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, diabetes mellitus, asthma, smoking, and fever are associated with severe or critically ill cases. They concluded that old age, fever, and comorbidities involving diabetes mellitus, asthma, and smoking were significantly associated with infection severity.

Publication date / reference: 13/07/2021 Rzymski et al. Clinical Characteristics of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Who Received at Least One Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel).

Summary: This retrospective, multi-centre cohort study aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients that had received some form of vaccination. 92 individuals were assessed between 27 December 2020 and 31 May 2021 in four Polish healthcare units. They found no clinical or biochemical differences in these patients. They noted 15 deaths with six being double vaccinated. Three of these patients were on immunosuppressive medication. They highlight the need for close monitoring in individuals at higher risk of vaccine failure.

Publication date / reference: 19/07/2021 Frontera et al. Prevalence and Predictors of Prolonged Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms Following COVID-19 in the United States. Front Aging Neurosci.

Summary: In this retrospective study the authors aimed to estimate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep abnormalities, and subjective cognitive dysfunction among United States residents with or without the diagnosis of COVID-19 using quantitative NIH PROMIS/Neuro-QoL metrics. 999 individuals responded to an online survey. 76 (7.6%) had a history of COVID-19 and 19/76 (25%) COVID-19 positive participants reported prolonged symptoms lasting a median of 4 months.  Prolonged COVID-19 participants were more often younger, female, Hispanic, and had a history of depression/mood/thought disorder (all P < 0.05). They experienced significantly higher rates of unemployment and financial insecurity. COVID-19 status was independently predictive of worse Neuro-QoL cognitive dysfunction scores, but fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep scores did not differ between COVID-19 positive and negative respondents.

 Publication date / reference: 26/07/2021 Dawra et al. The psychological impact of COVID-19 among newly diagnosed patients: COVID Impact study. Med J Armed Forces India.

Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to expand knowledge on the psychological impact of disease on newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients. 101 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the outpatient clinic were interviewed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). 30.7% of respondents had suffered ‘severe’ psychological impact and 30.7% had ‘minimal’ impact on the IES-R. Increasing age had statistically significant corelation with increasing scores on IES-R (p = 0.004) while none of the clinical parameters had any statistically significant correlation with the patients’ psychological impact scores. The authors suggest certain risk groups, especially the elderly, need close follow-up for early diagnosis and management.

Publication date / reference: 28/07/21 Sousa et al., Risk factors for severe outcomes for COVID-19 patients hospitalised in Switzerland during the first pandemic wave, February to August 2020: prospective observational cohort study. Swiss Med Wkly.

Summary: This multi-centre (17) retrospective study (n=3590) investigated risk factors for poor outcomes in COVID infected hospitalised patients.  The most significant risk factors found were: age, gender and comorbidities. From the initial COVID-19 test, the mean time in hospital was 9 days (IQR 5-18), and 19.42% were admitted to ITU. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (65%). They also concluded that factors less associated with admission to ITU included: liver disease, dementia patients or if they were above 80 years of age. Although the study included data from many regions, several comorbidities could not be included in regression modelling due to their low frequency.

 Publication date / reference: 19/07/2021 Thomason et al. Social determinants of health exacerbate disparities in COVID-19 illness severity and lasting symptom complaints. MedRxiv.

Summary: Thomason et al aimed to test the bearing of subjective experiences of discrimination, financial security, and quality of care on illness severity and lasting symptom complaints. Health records identified 23 267 adult patients with a previous COVID-19 diagnosis. After eligibility criteria was met and individuals were contacted, 1 584 patients with mild to severe forms of the disease responded and completed the survey. The survey provided data about their illness, medical history, lasting symptoms, and psychosocial information.  70.6% of patients reported presence of one or more lasting symptoms after recovery. Neural systems were especially impacted, and 19.4% and 25.1% of patients reported mood or cognitive/memory complaints. Frequency and stress about experiences of discrimination predicted increased illness severity and increased lasting symptom count. Lasting symptoms after recovery from COVID-19 are highly prevalent and neural systems are significantly impacted. Perceived psychosocial factors can exacerbate individual health risk.

Publication date / reference: 01/08/2021 Claflin ES, Daunter AK, Bowman A, Startup J, Reed E, Krishnan C, Kratz AL. Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 and Neurological Complications Experience More Frequent Decline in Functioning and Greater Rehabilitation Needs. Am J Phys Med Rehabil.

Summary: This prospective chart review addressed function and post-acute needs of patients with neurological complications of COVID-19. The authors reviewed 296 cases of COVID-19 admission between March and May 2020 in the final analysis and compared patients with and without neurological complications. They found that patients with neurological complications exhibited significantly longer hospital stays, higher frequency of functional decline, higher mortality rate and more frequent discharge to a subacute rehabilitation facility. The authors conclude that the study demonstrates the impact of COVID-19 on those with neurological complications and suggest that results can be used to better prepare patients and providers for their post-acute needs.

Publication date / reference: 05/04/2021 Fogang et al. Neurological manifestations in patients with symptomatic COVID-19 admitted to the Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Pan Afr Med J.

Summary: This single centre, retrospective cohort study enrolled 177 symptomatic, PCR positive, individuals. They found neurological symptoms in 113 patients. Headache, myalgia, anosmia, impaired consciousness and delirium were the most common. They found that fever was more common in those suffering with neurological symptoms; digestive symptoms were less common.

Publication date / reference: 29/06/2021. Liu et al. The Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Pediatric Patients Following Recovery. Front Psychol.

Summary: This cross sectional study reviewed the records of 38 hospitalised COVID-19 patients between the ages of 5-18 (median age 10). Diarrhoea, fatigue and cough were the most prevalent symptoms. They conclude children face many threats during the pandemic such as a need to quarantine and a lack of information, alongside peer rejection which is associated with PTSD. Social withdrawal was also found to be associated with anxiety.

Publication date / reference: 19/07/2021. García-Azorín et al. Frequency and phenotype of headache in covid-19: a study of 2194 patients. Sci Rep.

Summary: In this observational study the authors aimed to estimate the incidence of headache over the course of COVID-19 in the general population and to characterize the clinical phenotype of the headache in patients with COVID-19. A reference population of 261 431 were screened between March 8 – April 11 2020, of this 2194 were diagnosed with COVID-19. Demographic and clinical data, as well as headache phenotype were collected via a survey. 383/1614 (23.7%) outpatients and 131/580 (22.6%) inpatients reported headaches, with a total of 514/2194 (23.4%, 95% CI 21.7–25.3%). Headache was the most frequent first symptom of COVID-19. Further analysis of headache phenotype was investigated in 458 patients. Pain was bilateral (80%), predominantly frontal (71%), with pressing quality (75%), of severe intensity. Secondary findings uncovered intensity of headaches were worse in females, but no differences were found between with and without need for hospitalisation.

Publication date / reference: 16/07/2016 Toksoy et al. Neurological symptoms and findings in COVID-19: a prospective clinical study. Neurol Res.

Summary: The authors of this prospective clinical study aimed to (n=379) compare the incidence of neurological symptoms amongst COVID-19 patients in ICU and hospital wards. Neurological symptoms were assessed within 3 hours of admission using a 54 item questionnaire, and clinical neurological examination. Neurological symptoms were present in 96.6% of ICU patients, compared to 70% of ward patients; a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). The most common neurological symptoms reported in this cohort included myalgia (48.5%), headache (39.6%), and anosmia (34.8%). Patients admitted to ICU had higher rates of neurological symptoms than those treated at ward level. COVID-19 infection triggered multiple sclerosis attacks in 3 patients and epileptic seizures in 5 patients. This study stands out due to the high rate of neurological manifestations found, however the authors attribute this largely to the prospective nature of data collection which makes it relatively unique in the field.

Publication date / reference: 12/07/2021 Dilber et al. Neurological manifestations of paediatric acute COVID infections: A single centre experience. J Trop Pediatr.

Summary: This retrospective, single centre,  cohort study of a paediatric population (0-17 years) examined the medical records of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals between 11/03/2020 and 30/01/2021. Of 2530 children who underwent RT-PCR testing, 382 were positive. Of these, 34 patients required hospitalisation due to symptoms of seizure, headache, dizziness and meningoencephalitis.  They found that neurological manifestations in children who had COVID-19 were not rare and that the most common reason for hospitalisation was seizure activity.

Publication date / reference: 06/07/2021 Nehme et al. Prevalence of Symptoms More Than Seven Months After Diagnosis of Symptomatic COVID-19 in an Outpatient Setting. Ann Intern Med.

Summary: This study aimed to characterize symptoms 7 to 9 months after diagnosis of COVID-19. The authors included (n=629) symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive participants and found 410 completed follow-up at 7 to 9 months after COVID-19 diagnosis; 39.0% reported residual symptoms. Fatigue (20.7%) was the most common symptom reported, followed by loss of taste or smell (16.8%), dyspnea (11.7%), and headache (10.0%). They concluded that residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection are common among otherwise young and healthy persons followed in an outpatient setting. These findings contribute to the recognition of long-term effects in a disease mostly counted by its death toll to date by promoting communication on post acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 and encouraging physicians to continue long-term monitoring of their patients.

Publication date / reference: 16/06/2021 Nascimento. Clinical characteristics of 1544 Brazilians aged 60 years and over with laboratory evidence for SARS-CoV-2. Arch Gerontol Geriatr.

Summary: This retrospective and observational study aimed to present the clinical characteristics of older Brazilian adults infected by COVID-19, in the epidemiological weeks (EW) 34-52, and to verify factors responsible for the increased risk of death. The author included (n=1,544) COVID-19 patients, aged 60 or older and found 48% of patients admitted to the ICU with evidence for SARS-CoV-2 died. Symptoms and comorbidities related to increased chance of death (OR) were immunodeficiency (188%), kidney disease (166%), neurological disease (103%), dyspnea (86%), pneumopathy (55%), O2 saturation <95% (53%), respiratory discomfort (49%), age (36%), sore throat (31%), and sex (0.5%). There was a 5% increase in the chance of death for each year of life. It was concluded that heart disease and DM were the most frequent comorbidities, but did not indicate an increased risk of death from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Age, sex, sore throat, dyspnea, respiratory discomfort, O2 saturation <95%, neurological disease, pneumopathy, immunodeficiency, and kidney disease were significantly associated with risk of death from COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 01/04/2021. Sadeghi et al., Prognostic Factors Associated with Survival in Patients Infected with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study on 214 Patients from Iran. Arch Iran Med.

Summary: In this retrospective study the authors aimed to further understand the risk factors associated with a high mortality rate to better facilitate the decision-making process. 3000 patients in a 2 month period were admitted to Taleghani hospital with possible COVID-19, of these 214 patients had a positive polymerase chain reaction for the virus. The clinical, demographic and epidemiological features from the 214 patients was collected. 24.29% of the patients died and 24.76% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Two factors could independently predict mortality – age (HR, 1.031; 95% CI, 1.001-1.062; P value=0.04) and C-reactive protein (HR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.000-1.015; P value=0.04).

Publication date / reference: 24/06/2021 Chu et al., Covid-19 And Its Cardiac And Neurological Complications Among Ontario Visible Minorities. Can J Neurol Sci.

Summary: The authors of this study conducted a population-based retrospective study to investigate the epidemiology, cardiac and neurological complication induced by COVID-19 in Ontario visible minority groups (namely Chinese (n= 1186) and South Asians(n=42547)). Ontario Chinese and South Asians who obtained a positive PCR test for COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020 were analysed compared to the general population in accordance with the following aspects: their demographics, cardiac and neurological complications including hospitalisation and emergency visit rates. The data showed that Chinese with COVID-19 tend to be older (mean age 50.7 years ) than the general population (mean age 47.6 years); whereas South Asians were younger (mean age 42.1 years). The 30 days crude rate for cardiac complications among Chinese (169/10,000) was higher than that of South Asians (64/10,000), while for the general population it was 112/10,000. The crude rate over the 30 days for neurological complications in Chinese population was 160/10,000, in South Asians 40/10,000, and in general population was 48/10,000. The 30 days all-cause mortality rate was higher in Chinese population compared to that in the general population, whilst in South Asians  it was lower. Thus, this research has shown that minority populations of Chinese and South Asians in Ontario affected by COVID-19 had a significant difference in their demographics, cardiac and neurological outcomes.

 Publication date / reference: 23/06/2021. Prokopez et al. An analysis of the possible protective effect of antipsychotics for SARS-CoV-2 in patients under treatment for severe mental illnesses. Schizophr Res.

Summary: This case control study aimed to see if certain antipsychotic medications were associated with reduced incidence of COVID-19 infection or improved outcomes. All 121 cases had been on antipsychotic medications (haloperidol, clozapine, or phenothiazines) for at least 4 weeks and were compared to 121 controls. They found clozapine use was associated with a 60% reduced chance of infection, but also reduced severity of disease. Haloperidol, however, was associated with 109% increased incidence of infection.

Publication date / reference: 30/06/2021. Lafuente-Lafuente et al. Chronology of COVID-19 Symptoms in Very Old Patients: Study of a Hospital Outbreak. J Clin Med.

Summary: In this observational study the authors aimed to better understand the temporal distribution and frequency of symptoms of COVID-19 in very old patients. Patients were followed from March 2020 at three geriatric convalescence and rehabilitation units. 176 inpatients were recorded with 69 testing positive for SARS-Cov-2, with a mean age of 86 years old. At diagnosis the majority of patients had had fever (71%), malaise-asthenia (24.6%), or respiratory symptoms (66.7%). Although, other symptoms were present several days before diagnosis gastrointestinal symptoms (39.1%) and neurological symptoms (30.4%) most commonly delirium (24.6%). These were not present in the control group. Majority of older patients in this cohort show earlier signs of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms which predate the typical symptoms, this is important in hastening COVID-19 diagnosis in this population.

Publication date / reference: 01/07/2021. Kim HK, Cho YJ, Lee SY. Neurological Manifestations in Patients with COVID-19: Experiences from the Central Infectious Diseases Hospital in South Korea. J Clin Neurol.

Summary: This medical record review aimed to investigate neurological manifestations of COVID-19. Patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (n=306) were retrospectively assessed for the frequency and clinical features of neurological manifestations. 60.8% developed at least one neurological manifestation during hospitalisation – most commonly headache (33.3%), myalgia (31.4%) and anosmia or ageusia (17.6%). The authors conclude that COVID-19 may be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with new onset neurological symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 01/07/2021 Lacovazzo et al., Diffuse functional brain disconnection syndrome in critically ill patients with COVID-19. J Infect Public Health

Summary: This case series investigated critically ill COVID-19 infected patients based in an ICU in Italy (n=4) who developed neurological symptoms. The authors found that though all four patients recovered from pneumonia, they all developed neurological symptoms afterwards and subsequently died. Neurological assessment ranged from 13-22 days from the first positive swab – all patients were tetraplegic, showed decreased awareness, were hypotonic, and slowed activity on EEG. However, the brain scans were normal. Transcranial doppler showed impaired blood flow in 2 of the patients. The authors suggest that these 4 patients had diffuse functional brain disconnection syndrome.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/2021 Marra et al., Examination of Early CNS Symptoms and Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter Observational Case Series. Crit Care Explor.

Summary: This retrospective multi—centre observational case series study investigated the association between severity of COVID-19 and early CNS symptoms (n=36,615). The authors noted that 12% of the sample has severe COVID. They found that a larger proportion of the severe COVID patients had early CNS symptoms compared to the group of non-severe COVID patients (p < 0.0001 or 3.21 higher odds). These severe COVID patients were also more commonly noted to have a diagnosis of encephalopathy (p < 0.0001).

Publication date / reference: 13/05/21 Kannapadi et al. Neurologic Injury in Patients With COVID-19 Who Receive VV-ECMO Therapy: A Cohort Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anaesth.

Summary: In this small case series / retrospective chart review, the authors describe four Covid-19 patients suffering Neurologic events after receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Publication date / reference: 01/06/2021 Kelly et al. Association of Social and Behavioral Risk Factors With Mortality Among US Veterans With COVID-19. JAMA Netw Open.

Summary: This cohort study of 27640 US veterans who had COVID-19 analysed and evaluated social and behavioural risk factors of COVID-19 and whether these impacted on overall mortality at 30 days from diagnosis. Overall they found 11.2% had housing problems, 16.1% had financial hardship, 19.4% used alcohol, and 12.9% reported substance use. Hospitalization occurred in 27.7%, and 4.5% died. They did not find any association between social and behavioural risk factors, including tobacco use, and an increased mortality.

Publication date / reference: 3/06/2021 Antoniello et al.  Altered mental status in COVID-19.J Neurol

Summary: In this cross-sectional study Antoniello et al. aimed to describe the prevalence of altered mental status (AMS) in SARS-CoV-19 positive patients in three hospitals in New York. Of overall 4114 cases 166 presented with symptoms of AMS (defined as any change from a patient’s baseline mental status). Metabolic encephalopathy was identified as an underlying reason for AMS in 92.8% (154 patients). The most common metabolic derangements that caused AMS were hypoxia (62.0% (103/166) and renal failure 45.2% (75/166). Hypoxia was also the most common single cause of AMS (50% of the single-cause group, 18/36 patients). Overall, presentation suspicious for encephalitis was rare <1% (1/166), leaving delirium from metabolic disturbances (secondary to hypoxia) the most cause of AMS in this cohort.

Publication date / reference: 25/05/21. Nigatu et al. The association between COVID-19 diagnosis or having symptoms and anxiety among Canadians: A repeated cross-sectional study. Anxiety Stress Coping.

Summary: In this online survey (n=4015) the authors confirmed that individuals diagnosed with, or experiencing symptoms of, COVID-19 report higher levels of anxiety than those without.

Publication date / reference: 25/05/2021 De Paula. Characterization of Headache in COVID-19: a Retrospective Multicenter Study. Mol Neurobiol

Summary: This multicenter retrospective observational study aimed to estimate the prevalence of headache and other neurological symptoms in 101 patients with laboratory confirmed COVId-19 in the period May 22 to July 20, 2020 in three hospitals in Brazil. Diagnosis of headache was established by subjective reporting by patients. Headache was reported by 28 patients (27.1%) and was present with symptom onset for 50% of patients. Duration, location and time of the day when headache was established were also reported. The most common neurological symptom in the sample was focal neurological deficit 41 (40.5 %) of patients. Other common symptoms were altered levels of consciousness 19 (18.8%) of patients, hypo/anosmia (17 patients, 16.8%) and hipo/ageusia (17 patients, 16.8%).

 Publication date / reference: 30/04/2021. Vijiala et al. Behavioral Unresponsiveness in Acute COVID-19 Patients: The Utility of the Motor Behavior Tool-Revised and 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Front Neurol.

Summary: This small case series describes two patients with cognitive motor dissociation following COVID-19. The authors present the clinical findings supporting the diagnosis and the characteristic ¹⁸F- FDG PET imaging. They discuss the importance of these in making the diagnosis to ensure an appropriate neuro-rehabilitation regimen.

Publication date / reference: 27/04/2021 Fan et al. Neurological diseases and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and SARS: a territory-wide study in Hong Kong. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

Summary: In this retrospective cohort study Fan et al. studied though data from electronic healthcare database in Hong Kong, China the impact of pre-existing neurological diseases on the mortality of patients with β-coronaviruses; laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the period 23 January 2020 – 31 July 2020 and patients with SARS for the period March – June 2003. Overall 3164 patients with COVID-19 and 1670 patients with SARS were included. Associated with increased mortality for both COVID-19 and SARS on univariate analysis were stroke (COVID-19 aHR 12.13 (95%CI 7.28 to 20.20) p<0.001 and SARS aHR 2.49 (95%CI 1.86 to 3.34) p <0.001), dementia (COVID-19 aHR 11.43 (95%CI 5.97 to 21.89)<0.001 and SARS aHR  2.98 (95%CI 2.06 to 4.31) <0.001, spine problems (COVID-19 aHR 3.53 (95%CI 1.42 to 8.76)p<0.007 and SARS aHR 3.83 (95%CI 1.58 to 9.27) p<0.003, traumatic brain injury related disorders (COVID-19 aHR 3.08 (95%CI 1.62 to 5.86) p<0.001 and SARS aHR 6.70 (95%CI 1.66 to 26.97) p< 0.007). Parkinson’s disease was also associated with increased mortality for SARS (aHR 4.17 (95%CI 2.28 to 7.63)p <0.001. For COVID-19 patients stroke was the third strongest predictor of death, following age and renal diseases.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2021. Wnuk et al. Neurological symptoms in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and their association with in-hospital mortality. Neurol Neurochir Pol.

Summary: This cross sectional study aimed to investigate neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients during the first 14 days of hospitalisation, and their associations with in-hospital mortality. 200 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were included, of which 164 had data completed prospectively. They found 84.5% of patients had neurological symptoms including fatigue (62.5%), decreased mood (45.5%), myalgia (43.5%), and muscle weakness (42.5%). Mortality was associated with older age, reduced consciousness, delirium, arterial hypotension and stroke during or prior to hospitalisation. Surviving was associated with headaches and decreased mood. They concluded most hospitalised COVID-19 patients have neurological symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2021. Vijiala et al. Behavioral Unresponsiveness in Acute COVID-19 Patients: The Utility of the Motor Behavior Tool-Revised and 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Front Neurol.

Summary: This small case series describes two patients with cognitive motor dissociation following COVID-19. The authors present the clinical findings supporting the diagnosis and the characteristic ¹⁸F- FDG PET imaging. They discuss the importance of these in making the diagnosis to ensure an appropriate neuro-rehabilitation regimen.

Publication date / reference: 27/04/2021 Fan et al. Neurological diseases and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and SARS: a territory-wide study in Hong Kong. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

Summary: In this retrospective cohort study Fan et al. studied though data from electronic healthcare database in Hong Kong, China the impact of pre-existing neurological diseases on the mortality of patients with β-coronaviruses; laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the period 23 January 2020 – 31 July 2020 and patients with SARS for the period March – June 2003. Overall 3164 patients with COVID-19 and 1670 patients with SARS were included. Associated with increased mortality for both COVID-19 and SARS on univariate analysis were stroke (COVID-19 aHR 12.13 (95%CI 7.28 to 20.20) p<0.001 and SARS aHR 2.49 (95%CI 1.86 to 3.34) p <0.001), dementia (COVID-19 aHR 11.43 (95%CI 5.97 to 21.89)<0.001 and SARS aHR  2.98 (95%CI 2.06 to 4.31) <0.001, spine problems (COVID-19 aHR 3.53 (95%CI 1.42 to 8.76)p<0.007 and SARS aHR 3.83 (95%CI 1.58 to 9.27) p<0.003, traumatic brain injury related disorders (COVID-19 aHR 3.08 (95%CI 1.62 to 5.86) p<0.001 and SARS aHR 6.70 (95%CI 1.66 to 26.97) p< 0.007). Parkinson’s disease was also associated with increased mortality for SARS (aHR 4.17 (95%CI 2.28 to 7.63)p <0.001. For COVID-19 patients stroke was the third strongest predictor of death, following age and renal diseases.

Publication date / reference: 11/5/2021. Chou et al. Global Incidence of Neurological Manifestations Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19—A Report for the GCS-NeuroCOVID Consortium and the ENERGY Consortium. JAMA Netw Open.

Summary: The authors aimed to find the nature, incidences and outcomes of neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients, in a cohort study of 3744 patients across 3 cohorts. The authors found neurological manifestations across approximately 80% of hospitalised patients, most commonly headaches, encephalopathy, anosmia/ageusia, coma, and stroke. Neurological signs/symptoms were associated with in-hospital mortality. They concluded neurological manifestations are widespread across COVID-19 hospitalized patients and associated with greater risk of in-hospital mortality.

Publication date / reference: 03/05/2021 Zhang et al. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported cases of COVID-19: a multicenter study. BMC Infect Dis

Summary: This multi-centre study compared the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of indigenous and imported COVID-19 cases in four cities in China – Beijing, Chongqing, Jinan, and Nanning. WHO defines imported cases as patients who had acquired the infection outside the area it was diagnosed. For this study, it was defined by tracking the patients’ travel history to Hubei province. The 478 patients enrolled in the study were transferred to COVID-19 designated hospitals by Emergency Medical Services between January 2020 & February 2020. The imported cases in this population had higher discharge rates, lower fatality rates and greater frequency of fever as compared to indigenous cases. The frequency of asymptomatic cases was higher among indigenous cases. 34.5% cases were imported from Wuhan or other cities in Hubei, and new infections gradually shifted from imported cases to local infections. The authors suggest preventing import of cases and controlling spread within local areas to help prevent infection spread.

Publication date / reference: 01/05/2021 Wiegele et al. Symptom Diary-Based Analysis of Disease Course among Patients with Mild Coronavirus Disease, Germany, 2020. Emerg Infect Dis.

Summary: The authors of this study retrospectively assessed symptoms in 313 COVID-19 outpatients for the first 20 days of illness. Fatigue (91%) and headache (78%) were amognst the most common symptoms and occurred a median of 1 day from symptom onset. Additional neurologic symptoms, such as loss of taste (66%) and anosmia (62%), and dyspnea (51%) occurred considerably later (median 3-4 days after symptom onset).

Publication date / reference: 01/05/2021 Li et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression in Patients With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Psychosom Med.

Summary: This cross-sectional study assessed prevalence of anxiety and depression in inpatients with covid-19. The prevalences of anxiety and depression were 56.3% and 39.3%, respectively. Usual limitations to a) using screening tests and b) screening those in hospital with severe illness apply, meaning that these high figures are probably an over-estimate of true prevalence.

Publication date / reference: 23/04/2021 Meije et al. Long-term outcomes of patients following hospitalization for COVID-19: a prospective observational study. Clin Microbiol Infect.

Summary: The authors of this observational study analysed the follow-up data obtained from the survivors of hospitalisation for COVID-19. A total of 302 patients had a follow up appointment at an outpatient facility (45 days after discharge), whilst 294 patients were contacted by telephone (after a median time follow-up of 7 months). Patients were divided into 3 groups: PaO2/FiO2 > 300; PaO2/FiO2 300-200; PaO2/FiO2 < 200.  The results of the outpatient follow-up assessment showed that  78% of patients had COVID-19-related symptoms. Including: asthenia (53%), respiratory symptoms (56%) and residual pulmonary radiographic lesions (40%). PaO2/FiO2 < 200 was an independent predictor of persistent dyspnea, whilst PaO2/FiO2 > 300 correlated with resolution of chest radiographic lesions. Specific medical follow up was required by 50% of patients after the first consultation.  The results from the telephone follow-up showed that 50% of patients presented COVID-19-related symptoms and 49% of patients were suffering from psychological disorders. 27% of patients had asthenia and 10% presented with dyspnea, independently of PaO2/FiO2 ratio. This study highlights the importance of long-term follow-up of COVID-19 patients, with particular attention to be drawn to patients with low PaO2/FiO2 ratio during acute illness.

Publication date / reference: 27/04/2021 Fan et al. Neurological diseases and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and SARS: a territory-wide study in Hong Kong. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary: A territory-wide retrospective cohort study was performed using data from electronic database in Hong Kong (Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System) that contains information about patients’ demographic, diagnoses, procedures and treatment, laboratory results and death. CDARS represents in-patient data of 80% – 90% of the 7.49 million population in Hong Kong.

The results showed that the three main predictors of mortality from COVID-19 are: advanced age, renal diseases and stroke. SARS mortality was also investigated, with the results demonstrating that advanced age and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are the two outstanding predictors of mortality. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 induced significant inflammatory and immune responses, with worse outcomes noted in patients with neuroinflammation and chronic neurological conditions. The diagnosis and management of COVID-19 infected patients with neurological disabilities (especially those of advanced age) was delayed due to their inability to express their discomfort, thus leading to increased mortality.

The study concluded that patients with underlying neurological conditions, particularly PD and stroke, should be prioritised for vaccination to reduce the morbidity and mortality from both COVID-19 and SARS infections.

Publication date / reference: 27/04/2021 Dobre et al. Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 patients hospitalized for psychiatric disorders: a French multi-centered prospective observational study. Psychol Med.

Summary: This study aimed to assess clinical features and outcomes of 350 COVID-19 patients with previous psychiatric conditions across 22 wards, and measured the number of patients who were transferred to somatic care units, developed an acute confusional state and who died. The study found 7% of the patients were transferred to somatic care units which was predicted by severe respiratory symptoms. 15% developed acute confusion, which was negatively associated with smoking. 2% died, and in univariate analysis, mortality was predicted by age, an organic mental disorder, acute confusion, and severe respiratory symptoms. The authors highlighted a need for caution when treating COVID-19 patients with severe psychiatric disorders given their multiple somatic comorbidities and risk of confusion.

Publication date / reference: 03/05/2021 Bulbuloglu S, Altun Y., The effect of sniffing Turkish coffee on olfactory disorders in COVID-19 patients: An experimental clinical study

Summary: This study examined the effect of sniffing Turkish coffee on the COVID-19 patients’ sense of smell. A patient and disease information form was used to collect data, alongside the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) Test. The results have shown that 58.3% of patients had severe hyposmia; 25% of patients had moderate hyposmia and 16.7% of patients had anosmia prior to sniffing Turkish coffee. Following patients’ exposure to the smell of Turkish coffee, 13.3% of patients regained their ability to smell and 18.3% of patients had mild hyposmia. Further 45% of patients had moderate hyposmia; 6.7% had severe hyposmia; and 16.7% of patients had anosmia. No difference was observed in the control group between the two measurements. This study has indicated that COVID-19 patients regained some of their normal sense of smell for one hour, following sniffing Turkish coffee. Since Turkish coffee is fragrant, affordable and widely accessible, it could potentially be recommended for treatment of olfactory disorder in COVID-19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 29/04/2021. Eric Kelleher et al. Consultant psychiatrists’s experience of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on mental health services in Ireland. Ir J Psychol Med

Summary: This study aimed to record experiences of Consultant Psychiatrists during lockdown, as well as their impression on the impact of lockdown on Mental Health Services. Data was collected through A questionnaire designed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and circulated to consultant members. This questionnaire assessed the impact of COVID19 in several areas: (1) delivery of clinical services (2) mental health act (MHA) provision (3) working day of Consultant Psychiatrists (4) availability of Information Technology (IT) equipment (5) well-being of consultants and (6) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The response rate was 32% (N=197/623), however not all respondents answered all questions. Overall, most consultants reported decreased referrals in the first month and an increase in the second month. Consultants also reported that their working day was affected, and IT equipment was inadequate. Overall, this study supports the need to increase funding in mental health services in Ireland.

Publication date / reference: 20/04/2021 Cao et al. Three-month outcomes of recovered COVID-19 patients: prospective observational study. Ther Adv Respir Dis.

Summary: In this prospective observational study with 81 participants with COVID-1, the authors followed up 62 individuals at 1 month and 61 at 3 months and found that at 3 months, chest CT abnormalities were present in one half of COVID-19 survivors and worse chest CT scores were independently associated with older age and steroid administration during hospitalization. Residual pulmonary function impairments were modest, whereas exercise capacity and SF-36 social functioning scores were significantly lower than the general population.

Publication date / reference: 08/04/21. Zifko et al. Covid-19: Involvement of the nervous system. Identifying neurological predictors defining the course of the disease. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: In a retrospective case-note review of 40 inpatients and 42 outpatients with Covid-19, the authors found high rates of fatigue, headache, loss of taste, and loss of smell. Dementia, hallucinations, and confusion indicated a poor prognosis.

Publication date / reference: 08/04/2021 Mahmud et al. Post-COVID-19 syndrome among symptomatic COVID-19 patients: A prospective cohort study in a tertiary care centre of Bangladesh. PLoS One.

Summary: This prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome amongst patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in Bangladesh (n=355). Of the patients followed up in this study, 46% developed post-COVID-19 symptoms including fatigue which was found in 70% of those with the syndrome. Factors that increased the risk of developing this syndrome included female sex (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.19), respiratory distress (RR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.4-1.56) and long duration of disease (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.19).

Publication date / reference: 08/04/2021 Flores-Silva et al. Neurologic manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Mexico City. PLoS One.

Summary: The authors of this retrospective cohort study aimed to identify predictors of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 disease amongst hospital patients (n=1072). Standardised, structured interviews and physical examinations were used alongside laboratory testing to confirm neurological manifestations amongst the cohort. The predictors of neurological symptoms were found to be pre-existing neurological disease, age, headache at presentation and invasive ventilation.

Publication date / reference: 01/04/2021 Taquet et al. 6-month neurological and psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records. Lancet Psychiatry.

Summary: As well as the enormous sample size of this paper (more 80 million subjects with 236,379 COVID-19 survivors), what is particularly helpful is a comparison to influenza. Worryingly, in the six months following a COVID-19 diagnosis, about a third of survivors had a neurological or psychiatric disorder and hazard ratios were substantially higher than in influenza for most outcomes. The study replicates earlier findings of an increased risk of stroke (interestingly both ischaemic and haemorrhagic) as well as the more novel and concerning finding of an increased risk of incident dementia. Interestingly, the highest hazard ratio compared to influenza is for myoneural junction and muscle disease, but the specific nature and aetiology of this remains rather unclear.

Publication date / reference: 26/03/2021 Doblan et al. Cranial nerve involvement in COVID-19. Am J Otolaryngol.

Summary: The authors of this prospective cohort study aimed to identify the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on cranial nerves (n=356). 135 patients demonstrated cranial nerve involvement, with the facial nerve (30.8%) and olfactory (27.2%) being the most commonly affected. There were no statistically significant demographic differences between those who had cranial nerve involvement compared to those who did not. However, those with cranial nerve involvement had significantly more symptoms of sore throat (p<0.001), tiredness (p=0.005) and headache (p=0.008). This study has demonstrated that cranial nerve involvement in COVID-19 is extensive and involves more than simply taste and smell disturbances.

Publication date / reference:. Apr 2021. Yuksel et al. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in confirmed and probable cases: A descriptive study from a large tertiary care center. J Clin Neurosci.

Summary: The authors aimed to identify the most common neurological symptoms and findings of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients, investigate the relationship between these symptoms and clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, and assess the impact of neurological manifestations on mortality. They studied 307 patients referred for neurology consultation. In this selected sample the authors reported that “the most prominent neurological manifestation in both confirmed and probable cases was altered mental status. Infarct was the most common neuroimaging finding. The mortality rate for confirmed and probable cases was similar. In the case of mental deterioration, the mortality rate was found to increase dramatically. Brain edema, hemorrhage, neurological comorbidity, the severity of lung involvement, and age were independent risk factors for mental deterioration.”

Publication date / reference: 10/3/2021 Sánchez-Morales et al. Neurological manifestations temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients in Mexico. Childs Nerv Syst.

Summary: This study aimed to describe the temporal association of specific acute neurological symptoms in (n=23) pediatric patients with (n=10) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors found that 50% were males aged 2-16 years old. 40% confirmed a close contact with a relative positive for SARS-CoV-2, while 60% had a history of SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms over the previous 2 weeks. The following diagnoses were established: 3 cases of GBS, 2 of ON, 2 of AIS, one of myositis with rhabdomyolysis, one ACA, and one of anti-NMDA-R encephalitis. They concluded that neurological manifestations temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pediatric population even without respiratory symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered as etiology in patients with acute neurological symptoms, with or without previous respiratory manifestations, particularly in teenagers.

Publication date / reference: 17/03/2021 Salari et al. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: A Case-Control Study. Mov Disord.

Summary: In this case-control study 90 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 97 controls from the Shohada‐e‐Tajrish University Hospital in Iran, all without symptoms for COVID-19  were tested for IgG antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 IgG. About 25.56% of patients with PD and 12.37% of controls tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in IgG ratio in PD patients and controls, who did not have a direct contact with SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals, however the authors stated that such existed between PD patients and controls with indirect contact. The mean total IgG ratio was 1.53 ± 3.36 for the PD group and and 0.80 ± 2.17 for the control group (p<0.01).

Publication date / reference: 04/03/2021 Abdalkader et al. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Study and Review of Literature. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: This multi-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to review the clinical and radiological characteristics of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19. They identified seven patients for inclusion. 7/8 were female. They presented with non-specific symptoms such as headache, fever, gastrointestinal upset. 2/8 had focal neurology and 2/8 had impaired consciousness. 6/8 involved the superior sagittal or transverse sinus. 1/8 patients died.

 Publication date / reference: 20/03/2021 Sun et al. Symptomatic features and prognosis of 932 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan. J Dig Dis.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore detailed symptomatic features of COVID-19. The authors enrolled (n=932) hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, including 52 severe cases and 880 non-severe cases, and analyzed the symptomatic features. The most common symptoms were fever (60%), cough (50.8%), and fatigue (36.4%), followed by anorexia (21.8%) and dyspnea (19.2%). The median duration of fever was 7 days, which was characterized by persistent low fever. The median duration of cough was 17 days, characterized by dry cough without sputum. Most dyspnea occurred on the fourth day after illness onset, with a median duration of 16 days. The incidences of taste loss and olfactory disturbance were only 6.2% and 3.1%, respectively. After adjusting age and gender, multivariate regression analysis showed that fever lasting for more than 5 days, anorexia at onset, and modified Medical Research Council level above grade 2 when dyspnea occurred were symptomatic risk factors for severe COVID-19. Through follow-up, cough (6.2%), dyspnea (7.2%), fatigue (1.8%), olfactory and taste disorders (1.5%) were the significant remaining symptoms. They concluded that COVID-19 caused clusters of symptoms with multiple systems involved. Certain symptomatic characteristics have predictive value for severe COVID-19. Short-term follow-up showed that most patients had a good prognosis.

Publication date / reference: 01/03/2021. Boddington et al. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of early COVID-19 cases, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Bull World Health Organ.

Summary: As part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) first few X enhanced surveillance protocol, this paper reports epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases in the UK between 31 Jan 2020 – 9th April 2020 (N=381). From a neuropsychiatric point of view, the study reported that fatigue and muscle ache was one of the most frequent symptoms reported (70.9% & 50.9%). And almost half of those cases reported anosmia during their illness (48.5%). An additional interesting finding is that almost half of the cases were imported, with the majority having recent travel history from Italy (51.4%).

Publication date / reference: 26/02/21 Fleischer et al. Observational cohort study of neurological involvement among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ther Adv Neurol Disord

Summary: This is a prospective cross-sectional study which evaluated the phenomenology and potential pathophysiology of neurological manifestations in 102 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients. It was determined that 59.8% of patients had neurological manifestations. Of which, 24.5% were non-specific presentations including general weakness, cognitive decline or delirium. Unsurprisingly, mild derangement was commonly seen (mostly altered smell/ taste – 9.8%). Whereas severe neurological findings were detected in 23.5% – half of which included cerebral ischaemia. Concordant with other epidemiological reports, severe COVID-19 disease was more associated with neurological manifestations.

Publication date / reference: 12/3/21 He et al. neurological and psychiatric presentations associated with COVID-19. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.

Summary: He et al aimed to identify the prevalence and biochemical correlates of neuropsychiatric presentations of COVID-19 (n=77). 50.6% (n=39) of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during the study period presented with psychiatric symptoms; the most common of which was insomnia. Those with neurological presentations had significantly higher blood urea nitrogen, cystatin C and CRP levels. The authors suggest the findings may reflect a pro-inflammatory reaction to COVID-19 in the CNS thus accounting for these presentations.

Publication date / reference: 04/03/2021 Harrison et al., Associations between COVID-19 and 30-day thromboembolic events and mortality in people with dementia receiving antipsychotic medications. Pharmacol Res.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to characterise individuals with COVID-19 and dementia, and the use of antipsychotics in this population during the pandemic. The control group were historical controls from 2019. The main findings were presentations to healthcare decreased in the COVID-19 group compared to 2019, but the proportion receiving antipsychotics were higher in the COVID-19 2020 group compared to the 2019 controls.

 Publication date / reference: 19/02/21. Dhillon et al. Neurological Disorders Associated With COVID-19 Hospital Admissions: Experience of a Single Tertiary Healthcare Center. Front Neurol.

Summary: In this study, 29 patients with identified neurological disorders associated with confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified and included. With a mean age of 68.9 ± 13.5 (SD) and a 16:13 male:female ratio, eight patients required critical care admission, six of whom were mechanically ventilated. At presentation, symptoms included reduced consciousness, confusion, seizures, acute neurological deficits and the acute onset of movement disorders. 16 had a cerebrovascular event, seven had inflammatory, non-inflammatory and autoimmune encephalopathy, three had movement disorders and three experienced peripheral nervous system syndromes. Interestingly, of the peripheral nervous system disorders, one was diagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome, one with an atypical acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and one with brachial plexopathy with bilateral hearing loss. The authors hereby presented a wide variety of neurological sequelae associated with COVID-19 and discussed potential mechanisms for the neurotropic effects of SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date / reference: 05/03/2021 Chachkhiani et al. Neurological Complications of COVID19 during March 2020 at LCMC Health University Medical Center: Dataset. Data Brief.

Summary: This is the published data set and proposal outline for a previously documented article by the same authors. The authors hope this will allow for larger data sets for neurological complications to be built to allow for meta-analysis.

Publication date / reference: 12/03/2021 Ermis et al. Neurological symptoms in COVID-19: a cross-sectional monocentric study of hospitalized patients. Neurol Res Pract.

Summary: This cross-sectional monocentric study aimed to investigate the spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms. The authors described the neurological manifestations and complications of (n=53) patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who have been hospitalized between March and September 2020 at the RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany. They found coordination deficits (74%), cognitive impairment (61.5%), paresis (47%), abnormal reflex status (45%), sensory abnormalities (45%), general muscle weakness and pain (32%), hyposmia (26%), and headache (21%). 29.6% of patients with ARDS presented with subarachnoid bleedings, and 11.1% showed ischemic stroke associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cognitive deficits mainly affected executive functions, attention, language, and delayed memory recall. They obtained cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by lumbar puncture in nine of the 53 patients, none of which had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR. They concluded that results provide evidence for a range of SARS-CoV-2-associated neurological manifestations. It can therefore be speculated that neurological manifestations may be caused by direct invasion of the virus in the CNS; however, PCR did not reveal positive intrathecal SARS-CoV-2. Future studies with comprehensive longitudinal assessment of neurological deficits are required to determine potential long-term complications of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 29/01/21. Le et al. Multinational Prevalence of Neurological Phenotypes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19. MedRxiv (not peer-reviewed)

Summary: This is a retrospective observational study of electronic health record data from 348 hospitals across 6 countries, which evaluated the frequency of ICD-19 coded neurological complications in patients admitted with COVID-19 (n=35,177). Neurological complications were included if they were not coded at admission but coded during hospital stay. The most common complications were disorders of consciousness (5.8%) and unspecified disorders of the brain (8.1%). Subgroup analysis of disease severity found that patients with more severe COVID-19 disease had a greatly increased risk of developing a neurological complication above those with less severe disease (e.g., altered consciousness relative risk increase of 22%; 37% increase in encephalitis and/or myelitis and 72%).

Publication date / reference: 01/03/2021. Sandoval et al. Neurologic Features Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: A Case Series Report. J Child Neurol.

Summary: In this single centered retrospective case series report, authors aimed to look at neurological manifestation of COVID-19 in children (age<18) (N=90). They reported 13 cases (14.4%) patients admitted with confirmed covid-19 had neurological symptoms. The symptoms were of a wide range: headache, muscle weakness, anosmia, ageusia, status epilepticus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalopathy, demyelinating events. Due to the limitation in study design, the authors were unable to establish direct causality of neurological symptoms and COVID-19. It is worth noting that in the majority of the cases the neurological symptoms resolved as systemic presentation subsided.

Publication date / reference: 25/02/2021 Khedr et al. Surveillance Study of Acute Neurological Manifestations among 439 Egyptian Patients with COVID-19 in Assiut and Aswan University Hospitals. Neuroepidemiology.

Summary: This two-centre retrospective study evaluated neurological symptoms in COVID-19 inpatients (n=439). Neurological symptoms were identified in 222 patients and in 117 these were acute. Neurological complications identified were both pertaining to CNS and PNS. The most common was stroke (55;12.5%) and the majority of these were ischaemic in nature (42;9.6%). Other CNS complications included: encephalitis, seizures and MS relapses. In addition, the authors note PNS complications – 31 patients had anosmia and ageusia, 4 patients had GBS.

Publication date / reference: 23/02/2021 Travi et al. Neurological manifestations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a retrospective analysis from a large cohort in Northern Italy. Eur J Neurosci.

Summary: This single centre retrospective cohort study assessed 901 patients admitted to a single hospital with COVID-19. They found that 42.6% showed severe or critical disease with a mortality of 21.2%. At least one neurological symptom was observed in 30.2%. Patients who had respiratory symptoms had a higher mortality compared to those with purely neurological symptoms and confounding for risk factors and demographics, isolated neurological symptoms displayed a better survival. Individuals with stroke had the worst mortality.

Publication date / reference:  22/02/2021 García-Azorín et al. Neurological symptoms in Covid-19 patients in the emergency department. Brain Behav.

Summary: Retrospective case notes review of 576 hospitalised covid-19 patients. Neurological manifestations were common upon presentation to the emergency department;anosmia (25%), myalgia (24%), headache (23%), and altered mental status (17%).  Anosmia on admission was an independent predictor of lower in-hospital mortality and altered mental status on admission predicted in-hospital mortality.

Publication date / reference: 19/2/21 Bitan et al. COVID-19 prevalence and mortality among schizophrenia patients: A large-scale retrospective cohort study. Schizophr Bull. 

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to identify the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 amongst 51,078 schizophrenia patients living in Israel. The patients were age and sex matched with controls in order to calculate the odds ratio’s associated with schizophrenia diagnosis; sociodemographic variables were controlled for. The authors found that patients with schizophrenia were 2.15 times more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 (95% CI 1.63-2.82, p<.0001). This group were 3.27 times more likely to die from COVID-19 when compared with controls (95% CI 1.39-7.68, p<.0001). Rates of comorbidities such as diabetes (OR 1.65), COPD (OR 2.32) and obesity (OR 1.68) were significantly higher in the schizophrenia group (p<.0001).

Publication date / reference: 15/02/2021. G O’Sullivan et al. Covid-19 presentation among symptomatic healthcare workers in Ireland. Occup Med (Lond).

Summary: This was a case-control study of healthcare workers (n = 306) who presented for a covid-19 swab due to possible symptoms. Of the 102 with covid-19, 35% had headache, 23% fatigue, 29% myalgia, and 4% had anosmia as part of their illness.

Publication date / reference: 13/02/21 Dravid et al. Neurological issues during severe COVID-19 in a tertiary level hospital in Western India. Neurosci Lett.

Summary: Encephalopathy (5.2 %) and new onset large vessel ischemic stroke (1.1%) were the most common secondary neurologic complications noted in this retrospective case note review study of 423 patients with severe COVID-19. The authors claim “the first report of the spectrum of neurological disorders observed in patients with severe COVID-19 from a resource limited setting like India”.

Publication date / reference: 11/02/2021 de Langavant et al. Clinical description of the broad range of neurological presentations of COVID-19: A retrospective case series. Rev Neurol (Paris).

Summary: This was a small (n = 26) single-site retrospective study of hospitalised patients with neurological syndromes associated with COVID-19 in the first-wave in France. The authors noted a spread of syndromes including encephalitis (n = 8), encephalopathy (n = 6), strokes (6), and GBS (n = 2). CSF was negative for SARS-CoV-2 in all cases. Cases of encephalitis had evidence of CSF inflammation, however MRI brain imaging was normal in all eight, and EEG only showed (non-specific) changes in two.

Publication date / reference: 09/02/2021. Sun et al. A Clinical Analysis of Extrapulmonary Complications in Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Patients. Int J Gen Med. 

Summary: Retrospective study aims to investigate presence of extrapulmonary complications in confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients (N=500). 152 (without prior chronic disease) were found to have extrapulmonary syndrome. Of specific note 25 of those had nervous system damage (16/45%).

Publication date / reference: 29/01/2021 Le et al. Multinational Prevalence of Neurological Phenotypes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19. MedRxiv preprint. 

Summary: This multi-national cross-sectional study of 35,177 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection found there was increased prevalence of disorders of consciousness and unspecified disorders of the brain, compared to pre-admission prevalence. Furthermore, during admission patients with severe COVID-19 had increased relative risk of consciousness disorders (22%), cerebrovascular disease (24%), non-traumatic intracranial haemorrhage (34%), encephalitis / myelitis (37%) and myopathy (72%).

Publication date / reference: 09/02/2021 Chuang et al. Neurological manifestations as primary presentation of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Acta Neurol Scand.

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to characterize patients with COVID-19 who presented primarily with neurologic symptoms without typical COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, and dyspnea. The author identified COVID-19 patients ≥18 years that had neurology symptoms on presentation requiring neurology consultation between March 2020 and May 2020 and found 56 out of 282 patients who had neurology consult during this period, tested COVID-19-positive and had neurologic symptoms on initial presentation. Of these, 23 patients had no typical COVID-19 symptoms (10 went on to develop typical symptoms with 8 needing supplemental oxygen and one requiring mechanical ventilation). In both groups, impaired consciousness was the most common initial neurologic symptom, followed by stroke, unsteady gait, headache, seizure, syncopal event, acute vision changes, and intracranial hemorrhage. They concluded that patients who have COVID-19 can present with serious neurologic symptoms even without typical COVID-19 symptoms. Those without typical COVID-19 symptoms can later develop typical symptoms severe enough to need respiratory support.

Publication date / reference: 11/02/2021. Del Brutto et al. Cognitive decline among individuals with history of mild symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. A longitudinal prospective study nested to a population cohort. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study, Del Brutto and colleagues aimed to identify the frequency with which cognitive decline occurs in a cohort of individuals with a history of mild symptomatic SARS-Cov-2 infection (n = 93) who had had received a cognitive assessment prior to contracting SARS-Cov-2 and had normal MRI and EEG recordings. Individuals who required oxygen therapy or hospitalisation and those with a history of stroke or seizures were excluded. Cognitive decline was recognised in 11/52 seropositive and 1/41 seronegative individuals. Multivariate analyses showed that the odds for developing cognitive decline was 18.1 times higher among SARS-Cov-2 seropositive individuals.

Publication date / reference: 04/02/2021 Mendes et al. Delirium in older patients with COVID-19: prevalence, risk factors and clinical relevance. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 

Summary: This retrospective cohort study assessed 235 patients who were over 65 years old with COVID-19. They found 20.4% of patients presented with delirium, of which 41.6% were hypoactive. Those with established cognitive impairment were at higher risk of developing this. The presence of delirium did not affect the length of stay in hospital but did worsen mortality.

Publication date/reference: 03/02/2021 Mendez et al., Short-term Neuropsychiatric Outcomes and Quality of Life in COVID-19 Survivors. J Intern Med.

Summary: This was a cross-sectional prospective analysis of hospitalised COVID-19 patients (n=179) who were followed-up for 2 months after discharge. Primary outcomes were neurocognitive function,  psychiatric symptoms, and quality of life (QoL). A considerable prevalence of all three (neurocognitive function,  psychiatric symptoms, and quality of life) were observed in the acute 2-month phase, however it is unclear if the impacts persist in the long-term. 

Publication date / reference: 27/01/21. Nemani et al. Association of Psychiatric Disorders With Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19. JAMA Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this retrospective cohort study aimed to assess whether a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, mood disorder, or anxiety disorder is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19. Based on review of their clinical notes the authors categorised n=7348 consecutive adult patients as having ICD10-CM (1) schizophrenia spectrum disorders, (2) mood disorders, (3) anxiety disorders, or 4) no such disorders. Subjects were followed for 45 days from their positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR. The authors found that a premorbid diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (n=75) significantly predicted mortality after adjusting for clinico-demographic risk factors (odds ratio [OR], 2.67; 95% CI, 1.48-4.80). A premorbid diagnosis of mood disorders (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.87-1.49) or anxiety disorders (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.65-1.41) did not independently predict mortality. Strikingly, having schizophrenia ranked behind only age in strength of an association with mortality. The sample was over-represented for symptomatic and high-risk people able to access testing during the peak of the pandemic in New York City. Possible mechanisms underlying the association were not studied. Unmeasured medical comorbidities or/and delays in treatment seeking may have contributed to worse outcomes, and the relatively small number of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders indicates caution. However the authors claim their analysis as the first US study to report the risk of COVID-19 mortality by psychiatric diagnostic group.

Publication date / reference: 04/02/21. Hoertel et al. Association between antidepressant use and reduced risk of intubation or death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: results from an observational study. Mol Psychiatry.

Summary: Writing in Molecular Psychiatry, Hoertel et al. noted recent publications implicating antidepressant use with resolution of systemic inflammatory markers, and proposed the hypothesis that antidepressants may therefore be potentially useful in reducing the risk of intubation or death in patients with COVID-19. Using a retrospective cohort design they examined data on 7230 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 who had been consecutively admitted to 39 Greater Paris University hospitals. Antidepressant use was defined as receiving any antidepressant within the first 48 h of hospital admission, and the primary endpoint was the time from study baseline to intubation or death. A total of 345 patients (4.8%) received an antidepressant within their timeframes. The authors reported that their primary multivariable analyses with “inverse probability weighting” showed a significant association between use of any antidepressant and reduced risk of intubation or death (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.43–0.73, p < 0.001). The simple raw proportions of outcomes on or off antidepressants did not suggest such a protective effect – it was seen only after preparing the raw data by means of complicated statistical weighting which this reviewer is unable to appraise, though the results were seemingly robust to multiple sensitivity analyses. The authors speculate on several potential mechanisms for their observation, including inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase activity; S1R agonism; IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, or CCL-2 attenuation; or direct antiviral effects. They call for double-blind RCTs of antidepressants in COVID-19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 19/12/20. Pimlott et al. Clinical learnings from a virtual primary care program monitoring mild to moderate COVID-19 patients at home. Fam Pract.

Publication date / reference: 18/12/21. Eskander et al. Neurologic Syndromes Predict Higher In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19. Neurology.

Publication date / reference: 15/12/2021. Zhao et al. A disease progression prediction model and nervous system symptoms in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Am J Transl Res.

Publication date / reference: 21/12/2020. Wang et al. Retrospective study of clinical features of COVID-19 in inpatients and their association with disease severity. Med Sci Monit.

Publication date / reference: 21/01/2021. Portela-Sanchez et al. Neurological complications of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: The registry of a neurology department in the first wave of the pandemic. Eur J Neurol. 

Publication date / reference: 21/12/20. Brucki et al. Neurological complications in COVID-19 patients from Latin America. Brain

Publication date / reference: 17/12/2020. Elimian et al. Patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 positivity and fatality in Nigeria: retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open.

Publication date / reference: 01/01/2021 Qu et al. A quantitative exploration of symptoms in COVID-19 patients: an observational cohort study. Int J Med Sci.

Summary: This was an ambispective observational cohort study (n=133), analysing characteristics and changes of symptoms in confirmed COVID-19 patients. The core symptoms found in all types related to upper respiratory tract infection, cardiopulmonary function, and digestive system. Dyspnoea was correlated with critical type, and dyspnoea (P<0.001), shortness of breath (P<0.01) and chest distress (P<0.05) were correlated with death with their corresponding coefficient being 0.393, 0.258, 0.214, respectively.

Publication date / reference: 9/12/20 Alonso et al. Mental Health Impact of the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spanish Healthcare Workers: a Large Cross-sectional Survey. Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment.

Publication date / reference: 5/12/20 Daly et al. Associations between periods of COVID-19 quarantine and mental health in Canada. Psychiatry Res.

Publication date / reference: 12/2020 Chen et al. Epidemiological analysis of 18 patients with COVID-19. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.

Publication date / reference: 27/11/2020 Battaglini et al. Neurological Complications and Noninvasive Multimodal Neuromonitoring in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients. Front Neurol

Publication date / reference: 24/11/20. Kushwaha et al. Neurological Associations of COVID-19-Do We Know Enough: A Tertiary Care Hospital Based Study. Front Neurol. 

Summary: This study discusses 14 laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive patients presenting with neurological signs and symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 11/12/2020. Jacobs et al. Persistence of symptoms and quality of life at 35 days after hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. PLoS One.

Summary: This prospective cohort study aimed to characterise the prevalence and persistence of COVID-19 symptoms following hospital admission, in order to help with planning provision of community clinical services. N=183 patients reported persistence of their symptoms at 35 days. The authors concluded that the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms has a significant impact on several factors such as quality of life, mental health, and physical function. The authors suggested early post-acute evaluation of symptoms in order to better plan provision of community clinical services. 

Publication date / reference: 04/12/2020 Mizrahi et al. Longitudinal symptom dynamics of COVID-19 infection. Nat Commun.

Summary: Mizrahi and colleagues present their findings of longitudinal dynamics of symptoms prior to and throughout SARS-CoV-2 infection, obtained through primary care electronic health records (EHR) and nationwide surveys from March-June 2020. The authors found that the data obtained from EHR and surveys were discordant – with surveys being more sensitive in capturing symptoms (likely due to higher self reporting). Among 2471 individuals with COVID-19,  the most common symptoms were fever, cough and fatigue. Loss of smell and taste was the most predictive for a positive result – even up to 3 weeks prior to diagnosis. Children seemed to have a shorter clinical course of symptoms. Survey data from 278 patients also revealed persistent fatigue, myalgia, runny nose and shortness of breath for weeks after recovery.

 Publication date / reference: 1/12/2020 Mirfazeli et al. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 can be clustered in three distinct symptom categories. Sci Rep.

 Summary: This single centre Iranian paper reviewed 201 patients with COVID-19 to assess and categorise symptomology. They found that 151 patients displayed at least one neuropsychiatric symptom; the most common being: limb force reductions; headache, anosmia, and hypogeusia. They found through hierarchical clustering that neuropsychiatric symptoms group together in three distinct presentations: anosmia and hypogeusia; dizziness, headache, and limb force reduction; photophobia, mental state change, hallucination, vision and speech problem, seizure, stroke, and balance disturbance.

Publication date / reference: 14/08/2020. Garg et al. Neurological Symptoms as Initial Manifestation of Covid-19 – An Observational Study. Ann Indian Acad Neurol.

Summary: This prospective study from India recruited 391 patients admitted to hospital with covid-19. Information was collected via a questionnaire, though it does not state at what point following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test this was conducted. New-onset neurological symptoms were found in 106 (27.1%). Of these, dysguesia (33.1%), anosmia (24.5%), and headache (22.6%) were the most common. In total, 38 (9.7%) reported similar neurological symptoms as the initial manifestation of their acute covid-19 illness.

Summary: This case series looked at the characteristics of the first 17 deaths from COVID-19 in Wuhan. They found that they were predominantly older males who presented with fever, fatigue, respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms. The majority died secondary to ARDS and they state that advanced age and male gender predict severity.

Summary: This prospective cohort study assessed 234 patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19. They used online surveys and the Hospital Anxiety and Depressions Scale to assess levels of anxiety and depression among this cohort. They found that roughly one fifth (19.8%) had anxiety and/or depression and, when compared to those without, had a longer quarantine duration. 

Publication date / reference: 17/11/20. Becerra-Munoz et al. Clinical profile and predictors of in-hospital mortality among older patients admitted for COVID-19. Age Ageing.

Summary: The authors aimed to describe clinical characteristics, initial symptoms and management of a cohort of individuals aged >65 (n=1520) hospitalised for COVID-19. Much of this epidemiological paper is not directly related to neurological or neuropsychiatric complications, but n=19 (1.3%) had “an embolic event”, and having dementia (n=70) was independently associated with an eight-fold increased risk of mortality (95%CI=1.45-44.85).

Publication date / reference: 17/11/20 Kacem et al. Characteristics, onset, and evolution of neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Neurol. Sci.

Summary: In their retrospective observational study Kacem et al. presented data on main neurological symptoms in 1034 patients with COVID-19, who were contacted by phone. Six hundred forty-six patients were included in the analysis of which 466 (72.1%) reported neurological symptoms. The most frequent symptom was headache (n=279, 41.1%). Other common symptoms were smell impairment (n = 245, 37.9%), taste impairment (n = 238, 36.8%), myalgia (n = 241, 37.3%) and sleep disturbances (n = 241, 37.3%). Respiratory signs, defined as presence of dyspnea and/or cough, were found to be associated with more frequent and numerous neurological symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 17/11/2020 Abdel-Aziz et al. Subjective Smell Assessment as An Office-based Rapid Procedure In COVID-19 Era. J Craniofac Surg

Summary: This cross-sectional study assessed 480 patients (aged 18-60) who attended an outpatient clinic for subjectively reported olfactory loss on a hard paper-bar using a graded score from 0 to 10.Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough and/or dyspnea were excluded. Ninety-seven (20.2%) patients reported some level of olfactory loss, of which 88 (90.1%) were SARS-CoV-19 positive on RT-PCR in comparison to only 3 (6%) of 50 control patients who reported no olfactory loss. The authors suggested that subjective olfactory testing could be used as office-based screening procedure for SARS-CoV-19 infection, but it is unclear how this selected clinic population relates to community patients.

Publication date / reference: 17/11/2020 Krishnasamy et al. Clinical Outcomes among Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients in an Isolation Facility in Chennai, India. Am J Trop Med Hyg.

Summary: The authors of this study assessed clinical outcomes among 1,263 asymptomatic or mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients and found fatigue was the fourth most common presenting symptom (10.1%) followed by anosmia (9.4%) or  ageusia (8.9%).

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the origin of the extensive white matter microhaemorrhages detected by brain MRIs in patients with COVID-19. The authors formulated several hypotheses such as hypoxemia, microangiopathy, and the role of kidney failure which was found to be more severe in the patient group with diffuse microhaemorrhages. The authors concluded that blood–brain barrier dysfunction secondary to hypoxemia and high concentration of uraemic toxins appear to be the primary mechanism leading to critical illness-associated cerebral microbleeds, and this complication remains to be frequently described in severe COVID-19 patients. However, these remain hypotheses until evaluated further.

Publication date / reference: 21/11/20 van den Borst et al. Comprehensive health assessment three months after recovery from acute COVID-19. Clin Infect Dis.

Publication date / reference: 12/11/20 Meppiel et al. Neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19: a multicentric registry. Clin Microbiol Infect.

Summary: The authors of this multicentre, retrospective study assessed 222 COVID-19 patients with novel neurological manifestations across 46 centers in France. The most commonly observed neurological manifestations were COVID-19 associated encephalopathy (30.2%), acute ischaemic cerebrovascular syndrome (25.7%), encephalitis (9.5%) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (6.8%). Neurological manifestations were seen to emerge largely following first COVID-19 symptoms with a median delay of 6, 7, 12 and 18 days in encephalopathy, encephalitis, acute cerebrovascular ischaemia, and Guillain-Barré syndrome respectively.The majority of patients (192) underwent brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid was analysed in 97 patients.

Publication date / reference: 10/11/2020 Jimenez et al., Characteristics, complications and outcomes among 1549 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in a secondary hospital in Madrid, Spain: a retrospective case series study. BMJ Open

Summary: This single- centre retrospective case series looked at the clinical characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 hospitalised patients (n=1549). Their findings show: presenting symptoms included headache n=133 (8.7%), confusion n=87 (5.7%), anosmia n=41 (3.6%). 178 patients (11.6%, p <0.001) had a background of neurological disease, 57 patients (45.6%, p=0.741) had a background of cerebrovascular disease. The most common risk factor was hypertension (851,55.0%). In terms of outcomes, 11 patients (0.8%) developed a stroke. Of those who died, 59 patients (20.1%) had a background of neurological disease.

Publication date / reference: 24/10/2020 Zhou et al. Cognitive disorders associated with hospitalization of COVID-19: Results from an observational cohort study. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: This observational cohort study attempted to look at the significance of pre-existing disease in COVID-19. They took 389,620 participants from UK Biobank; 1,091 had COVID-19. They compared 974 medical conditions and 30 blood biomarkers against this diagnosis. They identified the most significant risk factors were Alzheimer Disease, dementia, delirium and other cognitive disorders.

Publication date / reference: 14/10/2020 Lorenzo et al. Residual clinical damage after COVID-19: A retrospective and prospective observational cohort study. PLoS One

Summary: A ‘retrospective and prospective’ observational cohort study examining 185 patients admitted to hospital and followed up between 7th April and 7th of May 2020. They specifically looked at ongoing symptoms after discharge and the development of cognitive impairment or PTSD. 109 patients required follow up from a set criteria. 58 were dyspnoeic, 41 tachypnoeic, 10 malnourished, 106 at risk of malnutrition. 40 had uncontrolled blood pressure, 47 had new onset mild cognitive impairment and PTSD was observed in 41 patients. Use this as a basis that COVID-19 leaves lasting damage and follow up should be implemented for selected patients.

Publication date / reference: 10/09/20. Makda et al. The frequency of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Cureus.

Summary: The authors of this cross-sectional study report on neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan between April and July 2020. Dizziness and headache were the two most common neurological symptoms, present in 17.5% and 15.7% of patients respectively. Only 7.8% of patients demonstrated impairment in taste and a separate 7.8% displayed impairment in smell. No significant difference was observed when comparing frequency of neurological symptoms between severe and non-severe disease.

Publication date / reference:19/10/20. Hao et al. A quantitative and qualitative study on the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill COVID-19 inpatients in isolation facilities. Transl Psychiatry.

Summary: A mixed method study of neuropsychiatric sequelae and psychological impact in COVID-19 patients (N=10) compared with matched psychiatric patients (N=10) and matched healthy control (N=10). A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients experienced impulsivity and insomnia compared the two control groups.  Half of the COVID-19 patients presented with clinically significant symptoms of PTSD (IES score). COVID-19 patients also had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21 sub-scores)than control and comparable to psychiatric patients. Face to face interviews were conducted as part of the qualitative analysis. The authors identified three themes from the interviews, 1. emotions experienced by patients after COVID-19 infection; 2) external factors that affected patients’ mood. The findings are limited by the small sample size and cross-sectional design of the study.

Publication date / reference: 07/10/2020. Rifino et al. Neurologic manifestations in 1760 COVID-19 patients admitted to Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. J Neurol.

Summary: In this large (n = 1760) retrospective study of hospital admitted covid-19 patients, the authors found that 137 presented with neurological manifestations. Stroke constituted 39%, peripheral nervous disease (e.g. GBS) 25%, and altered mental status 36% of these manifestations. Neurological features alone were the only manifestation of covid-19 illness in 39 patients. Unfortunately, the authors did not go into much detail about how the patients with altered mental status were defined or diagnosed, except five of whom were diagnosed with encephalitis. SARS-CoV-2 was positive in the CSF analysis of two patients with altered mental status. The study did not feature any follow-up data.

Publication date / reference: 5/10/2020. Frontera et al. A Prospective Study of Neurologic Disorders in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in New York City. Neurology.

Summary: Prospective, multi-center, observational study to assess neurological symptomatology among hospitalised patients in the New York City metropolitan area with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. 4,491 patients were admitted in the time frame; 606 patients developed a neurological disorder. Most common diagnoses were: encephalopathy (6.8%), seizure (1.6%), stroke (1.9%), hypoxic/ ischaemic injury (1.4%). There were no patients found to have encephalitis/ meningitis or myelopathy. Myelitis attributable to SARS-CoV-2. They found that patients with neurological complications were: older, male, white, hypertensive, diabetic, intubated, and had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores. They also had higher in-hospital mortality and decreased likelihood of discharge home after adjustment.

Publication date / reference: 05/10/20. Carvalho-Schneider et al. Follow-up of adults with non-critical COVID-19 two months after symptoms’ onset. Clin Microbiol Infect.

Summary: The authors of this study followed up 150 COVID-19 patients at days 7, 30, and 60 from symptoms onset from March 17 to June 3, 2020. 68% and 66% of patients displayed at least one persistent symptoms at days 30 and 60 respectively, and this was most commonly anosmia/ageusia with 59% at symptom onset, 28% at day 30 and 30% at day 60. In addition half of patients at day 30 and 40% at day 60 displayed asthenia.

Publication date / reference: 23/09/20. Xiong et al. Clinical sequelae of COVID-19 survivors in Wuhan, China: a single-centre longitudinal study. Clin Microbiol Infect.

Publication date / reference: 3/9/20. Koh et al. Neurology of COVID-19 in Singapore. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: The authors conducted a prospective multi-centre cohort study of all microbiologically-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Singapore, who were referred for any neurological complaint within three months of COVID-19 onset. From 47,572 SARS-CoV-2+ patients (median age 34 years, 98% males) they identified 39 patients (0.08%) with neurological disorders. In the entire cohort only 93 patients needed critical care. The reports of neurological syndromes included encephalitis, cerebral venous thrombosis, acute ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage, peripheral nervous system disorders and dysautonomia, but only very small numbers of cases of each. This is an unusual result compared to other studies, which the authors speculate might be related to the peculiar demographics of the local outbreak that involved young healthy migrant workers in crowded dormitories, many of whom were asymptomatic or had mild infection.  The young age of the sample, near-total male sex, and very low numbers of critical care patients make the study difficult to generalise to other countries with far more severe outcomes. Nevertheless as a whole-population study, the authors report a strikingly low prevalence of COVID-19 associated neurological disorders in Singapore. 

Summary: In this cross-sectional study, the authors wanted to ascertain the prevalence of neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 who presented to a tertiary medical centre (n=350, mixed inpatients and outpatients, PCR-confirmed). Nearly a fifth of the cohort had neurological manifestations (18.9%). The most common presentations included headache, vertigo, numbness, paraesthesia and altered level of consciousness. 

Summary: The authors of this retrospective, observational study explored the presence of neurological complications in consecutive patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 (n=30). Nearly all patients manifested with an acute confusional state (28/30) and half had an acute myopathy (15/30). Other complications included headache, cerebrovascular disease, and encephalopathies/encephalitis. The neuroimaging (MRI, CT and EEG) and CSF analysis findings were described. 

Summary:  In this prospective cross-sectional study, the authors evaluated the neurological abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 (n=35, PCR-confirmed in 28) who required a neurological consultation at a tertiary centre. In 14 patients, the neurological abnormality was present at admission whereas nervous system complications developed later in the disease course for the remaining 21 patients. The most common presentations were stroke (11/35), encephalopathy (7/35), seizures (6/35) and neuropathies (5/35). Except for neuropathies, all of these complications were associated with severe COVID-19 disease (measured via CURB-65). Concordant with prior research, CSF was negative for viral PCR in all patients. Of potential importance, 14 of the patients had neurological comorbidities and these were distributed fairly evenly across the neurological complications. 

Publication date / reference: 11/09/20. Campiglio & Priori. Neurological symptoms in acute COVID-19 infected patients: a survey among Italian physicians. PLoS One.

Summary:  The authors of this paper developed an online survey for Italian clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients in which they were asked to use a 4-point Likert scale to rate clinical features from “absent” to “severe”. Responses were received from 126 physicians from 9 different specialities and 10 different regions of Italy. 87.3% of respondents reported neurological symptoms, with the most common being headache, myalgia and taste and smell abnormalities. No difference was noted between reporting by neurologists and non-neurologists. However, clinicians with experience of evaluating >30 COVID-19 patients more frequently reported neurological symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 11/09/20. Coppola et al. Headache in a group of SARS-COVID-19 patients: an observational prospectical study. Neurological Sciences.

Summary: The authors of this Italian prospective study report on a group of 73 COVID-19 patients, all of whom had normal neurological examinations and were free from any clinical sign of neurological impairment. Three male patients reported headache during hospitalisation, two of whom had tension headache whilst one experienced migraine without aura. Tension headaches and migraine without aura were present in three and two female patients  respectively. The authors suggest that these findings indicate tension headache may be the more common form of headache in COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 07/09/20. Kirenga et al. Characteristics and outcomes of admitted patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Uganda. BMJ Open Respir Res.

Summary: In this prospective cohort study the authors report on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 56 consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalised in Uganda. The mean age was only 34 (possibly reflecting the population structure of Uganda); on admission headache was reported by 12.5% and fatigue by 7.1%. Interestingly despite the consecutive recruitment strategy, none of the patients died or even needed ICU. 

Publication date / reference: 13/08/20. Zou et al. Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Disease Severity and Death in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China. Front Med. 

Summary: The authors conducted a retrospective case note review of 121 confirmed and hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Within the broad range of symptoms surveyed across organ systems, “neurological symptoms” were reported by 9.9% of patients at illness onset, and in this small sample were not found to associate significantly with severity or mortality. 

Publication date / reference: 25/08/20. Chachkhiani et al. Neurological complications in a predominantly African American sample of COVID-19 predict worse outcomes during hospitalization. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 

Summary: In this retrospective observational study, the authors aimed to describe neurological complications at presentation in a large cohort of, mostly African American, patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (n=250, PCR-confirmed) at a university medical centre. Neurological complications were the chief presenting complaint in 34 (14%) of the cohort – most commonly altered mental status, headache and syncope. The authors used logistic regression analysis to ascertain whether patients with neurological complications were at risk of poorer outcomes compared to those without. Interestingly, patients who presented with neurological complaints were at significantly increased risk of remaining in hospital and of increased mortality. Additionally, these patients were at significantly higher odds of requiring intubation. Aside from first presentation, 95 (38 %) had a neurological complication during hospitalisation, of which altered mental status was also the most common. The reliability of the prevalence figures are limited by the retrospective nature of the study but still serves as an important assessment of neurological complications in the understudied African-American COVID-19 population. 

Publication date / reference: 17/08/20. Utku et al. Main symptoms in patients presenting in the COVID-19 period. Scott Med J. 

Summary: The authors conducted a retrospective case note review of 297 patients with suspicion of COVID-19, and compared symptom profiles between those with (n=143) and without (n=154) a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. The positive group most often had cough, weakness, taste disorder, myalgia, and fever. The COVID-19 negative group most often had cough, weakness, dyspnea, headache and fever. Taste disorder, smell disorder and diarrhea were significantly more frequent in the PCR positive group, suggesting that these symptoms may be relatively more specific for COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: 07/08/20. Yang et al. Pre-pandemic psychiatric disorders and risk of COVID-19: a cohort analysis in the UK Biobank. MedRxiv.

Summary: The authors used the UK Biobank to compare the risks of COVID-19 in 50,815 individuals with pre-existing psychiatric disorders against 370,233 people without such disorders. After correcting for variables including BMI, deprivation, and ethnicity, the authors found significantly increased risks of COVID-19 infections, hospitalisation, and death, in psychiatric patients compared to controls. The authors speculate that “shared pathways” may link psychiatric disorders and infections, such as altered immune responses.

Publication date / reference: 07/08/20. Jeon et al. Association of mental disorders with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe health outcomes: a nationwide cohort study. MedRxiv.

Summary: The authors used Korean national data to compare the risks of COVID-19 in 33,653 patients with mental disorders against 196,912 controls. They found no significant corrected differences in the odds of a SARS-CoV-2 positive test, and a mixed picture with regards to the risk of clinical severity, but the risk of death was higher among patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorder. The study did not appear to examine specific causes of a higher risk of death and more research will be required to confirm these associations. 

Publication date / reference: 31/07/20 Strang et al. Symptom Relief Is Possible in Elderly Dying COVID-19 Patients: A National Register Study. J Palliat Med.

Summary: This study of the Swedish National Palliative Care Register is the first systematic report on symptom prevalence and relief in dying patients outside ICUs. The authors demonstrate higher rates of breathlessness in SARS-CoV-2 patients compared with all deaths registered in 2019 yet equitable levels of anxiety and delirium. Of note is the difficulty in treating these symptoms. Clinicians reported significantly lower success in completely relieving anxiety and delirium in those with COVID-19 compared with the Register for 2019.  

Publication date / reference: 05/08/20 Poncet-Megemont et al. High prevalence of headaches during COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study. Headache.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study included 139 patients with COVID-19 who were interviewed one month after resolution of fever and dyspnoea. The authors found that 59% (82/139) of patients reported new headaches during the acute phase of illness, though only 3.6% (5/139) reported ongoing headaches. Anosmia and ageusia were common and reported in 60.4% (84/139) and 58.3% (81/139) of cases respectively, and were seen to persist in 14.4% (20/139) and 11.5% (16/139) of patients. No association was identified between headaches and anosmia, ageusia or disease severity.

Publication date / reference: 03/08/20 Studart-Neto et al. Neurological consultations and diagnoses in a large, dedicated COVID-19 university hospital.  Arq Neuropsiquiatr.

Summary: This retrospective study was conducted between March 23rd and May 23rd 2020, during which time 1,208 confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted to a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Brazil, 7.4% (89/1,208) of whom required inpatient neurological consultations. Of these patients, 44.4% (40/89) were diagnosed with encephalopathy, 12.3% (11/89) with stroke, 9.0% (8/89) with previous neurological disease, 9.0% (8/89) with seizures, 5.6% (5/89) with neuromuscular disease and 3.4% (3/89) with other acute cerebral lesions.

Publication date / reference: 06/08/20 Agarwal et al. Neurological manifestations in 404 COVID-19 patients in Washington State. J Neurol. 

Summary: In this retrospective study, Agarwal and colleagues reviewed the medical records of 404 patients with COVID-19 (PCR-confirmed) and found neurological manifestations in 73% of the cohort. Half of the patients in this sample had CNS symptoms at presentation, the most common being altered mental status, headache and dizziness. However, over half of the patients with altered mental status had pre-existing dementia. Acute neurological symptoms were reported in 21.3% of patients, which was predominately altered mental status and stroke was found in only 0.7% of the cohort. Peripheral neurological symptoms, including myalgia and taste/smell disturbance, were reported in 40% of patients. Reasons for why this study detected much higher prevalences of neurological manifestations were not discussed. 

Publication date / reference: 06/08/20. Kantonen et al. Neuropathologic features of four autopsied COVID-19 patients. Brain Pathol. 

Summary: In this correspondence, Kantonen and colleagues reported the neuropathological findings from four autopsied patients with COVID-19 (PCR-confirmation was unclear). Two of the patients had neurological symptoms, including reduced level of consciousness and anosmia respectively. Regarding the former patient, a rather complicated case was presented of a 34 year old man diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who rapidly deteriorated with respiratory distress due to COVID-19 and was unresponsive on ICU. The autopsy findings from this patient included severe ischaemic injury whereas for the other patients only mild-moderate hypoxia-associated changes were found. There were no findings of encephalitis/meningitis and PCR could not detect SARS-COV-2 in brain tissue.   

Publication date / reference: 02/08/20 Morshed et al. Clinical manifestations of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) attending at hospitals in Bangladesh. MedRxiv preprint.

Summary:  The authors of this cross-sectional study report the clinical features of 103 RT-PCR confirmed non-critical care COVID-19 patients across three dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Bangladesh. Fatigue was noted in a large proportion of patients (68%). Altered sensation of taste or smell was reported in 35.0% of patients, whilst myalgia and headache were each reported in 32% of patients. 

Publication date / reference: 30/07/20 Halpin et al. Post-discharge symptoms and rehabilitation needs in survivors of COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional evaluation. J Med Virol. 

Summary:  Despite concerns about possible long-term physical and mental health consequences of COVID-19, the nature and prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms after hospital discharge have not been well studied. Using a prospective cross-sectional design the authors conducted telephone-based follow-up screening of 100 patients who had required ICU care (n=32) or general ward level care (n=68) and who were at least four weeks post-discharge. Fatigue of at least moderate severity was reported by 41%, concentration problems by 22%, and PTSD symptoms of at least moderate severity by 10%. Most of the ICU group and a minority of the ward group remained off work sick. The authors conclude by calling for needs-focused rehabilitation services to be planned for, and delivered, over an extended period. 

Publication date / reference: 08/07/20 Paterson et al. The Emerging Spectrum of COVID-19 Neurology: Clinical, Radiological and Laboratory Findings. Brain

Summary: This retrospective cohort study described the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of patients (n=43) referred to a COVID-19 neurology multidisciplinary team meeting. Based on the findings, patients were grouped into five categories: (i) para-infectious encephalopathy with delirium (n=ten), (ii) inflammatory CNS syndromes (two with encephalitis, nine with ADEM), (iii) ischaemic stroke (n=eight, of which four had pulmonary thromboembolism), (iv) peripheral neurological disorders (n=eight, seven with GBS), (v) miscellaneous (n=five, including myopathy, cranial nerve palsy, brain abscess). 

Publication date / reference: 08/07/20 Hwang et al. Neurological Diseases as Mortality Predictive Factors for Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Neurol Sci. 

Summary: Retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with an outcome of death or discharge between 1st February and 25th March (n=103, of whom 26 had died). The authors examined for an association between medication history / medical comorbidities and outcome. Multivariable logistic regression identified age >70, chronic lung disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease as independent predictors of death. Regression analyses with limited group sizes must be interpreted very cautiously given the risk of model over-fitting, but the study is the first to tentatively identify AD as an independent prognostic variable. 

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20 Vacchiano et al. Early neurological manifestations of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Neurol Sci

Summary: This is a prospective cohort study of n=108 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, followed for 30 days from the point of admission. Structured questionnaires were administered by telephone to assess neurological symptoms. The median onset of neurological manifestations was 1-3 days, with the most common being gustatory disorders (61%), headache (43%) and olfactory disorders (37%). Olfactory disorders were associated with milder disease and more often reported by patients with gustatory disorders. Both olfactory and gustatory disorders persisted over the follow-up period, despite reported improvements in severity. Most patients reporting headaches described tension-type symptoms. The authors acknowledge the limitations of the study, including the relatively small sample size, geographical specificity, inclusion of only hospitalised patients, and the short follow-up period.

Publication date / reference: 01/07/20 Abdel-Mannan et al. Neurologic and radiographic findings associated with COVID-19 infection in children. JAMA Neurol.

Summary: In a retrospective analysis of n=27 children who were hospitalised with COVID-19 infection, the authors detected new-onset neurological symptoms (most commonly encephalopathy and headache) in n=4 patients (14.8%). All four patients had signal changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum on neuroimaging, and required intensive care admission. The authors highlight the potential for children to display new neurological symptoms involving both the central and peripheral nervous systems with splenial changes on imaging, in the absence of respiratory symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 25/6/20 (preprint 15/5/20) Varatharaj et al. UK-wide surveillance of neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19: The first 153 patients. Lancet Psych

Summary: In first 3 weeks of UK-wide surveillance system 153 cases were notified with median (range) age 71 (23-94) years. 77 (62%) had a cerebrovascular event: 57 (74%) ischemic strokes, nine (12%) intracerebral hemorrhages, and one CNS vasculitis. The second most common group were 39 (31%) who had altered mental status, including 16 (41%) with encephalopathy of whom seven (44%) had encephalitis. The remaining 23 (59%) had a psychiatric diagnosis of whom 21 (92%) were new diagnoses; including ten (43%) with psychosis, six (26%) neurocognitive (dementia-like) syndrome, and 4 (17%) an affective disorder. Cerebrovascular events predominated in older patients. Conversely, altered mental status, whilst present in all ages, had disproportionate representation in the young (♦).

Publication date / reference: 25/06/20 Karadaş et al. A prospective clinical study of detailed neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19. Neurol Sci  

Summary:  This prospective study of 239 patients with COVID-19 revealed that 34.7% (n=83) had neurological findings and that these patients had significantly higher levels of D-dimer, compared to those without neurological manifestations. The most common finding was headache (27.6%) and these patients had a significantly higher level of IL-6 compared to those without headache (possibly implicating the acute phase response in the pathogenesis of headache in COVID-19). 

Publication date / reference: 17/06/20 Moro et al. The international EAN survey on neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 infection. Eur J Neurol.

Summary:  The European Academy of Neurology surveyed physicians about neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19. From 2343/4199 full responses, the commonest neurological observation was headache (reported by 61.9% of responding physicians), followed by myalgia, anosmia, dysgeusia, impaired consciousness, psychomotor agitation, encephalopathy and acute cerebrovascular disorders. Just under 1/3 physicians had also encountered CSF and/or EEG abnormalities. Findings are limited by the modest completion rate and potential selection or reporting bias.

Publication date / reference: 17/06/20 Nalleballe et al. Spectrum of Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in COVID-19. Brain Behav. Immun.

Summary: The TriNetX database, a global collaborative platform containing 40,469 patients with COVID (76% from the US), was analysed to explore the presence of neuropsychiatric manifestations (22.5%, n=9086, had a neuropsychiatric ICD-10 diagnosis). The most common neurological findings were headache (3.7%), sleep disorders (3.4%), encephalopathy (2.3%) and myalgia (2.0%). Psychiatric disturbances included anxiety and related disorders (4.6%), mood disorders (3.8%) and suicidal ideation (0.2%). Limitations include: no description of CSF or neuroimaging investigations and database analysis was solely based on diagnostic codes and did not use individual patient data. 

Publication date / reference: 03/06/20 Pinna et al. Neurological manifestations and COVID-19: Experiences from a tertiary care center at the Frontline. J Neurol Sci       

Summary: A retrospective observational case series of 50 patients hospitalised with COVID who were evaluated by neurological services at a tertiary care centre. Common neurological findings included encephalopathy (n = 30), cerebrovascular disease (n = 20), cognitive impairment (n = 13), seizures (n = 13), headache and cognitive abnormalities (both n=12). Patients with neurological findings that were documented after initial assessment had a more severe clinical course than those with abnormalities on admission. Findings are limited by selection bias (cases were only included if they had been evaluated by neurology service) and the retrospective approach. 

Publication date / reference: 01/06/20 Romero-Sánchez et al. Neurologic Manifestations in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: The ALBACOVID Registry. Neurology.

Summary: Single-centre review of 841 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. 57% developed neurological symptoms. Myalgias and headache were common. Anosmia (5%) and dysgeusia (6%) occurred as the first symptom in 60%. Altered consciousness occurred in 19%. Myopathy (3%), dysautonomia (3%), cerebrovascular diseases (2%), seizures (1%), movement disorders (1%), encephalitis (n=1). Neurological complications were the main cause of death in 4.1% of all deceased study subjects(♦).

Publication date / reference: 30/05/20 Lapostelle et al. Clinical Features of 1487 COVID-19 Patients with Outpatient Management in the Greater Paris: The COVID-call Study.  Intern Emerg Med.

Summary: In addition to dry cough and fever 1487 outpatients meeting COVID-19 WHO criteria reported body aches/myalgia (57%), headache (55%), and asthenia (60%); shortness of breath (32%) and ear-nose-throat symptoms such as anosmia (28%) and ageusia (28%).

Publication date / reference: 28/05/20 Scullen et al. COVID-19 Associated Encephalopathies and Cerebrovascular Disease: The New Orleans Experience. World Neurosurg.

Summary: Single centre retrospective cross-sectional study of ITU patients with SARS-CoV-2 (n=76). 27 patients had new neurological disease. All but one patient with neurological involvement developed altered mental status.85% demonstrated radiographic or electrographic evidence of neurologic disease.74% were diagnosed with COVID-19 associated encephalopathy, 7% with COVID-19 associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy, and 19% with COVID-19 associated vasculopathy. Radiological diagnoses infer the importance of neuroimaging in our COVID-19 patients, but cases limited to a single centre so not reflective of the wider population.

Publication date / reference: 28/05/20 Radmanesh et al. Brain Imaging Use and Findings in COVID-19: A Single Academic Center Experience in the Epicenter of Disease in the United States. JNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: Retrospective case series in New York of CT/MRI findings in SARS-CoV-2 confirmed patients (n=242). Imaging was most commonly performed for altered mental status, syncope/fall and focal neurologic deficit. The most common findings were nonspecific white matter microangiopathy (55.4%), chronic infarct (19.4%), acute or subacute ischemic infarct (5.4%), and acute haemorrhage (4.5%)(♦).

Publication date / reference: 26/05/20 Graham et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical features and outcome of COVID-19 in United Kingdom nursing homes. Preprint MedRxiv.

Summary: Data from UK nursing homes on patients with SARS-CoV-2 (n=126 of 313 tested). The authors highlight a 203% increase in all-cause mortality when compared with preceding two years with 43% of positive samples in asymptomatic residents. They also demonstrate high rates of atypical symptoms like anorexia (27%) and confusion (34%)(♦).

Publication date / reference: 23/05/20 Pilotto et al. COVID-19 impact on consecutive neurological patients admitted to the emergency department. MedRxiv (preprint).

Summary:  Retrospective study of 505 patients with neurological symptoms who were seen in ED. 147 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Positive patients had higher rates of stroke (34.7% vs 29.3%), encephalitis/meningitis (9.5% vs 1.9%) and delirium (16.3% vs 5.0%)(♦).

Publication date / reference: 20/05/20 Yang et al. Analysis of the clinical characteristics, drug treatments and prognoses of 136 patients with coronavirus disease 2019. J Clin Pharm Ther.

Summary: Retrospective, single‐centre, case series (n=136 patients) who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Amongst the commonly reported symptoms of cough and fever, 36% patients demonstrated insomnia, many of whom were otherwise asymptomatic.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/20 Jain et al. COVID-19 Related Neuroimaging Findings: A Signal of Thromboembolic Complications and a Strong Prognostic Marker of Poor Patient Outcome. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: Retrospective cohort study of 3218 SARS-CoV-2 patients, of which 14% had neuroimaging. Stroke was the most commonly identified abnormality, found in 1.1% of hospitalised patients. These findings were a strong predictor of poor mortality.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/20 Cummings et al. Epidemiology, clinical course, and outcomes of critically ill adults with COVID-19 in New York City: a prospective cohort study. The Lancet.

Summary: Prospective observational study characterising the epidemiology and clinical course of 257 critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 admitted during the first month of the New York City’s outbreak. Although shortness of breath and fever dominated the first symptoms, altered mental state was seen in 9% of those on presentation to hospital.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/20 Lechien et al. Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of 1,420 European Patients with mild-to-moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Int Med

Summary: Prospective observational study of 1420 patients in European hospitals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection. Headache was seen in 70.3%. There were also reports of visual acuity reduction (N=6), rotatory vertigo (N=6), and tinnitus (N=5).

Publication date / reference: 28/04/20 Docherty AB et al. Features of 16,749 hospitalised UK patients with COVID-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol.  medRxiv (preprint).

Summary: Prospective observational cohort study of 16,749 UK patients with COVID-19 which reports of headache (~10%), seizures (~1%), and confusion (~25%) upon presentation to hospital.

Publication date / reference: 15/04/20 Zhu J, Ji P, Pang J, et al. Clinical characteristics of 3,062 COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis. J Med Virol

Summary:  A meta-analysis of epidemiological data (3,062 COVID-19 patients). In total, 15.4% patients experienced headache.

Publication date / reference: 30/03/20 Borges do Nascimento I et al. Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) in Humans: A Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med

Summary: Meta-analysis;12% of included COVID-19 positive patients had headache.

Publication date / reference: 26/03/20 Chen T et al. Clinical characteristics of 113 deceased patients with coronavirus disease 2019: retrospective study. Brit Med J

Summary: Retrospective case series of 274 patients with COVID-19 who had died. In total, 23 (20%) of developed hypoxic encephalopathy after diagnosis of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 21/02/20 Yang X et al. Clinical course and outcomes of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective, observational study. Lancet Respir Med.

Summary: Retrospective case series of 52 critically ill patients found headache in 6%.

Publication date / reference: 19/02/20 Xu XW et al. Clinical findings in a group of patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) outside of Wuhan, China: Retrospective case series. Brit Med J.

Summary: Retrospective case series of 62 patients admitted to hospital with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection found headache in 21 (34%).

Publication date / reference: 07/02/20 Wang D et al. Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China. J Am Med Assoc.

Summary: Retrospective case series of 138 hospitalized patients found dizziness in 9% and headache in 7%.

Publication date / reference: 29/01/20 Chen N et al. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet.

Summary: Retrospective case series of 99 patients. Confusion in 9%, headache in 8%.

Publication date / reference: 24/01/20 Huang C et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet.

Summary: Prospective observational study of 41 admitted patients found headache in 8%.

Publication date / reference: 08/11/2021 Manzano et al. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis Following COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm

Summary: In this systematic review combing published reports and authors’ own unpublished cases, Manzano and colleagues summarised 46 patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) following infection with COVID-19. In majority of patients respiratory symptoms preceded the neurological features by 15-30 days. The severity of both COVID-19 and neurological syndromes was significant, with most patients requiring intensive care, amounting to a median score of 5 on modified Rankin scale. Higher rates of haemorrhage than expected from pre-pandemic ADEM were observed on imaging. A third of cases died. The limitations of the study include variable detail of case reporting and publication bias. Individual patient meta-analysis was not performed.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/21. Hixon et al. Persistent visual dysfunction following posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to COVID-19: Case series and literature review. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: The authors discuss three individuals with PRES due to COVID-19. All had developed altered mental status with new onset seizures. During recovery, two patients had persistent visual dysfunction including visual field deficits. One patient also experienced hallucinatory palinopsia and visual hallucinations. A literature search identified 32 other cases of PRES in the context of COVID-19, with visual disturbances in 14 of these cases.

Publication date / reference: 06/07/2021 Gómez et al. Encephalitis as a neurological manifestation of COVID-19. Med Clin (Engl Ed).

Summary: This paper presents two patients with clinical findings of encephalitis that had poor outcomes. One patient was found to have non-convulsive status epilepticus and MRI findings of small vessel encephalopathy; the other had findings of autoimmune disseminated leukoencephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 09/06/2021 Schwabenland M, Salié H, Tanevski J, Killmer S, Lago MS, Schlaak AE, Mayer L, Matschke J, Püschel K, Fitzek A, Ondruschka B, Mei HE, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Breithaupt A, Genc N, Stadelmann C, Saez-Rodriguez J, Bronsert P, Knobeloch KP, Blank T, Thimme R, Glatzel M, Prinz M, Bengsch B. Deep spatial profiling of human COVID-19 brains reveals neuroinflammation with distinct microanatomical microglia-T-cell interactions. Immunity.

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the cellular, immunological, and anatomical basis of COVID-19 in the brain. The authors used a highly multiplexed spatial analysis of the cellular composition and immunological phenotype of central nervous system tissue to compare immune populations in the brains of patients who died from COVID-19 (n = 25), respiratory disease controls (n = 5), autoimmune disease controls (n = 6), and patients who died from non-infections, non-inflammatory and non-neurological causes (n = 5). They found substantial immune activation in the central nervous system, neuropathology, pathognomonic microglial nodules, and T-cell infiltration in COVID-19 brains. The authors conclude that the high prevalence of neuroinflammation in COVID-19 highlights the need to prevent and treat COVID-19 associated inflammatory encephalitis.

Publication date / reference: 16/06/21 Tang et al. Encephalopathy at admission predicts adverse outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. CNS Neurosci Ther.

Summary: In this single centre study, the authors used the electronic records to determine if neurological symptoms at admission could predict disease outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 1053 patients, 35% had neurologic symptoms at admission, including 10% with encephalopathy. Encephalopathy was an independent predictor for death (hazard ratio 2.617). When added to other multivariable models, encephalopathy increased AUCs for: mortality: 0.84-0.86, ventilation/ intensive care unit [ICU]: 0.76-0.78, and C-index (mortality: 0.78 to 0.81, ventilation/ICU: 0.85-0.86).

Publication date / reference: 04/2021 Corazza et al., Electroencephalographic findings among inpatients with COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital from a middle-income country. Arq Neuropsiquiatr.

Summary: The authors of this report analysed electroencephalographic (EEG) findings obtained from hospitalised COVID-19 patients. A total of 28 patients were enrolled, with 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Severe disease requiring mechanical ventilation was observed in 21 patients, who suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, 16 patients developed adjunct sepsis while hospitalised. The findings showed that no distinct EEG pattern is associated with COVID-19, while most patients developed an encephalopathic pattern with high prevalence of altered mental status. Adjunct sepsis was associated with higher mortality. Thus, EEG may be used to differentiate nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) from encephalopathy and other causes of mental status alterations in COVID-19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 08.06.21. Vahedi et al. COVID-19 leukoencephalopathy with subacute magnetic resonance imaging findings of vasculitis and demyelination. J Neurovirol.

Summary: This case series describes the novel MRI findings of two patients with COVID-19 and leukoencephalopathy, postulating the possibility that their findings are consistent with evidence for direct neuroinvasiveness of SARS-COV-2.

Publication date / reference: 13/04/2021. Duan K, et al., Alterations of frontal-temporal gray matter volume associate with clinical measures of older adults with COVID-19. Neurobiol Stress.

Summary: The authors of this study used source-based morphometry (SBM) analysis to investigate the alterations in covarying gray matter volume (GMV) patterns derived from computed tomography scans, obtained from 120 neurological patients. 58 COVID-19 patients and a control group of 62 patients matched for age, gender and diseases (without COVID-19 infection) participated in this study.

SBM identified the significant association between reduced GMV in superior/medial/middle frontal gyri and higher level of disability (modified Rankin Scale), at discharge and during the 6 month follow-up period (despite CVD control). Reduced GMV in superior/medial/middle frontal gyri was observed in patients receiving oxygen therapy (compared to those not received oxygen therapy). Significant reduction in GMV in inferior/middle temporal gyri and fusiform gyrus was observed in patients presented with fever (compared to patients without fever). GMV reduction in superior/medial/middle frontal gyri was also observed in patients with agitation (compared to patients without agitation). No significant GMV differences in any brain region were identified between patients with or without COVID-19 infection.

The study has determined that fever or lack of oxygen caused by COVID-19 infection may subsequently lead to disruption of the frontal-temporal network.

Publication date / reference: 31/03/2021 Branco de Oliveira MV et al., Encephalopathy responsive to thiamine in severe COVID-19 patients. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary: This retrospective case series (n=15) investigated responses to intravenous thiamine treatment in patients with COVID-19-associated Wernicke Encephalopathy. The authors searched electronic medical records for comorbidities and evaluated functional neurological outcomes using the modified Rankin scale. All patients had encephalopathy, and 10/15 had at least one other neurological manifestation. All patients showed significant improvements in neurological manifestations between two to five days after intravenous thiamine replacement. The authors concluded that thiamine deficiency may be an aetiology of encephalopathy in severe COVID-19 patients, and its treatment may improve neurological outcomes.

Publication date / reference: 25/02/21 Niguet et al. Neurophysiological findings and their prognostic value in critical COVID-19 patients: An observational study. Clin Neurophysiol.

Summary: This observational study describes the EEG patterns of 33 critical COVID-19 patients (all were admitted to ICU) following discontinuation of sedation. Those who were not responsive to EEG had further measurements of omesthesic evoked potentials and brainstem auditive evoked potentials. Overall 85% showed some level of background activity. 42% of cases were unreactive while rhythmic or periodic delta waves were found in 61% of cases. This later finding was associated with clinical outcome on day 14- consistent with encephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 16/03/21 Frontera et al. Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. Neurocrit Care.

Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Toxic metabolic encephalopathy (TME) in a cohort of 4491 hospitalised COVID-19 patients at multiple centers in New York.  Of these 12% had TME of which 78% already had encephalopathy on admission. Compared with those without TME, patients with TME were older, had dementia or psychiatric history, were more often intubated, had a longer hospital length of stay, and were less often discharged home. After adjustment for confounding factors TME was still associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.

Publication date / reference: 30/03/2021 Ugine et al., COVID‐19 encephalopathy: clinical and neurobiological features J Med Virol

Summary: In this study, authors described a series of patients with COVID‐19 encephalopathy, highlighting its phenomenology and its neurobiological features. 707 patients infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 and 31 consecutive patients with acute encephalopathy were included in this series. Severity of the COVID‐19 encephalopathy was divided into severe and mild based on the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS): severe cases were defined on a RASS < ‐3 at worst presentation. Severe form of this COVID‐19 encephalopathy presented more often with headache. MRI abnormalities were found in 92% of the sample.

Publication date / reference: 26/03/2021 Uginet et al., Cerebrovascular Complications and Vessel Wall Imaging in COVID-19 Encephalopathy—A Pilot Study. Clin Neuroradiol

Summary: This pilot study reports a series of patients (n=34) with COVID-19 encephalopathy who underwent standard brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the acute symptomatic phase of infection. Diffusion-weighted imaging, MR angiography and susceptibility-weighted images, high-resolution vascular black blood sequences were also used to explore the brain vasculature. 85% (n=29) patients with COVID-19 encephalopathy had circular enhancement and thickening of the basilar and vertebral arteries without any correlation to ischemia or microbleeds, This high prevalence of vascular changes suggests an inflammatory mechanism may underlie the encephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 3/2021. Sanz-Canalejas et al. Lesson of the month: Severe leukoencephalopathy by SARS-CoV-2. Clin Med (Lond).

Summary: Two cases are presented where patients receiving treatment in ICU for severe COVID-19, presented with persistently depressed mental status, following the withdrawal of sedation, alongside evidence of leukoencephalopathy on MRI. Both patients improved clinically, with one being transferred to a different hospital, and the other being discharged home, however, these patients were not followed up further.

Publication date / reference: 09/03/2021 Fragiel et al., Incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of meningoencephalitis in patients with COVID-19. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis.

Summary: This was a retrospective case-control study, investigating the differences between COVID-19 patients with ME (meningoencephalitis) and two control groups: non-COVID patients with ME and non-COVID-19 patients without ME. Incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and ME outcomes were all investigated. Despite ME being an unusual presentation of COVID (less than 0.05% total cases), it was more than four times frequent than in the non-COVID population. COVID-ME patients had a higher unadjusted in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-ME patients.

Publication date / reference: 04/01/21. Pilotto et al. SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis is a cytokine release syndrome: evidences from cerebrospinal fluid analyses. Clin Infect Dis.

Summary: The authors of this mechanistic study evaluated the CSF correlates of SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis. They tested an extensive battery of CSF neuronal (NfL, T-tau), glial (GFAP, TREM2, YKL-40) and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, Il-8, TNF- α, CXCL-13 and β2-microglobulin) in three groups: (i) PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and probable encephalitis (COV-Enc) n=13, (ii) encephalitis without SARS-CoV-2 infection (ENC) n= 21 and (iii) healthy controls (HC) n=18. The cytokine profile of the COV-Enc group included raised IL-8, IL-6, TNF- α, and β2-microglobulin and astrocyte/microglia markers (GFAP, sTREM-2, YKL-40) levels. . Markers of neuronal damage (NfL and t-tau) were only abnormal in very severe COVID-19 (n=5, n=6 respectively). CSF protein levels were mildly increased in the COV-Enc group which could be indicative of BBB dysfunction. 

Publication date / reference: 07/12/20. Lopes et al. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in COVID-19: presentation of two cases and review of the literature. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 

Publication date / reference: 03/12/20202. Assunção et al. COVID-19-Associated Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis–Like Disease. American Journal of Neuroradiology

Summary: This letter from the American Journal of Neuroradiology discusses peculiar brain MRI patterns of two COVID-19 hospitalized patients as reported by Toledano-Massiah et al in “Unusual Brain MRI Pattern in 2 Patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.” At the time of the MRI scanning, the first patients (49 year old male) showed clinical improvement of COVID -19 thirty days after hospitalization, and the second patient (9 year old child) had a negative RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. The radiological findings in the first patient demonstrated nodular and oval hyperintensities in the deep and periventricular cerebral white matter, splenium of the corpus callosum and pons. For the second patient, the oval hyperintensities affected the subcortical white matter, the infratentorial fossa of the middle cerebellar peduncles and the posterior arm of the right inner capsule. The lesions had an open ring enhancement pattern in the middle cerebellar peduncle. While the underlying pathophysiology of these lesions need further investigation, the clinical radiology presentation suggests the development of an auto-immune response that manifested as Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in these patients. The authors argue that the development of ADEM like symptoms during an active infection in patient 1 and post the infective stage in tpatient 2 consolidates the inflammatory mechanism hypothesis in that the SARS-CoV-2 infection triggered an autoimmune response in these two patients.

Publication Date/Reference: Sep-Oct 2020. McCuddy et al. Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series. Neurol India.

Summary: The authors report on three patients who developed ARDS secondary to COVID-19, requiring ventilatory support. Following clinical deteriorations, MRI in all patients showed findings consistent with ADEM. CSF showed elevated protein in all patients with normal cell count and no evidence of infection, including negative COVID-19 PCR. Each patient was treated with intravenous corticosteroids and one improved markedly. The other two had minimal response and no further improvement after IVIG.

Publication date / reference: 16/10/20. Cao et al. Severe COVID-19 related encephalitis can respond to immunotherapy. Brain.

Summary: In this case series of five patients with severe COVID-19-related encephalitis, three were seen to improve clinically with plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy. The authors suggest that the lack of prior neurological symptoms as well as MRI abnormalities and absence of SARS-CoV-2 in CSF indicate an underlying immune process rather than direct viral neuro-invasion.

Publication date / reference: 01/10/20. Koutroumanidis et al. Alpha coma EEG pattern in patients with severe COVID-19 related encephalopathy. Clin Neurophysiol.

Summary:  This retrospective observational study conducted at St Thomas’ Hospital in London analysed the EEGs of 19 patients with confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall sickness severity was high: Median SOFA score on admission was eight and worsened to 10. Four patients had seizures and two suffered cardiac arrests due to hypoxaemia prior to EEGs being performed. In 13 patients, EEG was performed because encephalopathy was suspected. Out of the 19 patients, features of encephalopathy were detected in 17, complete electro-cerebral silence was found in one patient and one patient was normal. The authors concluded that they had found severe encephalopathy EEG abnormalities at/around the time of peak disease severity in 13 patients with laboratory-confirmed severe COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 08/10/20 Muccicoli et al. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in COVID-19-related encephalopathy. J Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective case series of 5 patients provides a cursory report on the safety and efficacy of IVIg in encephalopathic patients with COVID-19. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in this group included impaired consciousness along with an array of pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. EEGs showed diffuse slowing in all patients. IVIg was started at a mean of 29.8 days following symptom onset and in all patients there was recovery both clinically and neurophysiologically. To note tociluzamab and methylprednisolone were also given during the disease course.

Publication date / reference: 01/10/20. Tyson et al. Altered mental status in 71 deaths due to COVID-19. Int J Neurosci.

Summary:  Via chart review of 506 consecutive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the authors identified 71 deaths, two-thirds of whom had been admitted from nursing or care homes. Altered mental status was defined as “chart documentation of mental status change, confusion, delirium, decreased level of consciousness, impaired consciousness, somnolent, obtunded, encephalopathy, unresponsive and/or coma”. Altered mental status was the most common neurologic symptom at admission and noted in 47/71 patients who subsequently died. Seven percent of this sample presented with altered mental status without respiratory symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 21/09/20. Umapathi et al. Encephalopathy in COVID-19 patients; viral, parainfectious, or both? eNeurologicalSci.

Summary: The authors describe the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of 3 critically ill patients with COVID-19 who developed severe encephalopathy. One recovered with cognitive deficits and the others died. MRI showed multifocal abnormalities predominantly in the cerebral white matter, with varying involvement of the grey matter, brainstem and spinal cord. The authors felt themselves “not able to convincingly show, from microbiological as well as immunological evaluation, if the effects of COVID-19 on these patients’ nervous system were a direct consequence of the virus, proinflammatory-thrombotic state or a combination.”

Publication Date/Reference: 05/10/2020. Eric M Liotta et al. Frequent neurologic manifestations and encephalopathy-associated morbidity in Covid-19 patients. Ann Clin Transl Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to characterise neurological manifestations, risk factors, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients admitted in hospital. 509 patients were examined for neurologic manifestations, and the authors concluded that most hospitalized patients have neurological manifestations. Furthermore, patients with neurologic manifestations experienced longer hospitalization with increased morbidity and mortality associated with encephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 25/09/20. Alexopolous et al. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the CSF, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and neurological outcome: Studies in 8 stuporous and comatose patients. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary:  Several recent case series of CSF analysis have found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of COVID-19 patients. In a new case series of eight critically ill COVID-19 patients with encephalopathy, Alexopolous et al. additionally tested CSF and serum for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. One patient had presented with agitated confusion; none of the others had neurological symptoms on admission. Routine CSF analyses were normal and autoimmune encephalitis antibody tests were negative in all cases. Once more SARS-CoV-2 was not detectable in CSF by PCR. All patients had high titres of anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in serum however, and these antibodies were detectable in the CSF of all patients and in none of 20 control CSF samples from other CNS diseases. In four of the eight patients CSF antibody titers were very high; CSF in three of these patients was also positive for 14-3-3 protein suggesting the onset of neurodegeneration. The authors presented evidence of BBB breakdown and – in one patient – intrathecal synthesis of anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG. They speculated that antibodies entering or produced in the CNS compartment might directly cause neurologic damage by mobilizing neuroinflammatory responses. 

Publication date / reference: 01/09/20. Shah et al. Acute encephalopathy is associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary: The authors of this study used TriNetX, a large COVID-19 database, and included hospitalised COVID-19 patients since January 20 who had encephalopathy based on ICD-10 coding. Of the 12,601 patients with COVID-19, 1092 (8.7%) developed acute encephalopathy. Those patients who had sustained acute encephalopathy tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of medical comorbidities. In addition, after propensity score-matching for comorbidities, patients with acute encephalopathy were significantly more likely to require critical care or intubation, and they had a significantly greater 30-day mortality. 

Publication date / reference: 01/09/20. Tuma et al. Clinical, cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging findings in COVID-19 encephalopathy: a case series. MedRxiv (pre-print, not peer reviewed) 

Summary: In this retrospective observational study, the authors aimed to describe the clinical, neuroimaging and laboratory findings of patients with COVID-19 encephalopathy (n=43, PCR or Ab-confirmed). The severity of encephalopathy was varied: 13 were severe, 18 were moderate and 12 were mild. Neuroimaging findings mostly showed non-specific changes although four had suffered an acute stroke. CSF analysis was mostly unremarkable except for two patients with elevated WCC. Interestingly, the severity of encephalopathy correlated with a higher probability of death during hospitalisation. However, cause of death was not reported and the cross-sectional nature of this study cannot determine causality or the direction of relationship between encephalopathy and mortality. 

Publication date / reference: 27/08/20. Perrin et al. Cytokine release syndrome-associated encephalopathy in patients with COVID-19. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: The authors report a longitudinal clinical, laboratory, and imaging characterization of five patients with severe COVID-19 and renal failure who developed severe neurological disturbances. The clinical presentation of CNS involvement included confusion, agitation, tremor, impaired consciousness, dysexecutive syndrome, pyramidal syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, cranial nerve palsy, dysautonomia, and central hormonal dysfunction (mainly in the form of hypothyroidism). The systemic presentation reflected cytokine release syndrome – fever, headache, myalgia, occasional rash, respiratory failure, and occasionally  multiorgan failure). SARS-CoV-2 was undetectable in the CSF in all patients. The study is limited by the very small sample size.

Publication date / reference: 30/07/20. Poloni et al. Prevalence and prognostic value of Delirium as the initial presentation of COVID-19 in the elderly with dementia: An Italian retrospective study. EClinicalMedicine.

Summary:  Retrospective case-note review aiming to determine the prevalence of delirium as the sole manifestation of confirmed COVID-19 in 57 elderly patients with dementia, and its prognostic value for mortality. Participants who developed delirium at onset of COVID-19 without manifesting any of the typical symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, dyspnoea) were compared to control patients who did have those symptoms. Delirium was assessed using the CAM. 21/57 patients showed sudden onset behavioural changes, with fever or other typical symptoms appearing 24–96 after delirium onset in 19 of these patients. 14/57 patients died, of whom 11 showed delirium as the initial onset. The authors concluded that presenting delirium increased the risk for COVID-19 mortality.

Publication date / reference: 13/08/20. Kihira et al. Imaging Features of Acute Encephalopathy in Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series. AJNR Am  Neuroradiol. 

Summary:  Kihira and colleagues report 5 cases of varying imaging presentation of acute encephalopathy in patients with COVID-19. They report features including leukoencephalopathy, diffusion restrictions involving grey and white matter, micro-haemorrhages and leptomeningitis. The cases reported are varied and complex, and direct causal link cannot be established between COVID-19 and the imaging appearances, the authors accepts that causes for these can be wide-ranging and multifactorial, that as well as direct infectious encephalitis, post-viral encephalitis, hypoxia and critical illness related encephalopathy all remain under consideration.

Publication date / reference: 20/08/20. Marengoni et al. The impact of delirium on outcomes for older adults hospitalised with COVID-19. Age Ageing. 

Summary: Marengoni and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the prevalence and outcome of delirium in older adults hospitalised with COVID-19 (n=91 all PCR-confirmed, >70-years-old). Based on assessment by two geriatricians and use of DSM-V criteria, 25 patients (27.5%) had delirium. Of these patients, 18/25 died compared to 21/66 without delirium. To quantify an increased risk of mortality, the authors conducted a multivariate logistic regression model which showed that patients with delirium were four times more likely to die during admission than those without. As expected, patients with delirium were more likely to be older and frail (at admission). It would be useful to understand the premorbid state and the prevalence of dementia in this sample, to determine the differences in risk and outcome in patients with an underlying cognitive disorder. 

Publication date / reference: 08/08/20. Helms et al. Delirium and encephalopathy in severe COVID-19: a cohort analysis of ICU patients. Crit Care.

Summary:  Prospective cohort study of 140 COVID-19 patients admitted consecutively to ICU for ARDS, describing the incidence of delirium or abnormal neurological examination, and comparing outcome against COVID-19 patients in the same cohort without such factors. The prevalence of delirium and/or abnormal neurological examination was 114/140 (84.3%). EEGs mainly revealed nonspecific abnormalities commonly seen in sedated patients. MRI showed, variously, enhancement of subarachnoid spaces, intraparenchymal abnormalities, and perfusion abnormalities. LP/CSF was abnormal in 18/25 cases with a high frequency of inflammatory markers. Delirious patients had a longer ICU stay and perhaps a higher risk of premature auto-extubation, but there was no evidence of elevated mortality compared to non-delirious patients. 

Publication date / reference: 11/08/20. Huang et al. Pearls and Oy-sters: Leukoencephalopathy in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Neurology. 

Summary: The authors report a small case series of four patients with leukoencephalopathy following COVID-19 infection. They discuss possible mechanisms including hypoxic ischemic injury, microvascular thrombosis secondary to hypercoagulability and endothelial damage. They urge clinicians caring for critically ill patients with COVID-19 who have encephalopathy, to obtain an MRI brain before attributing prolonged coma to infection or toxic-metabolic conditions.

Publication date / reference: 14/07/20 Mcloughlin et al. Functional and cognitive outcomes after COVID-19 delirium. Eur Geriatr Med.

Summary:  The authors examined the prevalence of delirium in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and quantified its association with mortality and cognitive and physical impairments at 4 weeks. To do this, they conducted a single-centre prospective cohort study of hospitalised patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 on a single day (19th April; n=71; 46 of whom were in HDU or ICU). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 4 weeks. The authors found that 31/71 had delirium. It was not associated with mortality after adjusting for age, sex, and frailty. However after delirium there was a trend to worse cognitive function and significantly worse physical function.

Publication date / reference: 09/07/20 Parauda et al. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in patients with COVID-19. J Neurol Sci. 

Summary: The authors presented clinical and radiographic characteristics of four patients with PRES and PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All four patients had acute kidney injury with elevated blood pressure preceding the diagnosis of PRES. Neurological findings improved with blood pressure control plus or minus seizure control. All were ultimately discharged to rehabilitation services. 

Publication date / reference: 20/06/20 Pilotto et al. The clinical spectrum of encephalitis in COVID-19 disease: the ENCOVID multicentre study. MedRxiv (preprint).

Summary: Multi-centre prospective observational study of cases of encephalitis in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (n=25). The authors pooled their resources to untease the link between respiratory, inflammatory and putative neurotropic mechanisms in COVID-19. Cases demonstrated wide clinical and radiological heterogeneity. MRI severity seemed to correlate well with response to treatment.

Publication date / reference: 13/06/20 Vespignani et al. Report of EEG Finding on Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19. Ann Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective chart review reports EEG findings from n=26 ICU patients with PCR-positive Sars-CoV-2 and mental state changes. Five patients showed periodic discharges consistent with multiple potential modes of brain injury. The authors call for EEGs to be conducted in COVID-19 patients with mental state changes, but acknowledge that iatrogenic causes (e.g., concomitant medications) may be one explanation for their findings. 

Publication date / reference: 12/06/20 Solomon et al. Neuropathological Features of Covid-19. N Eng J Med.

Summary: Correspondence presenting neuropathological findings from autopsies of 18 consecutive patients with fatal SARS-CoV-2 infection. qRT-PCR for Sars-CoV-2 was highly inconsistent, both between patients and between different brain area sections within the same patient. The authors found only hypoxic changes with no evidence of encephalitis or other specific brain changes referable to the virus.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Andriuta et al. COVID-19 Encephalopathy: Detection of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 in CSF. J Neurol

Summary: Letter describing two case studies of patients with PCR-positive Sars-CoV-2 and varying features of encephalopathy. MRI brain showed medial mesencephalic hyperintensity in one patient and bilateral diffuse white matter hyperintensities in the other. CSF samples from both patients were strongly positive for the viral nucleoprotein. The cases illustrate the varied characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 encephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 10/06/20 Pinto et al. CNS Inflammatory Vasculopathy With Antimyelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies in COVID-19. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary: Case study of a 44-year-old woman with PCR-positive Sars-CoV-2 and expressive and receptive dysphasia in association with mild right arm and leg weakness, and visual and sensory inattention, subacutely progressing to aphasia and severe weakness. Serial MRI scanning showed progressive T2 hyperintensities. Responded very well to IVMP and plasma exchange. Anti-MOG antibodies returned positive after discharge.

Publication date / reference: 08/06/20 Martin-Jimenez et al. Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in COVID-19 deceased patients. A hospital-based retrospective cohort study. MedRxiv.

Summary:  Single-centre retrospective cohort study. Perhaps notable for the finding that among n=281 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who subsequently died during March, encephalopathy had been the most common neurological complication – far more common than stroke or seizures. However there was a high rate of dementia in the sample, and those patients were at higher risk of developing encephalopathy (32.1%) than those without pre-existing cognitive impairment (14.7%). Generalisability is hampered by the selected sample and the observation that only one demented patient was admitted to ICU.

Publication date / reference: 06/06/20 Anzalone et al. Multifocal laminar cortical brain lesions: a consistent MRI finding in neuro-COVID-19 patients. J Neurol.

Summary: Case series (n=4) of subacute encephalopathy in SARS-CoV-2 patients. MRI findings demonstrated a subacute reversible cortical picture indicative of vascoconstriction, clearly different from cortical ischemia

Publication date / reference: 02/06/20 Benameur et al. Encephalopathy and Encephalitis Associated with Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytokine Alterations and Coronavirus Disease. Emerg Infect Dis.

Summary: Case series (n=3) of SARS-CoV-2 patients who developed encephalopathy and encephalitis. All patients had high CSF levels of anti-S1 IgM and of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. One had increased anti–envelope protein IgM. SARS-CoV-2 was not seen in CSF. The authors believe these findings indicate direct invasion of the CNS rather than systemic responses. This paper demonstrates the limitations of attempts to assess complex immune networks in a limited number (n=3) patients, for example both pro (IL-6) and anti (IL-10) inflammatory cytokines correlated together.

Publication date / reference: 01/06/20 Novi et al. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary: Case report of a patient with visual impairment, sensory deficits and mild behavioural abnormalities. MRI showed spinal lesions with optic nerve enhancement. LP demonstrated a lymphocytic pleocytosis and was positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR.

Publication date / reference: 30/05/20 Parsons et al. COVID-19-associated Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM). J Neurol.

Summary: 51-year-old female with SARS-CoV-2 (negative in CSF) developed coma, left hemiparesis and impaired unilateral oculocephalic response. She had multiple acute demyelinating lesions on MRI.

Publication date / reference: 29/05/20 Efe et al. COVID-19-associated Encephalitis Mimicking Glial Tumor: A Case Report. World Neurosurg.

Summary: 35-year-old SARS-CoV-2 positive patient with intractable seizures from a presumed glial cell tumour. However, the resultant cause was a focal area of encephalitis.

Publication date / reference: 28/05/20 Hepburn et al. Acute Symptomatic Seizures in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: Is There an Association? Neurocrit Care.

Summary: Case series of two patients who developed acute encephalopathy days into their hospitalization with clinical and electrographic seizures.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Hayashi et al. COVID-19-associated Mild Encephalitis/Encephalopathy with a Reversible Splenial Lesion. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: Case report of a 75-year-old with Alzheimer’s Disease who presented with left sided tremor, instability and urinary incontinence. He had no overt respiratory symptoms, but diffusion weighted MRI demonstrated mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Radmanesh et al. COVID-19-associated Delayed Posthypoxic Necrotizing Leukoencephalopathy. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: Case report of a severely ill 50-year-old male with respiratory failure which likely causes depressed consciousness. MRI showed extensive white matter demyelination.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Balestrino et al. Onset of Covid-19 With Impaired Consciousness and Ataxia: A Case Report. J Neurol.

Summary: Case report of a COVID-19 patient presenting with asthenia, gait ataxia, confusion and drowsiness.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Byrnes et al. COVID-19 Encephalopathy Masquerading as Substance Withdrawal. J Med Virol.

Summary:  Case report of a patient with encephalopathy and choreiform movements. MRI showed multiple focal enhancing lesions primarily affecting the bilateral medial putamen and left cerebellum along with subcortical lesions suggesting COVID‐19 encephalopathy

Publication date / reference: 26/05/20 Dixon et al. COVID-19-related Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy With Brain Stem Involvement in a Patient With Aplastic Anemia. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary:  Case report of a patient with seizures and reduced level of consciousness 10 days after the onset of subjective fever, cough, and headache. Nasopharyngeal swab testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was positive, and CT during admission demonstrated diffuse swelling of the brain stem.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/20 Cercy et al. Psychiatric Predictors of COVID-19 Outcomes in a Skilled Nursing Facility Cohort. MedrXiv (preprint)

Summary: After controlling for all medical risk, altered mental status was a predictor of hospital admission, ICU admission, and mortality. Anxiety and dementia were also associated with an elevated risk of death.

Publication date / reference: 23/05/20 Panariello et al. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in a psychiatric Covid-19 patient: A case report. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary:  First reported case of encephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 related immunoreactivity. 23-year-old male hospitalized psychotic symptoms: psychomotor agitation, anxiety, thought disorganization, persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations which appeared over three days. CSF was positive for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies(♦).

Publication date / reference: 22/05/20 Beach et al. Delirium in COVID-19: A Case Series and Exploration of Potential Mechanisms for Central Nervous System Involvement. Gen Hosp Psych.

Summary: Case series (n=4) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection where altered mental status was the presenting feature. Uniquely the authors report on alogia, abulia and rigidity in the patients. They discuss possible explanations of such presentations.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/20 Afshar et al. Evolution and resolution of brain involvement associated with SARS- CoV2 infection: A close Clinical – Paraclinical follow up study of a case. MS & Rel Dis.

Summary: Case report of 39-year-old with parainfectious encephalitis with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite no comorbidities, this patient had a decline in consciousness and respiratory distress resulting in intubation. Whilst in ICU she experienced a generalised tonic clonic seizure. High FLAIR signals were observed on MRI; however, CSF viral screen and autoimmune serologic markers were absent.

Publication date / reference: 20/05/20 Al-Olama et al. COVID-19-associated Meningoencephalitis Complicated With Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Case Report. Acta Neurochirurgica.

Summary: Case report of a 36-year-old with reduced GCS. Imaging of the brain was consistent with meningoencephalitis alongside discovery of intracerebral and subdural hematomas. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in PCR analysis of the surgically evacuated intracerebral bleed.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/20 Zayet et al. Encephalopathy in patients with COVID-19: ‘Causality or coincidence?’ Medical Virology.

Summary: Case series (n=2) of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 who presented to healthcare settings with acute confusional state. These patients had normal LP and brain imaging. The authors postulate how varying neurological presentations could be linked to multiple methods of neuroinvasion.

Publication date / reference: 16/05/20 Haddad et al. Encephalopathy and seizure activity in a COVID-19 well controlled HIV patient. ID Cases. 

Summary: case report of a 41-year-old patient with well-controlled HIV. He presented encephalopathic 6 days after the onset of coryzal symptoms. He developed seizures in hospital, but CSF, EEG and MRI brain were normal. Nasopharyngeal swab was positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date / reference: 15/05/20 Ward et al. Altered Mental Status as a Novel Initial Clinical Presentation for COVID-19 Infection in the Elderly. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Summary: Case series of 4 care home residents who developed altered mental state prior to any respiratory symptoms in lab confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2. The authors state it is crucial that credence is paid to non-respiratory symptoms, specifically neuropsychiatric abnormalities, in formulating a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, especially in care home populations to halt the spread of infection(♦). 

Publication date / reference: 14/05/20 Deliwala et al. Encephalopathy as the Sentinel Sign of a Cortical Stroke in a Patient Infected With Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). Cureus.

Summary: Case report of a 31-year-old female with no stroke risk factors who suffered a cortical stroke and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The report highlights encephalopathy as a crucial first symptom for a developing stroke. The authors argue for the benefit of routine treatment dose thromboprophylaxis for critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 in prothrombotic states. 

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Norbert et al. Neonatal Early-Onset Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in a Newborn Presenting with Encephalitic Symptoms. Pediatr Infect Dis J.

Summary: Case report of a neonate with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection potential acquired through vertical transmission, who developed encephalitic symptoms immediately after birth. The mother described respiratory symptoms and has a persistent fever(♦).

Publication date / reference: 11/05/20 Chaumont et al. Acute meningoencephalitis in a patient with COVID-19. Revue Neurologique..

Summary: Case report of a patient who developed meningoencephalitis one week after the onset of fever and cough. SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosed using a naso-pharyngeal swab.

Publication date / reference: 08/05/20 Alkeridy et al. A Unique Presentation of Delirium in a Patient with Otherwise Asymptomatic COVID-19. J Am Geriatr Soc. 

Summary: Case report of 73-year-old man presenting with confusion as a first symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors do not report CSF sampling.

Publication date / reference: 06/05/20 Huang et al. A Case of COVID-19 Encephalitis. Brain Behav Immun. 

Summary: A follow up response from attending infectious disease physicians who cared for a young female with meningoencephalitis without respiratory failure (Duong et al 2020). The infection was confined to the CNS without involving other organ systems. The patient was encephalitic on admission CSF PCR was found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Publication date / reference: 05/05/20 Wong et al. Lessons of the month 1: A case of rhombencephalitis as a rare complication of acute COVID-19 infection. Clin Med (Lond)

Summary:Single case report of a 40-year-old man who developed acute brainstem dysfunction 3 days after hospital admission with symptoms of COVID-19. MRI showed changes in keeping with inflammation of the brainstem and the upper cervical cord, leading to a diagnosis of rhombencephalitis. He was managed conservatively with rapid spontaneous improvement in some of his neurological signs.

Publication date / reference: 17/04/20 Neerland et al. COVID-19 in an elderly woman with acute functional decline. Tidsskr Nor Legeforen.

Summary: Single case report of an elderly lady who presented in an acute confusional state secondary to COVID-19. Neuroimaging and CSF are not reported.

Publication date / reference: 17/04/20  Pilotto et al. Steroid-responsive severe encephalopathy in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Preprint (medRxiv)

Summary: Single case report of 60-year old subject with SARS-CoV-2 infection but only mild respiratory abnormalities who developed severe progressive encephalopathy.

Publication date / reference: 16/04/20  Duong et al. Meningoencephalitis without Respiratory Failure in a Young Female Patient with COVID-19 Infection in Downtown Los Angeles, Early April 2020. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: Single case report of meningoencephalitis. 41-year-old female presented with headache, fever and a new onset seizure associated with covid-19. Authors unable to send CSF for covid-19 analysis.

Publication date / reference: 25/03/20 Moriguchi et al. A first Case of Meningitis/Encephalitis associated with SARS-Coronavirus-2. Int J Infect Dis. 

Summary: Single case of Meningitis/Encephalitis presenting with seizure. Nasopharyngeal swab negative for COVID-19 but detected in CSF. MRI demonstrated the abnormal findings of medial temporal lobe including hippocampus suggesting encephalitis.

Publication date / reference: 10/04/20 Ye et al. Encephalitis as a clinical manifestation of COVID-19. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: Single case report of a patient who presented meningeal irritation signs (including nuchal rigidity, Kernig sign and Brudzinski sign) and extensor plantar response were present. The CSF specimen was further tested for SARS-CoV-2 but the result was negative. The patient was treated as encephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection ‘after careful evaluation by neurological experts’.

Publication date / reference: 06/04/20 Zhou et al. SARS-CoV-2: Underestimated damage to nervous system. Travel Med Infect Dis.

Summary: Single case report of a 56-year-old patient with encephalitis. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in in the cerebrospinal fluid. Almost no additional clinical details.

Publication date / reference: 21/03/20 Bernard-Valnet R et al. Two patients with acute meningo-encephalitis concomitant to SARS-CoV-2. medRxiv (preprint)

Summary: Case series (n=2) of patients that developed meningoencephalitic symptoms with neuropsychological impairment and pathological cerebrospinal fluid features concomitantly to SARS-CoV-2 documented infection. Both patients recovered promptly without treatment.

Publication date / reference: 21/03/20 Filatov A. Neurological Complications of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Encephalopathy. Cureus.

Summary: Single case report of a patient who presented with encephalopathy concurrently with COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 31/03/20 Poyiadji N et al. COVID-19–associated Acute Hemorrhagic Necrotizing Encephalopathy CT and MRI. Radiology.

Summary: Single case report of a patient with necrotising haemorrhagic encephalitis contemporaneous with but COVID-19 however not confirmed with positive CSF.

Publication date / reference: 17/09/2021 Ragheb et al., Delirium and neuropsychological outcomes in critically Ill patients with COVID-19: a cohort study. BMJ Open.

Summary: The authors of this retrospective chart review and prospective survey study evaluated clinical course of delirium for COVID-19 patients (n=148) in the ICU, including post-discharge neuropsychological outcomes. Delirium was identified in 73% of patients, with median (IQR) duration lasting 10 (4-17) days. Within the delirium group, 50% of patients were African American and delirious patients were more likely to be female (70%). 24% of patients delirious during hospitalisation later screened positive for delirium at home based on caretaker assessment, whilst 23% demonstrated signs of questionable cognitive impairment or cognitive impairment consistent with dementia and further 12% screened positive for depression within 2 months after discharge. This study provides evidence that prolonged delirium is common in COVID-19 patients in the ICU, with neuropsychological impairment persisting following discharge.

Publication date / reference: 4/08/2021 Matos et al. Subacute Cognitive Impairment in Individuals With Mild and Moderate COVID-19: A Case Series. Front Neurol.

Summary:  In these case series Matos et al. present a subacute cognitive syndrome in seven patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Their findings suggested that cortico-subcortical associative pathways were possibly affected in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Participants demonstrated dysregulation of executive activities and frontal lobe damage was suggested. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms for these findings were also discussed.

Publication date / reference: 21/08/2021 Grover et al., Fatigue, perceived stigma, self-reported cognitive deficits and psychological morbidity in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. Asian J Psychiatr.

Summary: The authors of this study conducted a cross-sectional online survey to evaluate psychological morbidity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fatigue, and perceived stigma among patients with COVID-19 following recovery from the acute phase of COVID-19 infection. A total of 206 adults (>18 years of age) participated in this study, all of which recovered from COVID-19 infection and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), 4 items self-designed questionnaire evaluating cognitive deficits and self-designed questionnaire to evaluate perceived stigma. The results indicated the prevalence of anxiety (24.8%), depressive symptoms (23.8%), and PTSD (30%) in the study sample, with 61.2% of the participants experiencing at least one fatigue symptom (as per the FSS with the mean FSS score being 32.10 ± 15.28). 23.7% of patients reported confusion, while 38% of patients experiencing at least one cognitive problem. Those who reported higher PTSD scores had elevated anxiety and depression scores, alongside fatigue, stigma and cognitive deficits. Thus, it is crucial to ensure that appropriate healthcare measures are in place to accommodate the needs of these patients as part of follow-up care.

Publication date / reference: 17/08/2021 Solaro et al. Cognitive impairment in young COVID-19 patients: the tip of the iceberg? Neurol Sci.

Summary: This study reported cognitive functions in hospitalized sub-acute subjects with symptomatic COVID-19 who were previously independent at home younger than 60 years old. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were assessed. 32 patients out of 522 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to the Internal Medicine COVID Unit between 1st of November 2020 to the 31st of March 2021 were selected (mean age=53.7(4.8); 19 M/13F). MoCA score of 23 classified 13 (36.67%) cognitively impaired and 19 unimpaired subjects (63.33%). No subjects showed anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Results suggest a significant unexpected rate of cognitive impairment in young sub-acute COVID-19 subjects at time of hospital discharge.

Publication date / reference: 25/06/2021 Kuo et al. APOE e4 genotypes increase risk of delirium during COVID-19 related hospitalizations: evidence from a large United Kingdom cohort. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.

Summary: Patients from the UK Biobank with any hospital admission after COVID began were identified as were the rates of acute delirium. Certain genotypes were associated with a higher prevalence of delirium. Both e3e4s (HRe3e4=2.29,95% CI: 1.54-3.41, p=4.8010-5) and e4e4s (HRe4e4=4.94, 95% CI: 2.69-9.09, p=2.8010-7) were at higher risk of  delirium compared to e3e3s.

Publication date / reference: 12/06/2021 Oommen et al. Altered Mental Status: An Important but Overlooked Presenting Symptom of COVID-19 in Older Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry.

Summary: This retrospective single center observational study aimed to determine whether altered mental status (AMS) as a presenting symptom in older adults with COVID-19 is independently associated with adverse outcomes. The authors recruited (n = 421) patients aged greater than 60 and a positive COVID-19 test and found that there was an increased risk of mortality (RR 1.29), intubation (RR 1.52) and AKI (RR 1.42) in patients that presented with AMS. They concluded that AMS can play a major role in diagnostic algorithms in older adults with COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 25/06/21 Kuo et al. APOE e4 genotypes increase risk of delirium during COVID-19 related hospitalizations: evidence from a large United Kingdom cohort. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.

Summary: Using the UK biobank Kuo and colleagues identified those with the e4 allele are at were at

higher risk of AP delirium compared to e3e3s.

Publication date / reference: 03/07/2021 Tyson et al. Predictors of survival in older adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Neurol Sci.

Summary: This study uses logistic regression to compare and identify predictors of mortality and survival in COVID-19, using a sample of 75 deceased and 75 recovered COVID-19 patients. The authors identified that deceased patients were more likely to have dementia or Altered Mental status (AMS). Along with length of hospitalisations this correctly predicted 87% of the outcomes.

Publication date / reference: 06/07/2021 Garcia-Grimshaw et al. Delirium and associated factors in a cohort of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019. J Acad Consult Liason Psychiatry.

Summary: Garcia-Grimshaw and colleagues conducted this retrospective study of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (n=1017) to identify associated clinical variables. 16.3% (n=166) developed delirium an average of 14 days (IQR 8-21) after admission to hospital. Delirium was identified using the CAM tool. Unadjusted mortality rates between delirium and no delirium groups were not significantly different (23.3% vs. 24.1; risk ratio 0.962, 95% CI 0.70–1.33). Independent risk factors for delirium included age, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ration >9 and invasive mechanical ventilation.  The authors concluded that in-hospital delirium is associated were severe disease and is a common complication of extended hospitalisation with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Publication date / reference: 01/07/2021 Butt I, Ochoa-Ferraro A, Dawson C, Madathil S, Gautam N, Sawlani V, Geberhiwot T. Acute Confusion as an Initial Presentation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Clin Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective record review investigated acute onset delirium as a primary manifestation of COVID-19. Patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (n=3,566) were screened, and those with a history of dementia or high risk of delirium including in severe illness, such as COVID-19-related pneumonia, were excluded. Five patients were reported to develop acute onset delirium as a primary manifestation of COVID-19. The authors conclude that acute confusion should be recognised as the first manifestation of COVID-19 in susceptible individuals.

Publication date / reference: 26/06/2021 Morandi et al. Delirium symptom duration and mortality in SARS-CoV2 elderly: results of a multicentre retrospective cohort study. Aging Clin Exp Res.

Summary: Morandi et al conducted a retrospective cohort study of in-patients aged over 65 with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by positive PCR (n=241). The authors of this study aimed to ascertain the duration of delirium and mortality in this older population. Retrospective presence of delirium on admission was confirmed by 4AT and duration and course established from clinical notes. 16% (n=39) had delirium on admission and 77 patients died in hospital, 20 (51%) of whom had delirium. Patients with delirium were older (p=0.001), higher number of chronic comorbidities (p=0.008), and higher prevalence of dementia (p<0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression model, each day with a delirium symptom in a patient with the same length of stay was associated with a 10% increase in in-hospital mortality (Hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.2; p = 0.03). This study provides confirmation of previous findings in this patient population.

Publication date / reference: 21/06/2021 Patel R, Savrides I, Cahalan C, Doulatani G, O’Dell MW, Toglia J, Jaywant A. Cognitive impairment and functional change in COVID-19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Int J Rehabil Res.

Summary: This case series investigated cognitive function and improvements in COVID-19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (n=77). Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at admission, and 45 patients were administered the MoCA again at discharge. At admission, 62/77 patients exhibited cognitive impairment. Patients tested at discharge showed significant improvements in cognition and functional gain. The authors conclude that cognitive impairment is common in COVID-19 patients, but improves during recovery and is associated with functional gain during inpatient rehabilitation.

Publication date/ reference: 24/05/2021 Xiong et al. Association of consciousness impairment and mortality in people with COVID-19. Acta Neurol Scand.

Summary: This multicentre retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between impairment of consciousness and risk of death in people with COVID-19. The authors enrolled (n=1,143) people with confirmed COVID-19 (average age 51.3; 50.3% males), of whom 76 died, and extracted demographics, clinical, laboratory data and consciousness level from medical records. They found increased mortality risk in people with GCS score between 9 and 14. Pathway analysis suggested a significant direct association between consciousness level and death. Other factors, including age, oxygen saturation level and pH, had indirect associations with death mediated by GCS scores. People who developed impaired consciousness more rapidly either from symptoms onset or deterioration of oxygen saturation had shorter survival times. They concluded that altered consciousness and its progression had a direct link with death in COVID-19. Further work to confirm these findings explore prevention strategies and interventions to decrease mortality is warranted.

Publication date/ reference: 03/04/2021. Hosp et al. Cognitive impairment and altered cerebral glucose metabolism in the subacute stage of COVID-19. Brain.

Summary: This prospective study included 29 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who suffered from at least one new neurological complication defined as: impaired gustation or olfaction, impaired cognition (<26 points on Montreal Cognitive Assessment) or abnormal findings on neurological examination. Of 18 patients with impaired cognition, 15 showed predominant deterioration in frontoparietal cognitive functions on detailed neuropsychological testing. In 10 of those patients, this was significantly correlated with frontoparietal metabolism with 18FDG PET. The study is limited by exclusion of community and ITU patients (with mild and severe COVID-19 respectively) and those with previous neurological disease. In conclusion, the study highlights the significance of cognitive impairment and consideration of cognitive rehabilitation for patients recovered from COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 12/04/2021. Velásquez-Tirado et al. Etiologies of Delirium in Consecutive COVID-19 Inpatients and the Relationship Between Severity of Delirium and COVID-19 in a Prospective Study With Follow-Up. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci.

Summary: This longitudinal cohort study assessed delirium aetiology, clinical characteristics, and premorbid status of twenty critically ill patients with COVID-19. Five standardised clinical scales were applied in the assessment. The authors found that delirium severity correlated with COVID-19 severity, but not with the pre-existing comorbidities. Fifteen of the twenty patients had hyperactive motor subtype of delirium and all patients had at least three aetiologies. While delirium was more severe in those deceased at the follow-up, the authors conclude that a larger sample size is needed to confirm the association.

Publication date / reference: 29/03/2021 Miskowiak et al. Cognitive impairments four months after COVID-19 hospital discharge: Pattern, severity and association with illness variables. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.

Summary: This prospective study follow-up up 29 patients 3-4 months post discharge from hospital with covid-19. Around 60% showed significant abnormalities on cognitive testing. The extent of cognitive impairment was associated with D-dimer during acute illness, but not other markers of severity such as CRP or supplemental oxygen use. There were some associations with cognitive impairment and pulmonary function at follow-up, possibly suggesting a hypoxic element to the impairments, but this small study cannot be conclusive.

Publication date / reference: 8/4/2021. Otto-Watne et al. Delirium is common in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Intern Emerg Med.

Summary: Otto-Watne and colleagues conducted a cohort study (n = 168) of adult patients admitted to a single centre with confirmed COVID-19. 10% of the cohort presented with delirium upon admission, and 19% developed this during the course of their admission. Delirium was observed in 73% of patients treated in intensive care (n = 30), and all patients who received mechanical ventilation (n = 25). 10 out of the 13 patients that died without receiving mechanical ventilation, developed delirium in the terminal phase of palliative care.

Publication date / reference: 05/03/21 Castro et al. Development and External Validation of a Delirium Prediction Model for Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry.

Summary: Castro et al describe the development of an incident delirium predictive model for COVID-19 patients. Supervised machine learning was applied to electronic health records data of a “training” cohort of 2152 patients. This was then validated in 3 different hospitals, in a second testing group of 755. Of these 2907 COVID-19 patients, 488 (16.8%) developed delirium. The concordance index (c-index) in the validation cohort was 0.75 (0.71-0.79) and the lift in the top quintile was 2.1. At a sensitivity of 80%, the specificity was 56%, negative predictive value 92%, and positive predictive value 30%.  Equivalent model performance was observed in subsamples stratified by age, sex, race, need for critical care and care at community vs. academic hospitals. The authors highlighted the importance of scalable and generalisable EHR-based predictive models in the contactless evaluation of patients.

Publication date / reference: 13/02/2021 Ferrucci et al. Long-Lasting Cognitive Abnormalities after COVID-19 Brain Sci.

Summary: The authors aimed to study the occurrence of cognitive abnormalities in the months following hospital discharge. We recruited 38 (aged 22–74 years; 27 males) patients hospitalized for complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in non intensive COVID units. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing about 5 months after hospital discharge. 42.1% had processing speed deficits, while 26.3% showed delayed verbal recall deficits. Twenty-one percent presented with deficits in both processing speed and verbal memory.

Publication date / reference: 15/02/21. Amalkanti et al. Cognitive assessment in asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects. Virusdisease.

Summary: The authors compared the cognitive assessment scores of 93 asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects with those of 102 controls. Using the MoCA, COVID-19 patients secured marginally lower scores than controls in the domains of visuoperception, naming and fluency. The study is limited by ‘hospital bias’; in addition, all of the people in the study had < 4 years of education.

Publication date / reference: 15/02/2021 Jaywant et al. Frequency and profile of objective cognitive deficits in hospitalized patients recovering from COVID-19. Neuropsychopharmacology.

Summary: In this study, the authors analyzed cross-sectional scores from the Brief Memory and Executive Test (BMET) in a cohort of N = 57 COVID-19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, calculating the frequency of impairment based on neuropsychologist diagnosis and by age-normed BMET subtests. They evaluated the frequency, severity, and profile of cognitive dysfunction in patients recovering from prolonged COVID-19 hospitalization who required acute inpatient rehabilitation prior to discharge. Forty-six patients (81%) had cognitive impairment, ranging from mild to severe. Deficits were common in working memory (26/47 [55%] of patients), set-shifting (21/44 [47%]), divided attention (18/39 [46%]), and processing speed (14/35 [40%]).

Publication date / reference: 09/02/2021 Wang et al. COVID-19 and dementia: Analyses of risk, disparity, and outcomes from electronic health records in the US. Alzheimers Dement.

Summary: This retrospective case-control study aimed to analyse patient electronic health records of (n=61.9 million) patients aged ≥ 18 years in the United States up to August 2020. The author found that patients with dementia were at increased risk for COVID-19 compared to patients without dementia (adjusted OR [AOR]=2), with the strongest effect for vascular dementia (AOR=3.17), followed by presenile dementia (AOR=2.62), Alzheimer’s disease (AOR=1.86), senile dementia (AOR=1.99) and post-traumatic dementia (AOR=1.67). A racial disparity was also detected, where patients of colour with dementia had a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to caucasian patients. The 6-month mortality and hospitalization risks in patients with dementia and COVID-19 were 20.99% and 59.26%, respectively. They concluded that these findings highlight the need to protect patients with dementia as part of the strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication date / reference: 08/02/2021 Alemanno et al. COVID-19 cognitive deficits after respiratory assistance in the subacute phase: A COVID-rehabilitation unit experience. PLoS One.

Summary: This cross-sectional study analysed the neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric status of 87 patients who had been stepped down to covid-19 rehab. In total, 80% had deficits on cognitive scales (MoCA and MMSE) and 40% had concurrent mild/moderate depression. Worsening cognitive deficit was associated with age, but not type of ventilatory support in the acute phase (a correlate of severity).

Publication date / reference: 10/02/2021 Kenerly et al. Altered mental status is an independent predictor of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Ir J Med Sci.

Summary: In this retrospective case notes review, Kenerly and colleagues investigated the outcomes of patients with PCR confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection who presented with altered mental status (AMS). Data was extracted from the electronic medical records of 710 patients, 73 of whom presented with AMS. The authors elicited that patients presenting with AMS were more likely to be ≥ 70 and have CKD, cerebrovascular disease or dementia, and were less likely to present with typical COVID-19 symptoms. AMS was associated with higher rates of mortality, ICU admission, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and increased length of hospital stay.

Publication date / reference: 08/01/2021. Brenda T Pun et al. Prevalence and risk factors for delirium in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (COVID-D): a multicentre cohort study Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 

Summary: This multicentre cohort study included 69 adult intensive care units (ICUs), across 14 countries and included all patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating ICUs with SARS CoV-2 infection before April 28, 2020. Median Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale score while on invasive mechanical ventilation was –4 (–5 to –3). 1704 (81·6%) of 2088 patients were comatose for a median of 10·0 days (6·0 to 15·0) and 1147 (54·9%) were delirious for a median of 3·0 days (2·0 to 6·0). Mechanical ventilation, use of restraints, and benzodiazepine, opioid, and vasopressor infusions, and antipsychotics were each associated with a higher risk of delirium the next day, whereas family visitation (in person or virtual) was associated with a lower risk of delirium (p<0·0001). Acute brain dysfunction was highly prevalent and prolonged in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Benzodiazepine use and lack of family visitation were identified as modifiable risk factors for delirium. 

Publication date / reference: 27/11/2020 Rebora et al. Delirium in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Multicenter Study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 

Publication date / reference: 01/12/20. Mattace-Raso et al. Delirium: A Frequent Manifestation in COVID-19 Older Patients. Clin Interv Aging. 

Publication date / reference: 25/11/2020 Khan et al. Delirium Incidence, Duration, and Severity in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019. Crit Care Explor.

 Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the incidence, duration and severity of delirium among patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. They assessed 268 patients with a mean age of 58.4. They found that the first Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) was positive for delirium in 61.9% of patients with hypoactive delirium the most common subtype (87.4%). At day 14, the median number of delirium free days was 5 and the median CAM-ICU was 6.5 indicating a severe category. Mechanical ventilation was associated with greater odds of developing delirium even adjusting for sedating medication.

Publication date / reference: 12/11/20 Rozzini et al. Delirium: clinical presentation and outcomes in older COVID-19 patients. Front Psychiatry

 Summary: The authors of this study report clinical features and outcomes in 14 older patients with COVID-19 on a non-ICU ward. Hypokinetic delirium and hyperkinetic delirium were observed in 6/14 and 8/14 patients respectively, and overall mortality rate was 10/14. The authors also note that two survivors had dementia but did not display features of acute respiratory distress syndrome, whilst the other two did demonstrate respiratory distress syndrome but not dementia.

Publication date / reference: 11/11/2020. Kennedy et al. Delirium in Older Patients With COVID-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department. Jama Netw Open. 

Summary: Kennedy et al. reported the findings of a multi-center cohort study in the US. A total of 817 older patients (>65 years old)  with COVID-19 presenting to the emergency department were recruited to the study. 28% of which (N=228) had delirium at presentation, among those, 13% (N=37) had delirium as their primary presenting symptom and 37% (N=84) did not present with typical sign/symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever or shortness of breath). Delirium at presentation was significantly associated with poor outcomes, including ICU stay, needing further rehabilitation facility and death. Previous diagnosis of neuropsychiatric conditions, visual or hearing impairment, older age, assisted living residence were all associated with an increased risk of delirium. Delirium were found to be the sixth most common presenting symptoms in this cohort of patients. The authors highlighted several limitations of the study in their article, one important to note is that the prevalence of delirium is likely to have been underestimated as delirium is not part of routine screening in the ED department and diagnosis was estimated from clinical notes.   This study further highlights that delirium can present as a main symptom or in some cases the sole symptom of COVID-19 in older populations.  Early identification and management is crucial in this cohort of patients given the associated poorer outcome.  

Publication date / reference: 15/09/21 Pilotto et al. Long-term neurological manifestations of COVID-19: prevalence and predictive factors. Neurol Sci.

Summary: In a single-centre sample of 208 consecutive patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (without neurological symptoms at onset), 165 survivors were re-assessed by the authors at 6 months to assess the prevalence and predictors of long-term neurological manifestations. At follow-up patients displayed a wide array of symptoms; fatigue (34%), memory/attention (31%) and sleep disorders (30%) were the most frequent. On examination, 40% of patients exhibited neurological abnormalities: hyposmia (18.0%), cognitive deficits (17.5%), postural tremor (13.8%) and subtle motor/sensory deficits (7.6%). Older age, premorbid comorbidities and severity of COVID-19 were independent predictors of neurological manifestations in logistic regression analyses.

Publication date / reference: 03/09/21 Gouraud et al. Association Between Psychological Distress, Cognitive Complaints, and Neuropsychological Status After a Severe COVID-19 Episode: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Psychiatry.

Summary: In this study, patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in a single university hospital were followed-up 1 month after their admission. Cognitive complaints were self-reported and standardised instruments were used to assess neuropsychological status and psychological distress. One hundred patients completed the neuropsychological assessment at follow-up. In multivariable analyses, cognitive complaints at 1-month were associated with greater Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (OR for one interquartile range: OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.08-3.57) and older age (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09) and, negatively, with admission to ICU (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.90). In contrast, none of the objective neuropsychological test scores was significantly associated with cognitive complaints.

Publication date / reference: 12/08/21. Zayet et al. Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Nine Months after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cohort of 354 Patients: Data from the First Wave of COVID-19 in Nord Franche-Comté Hospital, France. Microorganisms

Summary: In a single-centre observational retrospective study, Zayet et al. aimed to compare post-COVID-19 patients with persisting symptoms against those without. N = 127 reported persistence of at least one symptom after a mean of 289.1 ± 24.5 days after symptom onset. Interestingly, 115 of these  patients reported a recurrence of symptoms after initial recovery with only 12 patients reporting continuous symptoms. The most prevalent persistent symptoms were anosmia (74.0%), fatigue (53.5%), dysguesia (31.5%), dyspnea (30.7%), headache (26.8%), arthralgia (26.0%), and myalgia (24.4%). Patientswith persisting symptoms had a longer duration of symptoms of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection than patients without, suggesting that initial illness severity may have a role to play in persistence of symptoms, though more research is needed.

Publication date / reference: 27/08/2021. Henneghan et al. Describing cognitive function and psychosocial outcomes of COVID-19 survivors: A cross-sectional analysis. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract.

Summary: This cross-sectional analysis aimed to examine cognitive and related psychosocial symptoms in adults who had tested positive for COVID-19. 52 participants who were approximately 4 months post illness were enrolled into the study. Overall, the authors concluded that cognitive dysfunction and psychosocial symptoms may be present after a COVID-19 diagnosis, even in patients with mild to moderate severity.

Publication date / reference: 23/08/21 Bussière et al. Chemosensory dysfunctions induced by COVID-19 can persist up to 7 months: A study of over 700 healthcare workers. Chem Senses.

Summary: This cross-sectional study assessed 704 healthcare workers 3 to 7 months after onset of symptoms with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between 28/2/2020 and 14/6/2020. A decrease in olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal sensitivities were reported by 81.3%, 81.5% and 48.0% respectively. Three to seven months later, reduced sensitivity was still reported by 52.0%, 41.9% and 23.3% respectively. They found that persistent chemosensory impairments at 3 to 7 months after infection; however, the majority of those who had completely lost their olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal sensitivity have improved.

Publication date / reference: 13/08/2021. Aranda et al. Long-term impact of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. J Infect.

Summary: This is a prospective study which sought to determine clinical outcomes, exercise capacity, psychiatric disorders, and health related quality of life in a cohort of COVID-19 patients who developed ARDS and survived at least 8 months after diagnosis. 113 patients were evaluated, of which 81% had persistent symptoms, 93% developed psychiatric disorders, and 50% had an abnormal x-ray. The authors concluded that strategies are required to address the long term sequelae of COVID-19 ARDS.

Publication date / reference: 19/08/21. Morand et al. Similar patterns of [ 18 F]-FDG brain PET hypometabolism in paediatric and adult patients with long COVID: a paediatric case series. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging.

Summary: In this case-control study, the authors reported that paediatric patients (n=7) demonstrated on average 5 months later a similar brain hypometabolic pattern as that found in adult long COVID patients (n=35), involving bilateral medial temporal lobes, brainstem and cerebellum. They conclude that long COVID in children may display similar functional brain involvement to those found in adults, regardless of age and initial severity.

Publication date / reference: 05/08/2021 Horwitz et al. Six-month outcomes in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. J Gen Intern Med.

Summary: Hortwitz and colleagues conducted a prospective cohort study (n=152) to assess the presence of enduring symptoms following COVID-19 hospitalization. One and six month self-report questionnaire administered, covering aspects of physical and mental health. The follow-up was completed an average of 188.5 days following discharge from hospital.  Mental health t-scores at 1-month post-discharge were not significantly different from scores at 6-month post-discharge. 107 (85%) patients still experienced fatigue at 6-month post-discharge, while 52 patients reported ongoing cognitive issues such as memory changes (41%) and brain fog (n=47, 37%). These statistics are comparable to those already reported in similar populations.

Publication date / reference: 05/08/2021 Munblit et al., Incidence and risk factors for persistent symptoms in adults previously hospitalised for COVID-19. Clin Exp Allergy.

Summary: This multi-centre longitudinal cohort study (n=4) in Russia investigated persistent symptoms in COVID infected patients (n=2,649) and associated risk factors. Results were obtained at a median of 218 days post discharge. They found that 21.1% of patients reported fatigue, 9.1% reported memory problems and forgetfulness, 7.7% reported muscle weakness, and 7% reported sleep problems. The authors conclude that chronic fatigue is predominant amongst persistent symptoms, though there is multi-system involvement. Female sex and chronic pulmonary conditions such as asthma were the most significant risk factors for neurological persistent symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 04/08/2021 Bell et al. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in a non-hospitalized cohort: Results from the Arizona CoVHORT. PLoS One.

Summary: The authors of this cohort study interrogated a database of non-hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n=303) who were followed-up for a median of 61 days. At 30 days post infection, the prevalence of post-acute sequelae was 68.7%. The most common symptoms were fatigue (37.5%), shortness-of-breath (37.5%), brain fog (30.8%), and stress/anxiety (30.8%). The median number of symptoms was 3 (range 1-20). Interestingly these symptoms showed no sign of waning – prevalence of persistent symptoms at over 60 days was 77.1% – although nearly half of the sample were lost to follow-up.

Publication date / reference: 02/08/2021 Mantovani et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome: an emerging sequela in COVID-19 survivors? J Neurovirol.

Summary: This Italian cohort study recruited 37 individuals with COVID-19 from either inpatient or outpatient settings. They assessed clinical, neuropsychiatric, neuropsychological, lung function assessment, and serum neurofilament light chain which is an axonal damage biomarker. They wanted to assess whether SARS-CoV-2 survivors reported persistent symptoms that resemble myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). They found 10/37 had persistent features over six months such as worse sleep quality, fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, and subjective cognitive complaints. They state that these preliminary findings raise concern for a possible ME/CFS-like pandemic in SARS-CoV-2 survivors in the future.

Publication date / reference: 19/07/2021 Tosato et al. Prevalence and Predictors of Persistence of COVID-19 Symptoms in Older Adults: A Single-Center Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc.

Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to characterise the long-term symptoms of COVID-19 in an older adult age group. At an average of 11 weeks post-discharge, patients were administered a questionnaire on prolonged symptoms at a day hospital. The authors found that persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms were common in this age group; fatigue (76%), dysgeusia (39%), myalgia (34%), smell disorders (34%), headache (19%)

Publication date / reference: October 2020. Kyzar et al. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and trauma-related symptoms following COVID-19 infection at long-term follow-up. Brain Behav Immun Health

Summary: The authors report a cohort study of 52 participants, with outcomes measured using psychiatric clinical rating scales at baseline and at long-term (24–60 weeks post-infection with SARS-CoV2) follow-up. They found that more participants met established cutoffs for insomnia and post-traumatic stress at follow-up compared to baseline, but in such a small sample the absolute difference in numbers of patients was negligible, with a superiority of only four or five patients for each scale.

Publication date / reference: 26/07/2021 Bitirgen et al. Corneal confocal microscopy identifies corneal nerve fibre loss and increased dendritic cells in patients with long COVID. Br J Ophthalmol.

Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify corneal sub-basal nerve plexus morphology and dendritic cell (DC) density in patients with and without long COVID. Patients within 1-6 months of COVID-19 (n=40) and heathy controls (n=30) were enrolled. Assessments of long COVID were collected, as well as corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) to assess corneal integrity. Patients with neurological symptoms 4 weeks after acute COVID-19 had a lower corneal nerve fibre density (p=0.032), branch density (p=0.020), and fibre length (p=0.012), and increased DC density (p=0.046) compared with controls, while patients without neurological symptoms had comparable corneal nerve parameters, but increased DC density (p=0.003). There were also significant correlations between the total score long COVID scores at 4 and 12 weeks with CN fibre density and CN fibre length. CCM identifies corneal small nerve fibre loss and increased DCs in patients with long COVID, especially those with neurological symptoms. The authors suggest CCM could be used to identify patients with long COVID.

Publication date / reference: 01/07/21 Søraas et al., Self-reported Memory Problems 8 Months After COVID-19 Infection. JAMA Netw Open.

Summary: This cohort study investigated the presence of self-reported memory problems 8 months post COVID-19 infection. Patients were followed-up (n=13,001) via a questionnaire and split into COVID positive, COVID negative and untested groups. Their results found that: 11% reported memory problems in the COVID positive group (n=2155) 8 months post-COVID, whereas only 4% of patients reported memory problems in the COVID negative group. In the COVID positive group, 41% of participants reported worsening of health. However, they report limitations that no objective memory test was used.

Publication date / reference: 23/07/21. Tohamy et al. Ocular Manifestations of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Upper Egypt Early Report. J Multidiscip Healthc.

Summary: The authors aimed to evaluate the ocular manifestations of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, in 100 patients who had recovered from COVId-19 and 100 controls. Five post-covid patients (5%) had retinal vascular occlusion, 2% had anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, 3% had uveitis and 2% had central serous chorioretinopathy. In the control group, 2% of patients had retinal vascular occlusion, and none had AION, uveitis or CSCR (P value = 0.006).

Publication date / reference: 13/07/2021. LaVergne et al. A longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 biorepository for COVID-19 survivors with and without post-acute sequelae. BMC Infect Dis.

Summary: This cross sectional study of 119 adults investigated symptoms of patients in follow-up appointments, following COVID-19 infection. They found 37/75 patients had post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection in an appointment up to 8 months after infection. They concluded patients who were hospitalised were more likely to develop post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection than patients not hospitalised (93% vs. 23%).

Publication date / reference: 12/07/2021 Menges et al. Burden of post-COVID-19 syndrome and implications for healthcare service planning: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One.

Summary: This population-based prospective cohort study aimed to assess the prevalence of impaired health status and physical and mental health symptoms among individuals at least six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to characterize their healthcare utilization. The authors enrolled (n=431) adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluated the proportion of individuals reporting not to have fully recovered since infection, and the proportion reporting fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale), dyspnea (mMRC dyspnea scale) or depression (DASS-21) at 6-8 months after diagnosis. Symptoms were present in 89% participants at diagnosis, 19% were initially hospitalized, 26% reported not having fully recovered, 55% reported fatigue, 25% had dyspnea, and 26% had depression. 40% participants reported at least one general practitioner visit related to COVID-19 after acute illness, and 10% of initially hospitalized individuals were rehospitalized. Individuals that have not fully recovered or suffer from fatigue, dyspnea or depression were more likely to have further healthcare contacts. They concluded that findings emphasize the need for the timely planning of resources and patient-centered services for post-COVID-19 care.

Publication date / reference: 28/06/2021 Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al. Previous History of Migraine Is Associated With Fatigue, but Not Headache, as Long-Term Post-COVID Symptom After Severe Acute Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case-Control Study. Front Hum Neurosci.

Summary: This case-control study evaluated patients 7 months after hospital discharge with COVID-19 using clinical interview. It compared patients with a prior diagnosis of migraine (n=57) to those without (n=144). Interestingly, the average number of persistent symptoms was 70% higher in the migraine group than the control group. Particularly, fatigue was nearly three times as common in the migraine group. However, the presence of headache at clinical follow-up was not significantly different between the groups.

Publication date / reference: 16/07/2021 Brett-Major et al. Long-Term Assessment of the Effects of COVID-19 and Isolation Care on Survivor Disability and Anxiety. Am J Trop Med Hyg.

Summary: This prospective, observational cohort study aimed to assess disability, anxiety, and other life impacts of COVID-19 and isolation care among patients with COVID-19. The authors enrolled (n=16) COVID-19 patients and clinically interviewed them 6 or more months following their enrollment. Six participants underwent repatriation (aeromedical evacuation) from international travel early in the pandemic, 3 required hospital-based care, 10 enrolled from community hospitalizations. Interviewees who were admitted from the local community were younger than those who underwent aeromedical evaluation, and experienced more long-term consequences. Anxiety scores were low across respondents, with only one individual reporting mild and one reporting moderate anxiety. Disability (WHODAS2.0) and anxiety (GAD-7) were not correlated. They concluded that the perception of the aeromedical evacuation patients based on their experience was no worse or better than community admissions who had presented to a university hospital seeking care.

Publication date / reference: 14/07/2021 Darcis et al. Long-term clinical follow up of patients suffering from moderate to severe COVID-19 infection: A monocentric prospective observational cohort study. Int J Infect Dis.

Summary: The authors of this study prospectively followed-up 199 patients who had been admitted to hospital with COVID-19.  Six months after discharge, 47% and 32% of patients still presented exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Many also had objective markers of pulmonary dysfunction, which improved at six months in comparison to three months.

Publication date / reference: July 2021. Vanichkachorn et al. Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort. Mayo Clin Proc.

Summary: The authors describe the COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic and reports the clinical characteristics of the first 100 patients receiving evaluation and management of post–COVID syndrome. Most (75%) had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Fatigue (80%), respiratory complaints (59%), and neurological complaints (59%) were common, followed by subjective cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and mental health symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 10/07/21. Sherlinger et al. Refining “Long-COVID” by a Prospective Multimodal Evaluation of Patients with Long-Term Symptoms Attributed to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Infect Dis Ther.

Summary: This prospective study recruited 30 patients with persistent COVID symptoms. At a median time point of 152 days, symptoms such as cough and fever were less common than reported at the original infection time point, but symptoms such as paraesthesia and burning pain were found in 60% and 43% of patients respectively. Clinical examination was unremarkable in all patients, as well as biological studies. Half of those tested also lacked post-acute COVID-19 immunity.

Publication date / reference: 01/2021 Ganesh et al. PROMIS Scales for Assessment of Persistent Post-COVID Symptoms: A Cross Sectional Study. J Prim Care Community Health.

Summary: This cross-sectional questionnaire study undertook assessment of 817 positive tested patients surveyed between March and September 2020 to understand the severity of continued symptoms. They found significant complaints of pain, fatigue, and social roles and call for collaborative data and standardised assessment tools.

 Publication date / reference: 01/2021 Bierle et al. Central Sensitization Phenotypes in Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC): Defining the Post COVID Syndrome. J Prim Care Community Health.

Summary: This cohort study aimed to assess and define the persistent central sensitization (CS) symptoms persisting after the resolution of acute COVID-19, thus Post COVID syndrome (PoCoS). They identified 42 cases with CS symptoms. Pain, fatigue, dyspnea, and orthostatic intolerance were common. They undertook a modified Delphi approach to develop clinical criteria.

Publication date / reference: 08/06/2021 González-Hermosillo et al. Post-Acute COVID-19 Symptoms, a Potential Link with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A 6-Month Survey in a Mexican Cohort. Brain Sci.

Summary: This Mexican cohort study assessed 130 hospitalised COVID-19 patients six months after their illness. Their aim was to assess how many met the criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). They found 13% of patients met this criteria and that some of the clinical features associated with Post-COVID-19 syndrome overlap with ME/CFS.

Publication date / reference: 22/06/2021. Elanwat et al. Physical and Mental Fatigue in Subjects Recovered from COVID-19 Infection: A Case-Control Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.

Summary: This case-control study aimed to conduct an evaluation of physical and mental fatigue in COVID-19 long haulers. The authors also looked at the markers of COVID-19 severity, and their ability to predict likelihood of postinfectious fatigue syndrome (PIFS) in these patients. 46 COVID-19 long-haulers who met the criteria for PIFS were included, as well as 46 patients who were fully recovered from COVID-19. A fatigue questionnaire was used, as well as repetitive nerve stimulation and single-fibre electromyography. The authors concluded that there was electrophysiological evidence of abnormalities in the peripheral portion of the motor unit in COVID-19 long haulers who had PIFS.

 Publication date / reference: 30/06/2021 Maestre-Muñiz et al. Long-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 at one year after hospital discharge. J Clin Med.

Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the persistence of long-term symptoms both physical and psychological amongst discharged in-patients at 12 months post discharge (n=766). 12.8% (n=32) of those admitted with COVID-19 died compared to 3.1% (n=10) of those who only attended the emergency room. Median time from discharge to death was 68 ± 135 days. 84.5% (n=459) experienced at least one clinical complaint during the follow-up period and this was higher amongst those who needed admission. Most common residual symptoms included breathlessness (46.5%) and fatigue (35.4%). These results are in keeping with other studies in this area; the length of follow-up is a particular strength of this study.

Publication date / reference: 19/06/2021 Ekström et al. COVID-19 among young adults in Sweden: self-reported long-term symptoms and associated factors. Scand J Public Health.

Summary: The study aimed to describe self-reported symptoms of COVID-19 and examine if long-term symptoms are associated with lifestyle factors or common chronic diseases. A secondary aim was to compare the prevalence of smoking and snuff use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors included (n=1,644) participants aged 23-26 years from the Swedish population-based birth cohort and found the prevalence of suspected COVID-19 symptoms was 45.3%, and 10.8% reported long-term symptoms (⩾4 weeks). There was no significant difference in sociodemographic or lifestyle factors in relation to the duration of suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Rhinitis, migraine and lower self-rated health before the pandemic were more common among participants with long-term symptoms. The prevalence of smoking decreased from 18.9% before the pandemic to 14.7% during the pandemic, while snuff use increased from 12.7% to 22.4%. They concluded that long-term symptoms of suspected COVID-19 were associated with several common chronic conditions.

Publication date / reference: 07/06/2021. Schandl et al. Long-term consequences in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a prospective cohort study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand.

Summary: In a prospective follow-up study of patients admitted to ICU for COVID-19, Schandl et al. found an array of sequelae present at 5 months post-discharge (n=113). Based on clinical interview and validated scoring systems (including PTSS-14 and HADS) significant psychiatric symptomatology was detected in roughly a third of patients. For example, clinically relevant symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression were reported in 35%, 33%, 36% respectively. The lack of non-COVID-19 critically ill control patients makes it difficult to elucidate if COVID-19 ICU patients are more impaired post-discharge than non-COVID-19 counterparts. This is, however, a relevant study in demonstrating the potential needs of patients requiring post-discharge rehabilitation and neuropsychiatric services.

Publication date / reference: 06/06/2021. Fortini et al. COVID-19: persistence of symptoms and lung alterations after 3-6 months from hospital discharge. Infection.

Summary:  Fortini et al. evaluated the presence of persistent symptoms 3-6 months after hospital discharge in those who were not admitted to ICU (n=59). 78% of patients reported chronic symptoms. Similar to other long COVID studies, the most prevalent symptoms were fatigue (42%), exertional dyspnea (37%), insomnia (29%), anxiety (22%) and depression (22%). Interestingly, presence of core psychiatric symptoms were less frequent than the Schandl et al study, however, this may not be a statistically significant difference. The authors also probed immunology and coagulation parameters which were broadly within normal range and consequently no attempt was made to correlate these values with symptomatology.

Publication date / reference: 02/06/2021 Tanriverdi et al. Extrapulmonary features of post-COVID-19 patients: muscle function, physical activity, mood, and sleep quality. Ir J Med Sci.

Summary: This cross-sectional study investigated the extrapulmonary symptoms among 48 post-COVID-19 patients who had recovered from mld-moderate disease. 12 weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19 the participants underwent testing for their physical strength, activity, mood and sleep quality. It demonstrated several domains that were adversely affected in a substantial proportion of the participants.

Publication date / reference: 02/06/21. Pujari et al. Long-coronavirus disease among people living with HIV in western India: An observational study. Immun Inflamm Dis.

Summary: The authors studied the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for long-COVID among people living with HIV. Long-COVID was defined as the presence of at least one symptom after 30 days of illness onset. Ninety-four patients were screened for long-COVID, most of whom (76.6%) had a history of asymptomatic–mild COVID-19 illness. The prevalence of long-COVID was 43.6%, and moderate–severe COVID-19 illness was significantly associated with it. Cough (22.3%) and fatigue (19.1%) were the commonest persisting symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 01/06/21. Garcia-Molina et al. Neuropsychological rehabilitation program for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a clinical experience. Neurologia (Engl Ed.)

Summary: The authors report results from 50 Covid-19 patients with no history of neurological disease who completed a neuropsychological rehabilitation programme. In both non-hospitalised and hospitalised patients, the authors found significant differences between pre/post-treatment scores in verbal learning and memory, and in anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Publication date/ reference: 12/05/2021 Frontera et al. A prospective study of long-term outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without neurological complications. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: This is a prospective study of 6-month outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with neurological complications (n=196 completed follow up) were matched to controls (n=186 completed follow up). The authors report that 346/382 (91%) patients had at least one abnormal outcome: 56% had limited ADLs, 50% impaired cognition, 47% were unable to return to work and 62% scored worse than average on ≥1 Neuro-QoL scale (worse anxiety 46%, sleep 38%, fatigue 36%, and depression 25%). In multivariable analysis, patients with neurological complications had poorer 6-month mRS (median 4 vs. 3 among controls, adjusted OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.23–3.48, P = 0.02), worse ADLs (aOR 0.38, 95%CI 0.29–0.74, P = 0.01) and were less likely to return to work than controls (41% versus 64%, P = 0.04). Cognitive and Neuro-QOL metrics were similar between groups. The authors conclude that some form of functional deficits occurred in over 90% of patients 6 months after hospitalisation for COVID-19. Patients with neurological complications had significantly worse functional outcomes than those without.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/21. Cristillo et al. Age and subtle cognitive impairment are associated with long-term olfactory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection. J Am Geriatr Soc.

Summary: The authors report on n=101 patients six months after discharge for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Fifty had ongoing symptoms of reduced smell. Compared to patients with normal olfactory function, those with objective hyposmia were older, but did not differ for duration of hospitalization, oxygen therapy and severity of COVID-19. In a logistic regression analysis  adjusted for age, sex and educational levels, patients with hyposmia exhibited lower MoCA total score (23.2 + 3.4 vs. 25.7 + 2.5) compared to subjects with normal olfactory function. The authors suggest that their findings corroborate previous associations between subtle cognitive deficits and olfactory dysfunction in the elderly. The study is limited by a lack of data about pre-existing objective hyposmia or cognitive deficits. However, it gives some evidence for a high prevalence of objective hyposmia six months after COVID-19, with age and subtle cognitive deficits potentially associated with long-term olfactory dysfunction.

Publication date / reference: 24/05/2021 Vaes et al. Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6-month follow-up data from online long COVID-19 support group members. ERJ Open Res.

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms. The authors assessed demographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life about 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms from (n=239) patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median age 50 years). During the infection, a median of 15 symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 3 and 6 months later. From 3 to 6 months follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4%. Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity, self-reported good health, functional status and health-related quality of life (all p<0.05). They concluded that the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate-to-severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2021 O’Sullivan et al. Rehabilitation post-COVID-19: cross-sectional observations using the Stanford Hall remote assessment tool. BMJ Mil Health.

Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the creation of a remote COVID-19 rehabilitation assessment tool to allow timely triage, assessment and management. The authors assessed (n=155) patients (127 men, median age 39 years, median 13 weeks post-illness) and found that acute 74.2% shortness of breath (SOB) , 73.5% fever, 70.3% fatigue and 64.5% cough; and post-acutely, 76.7% SOB, 70.3% fatigue, 57.4% cough and 39.4% anxiety/mood disturbance. Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were 69% and 63% less likely to have anxiety/mood disturbance and pain, respectively, at 3 months. They concluded that rehabilitation assessment should be offered to all patients suffering post-COVID-19 symptoms. Post-COVID-19 programmes should include SOB, fatigue and mood disturbance management.

Publication date/ reference: 12/05/2021 Frontera et al. A prospective study of long-term outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without neurological complications. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: This is a prospective study of 6-month outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with neurological complications (n=196 completed follow up) were matched to controls (n=186 completed follow up). The authors report that 346/382 (91%) patients had at least one abnormal outcome: 56% had limited ADLs, 50% impaired cognition, 47% were unable to return to work and 62% scored worse than average on ≥1 Neuro-QoL scale (worse anxiety 46%, sleep 38%, fatigue 36%, and depression 25%). In multivariable analysis, patients with neurological complications had poorer 6-month mRS (median 4 vs. 3 among controls, adjusted OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.23–3.48, P = 0.02), worse ADLs (aOR 0.38, 95%CI 0.29–0.74, P = 0.01) and were less likely to return to work than controls (41% versus 64%, P = 0.04). Cognitive and Neuro-QOL metrics were similar between groups. The authors conclude that some form of functional deficits occurred in over 90% of patients 6 months after hospitalisation for COVID-19. Patients with neurological complications had significantly worse functional outcomes than those without.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/21. Cristillo et al. Age and subtle cognitive impairment are associated with long-term olfactory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection. J Am Geriatr Soc.

Summary: The authors report on n=101 patients six months after discharge for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Fifty had ongoing symptoms of reduced smell. Compared to patients with normal olfactory function, those with objective hyposmia were older, but did not differ for duration of hospitalization, oxygen therapy and severity of COVID-19. In a logistic regression analysis  adjusted for age, sex and educational levels, patients with hyposmia exhibited lower MoCA total score (23.2 + 3.4 vs. 25.7 + 2.5) compared to subjects with normal olfactory function. The authors suggest that their findings corroborate previous associations between subtle cognitive deficits and olfactory dysfunction in the elderly. The study is limited by a lack of data about pre-existing objective hyposmia or cognitive deficits. However, it gives some evidence for a high prevalence of objective hyposmia six months after COVID-19, with age and subtle cognitive deficits potentially associated with long-term olfactory dysfunction.

Publication date / reference: 07/05/2021 Boscolo-Rizzo P et al., Self-reported smell and taste recovery in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a one-year prospective study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.

Summary: This prospective study investigated long term smell and taste dysfunction in patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020 and experienced mild to moderate symptoms. 268 patients completed self-report questionnaires and the sino-nasal outcome test 22 at baseline (within three weeks of their first positive swab) and 12 months later. At baseline, 69.8% of respondents reported loss of smell and/or taste, compared with 21.3% during the 12 month follow up – 30.5% of patients who reported chemosensory dysfunction at baseline continued to experience altered sense of smell and/or taste. The authors conclude that recovery from post-viral loss may continue for longer than 1 year, therefore research should continue to investigate whether this sensory loss is permanent.

Publication date / reference: 13/05/2021 Patel et al., Cognitive impairment and functional change in COVID-19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. [Preprint]

Summary: A retrospective single-centre study was conducted looking at cognitive assessment and functional gain (self-care) in patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit for COVID-19 (n=77). Patients were assessed cognitively using the MOCA assessment 72 hours after admission and on discharge (45/77). Patients also underwent functional assessment using the The Quality Indicator for Self-Care (QI-SC). Their findings suggest that whilst cognitive impairment was common at admission (80.5% of patients scored on admission MOCA), cognitive and functional assessment scores improved from admission to discharge from the rehabilitation unit over time. One limitation was the lack of discharge cognitive assessment available in 32/77 patients.

Publication date / reference: 21/10/2020 Hampshire. A et al., Cognitive deficits in people who have recovered from COVID-19 relative to controls: An N=84,285 online study [Preprint]

Summary: This cross-sectional study of the general public (n=84,285) investigated cognitive deficits. Concerning the severity: 147 patients reported being hospitalised and 60 reported having ventilator. Generalised linear modelling was used to analyse the data. In summary they found that COVID-19 infected patients had cognitive deficits in particular relating to: semantic problem solving and visual attention but that Spatial Working memory was not significantly affected. Their findings suggest persisting cognitive impairment even during the recovery period of COVID-19 an this varied depending on the level of respiratory symptom severity.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2021 Daunter et al. Functional Decline in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in the Early Months of the Pandemic. PM&R

Summary: COVID-19 survivors are at risk of functional decline. To address the current gap in knowledge about post-acute needs of those infected by COVID-19, the authors examined discharge function data to better prepare patients, providers, and health systems to return patients to optimal levels of functioning. The results showed that ninety-seven of the survivors (40.6%) were never assessed by a rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech language pathologist during their hospitalization.

Publication date / reference: 05/05/2021 Beck K et al. Prevalence and factors associated with psychological burden in COVID-19 patients and their relatives: A prospective observational cohort study. PLoS One.

Summary: This prospective observational cohort study (n=126) investigated psychological distress and symptoms of PTSD in COVID-19 patients 30 days after hospital discharge. Psychological distress was defined as symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. 24 patients (19.1%) had psychological distress and 10 (8.7%) had symptoms of PTSD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed resilience, high perceived stress and low frequency of contact with relatives were independently associated with psychological distress.

Publication date/ reference: 01/05/2021 Mattioli et al. Neurological and cognitive sequelae of Covid-19: a four month follow-up. J Neurol.

Summary: In this study, 120 healthcare workers who had suffered with mild covid-19 were followed-up with neurological and cognitive examinations at four-months and compared to a matched control group. Reassuringly, none had any neurological deficits which could be attributed to covid-19, and there were no differences between MMSE scores. Despite this, scores on mental health outcomes were worse in the covid-19 group, and many patients had ongoing symptoms such as anosmia and fatigue.

Publication date/ reference: 29/04/2021 Tran et al. Development and validation of the long covid symptom and impact tools, a set of patient-reported instruments constructed from patients’ lived experience. Clin Infec Dis.

Summary: This manuscript presents the results of two phases of research into patients’ own perceptions of their long covid illnesses. In the first stage, 492 patients answered open-ended questions about their illnesses, and the authors performed qualitative analysis on the answers. From this, they developed a long covid ‘symptom and impact’ scale, which was validated on a second group of long covid patients (of note, half of this second cohort was constituted by patients who had answered the questions in the first stage). The second group (n = 1022) reported a number of symptoms, including The symptoms most frequently reported were fatigue (n=899), headaches (n=709), difficulties concentrating/mental fog (n=650), sleep disorders (n=603), and dyspnea (n=570).

Publication date / reference: 26/04/2021 Wong and Weitzer. Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology. Medicina (Kaunas).

Summary: Wong and Weitzer conducted a systematic review of long-COVID symptomatology. 21 studies were included in a qualitative analysis. The authors then compared the reported long-COVID symptoms to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms compiled from multiple case definitions and found that 25/29 known ME/CFS symptoms were reported by at least one selected long COVID study. All three major criteria of ME/CFS, namely fatigue, reduced daily activity, and post-exertional malaise, were reported by multiple long-COVID studies. The authors suggest that there is a large overlap between ME/CFS and long-COVID symptoms, and call for the monitoring and treatment of patients with long-COVID.

Publication date / reference: 13/04/2021 Goodman et al. COVID-19 Dysautonomia. Front Neurol.

Summary: Goodman et al present a case series of 6 patients with COVID-19 with dysautonomia. For 5 of these patients, autonomic dysfunction was a presenting symptom of COVID-19. 1 other patient developed symptoms 6 weeks following the initial COVID-19 infection. The results of autonomic testing were varied, with orthostatic hypotension in 1 patient, excessive postural tachycardia typical of postural tachycardia syndrome in 4 patients, and postural hypertension in 3 patients.

Publication date / reference: 31/03/21. Khademi et al. Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Its Associated Factors Among Recovered COVID-19 Patients During the Pandemic: A Single-Center Study. Front Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this prospective cross-sectional study surveyed symptoms of depression and anxiety (using the PHQ-4) and post-traumatic stress (using the PCL-5) in 602 patients who had recovered from COVID-19. They found prevalence rates of around 5% for anxiety and depressive symptoms, and 3.8% for PTS symptoms. There was little evidence of difference in prevalence between hospitalised and non-hospitalised cases.

Publication date / reference: 19/04/2021 Jain, Harmon and Sonagere., Functional Outcomes and Post‐Discharge Care Sought by Patients with COVID‐19 Compared to Matched Controls After Completing Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation. PM&R.

Summary: The objective of this study was to determine the functional outcomes and utilization of follow up medical care ninety days following discharge from acute inpatient rehabilitation, as compared to rehabilitation impairment and age matched controls. This was a prospective, single‐center cohort study The COVID‐19 patient group had similar improvements in functional outcomes as compared to controls. Patients with COVID‐19 required fewer readmissions than their matched controls in the 30‐90‐day periods and required fewer follow up visits with specialists after discharge from the IRF.

Publication date / reference: 13/04/2021 Prileau. Learning from the Experiences of COVID-19 Survivors: A Descriptive Study. JMIR Form Res.

Summary:  In this study, 54 participants completed a survey on the effects of covid-19. Over 70% reported experiencing symptoms lasting longer than the commonly cited 2-weeks, even for mild cases. Mean recovery time was five weeks, and 56% still experienced lingering symptoms of COVID-19 after two months.

Publication date / reference: 20/01/2021 Iwu, Iwu and Wiysonge The occurrence of long COVID: a rapid review. Pan Afr Med J.

Summary: This rapid review was aimed at synthesizing evidence on the long-term effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among survivors. Authors considered both randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies eligible for inclusion in this review. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database. The reference lists of all the included studies were also searched. The majority of symptoms reported were fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, and sleep disorders. Mental conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, were also reported. In conclusion, this study showed that COVID-19 survivors can experience persistent symptoms after recovering from their initial illness.

Publication date/ reference: 19/04/2021 Jain E, Harmon EY, Sonagere MB. Functional Outcomes and Post-Discharge Care Sought by Patients with COVID-19 Compared to Matched Controls After Completing Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation. PM R.

Summary: The authors of this review analysed the outcomes of rehabilitation and follow up medical care of patients with COVID-19 ninety days post-discharge from acute inpatient medical care. A survey questionnaire was completed by a total of 36 patients recovering from COVID-19 infection and a control age and impairment group of 64 persons. The rehabilitation of functional outcomes were similar in both COVID-19 patients and the control group. Fewer re-admissions and follow-up visits with specialists were required by COVID-19 patients in the 30-90-day period, compared to the subjects in the control group.

Publication date / reference: 08/04/2021 Gaber et al., Persistent post-covid symptoms in healthcare workers Occup Med (Lond)

Summary: This retrospective multi-centre (single hospital Trust) study investigated general incidence of COVID-19 amongst HCW employees in June 2020. They noted an incidence amongst staff of 932 of 3759 staff (24%). Questionnaires were then sent to staff concerning persistent symptoms 4 months after a positive test (n=138).  Overall, 45% reported persistent symptoms and more specifically:  54 (39%) reported fatigue, 49% reported sleep disturbance and 44 reported mood disturbance. The authors found that the majority of staff with persistent symptoms were reluctant to seek support and suggest increased awareness for occupational health services.

Publication date / reference: 31/03/2021. Blazhenets et al. Slow but evident recovery from neocortical dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a series of chronic COVID-19 patients. J Nucl Med.

Summary: This longitudinal, single-centre study of eight subjects compared ¹⁸F-FDG PET scans and Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA) undertaken in the subacute phase of COVID-19 with those repeated at six months. The COVID-19-related cortical hypometabolism pattern on ¹⁸F-FDG PET correlated inversely with MoCA scores and did not resolve completely in all patients at the follow-up. The authors conclude that whilst cognitive recovery occurs, residual impairment is still detected at six months, providing insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 13/03/2021 Versace et al. Intracortical GABAergic dysfunction in patients with fatigue and dysexecutive syndrome after COVID-19. Clin Neurophysiol.

Summary: The authors of this study included twelve patients who had recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, with persistent neurological complications and physical and mental fatigue. Participants underwent psychometric evaluation and intracortical activity was assessed through transcranial magnetic stimulation. Patients reported considerable fatigue (Fatigue Rating Scale score 8.1 ± 1.7) and had pathological scores in the Frontal Assessment Battery (12.2 ± 0.7). TMS demonstrated marked reduction of short-interval intracortical inhibition and disruption of long-interval intracortical inhibition compared to ten healthy controls.

Publication date / reference: 15/11/2021 Koh et al., Neurology of COVID-19 in Singapore. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: This prospective study multi-centre cohort study investigated neurological disorders in COVID-19 patients within 3 months of onset (n=90). The cohort was relatively young (median age 38) and the majority were males (98.9%). Key neurological disorders seen ranged from CNS, CVT, Stroke, Intracerebral haemorrhage, PNS symptoms and included: 19 patients had acute ischaemic stroke/TIA, 7 patients developed neuropathy, 4 patients developed severe encephalitis and 4 patients developed Cerebral venous thrombosis. Overall, 39 patients had a wide spectrum of neurological complications (0.08%) with variable courses.

Publication date / reference: 12/03/2021 Avenali et al., Clinical and Electrophysiological Outcome Measures of Patients With Post-Infectious Neurological Syndromes Related to COVID-19 Treated With Intensive Neurorehabilitation. Front Neurol.

Summary: This study investigated (n=5) hospitalised COVID-19 patients and PNS who were followed up after 6 months. All patients underwent intensive rehabilitation. 3 (60%) had polyradiculoneuropathy and in these patients they had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) which were stable in the majority of patients at baseline. 2 (40%) of patients had myelitis at baseline which had variable recovery at the follow-up. Though this is a small sample, it is interesting to see the relation to electrophysiological findings and the significance of neurological rehabilitation.

Publication date / reference: 25/03/21. Osikomaiya et al. ‘Long COVID’: persistent COVID-19 symptoms in survivors managed in Lagos State, Nigeria. BMC Infect Dis.

Summary: This study retrospectively examined discharged COVID-19 patients. The authors found that 40.9% of patients had persistent COVID-19 symptoms following discharge with 19.7% experiencing more than three symptoms. Most commonly found were easy fatigability (12.8%), headaches (12.8%) and chest pain (9.8%). They also found that those with symptomatic moderate COVID-19 disease were more likely to suffer long-covid symptoms than those with mild disease post discharge. The authors urged careful monitoring of those discharged following COVID-19 in order to mitigate symptom-effect and quality of lie.

Publication date / reference: 23/03/2021. Graham et al. Persistent neurologic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in non-hospitalized Covid-19 “long haulers”. Ann Clin Transl Neurol.

Summary: This prospective study by Graham et al. aimed to characterise the neurologic manifestations of Covid-19 “long haulers” who were not hospitalised. Data from 100 patients who presented to the Neuro-Covid-19 clinic was recorded. The authors looked at frequency of neurologic symptoms and used patient reported QOL measures as well as cognitive assessments as outcome measures. The authors identified that the main neurologic manifestations was “brain fog” where approximately 81% of patients reported this. Other common symptoms included headache, numbness/tingling, dysgeusia, anosmia, and myalgia. The authors also recognised that the SARS-CoV positive patients performed worse in cognitive tasks compared to their demographic matched control. Overall, the conclusion was that patients who were “long haulers” and non-hospitalised with COVID-19 experienced persistent brain fog and fatigue which had an impact on their QOL and cognition.

Publication date / reference: 16/03/21 Martillo et al. Postintensive Care Syndrome in Survivors of Critical Illness Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019: Cohort Study From a New York City Critical Care Recovery Clinic. Crit Care Med.

Summary: The authors aimed to describe the physical, psychiatric,  and  cognitive  impairments  of  45 COVID-19  ICU survivors. They recruited 45 patients who had survived a  minimum 7-day ICU length of stay and who were referred to a critical care recovery clinic. One month post-hospital discharge, 8/45 patients scored >9 on the PHQ-9, potentially indicative of at least moderate depressive symptoms. Insomnia was a common concern with 17/45 patients scoring at least subthreshold in severity. Among 30 patients who received the MoCA, 6/30 scored <19 (only one of whom had a pre-existing dementia diagnosis).

Publication date / reference: 5/3/2021. Zhou et al. Does Post-COVID-19 symptoms exist? A longitudinal study of COVID-19 sequelae in Wenzhou, China. Ann Med Psychol (Paris).

Summary: Zhou and colleagues followed up 89 patients who were discharged from hospital following admission for COVID-19, each for at least 3 weeks. Participants completed semi-structured questionnaires regarding long-term symptoms and general health status. The most frequently reported symptoms were cough (46.1%) and fatigue (36.0%). Two patients reported myalgia. 73 patients were assessed with the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-D). 11% of survivors were determined to have probably PTSD and 13.7% were determined to have PTSD, according to the checklist.

Publication date / reference: 10/03/2021 Sigfrid et al. What is the recovery rate and risk of long-term consequences following a diagnosis of COVID-19? A harmonised, global longitudinal observational study protocol. BMJ Open.

Summary: This protocol outlines an international, multi-site, prospective longitudinal study linked with the International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) and the WHO’s Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Their aim is to analyse patients with confirmed COVID-19 over a period of time in order to better understand the long term impact on their physical and psychosocial health. They hope by doing this it can then inform strategies to understand and manage long term sequelae of COVID-19 to improve morbidity.

Publication date / reference: 07/03/21. Sollini et al. Long COVID hallmarks on [18F]FDG-PET/CT: a case-control study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging.

Summary: In this mechanistic study, the authors compared whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT findings from a group of patients with long-COVID (n=13, defined as at least one persistent symptom for >30 days after infection recovery) to a group of 26 melanoma patients with negative PET/CT (age and sex-matched). Long COVID patients exhibited brain hypometabolism in the right parahippocampal gyrus and thalamus (uncorrected p < 0.001 at voxel level). It is worth noting that these results have not been corrected for multiple statistical testing which increases the risk of a type one error.

Publication date / reference: 05/3/21. Zhou et al. Does Post-COVID-19 symptoms exist? A longitudinal study of COVID-19 sequelae in Wenzhou, China. Ann Med Psychol (Paris).

Summary: This study aimed to examine patient’s outcomes following discharge after being hospitalised with COVID-19. 89 patients out of 14,139 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were followed up at least three weeks after discharge with a structured questionnaire on post infective symptoms and health status. 6.7% had recurrence of positive RNA at the three week follow up. Most frequently reported symptoms included cough (46.1%), fatigue (36.0%) and 2.2% complained of myalgia and arthralgia. 42.7% of the patients felt completely back to baseline, whilst 47.2% felt much improved and one felt no better and one felt worse. 11% tested positive for PTSD. The authors concluded that long-term psychological support might be a crucial element in aiding reduced morbidity associated with COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 10/02/2021 Humphreys et al. Long COVID and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study. BMJ Open.

Summary: Semi-structured telephone interviews of 18 individuals with long COVID were conducted. Four main themes were identified: struggling with reduced physical function, challenges of finding and interpreting advice on physical activity, individual approaches to symptom management, conflict with self-concept of function and fear of permanent reduction in physical and cognitive function.

Publication date / reference: 09/03/2021 Leite et al. Persistent symptoms and disability after COVID-19 hospitalization: data from a comprehensive telerehabilitation program. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.

In this study of 1.696 patients requiring hospitalisation for COVID-19, the authors highlight high levels of disability, dyspnea, dysphagia. These patients, with a  mean age of 72 years old also required significant assistance with their ADLs following discharge. Unsurprisingly, those admitted to ICU presented more advanced disability parameters.

Publication date / reference: 11/2020 Moradian et al. Delayed Symptoms in Patients Recovered from COVID-19. Iran j Public Health.

Summary: This is a follow-up study of 200 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, 6 weeks after discharge, conducted in a referral general hospital in Tehran, India, looking into the prevalence of delayed symptoms. Fatigue (39 patients, 19.5%) , dyspnea (37 patients, 18.5%), weakness (36 patients, 18%) and anxiety (30 patients, 15%) were reported as the most common symptoms within this sample 6 weeks after discharge.

Publication date / reference: 02/03/21. Monti et al. Two months quality of life of COVID-19 invasively ventilated survivors; an Italian single-center study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand.

Summary: The authors reported the quality of life of 39 invasively ventilated ARDS COVID-19 survivors, post-hospital discharge. The majority of patients reported no cognitive decline, no limitation in daily activities and no clinically significant psychological impairment or PTSD. Eight patients reported moderate anxiety or depression.

Publication date/reference: 25/02/2021 Townsend et al., Fatigue following COVID-19 infection is not associated with autonomic dysfunction. PLoS One.

Summary: This was a case-control study, investigating whether the common long-term symptom of fatigue is associated with persistent autonomic dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Fatigued and non-fatigued (n=20 in each arm) post-COVID patients were recruited and then assessed for fatigue and autonomic function using validated tests. No pathological differences were found between fatigued and non-fatigued patients on autonomic testing and monitoring. Fatigue was found to be associated with increased anxiety.

Publication date / reference: 12/02/2021. Wu et al. Health-related quality of life of hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: An initial exploration in Nanning city, China. Soc Sci Med.

Summary: This is a qualitative study which evaluated the holistic experience of 16 patients 3 months after discharge from COVID-19. In terms of mental health problems, anxiety was the most frequently reported symptom. Additionally, stigma from having contracted SARS-CoV-2 had a significant effect on survivors’ quality of life. Traumatic experiences and loneliness were also reported in a minority of participants.

Publication date / reference: 2/2/21 Barin et al. Joint investigation of a 2-month post-diagnosis IgG antibody levels and psychological measures for assessing longer term multi-faceted recovery among COVID-19 cases in Northern Cyprus. Front Public Health.

Summary: This prospective study (n=74) used questionnaire-based surveys to investigate the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 infection alongside IgG titers. Psychological burden and IgG levels were greater amongst those with comorbidities and more critical illness. The authors conclude that greater awareness of the psychological impact of COVID-19 illness in this group would be beneficial at this stage in the pandemic.

 Publication date / reference: 01/12/20 Suárez-Robles et al. Ninety days post-hospitalization evaluation of residual COVID-19 symptoms through a phone call check list. Pan Afr Med J.

Summary: This is an observational study of symptoms experienced by patients with COVID-19 (n=134) after 90 days post-discharge from hospital in Spain. This was evaluated via structured interviews which included a checklist of symptoms. The authors found that the most frequent symptoms were fatigue (73/134, 54.5%), dyspnoea (54/134, 40.3%) and weight loss (50/134, 37.7%). The most common psychological symptom was anxiety (76/134, 56.7%), as evaluated via the GAD-7 scale.

Publication date / reference: 01/12/20 de Graaf et al. Short-term outpatient follow-up of COVID-19 patients: A multidisciplinary approach. EClinicalMedicine.

Summary: The authors present a multidisciplinary evaluation of COVID-19 patients 6 weeks following discharge. Around 40% of the cohort had been treated in ITU. Most patients suffered from functional limitations, with dyspnea on exertion most frequently reported. Risk of depression, anxiety and PTSD were 17%, 5% and 10% respectively and similar for both ICU and non-ICU patients.

Publication date / reference: 07/02/2021. Jacobson et al. Patients with uncomplicated COVID-19 have long-term persistent symptoms and functional impairment similar to patients with severe COVID-19: a cautionary tale during a global pandemic. Clin Infect Dis.

Summary: in this brief report, researchers from Stanford university surveyed 118 (22 hospitalised; 96 non hospitalised) individuals with confirmed COVID-19 3-4 months after their initial diagnosis. They found that persistent symptoms and functional impairment had similar levels of prevalence in hospitalized and non hospitalized patients. Whilst the study is limited by the small sample size, risk of recall bias and lacks generalisability, the finding is consistent with larger research findings elsewhere and continues to highlight significant potential of ongoing functional impairment and morbidity in both hospitalised but more strikingly non-hospitalised patients.

Publication date / reference: 24/2/21 Gennaro et al. Persistent psychopathology and neurocognitive impairment in COVD-19 survivors: effect of inflammatory biomarkers at three-month follow-up. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: In a prospective study, Gennaro et al. aimed to identify a relationship between systemic inflammation during acute COVID-19 infection and subsequent psychopathology at 3 months post-discharge (n=226). 35.8% (n=-81) patients self-reported clinically significant symptoms meeting at least 1 psychopathological dimension at 3 months. Additionally, 24.3% (n=55) met DSM-5 criteria for at least 1 major psychiatric disorder according to psychiatric assessment at 3 months. Female gender (F=11.12; p=0.001), prior psychiatric diagnosis (F=10.65, p=0.001) and presence of psychopathology at 1 month follow-up (F=15.16; p<0.001) all significantly predicted the continuing presence of psychopathology at 3 months. Systemic inflammation (SI) during acute illness also predicted the severity of depressive psychopathology at 3 months (p<0.001). Change in SI from 1 to 3 months follow-up predicted severity of depression (Wald W2=14.304, p=0.0002). Gennaro and colleagues hypothesise that systemic inflammation during COVID-19 illness predisposes to later psychopathology in survivors.

Publication date / reference: 03/2021 Soldati et al. Telephone Screening of Cognitive Status (TICS) in severe COVID-19 patients: Utility in the era of social isolation. eNeurologicalSci.

Summary: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and practical application of a remote cognitive  and quality of life assessment tool. They used the Telephone Screening of Cognitive Status (TCIS) on patients who had been discharged from ICU with severe COVID-19. 23 individuals were included in the full follow up. The median interval between discharge and first contact was 83 days, and between first contact and TCIS 15 days. Mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed in three patients with 14/23 displaying normal results (six inconclusive). They found the TCIS is a promising tool for remote assessment.

Publication date / reference: 02/01/21 Pilotto et al. COVID-19 severity impacts on long-term neurological manifestation after hospitalisation. BioRxiv (pre-print, not peer-reviewed) 

Summary: The authors of this prospective observational study evaluated the presence of sequelae in previously hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who were assessed 6 months after discharge (n=165). Concordant with other reports of persistent COVID-19 symptoms, neuropsychiatric sequelae were common. Fatigue (34%), memory/attention (31%), and sleep disorders (30%) were the most frequently recorded symptoms. On neurological examination abnormalities were detected in 37.4% of patients, the most common of which included cognitive deficits (17.5%), hyposmia (15.7%) and postural tremor (13.8%). Subgroup analysis of patients with demonstrable cognitive deficits compared to patients without showed that age, sex and pre-admission comorbidities were similar, however, the group with cognitive deficits had more severe COVID-19 disease during admission and long duration of inpatient stay.

Publication date / reference: 16/02/2021 Klein et al. Onset, duration and unresolved symptoms, including smell and taste changes, in mild COVID-19 infections. A cohort study in Israeli patients. Clin Microbiol Infect.

Summary: The authors of this cohort study examined 103 Israeli residents who were over the age of 18, had positive confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, and non-severe symptoms. They conducted phone interviews over a six month period assessing symptom onset, duration, severity and resolution. 45/103, 42/103, 40/103 or 39/103 of the patients experienced headache, fever, muscle ache, or dry cough as the first symptom respectively. Fever had the shortest duration and smell and taste symptoms persisted the longest. Smell and taste symptom resolution correlated with severity of change. AT six months, 47/103 patients still had one unresolved symptom: 23/103 with fatigue; 15/103 with dysosmia; 8/103 with dysgeusia, and 8/103 with breathing difficulties.

Publication date/reference: 11/02/2021 Sykes et al., Post-COVID-19 Symptom Burden: What is Long-COVID and How Should We Manage It? Lung.

Summary: This study sought to understand the symptom burden of Long-COVID in a cohort of COVID-19 patients (n=387) discharged from a UK university teaching hospital following treatment for COVID-19 pneumonia. Primary findings included the presence of long-lasting symptoms being a common phenomena, and biopsychosocial factors playing a greater role in the aetiology of LONG-covid than the direct effect of SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date / reference: 05/02/2021 Islam et al. Treatment, Persistent Symptoms, and Depression in People Infected with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Int J Environ Res Public Health.

Summary: This cross-sectional study based in Pakistan assessed 1002 patients one month after their COVID-19 diagnosis. An online questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, lifestyle, COVID-19 symptoms, medication and depression. 20% of participants reported ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, the most common being diarrhoea and fatigue. 48% of participants were categorised as having moderate to severe depression. Depression during COVID-19 had a positive correlation with lower family income, poorer health status, sleep disturbance, hypertension, lack of physical activity, respiratory symptoms and persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 19/11/20. Doykov et al. ‘The long tail of Covid-19’ – The detection of a prolonged inflammatory response after a SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic and mildly affected patients. F1000Res.

Summary: In this qualitative study of 114 participants from long-COVID patient support groups, through 55 individual interviews and eight focus groups, 32 were doctors and 19 other healthcare professionals. 31 had attended hospital, of whom eight had been admitted. Participants felt the illness was confusing with varied, relapsing-remitting symptoms and uncertain prognosis, with a sense of stigma, difficulty accessing services and achieving a diagnosis.

Publication date / reference: 14/01/21. Weerahandi et al. Post-Discharge Health Status and Symptoms in Patients with Severe COVID-19. J Gen Intern Med.

Publication date / reference: 23/11/2020. Woo et al. Frequent neurocognitive deficits after recovery from mild COVID-19. Brain Commun.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study the authors recruited 18 mostly young patients 20-105 days (median, 85 days) after recovery from mild to moderate disease who visited the outpatient clinic for post-COVID-19 care. Fourteen of these patients reported sustained mild cognitive deficits and performed worse in the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status screening test for mild cognitive impairment compared to 10 age-matched healthy controls. Short-term memory, attention and concentration were particularly affected by COVID-19. In this very small sample, screening results did not correlate with hospitalization, treatment, viremia or acute inflammation. 

Summary: This prospective consecutive observational study aimed to systematically describe the Central and Peripheral Nervous System complications in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. A total of 41 CNS/PNS complications were identified in 28 of 61 patients and were more frequent in ICU compared to non-ICU patients. The most common CNS complication was encephalopathy which was severe in 13 patients (GCS ≤ 12), including 8 with akinetic mutism. Other CNS complications included ischemic stroke, acute necrotizing encephalitis, and transverse myelitis. The most common PNS complication was critical illness polyneuromyopathy with prolonged ICU stay as an independent predictor. 

Publication date / reference. 26/12/2020. Taboada et al. Post-COVID-19 functional status six-months after hospitalization. J Infect. 

Publication date / reference: 30/11/2020. van der Sar-van der Brugge et al. Pulmonary function and health-related quality of life after COVID-19 pneumonia. Respir Med.

Publication date / reference: 29/11/2020 Walsh-Messinger et al. The kids are not alright: a preliminary report of post-COVID syndrome in university students. medRxiv.

 Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the disease severity between undergraduates with post COVID-19 syndrome (symptoms  ≥28 days) (n=22) and their fully recovered peers (n=21). Using self-report questionnaires they found that students with post COVID 19 syndrome had higher depression severity scores (p=.04), were more likely to be female (21/22), and had significantly more clinical symptoms during their acute illness. The authors conclude that young females are particularly vulnerable to post COVID-19 syndrome.

Publication date / reference: 26/11/20 Dani et al. Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies. Clin Med (Lond).

Summary: The authors of this study describe six cases of autonomic dysfunction following viral infection during the COVID-19 pandemic (one confirmed COVID-19 case, the remaining suspected). The authors propose that some Long-COVID symptoms may be secondary to viral or immune-mediated disruption of the autonomic nervous system, thus resulting in transient or long-term orthostatic intolerance syndromes. Assessment via active stand test demonstrated an average heart rate rise of under 30 beats per minute, thus not meeting criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. The authors suggest a combination of education, exercise, fluid and salt repletion, avoidance of exacerbating factors, isometric exercises, compression garments and pharmacological treatments based on guidelines and clinical experience. 

Publication date / reference: 10/11/20 Mandal et al. ‘Long-COVID’: a cross-sectional study of persisting symptoms, biomarker and imaging abnormalities following hospitalisation for COVID-19. Thorax.

Summary: Mandal et al.’s cross-sectional study of 384 individuals across three large London hospitals, offers the first report of trajectory in physical and psychological symptom burden, blood markers and chest imaging following hospital discharge. Patients were followed up at a median 54 days post-discharge, with persistence of breathlessness, cough and fatigue being observed in 53%, 34% and 69% of individuals respectively, though with regards to severity it should be noted that persistence was defined as a symptom score of >1 on a scale of 0-10. Psychological symptom burden was also assessed, with 14.6% of participants displaying PHQ2 scores consistent with significant depression. Whilst blood test abnormalities largely improved, persistence in lymphopenia was observed in 7.3% of 247 patients, with D-dimer and CRP remaining elevated in 30.1% of 229 patients and 9.5% of 190 patients respectively. The authors note that these data are in keeping with initial data from smaller COVID-19 cohorts, and that they may aid in identifying patients who may benefit from additional rehabilitation and/or investigation to identify post-COVID complications, though future research is necessary to disentangle complications and deconditioning as causes of persistent dyspnoea.

Publication date / reference: 09/11/2020. Towsend et al. Persistent fatigue following SARS-CoV-2 infection is common and independent of severity of initial infection. PLoS One.

Summary:  The investigators in this study aimed to establish whether patients remained fatigued (Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11)) after physical recovery following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants (N=128) were recruited from  post-COVID-19 clinic, all had confirmed SARS-CoV 2 infection by positive nasopharyngeal swab PCR, all had been more than 6 weeks post date of last acute COVID-19 symptoms (outpatient) or date of discharge (inpatient).

The authors reported a significant prevalence of fatigue (50%) at median follow up of 10 weeks, despite medically deemed recovered from primary illness. They also found significant impact to daily function with almost one third (31%) not returned to employment. Importantly these findings were independent of age and severity of initial infection. There was also an absence of specific immune signature associated with persistent fatigue, no association were found between routine laboratory markers of inflammation and cell turnover (leukocyte, neutrophil or lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein) or pro-inflammatory molecules (IL-6 or sCD25) and fatigue post COVID-19. On the other hand, female gender and those with pre-existing diagnosis of depression showed a preponderance in the development of fatigue. The study, though limited by its cross-sectional single centered design, demonstrated a significant medium term fatigue burden and functional impairment following COVID-19 regardless of initial disease severity, and highlights the need for larger cohort, longitudinal studies of  COVID -19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 31/08/2021 Liu et al. The Gaps Between the Self and Professional Evaluation in Mental Health Assessment of COVID-19 Cluster Cases. Front Psychol.

Summary: This study compared self-rated and clinician-rated scales for anxiety and depression in hospitalised patients with covid-19. Caseness for anxiety disorder was 0% (self-rated) and 21% (clinician-rated). Caseness for depressive disorder was 42% (self-rated) and 28% (clinician-rated).

Publication date / reference: 31/08/21 El Hayek et al. Emerging Psychiatric Themes in Post-COVID-19 Patients on a Psychiatry Consultation-liaison Service. Psychiatr Q.

Summary: in the cross sectional study, the authors summarised data on the psychiatric presentations seen in the “post-COVID” ward of a single centre. 52 patients (mean age 57.33 years; equal gender distribution) were seen by the psychiatry team. The diagnoses most prevalent were delirium (30.8%), major depressive episode (15.4%), and other anxiety disorder (15.4%). 

Publication date / reference: 24/08/2021 Okusaga et al. Clozapine Is Associated With Higher COVID-19 Infection Rate in Veterans With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder. J Clin Psychiatry.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study the authors aimed to assess clozapine-related risk of COVID-19 infection in Veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 101,032 Veterans (4,313 treated with clozapine, 96,719 treated with other antipsychotics) were included in the final analyses. Forty-four (1%) Veterans in the clozapine group and 675 (0.7%) Veterans in the non-clozapine group were positive for COVID-19. The odds of testing positive for COVID-19 were higher in the clozapine group from unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08–1.99). The authors suggest this study provides evidence justifying prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who receive clozapine treatment.

Publication date / reference: 21/08/21. Kwaghe et al. Stigmatization, psychological and emotional trauma among frontline health care workers treated for COVID-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res.

Summary: A cross-sectional qualitative study of 12 healthcare workers in Nigeria, who were recovering from Covid-19. Respondents felt stigmatized and psychologically and morally traumatized. The authors call for more testing capacity, faster results dissemination, and creation of more isolation centres in Lagos State.

Publication date / reference: 01/102021 Grover et al. Incidence and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with schizophrenia: A Study from India. Schizophr Res.

Summary: The authors of this cross-sectional study analysed the incidence of covid-19 in a population of patients with schizophrenia (n = 567). They found an incidence of covid-19 of 5.6% over the pandemic, which they compared with the general population incidence of 2.2%. As we know, incidence rates of covid-19 are extremely difficult to establish, for example due to disparities in testing. Their data and comparisons therefore represent only crude estimates. Of interest, patients who were prescribed clozapine (the majority) did not have a higher incidence of covid-19, which is in contrast to previous data.

Publication date / reference: 11/08/2021 Vlake et al. Psychological distress and health-related quality of life in patients after hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-center, observational study. PLoS One.

Summary: This is a single-center, observational cohort study, studying psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult patients hospitalized with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. The authors followed up 294 patients. At one month and three months follow-up respectively, 16% and 13% of these patients reported probable PTSD, 29% and 20% probable anxiety, and 32% and 24% probable depression. At both follow-up time-points, there were no differences in the severity of PTSD symptoms or the proportion of patients with probable PTSD between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, nor between ICU and non-ICU patients.The authors suggest that (post-)hospital pandemic care should not predominantly focus on COVID-19 infected patients.

 Publication date / reference: 03/08/2021  Thaweerat W, Pongpirul WA, Prasithsirikul W. Assessment of anxiety and depression among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Thailand during the first wave of the pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg.

Summary: This cross-sectional study (n=32) investigated anxiety and depression in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Three respondents scored abnormally on the anxiety subscale, and none scored abnormally on the depression subscale. The authors conclude that though the current study is limited by small sample size, it supports mental health assessment in COVID-19 hospitalisation and use of the HADS.

Publication date / reference: 26/07/2021. Prakash et al. Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress in COVID-19 infected individuals and their families. Med J Armed Forces India .

Summary: This cross-sectional, observational study aims to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. 93 COVID patients and their families were studied using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DAS-21). Overall this study shows a high proportion of depression, anxiety, and stress in these patients and their families which highlight the requirement for further research and definitive interventions.

Publication date / reference: 16/07/2021 Liu D, Epskamp S, Isvoranu AM, Chen C, Liu W, Hong X. Network analysis of physical and psychiatric symptoms of hospital discharged patients infected with COVID-19. J Affect Disord.

Summary: This cross-sectional survey study aimed to investigate the network structure of COVID-19 symptoms and related psychiatric symptoms. Participants (n = 675) completed surveys of psychiatric symptoms 1 month after discharge from hospital, and the authors reviewed medical records to determine COVID-19 symptoms and severity. The authors found that COVID-19 severity (but not ICU admission), family infection and residual COVID-19 symptoms were linked to psychiatric symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 08/07/2021. Van Veenendaal et al. Six-Month Outcomes in COVID-19 ICU Patients and Their Family Members: A Prospective Cohort Study. Healthcare (Basel).

Summary: This prospective cohort study assessed the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of patients (n=60) who were admitted to ICU for COVID-10, at 3 months and 6 months post discharge. Psychological wellbeing was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The median HADS score at 3 and 6 months post-baseline was reported to be ≤5.0 and was therefore unlikely to be clinically significant at these timepoints.

Publication date / reference: 29/07/2021 Rousseau AF, Minguet P, Colson C, Kellens I, Chaabane S, Delanaye P, Cavalier E, Chase JG, Lambermont B, Misset B. Post-intensive care syndrome after a critical COVID-19: cohort study from a Belgian follow-up clinic. Ann Intensive Care.

Summary: This cohort study investigated post-intensive care syndrome in patients with COVID-19 who survived an ICU stay for at least 7 days (n=42). Physical, cognitive. and psychological outcomes were measured using standardised assessments. At 3 month follow up (n=32), 14 still exhibited cognitive impairment and 9 scored highly on a PTSD symptom scale. The authors concluded that the data support close follow-up for critically ill COVID-19 survivors.

Publication date / reference: 23/07/2021 Saevarsdóttir et al. Illness severity and risk of mental morbidities among patients recovering from COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in the Icelandic population. BMJ Open.

Summary: The authors of this large cross-sectional study aimed to uncover if those recovering from COVID-19 were at greater risk of psychiatric symptoms whilst recovering from the illness. They recruited patients both with and without COVID-19 diagnoses from the general Icelandic population (n=22,861). Online self-report questionnaires were used to determine the presence of psychiatric symptoms at two time points. COVID-19 positive patients had greater risk of depression (aRR 1.48, CI 1.20 to 1.82), and PTSD (aRR 1.38, CI 1.09 to 1.75). Levels of anxiety in this group were not significantly higher in the COVID positive group (aRR 1.24, CI 0.93 to 1.64). In conclusion, the relatively healthy first-wave COVID-19 population in Iceland presented with increased risk of depression and PTSD in the early weeks of recovery, particularly those recovering from a severe disease.

Publication date / reference: 17/07/2021 Spencer-Segal et al. Mental health outcomes after hospitalization with or without COVID-19. Gen Hosp Psychiatry.

Summary: This prospective cohort study investigated patients discharged from hospital both with (n=178) and without COVID-19 to assess the prevalence of psychiatric sequelae. COVID-positive patients were more likely to be Black (45% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), have a longer length of stay (11 days vs. 5 days, p < 0.001), and be in ICU (47% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). COVID-positive patients also had higher post-traumatic stress scores (p=0.002). These patients reported more isolation-related psychological distress during hospitalization evidenced by stronger agreement with statements like “I worried that I might not see my friends and family again” and “I worried that I might not get to say goodbye to my friends and family”. Patients who reported these fears had higher scores on the GAD-7 (4.7 vs. 2.6), PCL-2 (3.4 vs. 2.5), and loneliness scales (3.1 vs. 2.6, p<0.05).

 Publication date / reference: 16/07/2021 DeVylder et al. Suicide attempts among college students hospitalized for COVID-19. J Affect Disord.

Summary: This cross-sectional study of university students aimed to determine if COVID-19 infection was associated with suicidality (n=16,315). Online questionnaires collected data on COVID-19 symptoms, sociodemographic covariates and suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The prevalence of suicide attempts was associated with COVID symptoms/diagnosis, OR(95% CI)=1.47(1.08- 2.01). However, unlike suicidal ideation and suicide plans, the past-year prevalence of suicide attempts was drastically greater among those who were hospitalized for COVID, OR(95% CI)=9.43(3.87-22.95). The authors of this study recognise the lack of causality that can be drawn from this data, however it does seem hospitalisation for COVID-19 may increase suicidality in this population; more research is needed to uncover potential mechanisms for this association.

Publication date / reference: 15/07/2021 Wu et al. Correlation between anxiety-depression symptoms and immune characteristics in inpatients with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. J Psychiatr Res.

Summary: The authors of this paper compared anxiety and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) in 57 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and compared these with inflammatory markers, including cytokines and CD4+/CD8+ cells. Participants with psychiatric symptoms showed a higher level of CD4+T lymphocytes than subjects without symptoms. Compared to  participants without psychiatric symptoms, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were lower in the participants with depression- anxiety symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 22/07/21. Scarpina et al. Psychological functioning in survivors of COVID-19: Evidence from recognition of fearful facial expressions. PLoS One.

Summary: The authors reported fear-related reaction time among n=45 individuals who were hospitalized in Italian COVID-19 post-intensive care units, using an implicit facial emotion recognition task. Their results suggested that patients had difficulties in detecting and recognizing fearful expressions.

Publication date / reference: 14/07/2021. Castro et al. Case-control study of neuropsychiatric symptoms following COVID-19 hospitalization in 2 academic health systems. MedRxiv.

Summary: In this case-control study, the authors aimed to assess the extent to which neuropsychiatric symptoms are specific to COVID-19. Electronic health records were taken for individuals discharged following admission for COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2021 from 6 hospitals across Massachusetts. These records were compared to individuals hospitalized for other indications during this period. Clinical notes up to 150 days after hospitalisation were utilised to identify neuropsychiatric symptoms domains. 42 961 patients were discharged in this time with 6 919 hospitalised for COVID-19. The most common neuropsychiatric symptoms between 31 and 90 days, as well as 91 and 150 days, post positive test were fatigue (13.4% and 10.9%), mood and anxiety symptoms (11.2% and 8.2%), and impaired cognition (8.0% and 5.8%). None of these were significantly more common among COVID-19 patients, with mood and anxiety symptoms less common than hospitalised individuals for other indications. Even though neuropsychiatric symptoms were common up to 150 days after initial hospitalisation in the COVID-19 cohort this occurred at generally similar rates among individuals hospitalised for other indications during the same period.

Publication date / reference: September 2021. Sultana et al. Mental health difficulties in students with suspected COVID-19 symptoms and students without suspected COVID-19 symptoms: A cross-sectional comparative study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Youth Serv Rev.

Summary: This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms of students in Bangladesh with (1259) and without (2518) suspected coronavirus symptoms. Students who experienced suspected COVID-19 symptoms had higher prevalence (moderate to severe) of depressive symptoms (61.15% vs. 47.62%), anxiety symptoms (44.96% vs. 36.97%), and PTSS (48.3% vs. 39.75%).

Publication date / reference: 5/07/2021. Xiong et al. Possible posttraumatic stress disorder in Chinese frontline healthcare workers who survived COVID-19 6 months after the COVID-19 outbreak: prevalence, correlates, and symptoms. Transl Psychiatry.

Summary: This Chinese study investigated characteristics of PTSD in surviving health care workers (HCWs) 6 months after the first COVID-19 outbreak. 291 HCWs were compared to 42 controls (matched for age and gender) and data was collected from self-report questionnaires. PTSD was higher in the study group than the controls (19.9% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.017). PTSD in the study group was linked to ICU admission (OR = 8.73, P = 0.003), continued dizziness (OR = 2.43, P = 0.013), or difficulty breathing (OR = 2.23, P = 0.027) following infection. They conclude that mental health services should screen for PTSD within this population and social support should be expanded, alongside other necessary treatments.

Publication date / reference: 18/06/2021 Saidi et al. Factors associated with anxiety and depression among patients with Covid-19. Respir Med.

Summary: This is a cross sectional descriptive survey conducted on 103 COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Marrakech over a period of four months. They found high levels of anxiety and depression among hospitalised COVID-19 sufferers which was associated with oxygen level, hospital stay and family infection.

 Publication date / reference: 17/06/2021 Fan et al. The effects of narrative exposure therapy on COVID-19 patients with post-traumatic stress symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord.

Summary: This unblinded randomised control trial assessed the effects of Narrative Exposure Therapy as an adjunct to personalised psychological intervention for sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after their COVID-19 illness. They included 111 COVID-19 patients; they were randomly assigned to either a study group (NET plus personalised intervention), or a control group (personalised intervention only). They found that those in the study group had a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Sleep quality, anxiety and depression also improved but was not found to be significant.

Publication date / reference:  10/06/2021 Gramaglia et al. Mid-term Psychiatric Outcomes of Patients Recovered From COVID-19 From an Italian Cohort of Hospitalized Patients. Front Psych.

Summary: In this prospective study of 238 recovered COVID-19 patients, psychiatrists conducted semi-structured interviews to assess for common mental illnesses. Prevalence of anxiety was 7%, depression 11%, which is possibly higher than in the general population (although there was no control group). Additionally, there was no association between severity of COVID-19 symptoms and degree of psychopathology.

Publication date / reference: 17/06/2021 Imran et al., Psychological distress among survivors of moderate-to-critical COVID-19 illness: A multicentric prospective cross-sectional study. Indian J Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this study assessed the prevalence of psychological distress in moderate-to-critical survivors of COVID-19. A total of 103 patients were interviewed at 30 and 60 days post-discharge from the hospital. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and PTSD Check List-5 questionnaire were used in the interview to assess patients’ levels of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results showed that at day 30, the prevalence rate of clinically significant anxiety was 21.4%, depression was 12.7% and PTSD was 8.7%; whilst the prevalence rates decreased at day 60, with 9.5%, 7.1%, and 4.7% respectively. Due to high prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors, a long-term follow-up and a rigorous psychiatric assessment should be conducted.

Publication date / reference: 15/06/2021 Fadipe et al. Psychosocial Health Effects Of Covid-19 Infection On Persons In Treatment Centers In Lagos, Nigeria. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary: This cross-sectional, multicentre study assessed anxiety, depression and suicidality among 160 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 across five hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. Hospital anxiety and depression scale was used in an online questionnaire. A third of participants were healthcare workers hospitalised with COVID-19 and the mean age of participants was only 36.4, possibly owing to the recruitment via whatsapp and text messages. Importantly, 28.1% and 27.5% of participants were classified as cases of probable depression or anxiety (respectively); the majority of these categorised as mild. 61.9% of participants reported the fear of infecting the loved ones and almost 4% reported suicidal ideation. Employment, previous history of psychological distress, boredom and guilt about infecting others dictated higher rates of psychiatric morbidity. Overall, the results highlight the high psychological and psychiatric burden in this understudied population of young Africans hospitalised due to COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 17/06/2021 Kahve. et al.,Do Anxiety and Depression Levels Affect the Inflammation Response in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 Psychiatry Investig.

Summary: This study investigated anxiety and depression levels and the inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients (n=175). They found that there was no association of anxiety and depression in patients who had COVID-19. However, they found a relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and ferritin levels and time in hospital. Their findings suggest that whilst no relationships have been identified, understanding more about psychiatric comorbidities may help us understand the trajectory of COVID-19 disease .

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2021 Yan et al. Post-traumatic Growth and Related Influencing Factors in Discharged COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Psychol.

Summary: This cross-sectional, psychological study examined the post-traumatic growth PTG; (positive change after dealing with life crisis) in 140 patients who were discharged from hospital after recovering from COVID-19. The PTG was positively correlated with self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder and social support and negatively correlated with the time from symptom onset to the disease diagnosis.

Publication date / reference: Jul-Sep 2021. Jerrin et al. Yoga and Naturopathy intervention for reducing anxiety and depression of Covid-19 patients – A pilot study. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health.

Summary: In this quasi-experimental uncontrolled pre-post study on 130 non-severe Covid-19 patients, yoga and naturopathic intervention was given for 60 min a day for two weeks. Participants reported a reduction in anxiety and depression levels after the interventions.

Publication date / reference:  01/06/2021 Perlis et al. Factors Associated With Self-reported Symptoms of Depression Among Adults With and Without a Previous COVID-19 Diagnosis. JAMA Netw Open.

Summary: This longitudinal study used 12 waves of online PHQ-9 surveys between May 2020 and February 2021 in adults over 18 to identify psychiatric symptoms and collect sociodemographic data. Out of 91791 participants, 5945 had a diagnosis of COVID-19 or a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. The greatest difference in symptoms were in that of suicidality and motor symptoms. The risk of depressive symptoms increased with greater duration after acute illness which the authors postulate may indicate a different underlying mechanism in a subset of individuals for these symptoms as post acute systemic symptoms do not entirely explain this pattern.

 Publication date / reference: 19/05/2021 Zhengkai et al. COVID-19 Patient Psychological Pain Factors. Front Psychol.

Summary: Study of 496 patients with covid-19 which suggests that patients with more ‘psychological pain’ as a result of covid-19 have greater longitudinal evidence of ‘posttraumatic growth’.

Publication date / reference: 17/05/2021 Pistarini et al., Cognitive and Emotional Disturbances Due to COVID-19: An Exploratory Study in the Rehabilitation Setting Front Neurol

Summary: This study explored and compared cognitive and psychological status of patients in the subacute phase of the disease (COVID-19 group) and patients in the postillness period (post–COVID-19 group). Forty patients admitted to rehabilitation units were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups according to the phase of the disease: (a) COVID-19 group (n = 20) and (b) post–COVID-19 group (n = 20). The post-COVID group reported significantly higher score in MMSE subtests of language (p = 0.02) and in MoCA subtests of executive functions (p = 0.05), language (p = 0.01), and abstraction (p = 0.02) compared to the COVID group. Regarding emotional disturbances, ~40% of patients presented with mild to moderate depression (57.9–60%). The post–COVID-19 group reported significantly higher levels of distress at the IES-R compared to the COVID group.

Publication date / reference: 4/6/2021. Carenzo et al. Short-term health-related quality of life, physical function and psychological consequences of severe COVID-19. Ann Intensive Care.

Summary: Carenzo and colleagues conducted a productive observational study (n = 47) of patients with who were treated with invasive mechanical ventilation in ICU for severe COVID-19. This study aimed to assess cardiopulmonary function (6-minute walking test 6MWT), quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) at 2 and 6 months post-discharge, as well as post-traumatic stress symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) administered online).  The IES-R was greater than the threshold for concern (1.6)  in 27/44 respondents.  EQ-5D-5L score was reported to improve slightly at 6 months follow up, with the least improvement observed in the domains of usual activities and depression/anxiety.

Publication date / reference: 4/6/2021. Htun et al. Assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar: A cross-sectional single-center study. PLos One.

Summary: The authors undertook a cross-sectional study of 142 patients by telephone survey to determine prevalence, and factors associated with depressive symptoms in COVID-19 patients from a treatment centre. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). They found 38.7% of COVID-19 patients had depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression to identify associated factors of depressive symptoms. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to determine the level of significance with a p<0.05. Binary logistic regression found depressive symptoms to be associated with patients 40 years or older, patients living in <4 people household, <400,000 kyats monthly income and COVID-19 infection of family members.

Publication date / reference: 31/05/2021 Benzakour et al. Impact of peritraumatic dissociation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A longitudinal study. J Psychiatr Res.

Summary: These authors found high rates of dissociation and post-traumatic stress symptoms in patients hospitalised for covid-19 pneumonia using the PDEQ and PCL-5 screening scales. The found around 10% met criteria for PTSD at 3-month follow-up, and patients who met these criteria tended to score higher on the PDEQ at admission. How specific these findings are to covid-19 is not clear.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/2021. Yuan et al. Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Its Associations With Quality of Life, Demographic and Clinical Characteristics in COVID-19 Survivors During the Post-COVID-19 Era. Front Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this case-control study evaluated PTSD symptoms (PTSS) using a validated assessment tool (PCL-C) in COVID-19 patients (n=134) and healthy controls recruited at a similar time (n=214). As expected, PTSS was more frequently detected amongst COVID-19 patients (18.7%) than healthy controls (5.6%), this significant difference held true in regression analysis after controlling for covariates. In terms of phenomenological differences, more severe depressive symptoms were significantly associated with PTSS in COVID-19 survivors, suggesting a complex cluster of symptoms in this patient group.

Publication date / reference: 12/04/2021 Li et al. A Follow-Up Investigation of Mental Health Among Discharged COVID-19 Patients in Wuhan, China. Front Public Health.

Summary: The authors of this study analysed prevalence of mental health outcomes using questionnaires in patients who had recovered from COVID-19 who had then been quarantined in a central unit, before then facing mandatory isolation at home. In the second (home) phase of isolation, prevalence of insomnia was 27%, anxiety 17%, and depression 16%. Extent of psychopathology was unrelated to severity of the COVID-19 illness. As with many of these studies, capturing rates of psychopathology during periods of acute illness may not be entirely representative of longer-term outcomes.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/2021 Sun et al. Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study. Clin Nurs Res.

Summary: The authors of this study took a novel approach to qualitative analysis of patient’s self-appraisals following recovery from COVID-19, with an explicit emphasis on focussing on the positive aspects of their reflections on the illness (which they label ‘post-traumatic growth’). Their analysis found three principal themes: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) improved relationships within their social circles, (3) perceived  personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/2021 Sun et al. Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study.Clin Nurs Res.

Summary: The qualitative aimed to investigate whether patients with COVID-19 in China experienced post-traumatic growth (PTG) and, if so, what changed for them during the process of PTG. The authors recruited (n=40) confirmed COVID-19 patients, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via cell phone or in person and found themes of positive changes after diagnosis of COVID-19 among the patients: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) Improved relationships within their social circles, which included establishing or maintaining closer relationships with family and friends and a greater willingness to help others, and (3) Perceived changes regarding themselves, which included personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health. They concluded that the study identified potential positive impacts of COVID-19 on patients, which could be helpful in the implementation of interventions to facilitate PTG among COVID-19 survivors.

Publication date / reference: 12/04/2021 Li et al. A Follow-Up Investigation of Mental Health Among Discharged COVID-19 Patients in Wuhan, China. Front Public Health.

Summary: The authors of this study analysed prevalence of mental health outcomes using questionnaires in patients who had recovered from COVID-19 who had then been quarantined in a central unit, before then facing mandatory isolation at home. In the second (home) phase of isolation, prevalence of insomnia was 27%, anxiety 17%, and depression 16%. Extent of psychopathology was unrelated to severity of the COVID-19 illness. As with many of these studies, capturing rates of psychopathology during periods of acute illness may not be entirely representative of longer-term outcomes.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/2021 Sun et al. Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study. Clin Nurs Res.

Summary: The authors of this study took a novel approach to qualitative analysis of patient’s self-appraisals following recovery from COVID-19, with an explicit emphasis on focussing on the positive aspects of their reflections on the illness (which they label ‘post-traumatic growth’). Their analysis found three principal themes: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) improved relationships within their social circles, (3) perceived  personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/2021 Sun et al. Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study.Clin Nurs Res.

Summary: The qualitative aimed to investigate whether patients with COVID-19 in China experienced post-traumatic growth (PTG) and, if so, what changed for them during the process of PTG. The authors recruited (n=40) confirmed COVID-19 patients, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via cell phone or in person and found themes of positive changes after diagnosis of COVID-19 among the patients: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) Improved relationships within their social circles, which included establishing or maintaining closer relationships with family and friends and a greater willingness to help others, and (3) Perceived changes regarding themselves, which included personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health. They concluded that the study identified potential positive impacts of COVID-19 on patients, which could be helpful in the implementation of interventions to facilitate PTG among COVID-19 survivors.

Publication date / reference: 29/04/2021 Alamri et al. Mental Health of COVID-19 Patients-A Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia. Int J Environ Res Public Health.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study of patients who were hospitalised with covid-19, the authors administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. They found 27% met cut-off for anxiety and 19% for depression. Usual limitations to using screening tools to measure psychological distress in patients hospitalised with severe illness apply.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2021 Ismael et al. Post-infection depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms: A prospective cohort study in patients with mild COVID-19. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.

Summary: This prospective cohort study aimed to assess psychiatric symptoms in (n = 895) COVID-19 patients in the post-infection period. The authors investigated the association between the number of COVID-19 symptoms at intake and depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms approximately two months later. They found a clinically significant level of depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms were reported by 26.2%, 22.4%, and 17.3%, respectively. Reporting an increased number of COVID-related symptoms was associated with the presence of clinically significant levels of depressive, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. They concluded that COVID-19 symptoms may be associated with depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms after the acute phase of the disease. These patients should be monitored for the development of psychiatric symptoms after treatment discharge.

Publication date / reference: 24/04/21. Liu et al. The Efficacy of computerized Cognitive Behavior Therapy (cCBT) for Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with COVID-19: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res.

Summary: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19 are still rare. This week, Liu and colleagues report a multi-centre RCT of computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy (cCBT) for depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with mild COVID-19 (n=126), versus treatment as usual (n=126). Participants were recruited from five isolation hospitals in China and had mild-to-moderate depressive or anxiety symptoms as defined by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥7 and/or the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) score ≥7. The intervention consisted of several modules, including a cognitive therapy module aiming to minimize patients’ negative thoughts about COVID-19, stress- and sleep-management training, relaxation / mental imagery training, mindfulness meditation, and counting meditation. Participants engaged in self-directed therapy for more than 10 minutes per day, for one week. The primary outcome showed statistically and clinically significant reduction in both HAM-D and HAM-A scores, with the effect persisting at one month followup. Reasons for a cautious interpretation include the lack of blinding, short duration of follow-up, higher drop-out than expected at the follow-up point, and scant information about the COVID-19 clinical status of patients. The effect sizes are also striking for such a short intervention; the reasons for this are not clear. However it is good to see trials beginning to emerge which address how we might treat common neuropsychiatric symptoms arising in patients who have COVID-19, rather than simply assuming existing treatments will ‘map over’ effectively.

Publication date / reference: 12/04/2021 Yadav et al., Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disturbance in COVID-19 Patients at Tertiary Care Center of North India. J Neurosci Rural Pract.

Summary: This hospital-based, cross-sectional study examined depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance among COVID-19 infected patients. A group of 100 COVID-19 patients (73% males and 27% females) were selected for this study, based on depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance levels assessed using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale,  generalised anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). The mean age of the patients was 42.90 ± 16.33 years. The results have shown that 27% of patients presented with depression, whilst 67% of patients experienced anxiety (both psychiatric problems were significantly associated with the severity of illness and presence of comorbidity factors). Sleep disturbance affected 62% of COVID-19 patients, which in turn significantly correlated with the severity of illness. This research confirms the detrimental impact of COVID-19 infection on the psychological state of patients, thus highlighting the importance of prompt identification and timely interventions that should be available for these patients.

Publication date / reference: 20/4/21. Liu et al. Effects of group psychological intervention combined with pulmonary rehabilitation exercises on anxiety and sleep disorders in patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in a Fangcang hospital. Psychol Health Med.

Summary: This randomised control trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of group psychological intervention based on traditional Chinese medicine and pulmonary rehabilitation exercises with conventional nursing in two randomised cohorts of 70 patients each, from a population of hospitalised COVID-19 patients with mild disease. The intervention group had lower state anxiety questionnaire (SAI) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index scale (PQSI) scores. They concluded their intervention was significantly more effective than conventional nursing methods in mitigating anxiety and sleep disorders for patients in the hospital.

Publication date / reference: 14/04/2021 Capuzzi et al. Initiation of psychotropic medication in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Association with clinical and biological characteristics. Hum Psychopharmacol.

Summary: This cross-sectional study of 151 inpatients with covid-19 found that 31% were started on some form of psychotropic medication (e.g. anxiolytics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics) during admission.

Publication date / reference: 08/04/2021 Zhang Z, Feng Y, Song R, Yang D, Duan X. Prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis and related psychopathological symptoms among patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic. Global Health.

Summary: This cross-sectional survey (n=119) investigated the mental health outcomes and risk factors of patients infected with COVID-19 and admitted to an isolation hospital during the second wave of the pandemic. Participants were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and self-report questionnaires. The authors found high rates of self-reported symptoms of generalised or state anxiety (51.3%), depression (41.2%) and PTSS/PTSD (33.6%). Loneliness was the only shared risk factor across all psychopathological symptoms. The authors recommended that patients with COVID-19 infections should be provided with specific mental health interventions and resources.

Publication date/reference: 08/04/2021. Luykx & Lyn. Are psychiatric disorders risk factors for COVID-19 susceptibility and severity? a two-sample, bidirectional, univariable, and multivariable Mendelian Randomization study. Transl Psychiatry.

Summary: This bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analysis of a large genome-wide association study investigated the relationship between neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19. In the univariate analysis, genetic liability to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder increased the risk of COVID-19 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 1.06–1.28). However, this was not supported by the multivariate analysis, where body mass index (BMI) was the only consistent association with COVID-19. The authors concluded that there is no proof that neuropsychiatric disorders are a risk for COVID-19 and vice versa and that previously reported associations may be a result of confounding from insufficient adjustments for the BMI.

Publication date / reference: 08/04/2021 Boekhorst et al. The COVID-19 outbreak increases maternal stress during pregnancy, but not the risk for postpartum depression. Arch Womens Ment Health.

Summary: This prospective cohort study of (n=669) women in the Netherlands compared perinatal symptoms of depression and stress during and before the pandemic. During the pandemic, 268 women filled out at least one questionnaire during pregnancy and 59 postpartum. The authors found that pregnancy-specific stress increased significantly in women during the pandemic. They found no increase in depressive symptoms during pregnancy nor an increase in incidence of high levels of postpartum depressive symptoms during the pandemic. They concluded that clinicians should be aware of the potential for increased stress in pregnant women during the pandemic.

Publication date / reference: 06/04/21 Olanipekun et al. Incidence and Severity of Depression Among Recovered African Americans with COVID-19-Associated Respiratory Failure. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities.

Summary: The authors evaluated the incidence and severity of major depression among 73 African American patients within 90 days of recovery from severe COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. Using the PHQ-9 13/73 patients had moderate depression, while 11/73 and 16/73 had moderately severe and severe depression, respectively.

Publication date / reference: 01/04/2021 Diez-Quevedo et al. Mental disorders, psychopharmacological treatments, and mortality in 2,150 COVID-19 Spanish inpatients. Acta Psychiatr Scand.

Summary: This study aimed to explore the relation between mental disorders and psychopharmacological treatments to mortality in  2 150 adult patients with COVID-19 admitted in a tertiary hospital in Badalona (Spain) between March 1 and November 17, 2020. During the year before hospitalisation 957 (44.5%) patients were registered for a mental disorder. Overall 166 patients had de novo diagnosis (11.9% of the population without previous history) and 208 (9.7%) were diagnosed with delirium. Overall 1011 (47.0%) received psychotropic drug prescription during admission and for 767 patients it was a de novo prescription. Most commonly patients were prescribed benzodiazepines (782 patients). Delirium (1.83; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.82, P=0.006), treatment with an antipsychotic during admission (1.57, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.82 P=.01) and history of mood disorder (1.57; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.40 P=.04) were associated with higher mortality rate, while treatment with antidepressants (0.34; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.67 P=.002) and anxiolytics/hypnotics (0.33; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.62; P=0.001) were associated with lower mortality rate.

Publication date / reference: 6/4/2021 Olanipekun et al. Incidence and Severity of Depression Among Recovered African Americans with COVID-19-Associated Respiratory Failure. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities.

Summary: This cohort study aimed to evaluate the incidence and severity of major depression among African American patients within 90 days of recovery from severe COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. The authors screened (n=73) patients and found that the median age was 52.5 years and 65% were males. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (66%) and diabetes mellitus (51%). 44% had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). The incidence of MDD was higher among females (69%) compared to males, in patients >75 years (66%) and those with multiple comorbidities (45%). 18% had moderate depression, while 15% and 22% had moderately severe and severe depression, respectively. Only 26% were receiving treatment for depression at the time of this survey. They concluded that the incidence of depression without prior psychiatric conditions who recovered from severe COVID-19 infection was 44%. More than 70% of these patients were not receiving treatment for depression.

Publication date / reference: 03/04/2021 Mahmoudi et al. A mediating role for mental health in associations between COVID-19-related self-stigma, PTSD, quality of life, and insomnia among patients recovered from COVID-19. Brain Behav.

Summary: This cross-sectional cohort study (n=844) to investigate the relationship between self-stigma for those infected and other neuropsychiatric factors. Patients were interviewed after the acute illness following hospitalisation. Those with severe underlying mental health disorders were excluded. The authors found that mental health as a mediator had a negative relationship with COVID-19-related self-stigma, PTSD and insomnia but positive relationship with quality of life. Mental health mediated the effect of COVID-19-related self-stigma on quality of life for patients after infection. The results from this study support the central role of mental health in mediating COVID-19-related self-stigma.

Publication date / reference: 29/03/2021 Kikutani et al., COVID-19 Infection-Related Weight Loss Decreases Eating/Swallowing Function in Schizophrenic Patients Nutrients

Summary: This retrospective study in Tokyo involved (n=44) confirmed COVID-19 patients in a psychiatric ward being treated for Schizophrenia, and investigated if there were any associations between swallowing function and COVID-19 infection. After COVID-infection, they found 13 patients were malnourished (basis of BMI) and they found 14 patients had a decreased FILS (Food Intake Level Scale) score (presence of eating/swallowing disorder). The authors conclude that post-infection changes to quality of life should be considered and in schizophrenic patients who may be at risk of swallowing issues, further detriment is a risk factor.

Publication date / reference: 29/03/2021 Tarsitani et al., Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among COVID-19 Survivors at 3-Month Follow-up After Hospital Discharge J Gen Intern Med

Summary: In this paper, the authors conducted a cohort follow-up study in a large Italian academic COVID-19 hospital. 115 recruited survivors were contacted by telephone 3 months after discharge to home care. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 was administered. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse risk factors for the development of PTSD. A total of 10.4% of the sample received a PCL-5-based diagnosis of PTSD.

Publication date / reference: 04/03/2021 Ismael et al. Substance use in mild-COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study. Front Public Health.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study looked into the prevalence of substance abuse amongst Brazilian patients with mild-COVID-19 defined as no alarming symptoms or need for in-person consultation (n=993). After the active phase (median=108 days) of infection patients were asked about retrospective substance abuse before, during and after COVID-19 illness. The authors found that alcohol and tobacco use declined after acute illness, however higher pre-COVID levels of these substances was associated with post-COVID cannabis use. Ismael and colleagues found no association between substance use and COVID-19 symptomatology.

Publication date / reference: 2/3/2021. Merzon et al. The Association between ADHD and the Severity of COVID-19 Infection. J Atten Disord.

Summary: Data regarding 1,870 individuals with ADHD who had tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 (RT-PCR confirmed) was extracted from a clinical database. ADHD was found to be associated with increased rates of hospitalisation and increased severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 15/03/21 Moni et al. COVID-19 patient transcriptomic and genomic profiling reveals comorbidity interactions with psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry.

Summary: This study evaluated the genetic profile of patients with COVID-19 and psychotic disorders. In particular it looked at whole transcriptome and immune factor transcript data in peripheral blood and mononuclear cells in patients with either COVID-19 or psychiatric disorders.COVID-19 patients had peripheral blood immune system profiles that overlapped with those of patients with psychiatric conditions.  This study also looked at genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for symptomatic COVID-19 patients compared to GWAS data for patients with bipolar disorder, PTSD and Schizophrenia. These studies revealed altered signalling and ontology pathways shared by COVID-19 patients and the psychiatric disorders. Finally, co-expression and network analyses identified gene clusters common to the conditions. From the pathways identified, PTSD profiles were the most highly correlated with COVID-19, which the authors argued was consistent with stress-immune system interactions seen in PTSD. They also refound common inflammatory pathways that may exacerbate psychiatric disorders, which may support the usage of anti-inflammatory medications in these patients. The authors argue that this genetic evidence may provide a basis for therapeutic treatment of SARS-COV-2 infected psychiatric patients

Publication date / reference: 26/03/2021 Cardenas et al., Prevalence of COVID 19 Positive Cases Presenting to a Psychiatric Emergency Room. Community Ment Health J.

Summary: This cross-sectional retrospective chart review determined point-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and characteristics of those infected in the psychiatric emergency room setting. 2.2% (n=23 patients) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and the majority of these were homeless or from congregate living settings. This stresses the importance of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 screening in the vulnerable homeless/congregate living setting population.

Publication date / reference: 02/03/2021 Crespo-Facorro et al. Aripiprazole as a candidate treatment of COVID-19 identified through genomic analysis. Front Pharmacol.

Summary: In this exploratory study, Crespo-Facorro et al describe transcriptomic analysis of blood samples from 57 non-affective psychosis patients and comparison with RNA-seq data from three COVID-19 patients and three healthy controls in Wuhan. It was found that 82 of the 377 genes altered in expression by 3 months of aripiprazole treatment, also differed in expression in COVID-19 patients. Pathway analyses of differentially expressed genes indicated the most significant pathways were immune and inflammatory mechanism-related. The authors do note the limitation of only having included three COVID-19 patients for whom there is little knowledge of characteristics.

Publication date / reference: 26/02/2021 Putri et al., Psychological distress assessment among patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19: A cohort study. J Formos Med Assoc

Summary: This cohort study of COVID-19 patients aimed to characterise the psychological burden of COVID-19 over time, from hospital admission, discharge to outpatient follow-up. 109 patients participated in the study, the main finding was 16.5% reported psychological distress on hospital admission and this showed a distinct time-dependent decline.

Publication date / reference: 01/02/2021 Zhou et al. A randomized trial in the investigation of anxiety and depression in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Ann Palliat Med.

Summary: Although this paper is titled a ‘randomised trial’, that isn’t true in the sense many of our readers would understand. Instead, the authors ‘randomly’ selected 65 hospitalised COVID-19 patients and performed a cross-sectional survey of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Point prevalences of anxiety and depression were 26% and 42% respectively. Perhaps the most interesting finding was that neither anxiety nor depression were associated with severity of COVID-19 illness.

Publication date / reference: 17/03/2021 Mongodi et al. High prevalence of acute stress disorder and persisting symptoms in ICU survivors after COVID-19. Intensive Care Med.

Summary: In this letter, Mongodi et al. describe the findings of follow-up hospital visits for 47 patients who were admitted to an ICU for COVID-19, at least 1 month after hospital discharge. The Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) was used to screen for acute stress disorder (ASD), defined by a score ≥ 33. Median IES-R score was 30, with 19/47 patients showing ASD. Among subscales, intrusion average score was higher than avoidance and both were higher than hyperarousal. No significant difference in patients’ characteristics, length of stay in ICU/hospital, need and length of invasive/non-invasive ventilation and drugs was observed comparing ASD and non-ASD patients

Publication date / reference: 17/03/2021  Shaunak et al. COVID-19 symptom surveillance in immunocompromised children and young people in the UK: a prospective observational cohort study. BMJ Open.

Summary: In this prospective cohort study Shaunak et al. aimed to describe the frequency of symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised children and young people; prevalence of patient/parent anxiety in regards to SARS-CoV-19 infection was also assessed. Patients filled in a weekly online questionnaire for a year (follow-up is ongoing), but this publication reports on results up to 4 July 2020 (when lockdown restrictions were eased). The study included 1490 immunocompromised children from 46 centres in the UK.  Participants most frequently reported joint pain, fatigue, headache, nausea and muscle pain. None of the study participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-19 infection. About 62% of patients reported high levels of anxiety and levels remained high through follow-up.

Publication date / reference: 01/03/2021 Perlis et al., Association of Acute Symptoms of COVID-19 and Symptoms of Depression in Adults. JAMA Netw Open.

Summary: This study aimed to see if there was an association between acute COVID-19 symptoms and subsequent depressive symptoms. 3904 individuals participated in this study with prior COVID-19 illness, the PHQ-9 screening tool was then used to screen for symptoms of depression (score of 10 or higher considered moderate depression). Sociodemographic factors were also taken into account in the analysis. Over 52.4% of the COVID-19 sample studied met criteria for moderate or more severe symptoms of depression. Symptoms were more frequent in younger respondents, respondents who were male and who self-reported greater COVID-19 severity.

Publication date / reference: 02/03/2021 Özlü et al. The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled study. Perspect Psychiatr Care.

Summary: The authors of this experimental study trialled muscle relaxation exercises on 33 patients with COVID-19 and results were compared with those of 34 COVID-19 patients in a control group. Significant differences were noted between both groups’ mean post-test scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. In-group comparison of the experimental group found a significant difference between mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale. In-group comparison of the control group found no statistically significant changes in their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale.

Publication date / reference: 20/02/2021 Einvik et al., Prevalence and Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress in Hospitalized and Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health

Summary: This was a longitudinal cohort study looking at the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in post-COVID infected inpatient and outpatients in a region in Norway (n=583). The median response was 116 days after COVID infection. PTSD prevalence was 9.5% (11) in hospitalised cohort and 7.0% (32) in non-hospitalised patients. Their findings suggest risk factors for developing PTSD symptoms post-COVID included female sex and those not born in Norway. Other risk factors in the community patient cohort included: previous depression, and higher severity of initial COVID symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 20/02/2021. Parizad et al. Effect of guided imagery on anxiety, muscle pain, and vital signs in patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract.

Summary: This is a randomised controlled trial which evaluated the effect of guided imagery on reported levels of anxiety, muscle pain and other physiological measures in 110 patients with COVID-19. The intervention consisted of 10 sessions of recorded visualisation and relaxation exercises, compared to control. The authors found a significant decrease in state anxiety (t = -3.829), trait anxiety (t = -2.946), pain quality (t = -4.223, p < .001) and pain intensity (t = -3.068, p = .003) in the intervention compared to control group. This is preliminary evidence demonstrating a potential benefit for visualisation and guided imagery techniques in patients with anxiety and COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 04/03/2021 Moayed et al. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Patients with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study Adv Exp Med Biol

Summary: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis with COVID-19 were included in the study by census sampling. Assessment of depression, stress, and anxiety was performed using the DASS-21 questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by 221 patients with COVID-19 infection (204 males, 17 females). Results indicated that the mean scores of depression and anxiety were at “extremely severe” levels, while stress levels were “severe

Publication date / reference: 22/2/21 Moradi et al. Psychological reactions of COVID-19 patients to the stress caused by the disease crisis: A descriptive phenomenological study. Perspect Psychiatr Care.

Summary: Moradi and colleagues conducted a retrospective qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of 14 patients (mean age 35.37) who had all been hospitalised for COVID-19. Data was analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method, with two broad themes emerging; “self-moderating the effect of stress” and “psychological maladaptation”. Psychological maladaptation took the form of depression, regret and self-blaming, whilst self-moderating the effects of stress encompassed spiritual meditation, distraction and avoidance

Publication date / reference: 23/02/2021 Kimura et al. Relationships between changes due to COVID-19 pandemic and the depressive and anxiety symptoms among mothers of infants and/or preschoolers: a prospective follow-up study from pre-COVID-19 Japan. BMJ Open.

Summary: In their prospective study Kimura et al. aimed to establish the association between changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and incidence of depressive and anxiety in mothers, aged 20-29 with young children (aged 0-6). Of 4700 who initially took part in an online survey, overall, 2286 participants were included in the analysis after the follow-up survey in June 2020; depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Overall, 151 patients (6.6%) had newly developed depressive and anxiety symptoms during the follow-up period. The occurrence of depression and anxiety was significantly correlated to shortage of relaxation time (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.47), increased difficulty in child rearing (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.70), increased partner aggression (AOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.42 to 6.05) and an increased sense of unfairness (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.73).

Publication date / reference: 19/02/21. Lee et al. Association between mental illness and COVID-19 in South Korea: a post-hoc analysis. Lancet Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors present a post-hoc analysis in response to correspondence to their prior article. They report that in comparison to controls, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was greater in patients who mis-used alcohol or drugs, but was not associated with patients having anxiety and stress-related disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, or eating disorders. Mechanisms underlying the association were speculated to include biological consequences of alcohol or drug use, or social consequences of inebriation such as lower concern for social distancing.

Publication date / reference: 19/02/2021 Canal-Rivero et al. Lower risk of SARS-CoV2 infection in individuals with severe mental disorders on antipsychotic treatment: A retrospective epidemiological study in a representative Spanish population. Schizophr Res.

Summary: Canal-Rivero and colleagues present a retrospective epidemiological study investigating the risk of SARS-CoV2 infection in patients with severe mental disorders (SMD), treated with long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic treatment. Between February to November 2020, the authors compared a cohort of non-SMD patients (n=557576) and a cohort of n=698 SMD patients. The authors found that a significantly reduced proportion of patients with SMD (1.3%) was infected by COVID-19 , compared to the non-SMD cohort (4.1%) (p ≤0.001). Similarly, patients with SMD had a lower proportion of hospital admissions (8.5% vs 0%), ICU admissions (0.9% vs 0%) and deaths (1.1% vs 0%) – although these differences were not statistically significant. These findings add to the small body of literature suggesting that antipsychotics may play a role in preventing and attenuating the severity of COVID-19 (summarised by the authors at the start of this letter). The authors acknowledge that this association is complex and that this study has not been able to account for all the likely contributing factors.

 Publication date / reference: 8/02/2021 Xu et al.Depression and insomnia in COVID-19 survivors: a cross-sectional survey from Chinese rehabilitation centers in Anhui province. Sleep Med.

Summary: This prospective cross-sectional study included 121 patients with COVID-19 two weeks after discharge from Chinese rehabilitation centers in Anhui province. Prevalence and the severity of depression and insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Center for Epidemiology Scale for Depression (CES-D). Overall, 12 people (9.9%) had clinically significant depression (>16 points on CES-D) and 32 (26.4%) were diagnosed with insomnia based on ISI score >8. Patients with mental and physical impairment were at least two times more likely to experience depression (P = 0.035, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = [1.1; 4.1]) or insomnia (P = 0.005, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = [1.2; 3.5]). Need for psychological assistance correlated with the prevalence of depression (P = 0.004, OR = 18.4, 95% CI = [2.6; 132.5]) while age was only a slight risk factor for insomnia (P = 0.002, OR = 1.1, 95% CI = [1.0; 1.2]).

Publication date / reference: 28/01/2021 Graaf et al. Short-term outpatient follow-up of COVID-19 patients: A multidisciplinary approach. EClinicalMedicine.

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate outpatients six weeks after discharge and compare between patients admitted to the general ward and ICU, and between patients with a high versus low functional status. The authors included 81 patients (41% ICU). Risk of depression, anxiety and PTSD were 17%, 5% and 10% respectively and similar for both ICU and non-ICU patients. They concluded that most patients suffered from functional limitations. Dyspnea on exertion was most frequent and could be caused by pulmonary fibrosis, which should be investigated in long-term follow-up. In addition, mechanical ventilation, deconditioning, or pulmonary embolism may play an important role.

Publication date / reference: 18/02/2021 Wang et al. Acute psychological impact on COVID-19 patients in Hubei: a multicenter observational study. Transl Psych.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study of hospitalised but non-critical covid-19 patients in China, a number of online screening tools were administered to those who were well enough to respond. The authors reported that 66% of respondents had ‘somatisation symptoms’ (based on >4 on the PHQ-15 scale), however it would be unfair to label these symptoms as ‘psychological’ (as the authors state) given that the patients were by definition physically unwell with covid-19 at the time. Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were found in 53% and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) in 46%. Suicidal ideation was found in a fifth. These results show high levels of psychiatric symptomatology in the acute phase of covid-19, however the study is significantly limited by the use of screening tools with low cut-off scores.

Publication date / reference: 18/02/2021. Janiri et al. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients After Severe COVID-19 Infection. JAMA Psychiatry.

Summary: In this Research Letter to the Editor Janiri et al. reported results from a cross-sectional study which aimed to establish the prevalence of PTSD among 381 patients who recovered from COVID-19 after an acute infection. About 30.2% (115) patients had PTSD (diagnosed with criterion-standard Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)). The most common additional diagnosis in all 381 patients were depressive episode – 17.3% (66 patients) and generalized anxiety disorder- 7.0% (27 patients). PTSD was more common in women, in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders and delirium during the acute stage.

Publication date / reference: 14/01/2021 Bonazza et al. Psychological outcomes after hospitalization for COVID-19: data from a multidisciplinary follow-up screening program for recovered patients. Res Psychother.

Summary: This retrospective observational study of 261 patients noted symptoms of anxiety (28%), depression (17%) and PTSD (36.4%) in patients with negative outcomes being associated with female gender and anxiety symptoms being negatively correlated with patient age. 13.8% underwent a psychological visit and 6.1% were taken in charge for psychological support.

Publication date / reference: 11/02/2021 Ferrario et al. The psychological experience and intervention in post-acute COVID-19 inpatients. Neuropsychatr Dis Treat.

Summary: In this study of 181 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 47.5% underwent psychological assessment. The most common psychological issues were acute stress disorders (18.6%), anxious and demoralization symptoms (26.7%), depression (10.5%%), and troublesome grief (8.1%).

Publication date / reference: 24/12/2020 Shousha et al. Psychiatric morbidities and Coping strategies in patients with different Coronavirus disease-2019 severities and chronic medical diseases: A multicenter cross-sectional study. MedRxic preprint.

Summary:  This multi-centre cross sectional study aimed to explore the difference in anxiety, depression and coping strategies of individuals with or without chronic medical illnesses (CMI). 199 patients responded to a survey of which 46.73% had CMI. The most common coping mechanisms used by both groups were religion, emotional support, use of information and acceptance.

Publication date / reference: 09/02/2021 Hoertel et al. Observational Study of Chlorpromazine in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. Clin Drug Investig.

Summary: This retrospective study aimed to examine the association between chlorpromazine use and mortality among adult COVID-19 inpatients. The authors defined baseline as the date of first prescription of chlorpromazine during hospitalization for COVID-19 outside ICUs and compared the death endpoint between those who received chlorpromazine and those who did not. They found that 55 out of the 14,340 (0.4%) patients received chlorpromazine. Over a mean follow-up of 14.3 days, death occurred in 23.6% who received chlorpromazine and 9.0% who did not. There was no significant association between chlorpromazine use and mortality (HR=2.01). Sensitivity analyses included a Cox regression in a 1:5 ratio matched analytic sample that showed a similar result (HR 1.67) and a multivariable Cox regression that indicated a significant positive association (HR 3.10). They concluded that chlorpromazine prescribed at a mean daily dose of 70.8 mg was not associated with reduced mortality.

Publication date / reference: 28/10/2021 Turan et al. Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 inpatients who underwent psychiatric consultations. Asian J Psychiatr.

Summary: This descriptive study analysed the records of covid-19 patients referred for inpatient psychiatric input. Supporting previous data, delirium was the most common diagnosis (40%), with adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder making up the rest.

Publication date / reference: 09/02/2021 Chamberlain et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in COVID-19 survivors: online population survey. BJPsych Open

Summary: This study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 13,049 survivors of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, from the UK general population, as a function of severity and hospital admission status. Significantly elevated rates of PTSD were found in those requiring at home medical support or those requiring hospital admission with and without ventilation as compared to those with mild COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 08/02/2021 Chen et al. Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in China BMC Psychiatry

Summary: The authors aimed to study the mental health of hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The authors used various checklists and questionnaires to examine post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, trauma exposure, resilience and perceived social support among 898 patients who were hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in China. Results showed that hospitalized patients who were more impacted by negative news reports, had greater exposure to traumatic experiences, and had lower levels of perceived social support, reported higher PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Publication date / reference: 03/02/2021. Liu et al. Investigation and analysis of psychological stress among non-severe COVID-19 patients. J Mol Cell Biol. 

Summary: Cross-sectional Questionnaire study of the impact of psychological stress in non-severe COVID-19 patients (N=90). Data on stress perception (PSS-10), PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) and symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A) and depression HADS-D) were collected. Factors such as age, gender, marital status and education levels were found to have significant associations with higher stress, PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms in this cohort of patients, and the prevalence of these symptoms were higher than that found in the general population. The study finding is limited by the small sample size, self-reported data and lack of control for confounders. 

Publication date / reference: 21/01/2021. Syed et al. Management challenges in patients with comorbid COVID-19 associated delirium and serious mental illness – A case series. Int J Psychiatry Med. 

Summary: Case series of 4 patients who were on psychotropic polypharmacy, admitted to psychiatric facility with COVID-19 delirium. Authors aimed to highlight the diagnostic and management challenges clinicians faced and the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in caring for these patients. 

Publication date / reference: 3/2/2021. Tsai et al. Mental Health and Psychosocial Characteristics Associated With COVID-19 Among U.S. Adults Psychiatry Online 

Summary: In this study, the authors aimed to examine the psychosocial and mental health characteristics associated with COVID-19 infection. An online survey that asked about COVID-19 status, social support, and mental health was used to recruit a national sample of 6,607 low- and middle-income adults; 354 reported a positive COVID-19 test, 1,819 reported a negative test, and 4,434 reported not being tested in May or June 2020. Compared with the COVID-19− and untested groups, the COVID-19+ group was more likely to consist of veterans and have individuals with a history of homelessness or who reported a greater number of close friends or relatives, greater social support, and a greater sense of loneliness.

Publication date / reference: 28/01/2021 Bonaccorso et al. Clozapine, neutropenia and Covid-19: should clinicians be concerned? 3 months report. Brain Behav Immun Health.

The authors of this small study lay claim to the first report suggesting a drop in absolute neutrophil in patients taking clozapine whilst infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In these patients the drop was transitory with the patients reaching baseline levels after the resolution of COVID-19. Caution should be taken when reading this study given the small dataset and the lack of other possible explanatory variables into the regression analysis.

Publication date / reference: 01/11/2020 Yang et al. Pre-pandemic psychiatric disorders and risk of COVID-19: a UK Biobank cohort analysis.Lancet Healthy Longev.

Summary: In their retrospective cohort analysis Yang et al. aimed to examine the prevalence of pre-pandemic psychiatric disorders (mood disorders, anxiety, stress-related disorder, substance misuse, psychotic disorders) and the subsequent risk of COVID-19 in 421 014 participants in UK Biobank cohort. Of 50 509 patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorder, 442 (0.9%) were COVID-19 cases while 1509 (0.4%)  of 370 205 without pre-existing psychiatric disorders had COVID-19. The adjusted model showed OR 1·44 (95% CI 1·28–1·62) for all COVID-19 cases, OR 1·55 (1·34–1·78) for inpatient COVID-19 cases, and OR 2·03 (1·59–2·59) for COVID-19-related deaths, showing that patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorder were at elevated risk of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 2020. Theano et al. SARSCoV-2 Psychosomatic Effects and Fear of Stigma on the Discharge Day of Infected Individuals: SAPFO Study. Psychiatr Danub.

Summary: This non-intervention prospective study aimed to evaluate the psychosomatic effects and the fear of stigma which patients may face after the end of treatment and discharge from hospital. The authors evaluated patients using 5 topic questionnaires: pain/discomfort, anxiety/distress, fear/worries, stigma and tolerance of treatment. They found that females and patients younger than 40 years old had more worries and fears. Significant factors were days of hospitalization, days of fever and need of oxygen therapy. Patients hospitalized more than 10 days, particularly in isolation negative pressure rooms, with persistent fever more than 7 days and need of oxygen therapy had more anxiety, worries for their clinical condition and fear of stigma. The majority of patients (80%) were expecting to face moderate to severe problems with family members, friends and colleagues underlying the dimensions of stigma. They concluded that it is crucial to evaluate the psychosocial aspects of this infection and limit the stigma which patients may face returning to their daily routine. 

Publication/date reference: 18/01/2021. The Psychological Burden of COVID-19 Stigma: Evaluation of the Mental Health of Isolated Mild Condition COVID-19 Patients. J Korean Med Sci. 

Summary: This was a retrospective observational cohort study of mental health problems in COVID-19 patients admitted to a community treatment center in Korea (N=107). At time of admission (baseline), psychiatric history and assessment were evaluated using the PHQ-2 (to assess major depressive disorder symptoms) and GAD-2 (to assess anxiety). Weekly mental health assessments were done using a variety of self-reporting questionnaires: PHQ-9 (assess depression), GAD-7 (assess anxiety), P4 suicidality screener, PCL-5 (assess PTSD), PHQ-15 (assess somatic symptom severity), MERS stigma scale (COVID-19 stigma). The results suggest social mitigation of COVID-19 related stigma and care of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses are valuable measures of mental health during a crisis period. 

Publication/date reference:  11/01/2021. The Effect of COVID-19 Anxiety on General Health: the Role of COVID-19 Coping. Int Journal of Mental Health Addiction. 

Summary: This study aimed to contribute to the extant literature in general health during the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporated the study of COVID-19 anxiety and coping using a large Turkish sample. Participants (70% females) included 4624 adults recruited through convenient sampling. Authors performed exploratory, confirmatory factor as well as correlation analysis and also did regression analysis, in which a path model was constructed whereby the COVID-19 anxiety was an exogenous variable, the COVID-19 coping was the mediating variable, and general health was the dependent variable. Authors found COVID-19 anxiety was negatively related with COVID-19 coping and general health. COVID-19 coping had a positive relationship with general health. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that COVID-19 coping partially mediated the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and general health.

Publication date / reference: 07/01/2021. Arbelo et al. Psychiatric Clinical Profiles and Pharmacological Interactions in COVID-19 Inpatients Referred to a Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Unit: a Cross-Sectional Study. Psychiatr Q.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study Arbelo et al. described the psychiatric clinical profile and pharmacological interactions in 71 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who were referred to a Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) unit in a general university hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Non-severe mental illness was most prevalent with 33patients (46.5%) with clinical presentation of mild-to moderate depression, adjustment disorder, substance abuse and etc. Twenty five patients (35.2%) had delirium and 13 patients (18.3%) had severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other. In terms of pharmacological interactions between anti-COVID19 and psychiatric drugs, the authors reported mainly drowsiness (4.3%) and borderline QTc prolongation (1.5%).

Publication date / reference: 09/12/2020 Zhang et al. Mental health outcomes among patients from Fangcang shelter hospitals exposed to coronavirus disease 2019: An observational cross-sectional study. Chronic Dis Transl Med.

Summary: In their study Zhang et al. reported levels of sleep quality (Self Rating Scale of Sleep; SRSS), anxiety (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7), depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), self-efficacy, stress (Whiteley Index; WI-7; Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale;CD-RISC; Impact of Event Scale-Revised; IES-R)  and social support (Social Support Rating Scale; SSRS) in patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 illness from Jingxia Fangcang shelter hospital in Wuhan, China. Out of 129 participants, who completed the survey, 64 (49.6%) had depressive or anxiety symptoms and these symptoms were highly correlated to sleep disturbances and hypochondriasis (all r > 0.50, P < 0.01). Patients with mental health symptoms had lower levels of  psychological resilience. 

Publication date / reference: 17/12/2020 Moradi et al. Psychological disturbances of survivors throughout COVID-19 crisis: a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry.

Publication date / reference: 16/12/2020 Carpiniella et al. Psychiatry during the Covid-19 pandemic: a survey on mental health departments in Italy. BMC Psychiatry.

Publication date / reference: 16/12/2020 White et al. Changes in Alcohol Consumption Among College Students Due to COVID-19: Effects of Campus Closure and Residential Change. J Stud Alcohol Drugs

The authors have performed an analytical study to find out risk factors for finding out risk factors leading to nonpsychotic postpartum mood and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine, and social isolation, the absence of social support, as well as having emotional problems were found to be major risk factors. Postpartum women were more anxious and had feelings of helplessness during social isolation. Though matching for age has been done, there could be additional factors like previous bad obstetric history etc. which also may need to be looked at.

Publication date / reference:14/12/2020 Szajnoga et al. COVID-19 lockdown leads to changes in alcohol consumption patterns. Results from the Polish national survey. J Addict. Dis.

Summary: Robillard and colleagues present the results of a population survey involving 6040 participants, focusing on social, financial and psychosocial stress from the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress changes were measured using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Unsurprisingly, they found that PSS scores increased from low levels before the outbreak to moderate levels during the outbreak. Numerous factors were associated with this increase (full list in abstract), many of which are stressors in themselves. 

Publication date / reference: 09/12/2020 Fancourt et al. Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England: a longitudinal observational study. Lancet Psychiatry.

Publication date / reference: 11/12/20 Tambling et al. Measuring cumulative stressfulness: psychometric properties of the COVID-19 stressors scale. Health Educ Behav.

Summary: This paper assessed a novel assessment tool for investigating psychological well-being called the COVID- Reaction Scale (COVID-RS). They assessed 667 individuals in five dimensions of psychopathological reactions and found that quarantine increases and induces these reactions with loneliness relative to the number of people the subject lives with. They state the assessment tool is valid and reliable and can be used to measure dysfunctional reactions.

Summary: This meta analysis investigated the occurrence of anxiety and/or depression in 11,187 pregnant women as archived on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from December 2019 to July 2020. A random-effects meta analysis was employed and significant heterogeneity was detected in the participants of the 15 studies. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher in pregnant women than in controls. The prevalence of anxiety was 34% , depression 30% and that of both anxiety and depression was 18%. 

Summary: This study explored the correlation between a commonly experienced post COVID-19 symptom – fatigue and anhedonia. The authors also aimed to study whether there were any implications on the severity of these psychiatric manifestations dependent on the duration after 2 consecutive PCR-negative tests. Two outcome measures (SAAS – Self Assessment Anhedonia Scale and FAS – Fatigue Assessment Scale) were used to study outcomes. Results showed high scores of various subtypes of SAAS and FAS in the studied group. Positive statistically significant correlation was seen between fatigue and anhedonia in Post COVID-19 group. Duration of after recovery showed negative statistically significant correlation with anhedonia and fatigue in the group. 

Publication date / reference: 20/11/20. Kong et al. Effect of Psychological-Behavioral Intervention on the Depression and Anxiety of COVID-19 Patients. Front Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this single-centre study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors linked to anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and to determine the effect of a “psychological-behavioural intervention” on anxiety and depression of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Using the HADS scale with thresholds of 8+, 50 (34.7%) and 31 (28.5%) participants presented symptoms of anxiety and depression respectively, and 26/144 (18%) of patients scored above threshold on both. These 26 patients were randomised to a ten-day intervention emphasising the role of breathing exercises and social support, or usual care control. HADS scores were significantly reduced in the intervention group. There was a trend (p<0.1) to improvement in the control group. 

Publication date / reference: 17/12/20. Zhu et al. Prevalence and risk factors of disability and anxiety in a retrospective cohort of 432 survivors of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (Covid-19) from China. PLoS One. 

Summary: This multicenter retrospective cohort study in China examined four hundred and thirty-two COVID-19 survivors who were admitted between January 18 and March 15 2020. Outcomes were disability and anxiety. Limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were assessed. Anxiety was evaluated using the Zung’s self-reported anxiety Scale. One or more IADL limitations was found in 36.81% of patients and severe ADL dependence in 5.56%. Severity of disease was significantly associated with greater ADL dependence. Anxiety was reported in 28.70% of those sampled and was also significantly associated with disease severity. The authors concluded that a significant proportion of COVID-19 survivors has disability and anxiety at discharge from hospital. 

Publication date / reference: 10/12/2020 Howard et al. Prompt Use of Benzodiazepines for Anxiety Management in COVID-19–Positive Patients With Tracheostomy. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.

Publication date / reference: 08/12/2020 Horn et al. Is COVID-19 Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? J Clin Psychiatry

Publication date / reference: 30/11/20. Luykx et al. Are psychiatric disorders risk factors for COVID-19 susceptibility and severity? a two-sample, bidirectional, univariable and multivariable Mendelian Randomization study. MedRxiv (pre-print, not peer-reviewed) 

Summary: In this cross sectional single center survey study, Poyraz and colleagues investigated the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in patients who have recovered from acute COVID-19 infection (N= 284). The survey screened for symptoms of PTSD (IES-R), anxiety and depression (HADS), sleep impairment (PSQI) and suicidality (Mini suicidality scale) among others. The authors found that  a third (34.5%) of the patients reported clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression after a mean of 50 days post recovery from COVID-19. And a significant proportion (44%)  of these patients continued to suffer from protracted symptoms (fatigue, headache, alteration of smell/taste, impaired concentration, daytime sleepiness). Notably, PTSD symptom severity was found to be the sole independent predictor of protracted COVID-19 symptoms. The findings of this study are limited by the convenience sampling and self-report survey method, but it nonetheless highlights that a significant proportion of patients suffer from protracted physical and psychiatry symptoms ‘recovery’ from COVID-19, and suggests a significant inter-relationship between the two that warrants further research examination. 

Publication date / reference: 12/11/2020 Janiri et al. Psychological Distress After Covid-19 Recovery: Reciprocal Effects With Temperament and Emotional Dysregulation. An Exploratory Study of Patients Over 60 Years of Age Assessed in a Post-acute Care Service. Front. Psychiatry

Publication date / reference: 24/12/20 Şahan et al. Can we predict who will be more anxious and depressed in the COVID-19 ward? J Psychosom Res.

 Summary: In this cross-sectional study Sahan et al. explored the prevalence of anxiety and depression in 281 hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Following a telepsychiatric assessment to evaluate mood, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered. Significant levels of anxiety were observed in 98 patients (34.9%) and significant levels of depression in 118 (42.0%). Staying alone in a hospital room was associated both with anxiety and depression. Anxiety was also associated with female gender, being in the beginning of hospital stay and history of psychiatric disorder, while depression was associated with age over 50 years and NSAID use the week before hospital admission.

Publication date / reference: Dec 2020. Sahoo et al. Psychological experience of patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Asian J Psychiatr.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study assessed 50 patients on their experience of being admitted to a COVID-19 isolation ward or ICU. They found that the majority of patients display a wide range of unpleasant emotions potentially fuelled by media but in particular anxiety, isolation and remaining worried. They also found that over time patients become more familiar with their surroundings and become more relaxed as the hospital stay goes on and their faith in human relationships is strengthened. They also state that despite adequate psychological support just under two fifths of patients still score for anxiety and/or depression near discharge.

Publication date / reference: Dec 2020. He et al. Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in the Chinese population in relation to exposure to COVID-19 and region of residence. Asian J Psychiatr.

 Summary: The authors of this prospective observational study sought to elucidate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in a Chinese population (n=7143) stratified by those with confirmed COVID-19, or by high or low risk of COVID-19 exposure. Based on the Zung self-report depression scale and self-report anxiety scale, the infected group (n=318) reported the highest prevalence of severe depression (48 %) and severe anxiety (53 %). Univariate regression analysis demonstrated that patients with confirmed COVID-19 were at greater risk of having severe anxiety and depression, compared to participants who were at low risk of COVID-19 exposure. This held true after controlling for gender, age, residence, and educational background. In this brief report, the authors did not describe the severity of COVID-19 illness or the duration from acute COVID-19 illness to the self-reporting of symptoms.

Publication date / reference: Dec 2020. Chieffo et al. Psychopathological profile in COVID-19 patients including healthcare workers: the implications. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.

Summary: This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 hospitalisation between healthcare workers (HCW) (n=8) and non-HCW (n=26). HCW showed significantly more levels of self-reported distress at four months follow-up (p=.015). At follow-up HCW also reported more anxiety symptoms (p=.019) leading the authors to suggest the implementation of specialist post-traumatic psychological services for HCW hospitalised by COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 20/11/20 Xiao et al. Effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on negative emotions and sleep quality in COVID-19 patients: A clinical observational study. Medicine (Baltimore).

Summary: This study assessed the effects of progressive muscle relaxation therapy on 39 inpatients with COVID-19 and compared outcomes with 40 COVID-19 inpatient controls who only received routine treatment and nursing. After intervention, significant differences in scores on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were observed.

Publication date / reference: 10/10/2020. Parker et al. Depression, Anxiety, and Acute Stress Disorder Among Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Prospective Cohort Study. psychosomatics . 

Summary: Cross sectional study point prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in non-ICU treated COVID-19 inpatients (N=58). Of those 36% of subjects showed elevated anxiety symptoms (HADS-A), 29% showed elevated depressive symptoms (HADS-D). At two week follow-up, 9%  had elevated anxiety symptoms, 20% had elevated depression symptoms and 25% had mild to moderate acute stress disorder symptoms, discharge home was not associated with improvement in psychiatric symptoms. Of note, patients presented with derium were excluded from the study due to difficulty obtaining consent. The finds are further limited by the small sample size. 

Publication date / reference: 13/11/2020 Van Der Meer et al., Associations between psychiatric disorders, COVID-19 testing probability and COVID-19 testing results: findings from a population-based study – ERRATUM. BJPsych Open

Summary: This was a retrospective population-based study looking at n=632 COVID-19 positive patients and ascertain any association with prior. Psychiatric disorders. Their results suggest that although those with a background of psychiatry disorders were tested more, the results were often negative. The authors found that of those who had a positive test, 344 (23.3%) had a previous psychiatric disorder and 187 (12.7%) had a background of a neurological disorder. More specifically, 156 (10.6%) had depression, 173 (11.7%) had a background of substance use and 80 (5.4%) had anxiety. They found that certain psychiatric conditions were less prevalent in those that were tested positive such as substance abuse (p= 0.0002).

Publication Date/ Reference: 2/11/2020. Konstantinos N Fountoulakis et al. Self-reported changes in anxiety, depression and suicidality during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. J Affect Disord.

Summary: This study used an online questionnaire to evaluate changes in anxiety, depression and suicidality during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. Data from 3399 individuals was used, and clinical depression was identified in 9.31%, while 8.5% had severe distress. There was an increase in suicidal thoughts in 10.40% of the sample, and a decrease in 4.42%. The authors created a model explaining the development of depression with several factors considered such as general  health  status,  previous  history  of  depression,  self-harm and suicidal attempts, family responsibility. They also considered economic change, and age acting as risk factors, while keeping a daily routine, pursuing religiousness/spirituality, and  believing in conspiracy theories acting as protective factors. The authors concluded that their model revealed an interplay leading from anxiety to clinical depression to suicidality through distress.  As most of the factors in the model are modifiable, they recommend that future research and interventions should focus on them.

Publication Date/ Reference: 12/11/2020. Sensoy et al. Anxiety and depression levels in Covid-19 disease and their relation to hypertension. Clin Exp Hypertens.

Summary: Cross sectional study of 91 patients with confirmed (N=31) or suspected (N=30 inpatient, N=30 outpatient) COVID-19 patients, their anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) and Depressive state (Beck Depression Inventory). Study found a higher than average incidence of depression (24%) and anxiety (44%) in this cohort of  patients.  Level of anxiety was also found to be higher in inpatients compared to outpatients, as well as independently associated with hypertension. Result of the study is limited by the small sample size.

Publication date / reference: 09/11/2020 Taquet et al. Bidirectional associations between COVID-19 and psychiatric disorder: retrospective cohort studies of 62 354 COVID-19 cases in the USA. Lancet Psych.

Summary: In this large retrospective cohort, which has previously been featured on this blog as a preprint, the authors analysed a large cohort (>62k) of patients. A) COVID-19 was associated with subsequent psychiatric morbidity, some of it new-onset: the incidence of any psychiatric diagnosis in the 14 to 90 days after COVID-19 diagnosis was 18%, including 6% that were a first diagnosis; incidence of a first diagnosis of dementia in the same time period after COVID-19 diagnosis was 2% (in people older than 65 years). Not only that, but patients with a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis had a higher incidence of COVID-19 diagnosis (RR 1.65). The authors state that thiis risk was independent of known physical health risk factors for COVID-19, but that they could not exclude possible residual confounding by socioeconomic factors.

Publication date / reference: 04/11/20 Sönmez Güngör et al. Adverse drug reactions associated with concurrent acute psychiatric treatment and COVID-19 drug therapy. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.

Summary: The authors of this study report on adverse effects of drug therapy observed in 23 patients with COVID-19 who had been admitted to an acute psychiatric clinic. 4 out of 23 patients experienced adverse effects, with two having mild hepatic enzyme elevation and one mild sinus bradycardia. Adverse effects were not significantly associated with patient-related factors nor dose of antipsychotic medication.

Publication date / reference: 27/10/2020 Jiang et al. Psychological distress and sleep quality of COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, a lockdown city as the epicenter of COVID-19. J. Psychiatr. Res.

Summary: In their publication Jiang et al. report the results of two cross-sectional investigations, conducted in February and March 2020. The prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety, as well as sleep quality in 202 patients with COVID-19 were evaluated with Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The study also explores the association between different demographic characteristics of the sample and mental health status.

Publication Date/ Reference: 30/11/2020 Kim et al. Telephone based Interventions for Psychological Problems in Hospital Isolated Patients with COVID-19. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.

Summary: This single-center study evaluated the usefulness of telephone based interventions by psychiatrists to 33 hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Psychological interventions were delivered via phone for approximately 30 minutes twice a week for a maximum of 5 sessions. Of enrolled patients, clinically meaningful psychological symptoms were found in 6 for anxiety, 13 for depression, 10 for insomnia and 3 for suicidal ideation. The telephone interventions were supplemented by psychotropic medication in 9 participants. Significant improvements for anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were found at one week but not two weeks when compared to baseline. This is a relatively small sample size with significant heterogeneity in the psychological problems of COVID-19 patients targeted so should be taken with caution. It does however raise the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of telephone-based interventions to treat psychological complications of COVID-19 infections through larger scale and randomised control trials.

Publication Date/Reference: 26/10/20 Benedetti et al. Can Cytokine Blocking Prevent Depression in COVID-19 Survivors? J Neuroimmune Pharmacol.

Summary: This prospective surveillance study assessed depressive symptoms and PTSD in 84 males who were hospitalised and survived COVID-19. They compared standard treatment against standard treatment plus cytokine-blocking agents (Anakinra or Tocilizumab) on inflammatory markers and self reported psychopathological status. They found that cytokine-blocking agents were protective of depressive symptoms at three month follow up but not PTSD.

Publication Date/Reference: 06/10/2020 Samrah et al. Depression and Coping Among COVID-19-Infected Individuals After 10 Days of Mandatory in-Hospital Quarantine, Irbid, Jordan. Psychol Res Behav Manag.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study of patients admitted to a hospital in Jordan with covid-19, the authors used the PHQ-9 to screen for symptoms of depression. They found that 21% were at ‘high-risk’ of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10). This is a moderately high prevalence, but it is worth bearing in mind that in Jordan any patients with confirmed covid-19, even if they are asymptomatic, are required by law to be detained in hospital; this clearly introduces a substantial cofounder.

Publication date / reference: 22/10/20. Fond et al. Disparities in Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality Among Patients With Schizophrenia and COVID-19: A National Cohort Study. Schizophr Bull.

Summary: This population-based cohort study in France examined all patients admitted with COVID-19 who were hospitalised (n=50,750) between February and June 2020. Cases were patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Controls were patients without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. The outcomes studied included in-hospital mortality and intensive care admission. 823 cases were included; patients with schizophrenia had increased in-hospital mortality (25.6% vs 21.7%; adjusted OR 1.30 [95% CI, 1.08-1.56], p=0.0093) and a decreased ICU admission rate (23.7% vs 28.4%; adjusted OR 0.75 [95%CI, 0.62-0.91], p=0.0062) compared with controls. Significant interactions between schizophrenia and age for mortality and ICU admission were observed (p=0.0006 and p<0.0001). Patients with schizophrenia between the ages of 65 and 80 years had a significantly higher risk of death than controls of the same age (+7.89%) and those younger than 55 years had more ICU admissions (+13.93%). The authors highlighted the disparities in health and health care between patients with schizophrenia and individuals without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. They concluded that age and clinical profile was an important factor in the disparities, suggesting that personalised management of COVID-19 in such cases is of importance.

Publication date / reference: 22/10/2020 Jaworowski et al. Three Cases of COVID-19-related First Onset Brief Reactive Psychosis. Isr Med Assoc J.

Summary: This is a case series of three men with COVID-19 who developed transient new onset psychotic symptoms while infected which resolved within 2 days. All had mild respiratory symptoms, had religious and grandiose delusions and were treated with neuroleptic medications. The authors argue that as all patients had mild symptoms and were not recieving steroids their symptoms are most likely caused by non-organic brief psychotic disorder induced by situational stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Publication date / reference: 02/10/20. Xie et al. COVID-19 patients managed in psychiatric inpatient settings due to first-episode mental disorders in Wuhan, China: clinical characteristics, treatments, outcomes, and our experiences. Transl Psychiatry.

Summary: The authors of this study compared 25 COVID-19 patients with first-onset mental disorders and 55 controls with first-onset mental disorders. In COVID-19 patients adjustment disorder and acute and transient psychotic disorders were most common, whilst schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders were most common amongst controls. Insomnia symptoms, aggressive behaviours and delusion were common in COVID-19 patients, and length of stay was significantly shorter in the COVID-19 group compared to controls.

Publication date / reference: 30/09/20. Chang and Park. Incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder after coronavirus disease. Healthcare (Basel).

Summary: The authors of this study followed-up 64 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital between February and April 2020 and evaluated them with the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5. They found that 13 participants had a score of >33 thus indicating a 20.3% prevlaance of PTSD, and no significant differences in sex, age, hospitalisation time and duration post-discharge were seen between those with or without PTSD.

Publication date / reference: 14/09/20. Liguori et al. Depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with SARS-CoV2 infection. J Affect Disord.

Summary: Prospective study in 103 patients with COVID-19, in which anxiety symptoms were reported by 34/103 patients and depressive symptoms by 39/103. No information is given about how these symptoms were identified other than “by an anamnestic (history) interview requiring a ‘yes/no’ decision”. The prevalence figures were reported previously here. This secondary analysis adds detail including that depressive symptoms associated with higher CRP, more concomitant neurological symptoms, higher anxiety, and more reports of muscle ache.

 Publication date / reference: 26/08/20. Yan et al. Neurological Implications of Non-critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Wuhan, China. Front Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study assessed the neurological manifestations of 1,682 patients with confirmed non-critically ill COVID-19 seen consecutively in a single shelter hospital in China. Critically unwell patients with organ failure, shock or needed ventilation were not admitted to the facility. Of these patients 30% had neurological symptoms, with myalgia (18.5%), headache (12.8%) and fatigue (4.9%) most commonly seen. Those with neurological symptoms had significantly longer admissions and significantly higher rates of respiratory symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 24/08/2020 Yang et al. Social support and clinical improvement in COVID-19 positive patients in China. Nurs Outlook.

Summary: Study of 35 patients with COVID-19. In total, 32 exhibited sleep, depressive and anxiety symptoms which improved post support intervention.

Publication Date/ Reference: 19/09/20. Ojeahere et al. Management of psychiatric conditions and delirium during the COVID-19 pandemic across continents: The lessons thus far. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary: Working within the World Psychiatry Association the authors surveyed 21 early-career psychiatrists on five continents about local insights on the management of delirium and other psychiatric conditions manifesting in patients with COVID-19. Consensus (“>70% representative agreeable”) was taken as a “modified Delphi method”. The authors reported country-specific insights from Germany, Iran, Kosovo, Lebanon, Nigeria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, and the USA. The result is a very interesting narrative, even if it is difficult to draw conclusions beyond generalities.

Publication date / reference: 07/10/20. Wang et al. Increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality in people with mental disorders: analysis from electronic health records in the United States. World Psychiatry.

Summary: Wang et al. examined the impact of mental disorders on the risk of COVID‐19 infection, using electronic health records from 360 hospitals and 317,000 providers across 50 states in the US. In over 60M adult patients, 11.2M had a lifetime diagnosis of a mental disorder and 1.3M had a recent diagnosis (within the past year), and 15110 patients had a diagnosis of COVID-19. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, and medical comorbidities, patients with a recent diagnosis of a mental disorder had significantly higher odds of COVID‐19 infection than patients without a mental disorder. The strongest effects were seen for depression (OR=7.6), schizophrenia (OR=7.3), ADHD (OR=5.8), and bipolar disorder (OR=5.7). Among the 3,430 adults with both COVID‐19 and a recent diagnosis of a mental disorder, 290 (8.5%) died, with no evidence of differential effects by ethnicity. The authors speculated that the higher frequency of COVID-19 infection in people with mental disorders may be attributable to difficulty appraising health information and complying with preventive behaviors, or socioeconomic disadvantage. Apart from the limitations of correlational data the authors acknowledged that patient electronic health records have limited information on socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants, and are likely to have missed many cases of COVID-19 – particularly asymptomatic ones. However the study is consistent with a growing body of literature identifying mental disorders as a health risk factor for COVID‐19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 18/09/20. Chen et al. Investigation of the psychological status of suspected patients during the Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic. Medicine (Baltimore).

Summary:  The authors measured psychological symptoms in 31 patients suspected to have COVID-19 and admitted to hospital in Jan-Feb 2020. Using the PHQ-9 and GAD7 they found 10/31 patients reported symptoms of depression, eight of which were mild in severity. Similarly among the six patients with elevated anxiety, half were mild in severity. 

Publication date / reference: Aug 2020. Zhang et al. A psychological investigation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in mobile cabin hospitals in Wuhan. Ann Transl Med. 

Publication date / reference: 17/09/20. Pinnetti et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection does not induce HIV viral escape in Central Nervous System: a case series. Int J Infect Dis. 

Publication date / reference: 13/09/20. Butler et al. Clozapine prescribing in COVID-19 positive medical inpatients: a case series. Ther Adv Psychopharm.

Summary: The authors report on their experiences of clozapine in COVID-19 positive patients who were admitted to medical hospital, some of whom were sufficiently unwell with COVID-19 pneumonia to require intensive care admission. Their data did not indicate worse outcomes for patients who received clozapine (one patient relapsed after it was held). Although previous larger studies have addressed risk of contracting COVID-19 in clozapine patients, this study was one of the first to address outcomes. Study limitations include the small size, retrospective design, and short follow-up period. 

Publication date / reference: 10/09/20. Iqbal et al. Psychiatric presentation of patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients seen by a consultation-liaison psychiatry team. BJPsych Open.

Summary: In this retrospective case note review, the authors characterised the psychiatric morbidity associated with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in 50 consecutive adult patients referred to a consultation-liaison psychiatry service in Qatar. Most of the referrals had mild symptoms, or no symptoms, of COVID-19. Over three hospital sites in Doha the authors most commonly identified delirium, non-affective psychosis, acute stress reaction, anxiety disorder, mania, or depression. One-third of the patients had a past psychiatric history including eight with a history of psychosis or bipolar I disorder who all presented with a relapse in the context of COVID-19 infection. Conversely however, approximately half of the patients presenting with mania or non-affective psychosis had no past psychiatric history: their first episode of illness coincided with being positive for SARS-CoV-2. The authors concede that the quality of a retrospective case-note review depends on the quality of the medical notes, and that neuropsychiatric cases of a more neurological flavour may have been referred to neurology rather than to psychiatry. However the study provides a broad clinical overview of liaison psychiatric problems associated with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in a general hospital setting, including patients who were asymptomatic for COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 28/08/20. Dai et al. Anxiety and depressive symptoms among COVID-19 patients in Jianghan Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Wuhan, China. PLoS One.

Summary: In this prospective study, Dai and colleagues collected questionnaire data on anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a shelter hospital in Wuhan, China (n=307; unclear if PCR). The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 18.6% and 13.4%, respectively. The authors explored risk factors associated with symptoms of psychological distress. Poor sleep quality and having greater than two current physical symptoms were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms. Whereas, female sex, having a family member with confirmed COVID-19, and having ≥ two current physical symptoms were independent risk factors for depressive symptoms. These preliminary findings may assist in detecting which patients with COVID-19 are at greatest risk of developing adverse psychological symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 14/06/20. Ramezani et al. The Role of Anxiety and Cortisol in Outcomes of Patients With Covid-19. Basic Clin Neurosci.

Summary: Cross-sectional study evaluating correlations between distress, serum cortisol and outcome in 30 patients with confirmed, mild-to-moderate COVID-19. HADS score correlated positively with cortisol level on the day of admission, and higher values of both variables associated with mortality. The authors hypothesised that stress and anxiety may increase the impact of an already-established infection. The hypothesis is interesting, but the study is small, did not specify whether cortisol was drawn at the same time of day for all patients (perhaps unlikely, if taken on the day of admission), and did not report longitudinal data.

Publication date / reference: 14/08/20. Wesemann et al. Influence of COVID-19 on General Stress and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Hospitalized high-risk Patients. Psychol Med. 

Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of “general stress” and post-traumatic stress in 60 patients hospitalised with suspected (n=41) or confirmed (n=19) COVID-19. Following hospital admission, all COVID-19 suspected patients were provided with the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 and the PHQ stress module. The prevalence of significant post-traumatic stress symptoms was 37.9% (96% CI: 35.5-40.3%) in all patients and 42.1% (95% CI: 37.2-47.0%) in the subgroup of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was no significant difference in severity of symptoms between groups. There was, however, a significant correlation between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the stress module of the PHQ. The authors urged regular screening for mental fitness in COVID-19 patients. 

Publication date / reference: 09/08/20. Huarcaya-Victoria et al. Psychotic symptoms in COVID-19: a case series from Lima, Peru. Psychiatry Res.

Summary:  The authors of this case series reported three cases of psychosis in patients with recently diagnosed COVID-19. They appreciated that a direct causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the development of psychotic symptoms was not established, and postulated that in these cases the psychosis may be explained by different pathogenic mechanisms including neuroinvasion, systemic inflammatory processes and psychosocial response to isolation and life changes during the pandemic.

Publication date / reference: 16/08/20. Taquet et al. Bidirectional associations between COVID-19 and psychiatric disorder: a study of 62,354 COVID-19 cases. MedRxiv.

Summary: The authors asked two questions. First, what is the incidence of a clinical psychiatric diagnosis following infection with the virus, and second, does pre-existing psychiatric disorder affect susceptibility to COVID-19 infection? They interrogated the TriNetX database and found that in 44 779 patients with no prior psychiatric history, COVID-19 was associated with a significantly increased incidence of a novel psychiatric diagnosis in the three months after infection, compared to six other health events. The probability of any new-onset clinical psychiatric illness following COVID-19 was 5.8%. Meanwhile in 1,729,837 matched patient-control pairs, having any psychiatric diagnosis in the previous year was associated with a 65% higher relative risk of COVID-19 independently of known physical health risk factors for COVID-19. The authors call for adequate service provision in anticipation of an increased incidence of psychiatric illness following COVID-19, perhaps with proactive psychiatric follow up among survivors of COVID-19, and for detailed investigation of the impact on COVID-19 on incident dementia. 

Publication date / reference: 21/07/20  Kotabagi et al. COVID-19 positive mothers are not more anxious or depressed than non COVID pregnant women during the pandemic: A pilot case-control comparison. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.

Summary: a follow up study to Kotabagi et al. reporting no significant differences in median GAD-9 and PHQ-9 measures for anxiety and depression respectively in groups of mothers with SARS-CoV-2 (n=14) and without (n=14). As they had previously shown, the scores on the measures rose to a peak at the height of the pandemic deaths and lockdown introduction but waned when more information was released regarding maternal and foetal health outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Publication date / reference: Cai et al. Psychological Distress and Its Correlates Among COVID-19 Survivors During Early Convalescence Across Age Groups. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 

Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate psychological distress and its correlates in a population of COVID-19 survivors (n=126) who were recently discharged from hospital and were in quarantine at a  government facility. Participants were given a questionnaire including PTSD, anxiety and depression rating scales. The authors found that nine (31.0%), 28 (22.2%), and 48 (38.1%) of the patients met the cut-score for clinical significant symptoms of stress response, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Potential correlates of these measures included infected family members and postinfection physical discomfort. Interestingly, patients above the age of 60 experienced less severe stress response symptoms, fewer emotional symptoms of depression, and fewer anxiety symptoms than younger patients, which could indicate that younger people are more at risk of emotional distress following COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: Preprint. Hoertol et al. Association between SSRI Antidepressant Use and Reduced Risk of Intubation or Death in Hospitalized Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: a Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study. MedRxiv Preprint.

Summary: In this multicentre observational retrospective study, the authors examined associations between the use of antidepressants in patients with COVID-19 and endpoints of intubation or death. A total 7,345 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 460 received an antidepressant during hospitalisation, at a mean fluoxetine-equivalent dose of 21.4mg per day. In patients exposed to any antidepressant the primary endpoint of intubation or death occurred in 143 patients (31.1%), whereas in non-exposed patients, 1,188 (17.3%) had this outcome. Unadjusted hazard ratio estimates of the association between antidepressant use and the primary outcome stratified by age were non-significant, except in the 71-80 years group, where antidepressant use was significantly associated with lower risk of intubation or death (HR=0.66, SE=0.20, p=0.041). After adjustment for older age and the greater medical severity of patients receiving antidepressants than those not, a significant association was found between any antidepressant use and reduced risk of intubation or death (HR=0.64, 95% CI 0.51-0.80, p<0.001). The authors concluded that use of antidepressants is associated with a substantial reduced risk of death or intubation.

Publication date / reference:  29/07/20 Mazza et al. Anxiety and depression in COVID-19 survivors: role of inflammatory and clinical predictors. Brain Behav Immun. 

Summary: Prospective cross-sectional analysis of depressive, anxious, obsessive, and post-traumatic symptoms among 402 survivors assessed one month post-hospital treatment. The authors found a high prevalence of psychopathology: more than half of patients scored above threshold in at least one instrument, and one in five scored highly in at least three. Female sex and a postive past psychiatric history independently predicted worse emotional states. The authors conclude that there may be a high prevalence of psychiatric sequelae post COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: 27/07/20 Govind et al. Clozapine treatment and risk of COVID-19. Br J Psychiatry. 

Summary: This retrospective cohort study identified 6,309 individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses taking antipsychotic medications within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Those taking clozapine were compared with those prescribed any other antipsychotics for risk of contracting COVID-19 during the pandemic. 1.62% of the cohort tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and 20.32% were prescribed clozapine. A hazard ratio of 2.62 (95% CI 1.73 – 3.96) was reported for patients receiving clozapine who were SARS-CoV-2 positive which increased to 3.06 (95% CI 2.01 – 4.67) following adjustment for sociodemographic factors. However, after accounting for inpatient contact, BMI and smoking status, it reduced to 1.76 (95% CI 1.14 – 2.72). Despite a relatively small cohort, the authors thus concluded that receiving clozapine treatment may be associated with an increased risk of developing COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: 28/07/20 Silva et al. Clozapine and COVID-19. BJPsych Bulletin.

Summary: A correspondence piece outlining the risks and challenges posed by COVID-19 for initiating and managing individuals on clozapine. The authors highlight the overlap between COVID-19 symptoms and side-effects of clozapine, calling for cautious interpretation of abnormal laboratory tests as part of clinical evaluation. In particular, they highlight that acute-phase reaction in individuals with COVID-19 may result in reduced enzyme activity, raising clozapine levels and necessitating further investigations and dose adjustments if indicated. They also discuss modifications to routine blood test monitoring and clozapine clinics. The authors conclude that the risks of COVID-19 are insufficient to justify stopping clozapine. 

Publication date / reference: 08/07/20 Chen et al. Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life and Influencing Factors for COVID-19 Patients, a Follow-Up at One Month. Front Psychiatry. 

Summary: Multi-centre, prospective cross-sectional study of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 361 Chinese confirmed COVID-19 patients, measured one month following hospital discharge. A high majority of participants (90.6%) had mild disease and the remainder had severe disease. Using the SF-36 questionnaire and compared to Chinese population norms, patients reported poorer role functioning due to physical or emotional problems, and poorer social functioning; but also less pain and better general and mental health. Notwithstanding this conflict, patients with severe disease consistently reported worse QOL. 

Publication date / reference: 23/07/20 Zhang et al. The relationship between resilience, anxiety, and depression among patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19 in China: A cross-sectional study. J Clin Nurs.

Summary:  In this cross sectional survey study (n=299), the relationship between resilience (Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) and anxiety and depression (HADS) was investigated in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. The investigators found that resilience correlated inversely with anxiety and depression. The study is limited by the convenience sampling method, cross sectional study design but implies one reason why some patients may cope better with the uncertainty of infection than others.

Publication date / reference: 13/07/20 Liu et al. Risk factors associated with mental illness in hospital discharged patients infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Psychiatry Res.

Summary: This study utilised a cross-sectional survey (n=657) to explore the risk factors associated with mental health problems among discharged COVID-19 patients. A brief discrimination scale was used to determine personal attitudes following discharge as well as Chinese versions of validated measurement tools such as the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 (cut-offs of 5 for ‘mild’ anxiety and depression). 12.4% of respondents had clinically significant symptoms of PTSD. For anxiety, 10.4% were categorised as having moderate to severe symptoms, and 32.3% had mild symptoms. Median scores on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 were 4 and 7, respectively. The odds of reporting moderate to severe anxiety were 2.91 times more likely with higher disease severity. Interestingly, perceived discrimination was ranked as the most important predictor of anxiety, depression and PTSD. The authors stated that their sample is representative of the general Chinese population, but noted causal inference is limited by the study design.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/20 Boland & Dratcu. Clozapine in the time of COVID-19. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.

Summary: The authors report on two patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia who required psychiatric admission during the COVID-19 pandemic and who were treated with clozapine. One tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the other tested negative but had contact with COVID-19 during initiation of clozapine treatment. Both responded well and were safely discharged from hospital without any complication.

Publication date / reference: 15/07/20 Hu et al. Factors related to mental health of inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Brain Behav Immun. 

Summary: The authors report a cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted in 85 Chinese inpatients with definite COVID-19 in two isolation wards of a Wuhan hospital. There was a reportedly high prevalence of depressive symptomatology (39/85 score 5+ on PHQ-9), anxiety (33/85 score 5+ on GAD-7), and insomnia (46/85 score 8+ on the Insomnia Severity Index). Like others, the questionnaire thresholds here are on the low side and in the case of the PHQ-9, very low indeed. Future papers should present frequencies arising from different thresholds for ‘caseness’ – or even better conduct clinical interviews to determine the presence or absence of neuropsychiatric disorder.  

Publication date / reference: 16/07/20 Gee & Taylor. The effect of COVID-19 on absolute neutrophil counts in patients taking clozapine. Ther Adv Psychopharmacology.

Summary: The authors reviewed the neutrophil counts of thirteen patients admitted who were prescribed clozapine and developed confirmed COVID-19. There is currently uncertainty surrounding the use of clozapine in patients with COVID-19. Here the authors conclude that it is indeed safe to continue clozapine in COVID-19, and that neutropenia in COVID-19 patients taking clozapine should not be assumed to be a direct effect of the virus.

Publication date / reference: 07/07/20. Wu et al. Anxiety persists after recovery from acquired COVID-19 in anaesthesiologists. J Clin Anesth.

Summary:  The authors hypothesized that anaesthetists who contracted COVID-19 might have a high prevalence of elevated anxiety, persisting after recovery. Using a survey design to identify anaesthetists with possible hospital-acquired COVID-19 (n=18, 14 of whom responded) they reported that most (n=11) did report ongoing mild anxiety after recovery.

Publication date / reference:  02/07/20. Ma et al. Prevalence of depression and its association with quality of life in clinically stable patients with COVID-19. J Affect Disord.

Summary: Using an online questionnaire survey design based in China, the authors propose a high prevalence of depressive symptoms of 43.1% (95%CI: 39.6%−46.6%) in adult patients with at least clinically likely COVID-19. The survey is notable for a very high reported response rate to invitation (770/784; 98.2% of those who were invited to participate returned questionnaires). However depressive symptoms were called using a PHQ-9 score of only five or more, which is very low when the usual threshold is ten. Individual patient data that would permit a sensitivity analysis at different PHQ-9 thresholds are not provided in the article.  

Publication date / reference: 14/07/20. Nie et al. Anxiety and depression and its correlates in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.

Summary:  This single-centre cross-sectional study assessed self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms (Zung self-rating depression scale [ZSDS] and Zung self-rating anxiety scale [ZSAS], respectively) in patients hospitalised with clinically confirmed COVID-19 (n=78). Twenty-eight patients scored above threshold for clinically significant depressive symptoms, mostly mild, and 30 likewise for anxiety. Therefore over one-third of COVID-19 patients reported distressing psychological symptoms. After adjusting for sex and education level, having a family member who either had, or who had died, from COVID-19 was independently associated with psychological outcomes. 

Publication date / reference: 01/06/20. Anmella et al. COVID-19 inpatients with psychiatric disorders: Real-world clinical recommendations from an expert team in consultation-liaison psychiatry. J Affect Disord

Summary: The authors present three case-scenarios to demonstrate the challenges and best-practice recommendations of psychiatric comorbidity in COVID-19. Anmnella and colleagues make certain case-centered recommendations including psychopharmacological adaptations in patients receiving anti-retrovirals, appropriate prescribing in delirium and the importance of a personalised approach to treatment. Managing pharmacological interactions in this population can be challenging, the authors stress that when prescribing it is important to contextualise interaction risks, rather than seeing them as absolute.

 Publication date / reference: 30/06/20 Li & Wang Prevalence and predictors of general psychiatric disorders and loneliness during COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. Psychiatry Res

Summary: This is a large scale (n=15530) cross sectional survey aimed to explore the prevalence and predictors of general psychiatric disorders (GHQ-12) and loneliness (adapted question from ELSA) in the UK during COVID-19 pandemic. The study found high prevalence rates of general psychiatric disorders (29.2%) and loneliness (35.86%). People with current or past symptoms of COVID-19 were significantly more likely to report general psychiatric disorders and to endorse loneliness. It is worth noting that the study used self-reported COVID-19-related symptoms instead of confirmed diagnoses. The authors argued that this method addressed the problem of delayed testing, and that suspected patients deserve scholarly attention regardless of confirmation.

Publication date / reference: Suwanwongse & Shabarek. Lithium toxicity in two Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Cureus. 

Summary: Two cases of psychiatric patients on lithium, presenting with some features consistent with lithium toxicity (primarily behavioural change and change in consciousness level), high Lithium levels on admission (both >2.2 mmol/L) with acute kidney injury, and PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Ataxia, nystagmus, and other neurological signs were not reported. The authors recommend that Lithium levels are obtained in all suspected COVID-19 patients who are currently taking lithium.

Publication date / reference: 05/07/20. Taylor et al. COVID Stress Syndrome: Concept, Structure, and Correlates. Depress Anxiety.

Summary: The authors further validated their previously-published COVID Stress Scales measuring five intercorrelated factors corresponding to a putative “COVID stress syndrome”: fear of its dangerousness; worry about socioeconomic costs; xenophobic fears that foreigners spread it; traumatic stress syndromes associated with direct or vicarious exposure; and compulsive checking and reassurance seeking. Popular coping strategies included phoning friends, cleaning, cooking, sleeping, shopping, eating, drinking, and  “searching for porn on the internet”. 

Publication date / reference: 09/07/20  Yahya & Khawaja COVID-19 and Perinatal Psychiatry. Prim Care Companion. 

Summary: commentary piece making the case that COVID-19 pandemic will cause increase in perinatal mental disorder.

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20 Speth et al. Mood, anxiety and olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19: evidence of central nervous system involvement? Laryngoscope.

Summary:  This prospective cross-sectional study examined anxiety and depressive symptoms in n=114 confirmed COVID-19 patients, using the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 respectively. Sinonasal symptoms were also assessed. The measures were completed for the present state (during infection) and retrospectively assessed for patients’ pre-COVID-19 baseline. Scores on both questionnaires were significantly higher during infection than at the recalled pre-COVID baseline. Psychiatric symptom severity associated positively with age and olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The authors suggest that emotional disturbances may result from SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion. Key limitations include the use of ultra-short screening questionnaires and retrospective recall of “baseline” symptomatology. 

Publication date / reference: 01/07/20 Paz et al. Anxiety and depression in patients with confirmed and suspected COVID-19 in Ecuador. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.

Summary: Correspondence reporting the prevalence of depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD7) symptoms in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases in Ecuador. Data were from Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health’s COVID- 19  epidemiological surveillance program. N=759 completed the survey. The prevalence of depression was 22.9% in confirmed cases and 18.5% in suspected cases, and the prevalence of anxiety was 24.2% in confirmed cases and 21.4% in suspected cases.

Publication date / reference: 24/06/20 Parra et al. Psychotic symptoms in COVID-19 patients. A retrospective descriptive study. Psychiatry Res.

Summary: Retrospective case series of ten cases of first-onset psychotic symptoms in the background of COVID-19 infection (putatively excluding delirium). The psychosis was characterised by structured delusions mixed with confusional/attentional symptoms, meaning delirium was possibly not fully out of the picture, but interestingly the onset was nearly always >2 weeks following the debut of COVID-19 somatic symptoms.    

Publication date / reference: 12/06/20 Chaumont et al. Mixed central and peripheral nervous system disorders in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Neurol.

Summary: Case series (n=4) of extubated SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in ICU who demonstrated neuropsychiatric symptoms for the first time. These confusion, cognitive dysfunction, paranoid delusion & hallucinations as well as a range of neuropathies.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Zarghami et al. A Report of the Telepsychiatric Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Patients. Telemed J E Health.

Summary: Single-centre prospective cohort study of n=82 SARS-CoV-2 patients assessed by videocall facility.  The prevalence of mental disorder was 40%, with insomnia (29%) and adjustment disorder (16%) the most common individual syndromes. Patients who had been hospitalised were significantly more likely to have psychiatric disorder. The authors propose value in using telepsychiatry to help treat such patients.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Caan et al. A Case of Catatonia in a Man with COVID-19. Psychosomatics.

Summary: First known case report of new onset catatonia in SARS-CoV-2 with no medical/psychiatric history. After numerous presentations to ED the patient developed psychotic symptoms and abnormal posturing. He had been treated with azithromycin for 5 days which authors highlight as possible contributing cause to presentation along with other medications prescribed. MRI brain was normal and symptoms seemingly responded to lorazepam.

Publication date / reference: 31/05/20 Kotabagi et al. Anxiety and Depression Levels Among Pregnant Women With COVID-19. Acta Obset Gynecol Scanda.

Summary: Cross sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 expectant mothers (n=11). The authors highlighted heightened levels of stress and anxiety at the height of the lockdown, however reassuring these levels have tailed off as information about the prognosis of infected pregnant mothers has materialised.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/20 Palomar-Ciria et al. Schizophrenia and COVID-19 Delirium. Psychiatry Res.

Summary: Case report of a 65-year-old patient with stable schizophrenia. The patient was psychotic on presentation, but there were no respiratory symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative, but the patient was positive for IgG and IgM.

Publication date / reference: 21/05/20 French and Lyne. Acute exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine.

Summary: Case report of a lady in her thirties with contamination centred OCD. She presented with severe disablement stemming from a fear of contagion exacerbated by media reporting on the COVID-19 crisis. The case highlights some of the unseen dangers of media reporting on pandemics.

Publication date / reference: 18/05/20 Liu et al. Illness perception, mood state and disease-related knowledge level of COVID-19 family clusters, Hunan, China. Brain, Behaviour and Immunity

Summary: Novel study investigating the psychological disturbances seen in family clusters of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors document decreased confidence in healthcare and some mood disturbances in the cases compared to patients outside of cluster groups.

Publication date / reference: 18/05/20 Kajani et al. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in a COVID-19 Patient. Brain, Behaviour and Immunity. 

Summary: Case report of a middle-aged male with schizophrenia (haloperidol decanoate depot 3 weeks prior) who presented with fever, hypoxia and altered mental state. He had severe rigidity with a creatinine kinase of >120,000. This is the first known case report of NMS during an acute phase infection with SARS-CoV-2. The patient was intubated and placed on dantrolene infusion and at the time of writing his outcome was unknown. It is of note that haloperidol is likely to continue to lead to cases of NMS, with or without coincidental COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: (date unknown) Hu W et al. COVID-19 outbreak increased risk of schizophrenia in aged adults. ChinaXiv (preprint)

Summary: 13,783 records from outpatients in January 2020 showed a positive relationship between incidence of schizophrenia in first-time patients and COVID-19 pandemic, particularly first presentations in those aged 39 – 50, which is unusual (♦).

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Iasevoli et al. Psychological distress in serious mental illness patients during the COVID-19 outbreak and one-month mass quarantine in Italy. Psychological Medicine.

Summary: this observational case-control analysis compares the impact of one month of COVID-19 lockdown on perceived stress, anxiety, depressive, and psychotic symptoms in patients with serious mental illness (n=205), their first-degree relatives (51), and non-psychiatric subjects. Unsurprisingly the cases scored more highly on these domains relating to pandemic related anxiety, the controls more surprisingly scored more highly on these domains than caregivers.

Publication date / reference: 08/05/20 Ovejero et al. Coronavirus infection as a novel delusional topic. Schiz Res.

Summary: Case report of a Spanish woman with bipolar disorder including SARS-CoV-2 infection in her delusions.

Publication date / reference: 07/05/20 Huarcaya-Victoria et al. Psychosis in a patient with anxiety related to COVID-19: A case report. Psych Res.

Summary: Case report of a 38-year-old woman who developed first onset psychosis with fixed beliefs on the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic(♦).

Publication date / reference: 20/04/20 Liu et al. Clinical characteristics of hospitalised patients with schizophrenia who were suspected to have coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hubei Province, China. General Psychiatry.

Summary: Comparison of psychiatric symptomatology between a group of isolated patients with schizophrenia (COVID suspected) (n=21) and a control group of non-covid patients (n=30). Only one of the patients had a positive swab for SARS-CoV-2, despite this the isolated patients showed increased stress and mood alongside sleep disturbances. The authors call for the appropriate management of patients with severe mental illness when isolated.

Publication date / reference: 19/04/20 Colizzi M et al. Medically unexplained symptoms in the times of COVID-19 pandemic: a case-report. Brain, Behav Immun.

Summary: Single case report of a patient diagnosed with a somatic covid syndrome. Presened with tachycardia, pyrexia, dyspnoea, fatigue, and altered olfactory and gustatory sensitivity. Bloods were normal and he had a negative covid swab.

Publication date / reference: 15/04/20 Zhanga J et al. The differential psychological distress of populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: Cross-sectional study finding increased prevalence of depression (29.2%) in patients who experienced COVID-19 infection, while the prevalence of anxiety was not statistically different.

Publication date / reference: 09/04/20 Epstein et al. Anxiety and Suicidality in a Hospitalized Patient with COVID-19 Infection. European Journal Case Reports Internal Medicine.

Summary: Case report of a 34-year-old man who developed symptoms of insomnia and anxiety during his stay on an isolation ward for treatment of SARS-CoV-19. On the 7^th day he attempted suicide.

Publication date / reference: 31/03/20  Nguyen HC et al. People with Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms Were More Likely Depressed and Had Lower Health-Related Quality of Life: The Potential Benefit of Health Literacy. J Clin Med.

Summary: Cross-sectional study which indicated that patients with symptoms of COVID-19 had a higher depression likelihood, particularly if they had low health literacy.

Publication date / reference: 27/03/20 Bo HX et al. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and attitude toward crisis mental health services among clinically stable patients with COVID-19 in China. Psychol Med. 

Summary: Cross-sectional study of 714 recovered and clinically stable COVID-19 inpatients; 96% had significant posttraumatic stress symptoms as defined by scoring  ≥50 on the PTSD checklist – civilian version (PCL-C) and 50% considered psycho-educational services helpful.

Publication date / reference: 24/03/20 Yang, L. et al. Analysis of psychological state and clinical psychological intervention model of patients with COVID-19. medRxiv (preprint).

Summary: Prospective observational study of anxiety and depression symptoms. HAM-A and HAM-D scores of COVID-19 patients were higher than healthy controls and pneumonia (non-COVID-19) comparison group.

Publication date / reference: 02/02/20 Zulkifli et al. Brief Psychotic Disorder in Relation to Coronavirus, COVID-19 Outbreaks: A Case Report. Malaysian J Psych.

Summary: Case report of a 31-year-old Malaysian man who developed brief psychotic disorder related to the stress of the pandemic(♦).

Publication date / reference: 06/2021 Sundar et al., COVID-19 Associated Stroke-A Single Centre Experience. J Assoc Physicians India.

Summary: The authors of this study analysed the data about the stroke patients who tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 58 stroke cases who also tested positive for COVID-19 were included in this study. Among those, there were 44 arterial infarcts, with carotid territory was the commonest affected (36/49; 73.5%), followed by vertebrobasilar (7/49; 14.3%) and both (6/49; 12.2%). 61% of patients exhibited concordant arterial block; 82.7% of patients suffered ‘early stroke’ (within 48 hours of respiratory symptoms). Patients with poor saturation at admission were older (58 vs 49 years) and had more comorbidities and higher mortality (79% vs 38%). Young strokes and older patients had similar mortality rates, although the latter required more intense respiratory support. COVID-19 – related stroke had an incidence of 1.6%, of which the majority were carotid territory infarcts. In-hospital mortality was 55.17%, predicted by low lasgow coma score (GCS) at admission.

Publication date / reference: 06/2021 Sundar et al., COVID-19 Associated Stroke-A Single Centre Experience. J Assoc Physicians India.

Summary: The authors of this study analysed the data about the stroke patients who tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 58 stroke cases who also tested positive for COVID-19 were included in this study. Among those, there were 44 arterial infarcts, with carotid territory was the commonest affected (36/49; 73.5%), followed by vertebrobasilar (7/49; 14.3%) and both (6/49; 12.2%). 61% of patients exhibited concordant arterial block; 82.7% of patients suffered ‘early stroke’ (within 48 hours of respiratory symptoms). Patients with poor saturation at admission were older (58 vs 49 years) and had more comorbidities and higher mortality (79% vs 38%). Young strokes and older patients had similar mortality rates, although the latter required more intense respiratory support. COVID-19 – related stroke had an incidence of 1.6%, of which the majority were carotid territory infarcts. In-hospital mortality was 55.17%, predicted by low lasgow coma score (GCS) at admission.

Publication date / reference:  25/08/2021 Esenwa et al. Biomarkers of Coagulation and Inflammation in COVID-19-Associated Ischemic Stroke. Stroke.

Summary: In this study the authors used serum markers (C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, white blood cell count, and partial thromboplastin time) in an attempt to stratify covid-19 associated stroke. In the analysis, only D-dimer was predictive of ischaemic stroke. The authors suggest covid-19 severity as well as D-dimer could be used to stratify those at risk of developing stroke.

Publication date / reference: 30/08/2021 Martí-Fàbregas et al., Impact of COVID-19 Infection on the Outcome of Patients With Ischemic Stroke. Stroke.

Summary: The authors of this study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 infection on the severity of stroke, functional outcome, and mortality in patients with ischemic stroke. A prospective, observational multicentre cohort study was carried out between mid-March and mid-May 2020. Patients who had acute ischemic stroke within 48 hours were included. A total of 701 patients (60.5% men; mean age 72.3±13.3 years) were involved, 91 of which had COVID-19 infection (13%).  Patients with COVID-19 demonstrated a higher Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score compared with patients without COVID-19. COVID-19 infection did not increase the probability of unfavourable functional outcome, as evident from a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Among COVID-19 infected patients, the mortality rate was 39.3%, whilst in the non-COVID-19 group it was found to be 16.1%. Thus, this study has demonstrated that patients with ischemic stroke and COVID-19 infection exhibit higher severity stroke and mortality compared to those with stroke but without COVID-19 infection. Whilst functional outcomes are comparable across both groups.

Publication date / reference: 20/08/21. Sobolewski et al. Systemic thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke patients with COVID-19. Acta Neurol Scand.

Summary: The authors conducted a retrospective study of patients with acute ischaemic stroke (n=70), including some with evidence of acute COVID-19 infection (n=22). They reported that SARS-CoV-2 infection prolonged the length of stay in hospital but did not influence in-hospital mortality or functional status on discharge.

Publication date / reference: 16/07/2021 Kim et al. Predicting In-hospital Mortality Using D-Dimer in COVID-19 Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke. Front Neurol

Summary: D-dimer has been widely used as a prognostic marker in patients with COVID-19. In this retrospective study, the authors evaluate its role among patients with COVID-19 and acute ischaemic stroke (n=285). D-dimer levels were higher among patients with stroke and COVID-19 than among those with COVID-19 only and predicted in-hospital mortality in both groups. Peak D-dimer of more than 5.15 μg/ml carried three times increased risk of in-hospital mortality among the COVID-stroke group, even after adjustment for age, ethnicity and vascular risk factors.

 Publication date / reference: 29/07/2021. Katsoularis et al. Risk of acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke following COVID-19 in Sweden: a self-controlled case series and matched cohort study. Lancet.

Summary: In this self-controlled case series (SCCS) and matched cohort study, Katoularis and colleagues assessed the risk of acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke associated with COVID-19 by analysing all COVID-19 cases in Sweden, and comparing these data to that of controls matched for age, sex, and swedish county of residence. The SCCS (n = 86742) was used to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for first acute myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke following COVID-19 compared with a control period. The matched cohort study (n = 348481) aimed to determine the increased risk that COVID-19 confers of having acute myocardial infarction of ischaemic stroke within the first 2 weeks of COVID-19. The findings indicate that COVID-19 is a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke, and represent significant component of its clinical presentation.

Publication date / reference: 20/07/2021 Abbas et al. Intracranial Hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients: A Case Series. World Neurosurg.

Summary: This is a case series of 19 patients with intracranial haemorrhage and COVID-19 across four tertiary-care stroke centres. Although severe neurological complications are more so associated with severe COVID-19 disease, half of the patients in this series had only mild-moderate COVID-19. Of the 19 cases, 12 patients had intraparenchymal hemorrhage, six had subarachnoid hemorrhage, and one patient had a subdural hematoma. Over half (59%) of the patients died. This series is notable for the severity of hemorrhage, high mortality rate, and the young age of patients.

Publication date / reference: 19/07/2021 Cho et al. Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke Among Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: An International Multicenter Coronavirus Disease 2019 Critical Care Consortium Study. Crit Care Med.

Summary: This observational study interrogated an international database of patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 to determine the prevalence of acute stroke. The database included 2699 patients from 370 centres and identified 59 (2.2%) with acute stroke, of which 0.7% were ischemic, 1.0% were hemorrhagic and 0.5% unspecified type. Hemorrhagic stroke, but not ischemic stroke, was associated with increased mortality. Traditional vascular risk factors were associated with both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

Publication date / reference: 03/07/21. Dmitriyw et al. Age and Acute Ischemic Stroke Outcome in North American Patients With COVID-19. J Am Heart Assoc.

Summary: The authors report on 126 patients with COVID-19 who were diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke. The median age was 63 years (range, 27-94), and mortality was lower in younger patients (ranging from 21.9% to 48.8% across age bands). In multivariable analyses a 1-year increase in age was associated with poorer Modified Rankin Scale outcomes (OR, 0.95; 95 CI%, 0.90-0.99) and higher mortality (OR, 1.06; 95 CI%, 1.02-1.10).

Publication date / reference: 24/06/2021. Gabet et al. Characteristics, Management, and Case-Fatality of Patients Hospitalized for Stroke with a Diagnosis of COVID-19 in France. Neuroepidemiology.

Summary: This cross sectional study aimed to assess characteristics, management and outcomes of hospitalised stroke patients with or without COVID-19. 800 of 56,195 hospitalised stroke patients were infected with COVID-19. The authors identified that case-fatality rates were higher in stroke patients with a primary COVID-19 diagnosis than in stroke patients without COVID-19. Overall, the results suggested that a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis with stroke lead to poorer outcomes. Authors recommended further studies into the pathophysiology of COVID-19 for the purpose of altering management protocols.

Publication date / reference: 01/06/2021 Topcuoglu et al. Stroke Mechanism in COVID-19 Infection: A Prospective Case-Control Study. J Stroke Cerebrovascular Dis.

Summary: This prospective case-control study looked at aetiological, clinical, and biochemical differences in individuals experiencing stroke with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19. They compared 44 COVID-19 positive individuals with 509 non-COVID-19 individuals suffering from stroke. They found no differences in aetiology or biochemistry. In particular rates of cryptogenic stroke or antiphospholipid levels were not increased.

Publication date / reference: 02/02/21. Hassan et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection with pneumonia and stroke. Brain Haemorrhages.

Summary: The authors report on two patients with PCR confirmed Covid-19 and stroke. Their study narrates the first Covid-19 positive patients presenting with stroke in Pakistan.

Publication date / reference: 04/06/2021. Leasure et. Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With COVID-19: An Analysis From the COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry

Summary: In this brief research letter, Leasure and colleagues report prevalence of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and compare characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without ICH. The prevalence of ICH was 0.2% (only 48 cases in a cohort of over 21 000). Patients with ICH were more likely to be older, male, have vascular risk factors and have received anticoagulation during hospital stay. Unsurprisingly, their overall outcome was poorer.

Publication date / reference: 16/05/2021 Qiu et al. Changes of coagulation function and risk of stroke in patients with COVID-19. Brain Behav.

Summary: This retrospective record review investigated the association between COVID-19 infection and stroke risk. Patients admitted to inpatient treatment for COVID-19 (n=193) were separated into a severe COVID-19 group (n=50) and a non-severe group (n=143), and each group was assessed on demographics, routine laboratory results, coagulation functions, and neurological evaluation. The authors found that the severe group had higher levels of inflammation biomarkers, increased coagulation functions, and greater stroke risk. They concluded that COVID-19 affected coagulation functions, and that hypercoagulability in COVID-19 may lead to high risk of stroke.

Publication date / reference: 24/05/2021 Pezzini et al., SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute ischemic stroke in Lombardy, Italy J Neurol

Summary: The objective of this paper was to characterize patients with acute ischemic stroke related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and assess the classification performance of clinical and laboratory parameters in predicting in-hospital outcome of these patients. Among 1013 patients, 160 (15.8%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Male sex  and atrial fibrillation (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.05–2.43) were independently associated with COVID-19 status. Patients with COVID-19 had increased stroke severity at admission [median NIHSS score, 9 (25th to75th percentile, 13) vs 6 (25th to75th percentile, 9)] and increased risk of in-hospital death

Publication date / reference: 16/05/2021 Qiu et al. Changes of coagulation function and risk of stroke in patients with COVID-19. Brain Behav.

Summary: This retrospective record review investigated the association between COVID-19 infection and stroke risk. Patients admitted to inpatient treatment for COVID-19 (n=193) were separated into a severe COVID-19 group (n=50) and a non-severe group (n=143), and each group was assessed on demographics, routine laboratory results, coagulation functions, and neurological evaluation. The authors found that the severe group had higher levels of inflammation biomarkers, increased coagulation functions, and greater stroke risk. They concluded that COVID-19 affected coagulation functions, and that hypercoagulability in COVID-19 may lead to high risk of stroke.

Publication date / reference: 15/05/2021 Mukherjee et al. Burden of Thrombotic Events in Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Patients and Effect on Outcomes (from a Multicenter Electronic Health Record Database). Am J Cardiol.

Summary: This paper analysed outcome of covid-19 patients who experienced a thrombotic event, which includes stroke. Unsurprisingly, these patients had worse outcomes. The data does not compare only those with stroke, rendering further any further conclusions difficult.

Publication date / reference: 10/05/2021 McAlpine et al. Ischemic Stroke, Inflammation, and Endotheliopathy in COVID-19 Patients. Stroke.

Summary: The authors of this retrospective, observational cohort study compared 21 patients with ischaemic stroke diagnosed with COVID-19 with 168 stroke patients without COVID-19 across 3 hospitals. It was observed that stroke patients with COVID-19 demonstrated elevated levels of endothelial activation markers compared with non-COVID-19 stroke controls (median von Willebrand activity 285.0% [interquartile range, 234%-382%] versus 150% [128%-183%], P=0.034; von Willebrand antigen 330.0% [265%-650%] versus 152% [130%-277%], P=0.007, and factor VIII 301% [289%-402%] versus 49% [26%-94%], P<0.001).

Publication date / reference: 05/05/2021 Ruiz-Ares et al. Concurrent Stroke and Myocardial Infarction After Mild COVID-19 Infection. The Neurologist.

Summary: This is a case series of two patients admitted with close occurrence of acute stroke and myocardial infarction. The patients had mild or no COVID symptoms earlier, tested negative for PCR and were diagnosed with COVID-19 by serological testing. The cases suggest that patients with mild symptoms can present thromboembolic complications after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection has passed. While concurrence of acute stroke and myocardial infarction is rare, endothelial dysfunction and possible hypercoagulation in the inflammatory phase of COVID-19 is a possible mechanism involved.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2021 Qureshi et al. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Coronavirus Disease 2019: An Analysis of 282,718 Patients. World Neurosurg.

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in COVID-19 patients. The authors analyzed the data from 62 healthcare facilities using the Cerner de-identified COVID-19 dataset. They found a total of 0.1% and 0.2% SAH among (n=85,645) patients with COVID-19 and (n=197,073) patients without COVID-19, respectively. There was a lower risk of SAH in COVID-19 (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7, p<.0001) after adjusting for gender, age strata, race, hypertension and nicotine dependence/tobacco use. The proportions of patients who developed pneumonia, acute kidney injury, septic shock, respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher among SAH patients with COVID-19. They concluded that the risk of SAH was not increased in patients with COVID-19. The higher mortality in SAH patients with COVID-19 is likely mediated by higher frequency of systemic comorbidities.

Publication date / reference:  01/05/2021 Shahjouei et al. SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke Characteristics: A Report From the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group. Stroke.

Summary: This large multicenter (136 site) observational study attempted to compare the characteristics of stroke in patients with covid-19 in comparison to pre-pandemic stroke characteristics. The authors observed a considerably higher rate of large vessel occlusions, a much lower rate of small vessel occlusion and lacunar infarction, and a considerable number of young stroke when compared with the population studies before the pandemic

Publication date / reference: 20/04/21. Ahmed et al. Neuro-Imaging Manifestations of COVID-19: Predilection for PICA Infarcts. IDCases.

Summary: The authors report on six cases with posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) infarction, from a consecutive population of 983 COVID-19+ individuals.

Publication date / reference: 21/04/2021 Ziai et al. Transcranial doppler in acute COVID-19 infection: unexpected associations. Stroke.

Summary: The authors of this study conducted transcranial doppler imaging on 16 patients with COVID-19 (two of whom had sustained acute ischaemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion) and 10 healthy controls. Comparatively lower cerebral blood flow velocities were observed in COVID-19 patients at median hospital day 4, and these velocities correlated with arterial oxygen content and CRP but not left ventricular ejection fraction.

Publication date/reference: 23/09/2020. Mullaguri et al. COVID-19 Disease and Hypercoagulability Leading to Acute Ischemic Stroke. The Neurohospitalist.

Summary: This brief case-series summarises three patients with ischaemic stroke who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, of whom only one presented with respiratory failure. The authors therefore highlight the value of SARS-CoV-2 testing in individuals presenting with ischaemic stroke but no respiratory symptoms, particularly in communities with high COVID-19 incidence.

Publication date / reference: 1/3/2021 Shahjouei et al. SARS-CoV-2 Is a Culprit for Some, but Not All Acute Ischemic Strokes: A Report from the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group. J Clin Med.

Summary: This multicenter prospective study aimed at exploring vascular comorbidity patterns among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with subsequent stroke and investigated whether the comorbidities and their frequencies under each subclass of TOAST criteria were similar to the AIS population studies prior to the pandemic. The authors included (n=323 AIS) patients from 71 centers in 17 countries. These patients were >6 years younger than other subgroups and more likely were men. The majority of patients suffered from an embolic-appearing stroke on imaging and had about 50% risk of large vessel occlusions. Binominal logistic regression demonstrated that ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and active neoplasm were associated with cardioembolic stroke.

Publication date / reference: 26/03/2021 Harrison et al. Higher mortality of ischaemic stroke patients hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to historical controls. Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: In this large retrospective cohort study Harrison et al identified 954 inpatients across 50 US healthcare organisations with stroke within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis using the TriNetX database. Initial comparisons with 48,363 historical controls found that COVID-19 patients with stroke had a higher prevalence of comorbidities and were more likely to be black or African American. After propensity score matching of 952 cases and 952 historical controls Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that survival probability was significantly lower in ischaemic stroke patients with COVID-19, with significantly higher odds for 60-day mortality in patients with ischaemic stroke and COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 30/03/2021 Calmettes et al. Clinical Outcome of Acute Ischemic Strokes in Patients with COVID-19. Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: In this retrospective study of admissions for ischaemic stroke in the first lockdown in Paris, the authors compared COVID-19 patients (n = 40) with COVID-19 negative patients (n = 176). On this face of it, COVID-19 stroke patients had worse outcome (mRS scale and mortality) than controls, however when controlling for other factors known to be associated with admission with COVID-19 (e..g obesity), COVID-19 was not a significant risk factor.

 Publication date / reference: 4/2021. Bruce et al. Missed cerebrovascular events during prolonged sedation for COVID-19 pneumonia. J Clin Neurosci.

Summary: Bruce and colleagues conducted a retrospective case series, where evidence of ischaemic (n=14) and primary haemorrhagic (n=2) stroke was found on neuroimaging, following a period of prolonged sedation. These findings indicate that sedation, required in severe cases of COVID-19, may limit the detection of clinical signs of stroke.

Publication date / reference: 03/03/2021 Peng et al. Smoking is correlated with the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients: an observational study. Front Physiol.

Summary: The authors of this observational study of 622 patients found that there was significantly greater incidence of cerebrovascular disease in smoking patients with COVID-19 as opposed to non-smoking patients with COVID-19 (9.7% vs 3.4%, p = 0.017).

Publication date / reference: 18/03/2021 Khandelwal et al. Incidence, Characteristics and Outcomes of Large Vessel Stroke in COVID-19 Cohort: An International Multicenter Study. Neurosurgery.

Summary: This large retrospective, multi-centre cross-sectional study aimed to look at the incidence and clinical characteristics of Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) in COVID-19. They assessed 6698 COVID-19 patients that were admitted to stroke centres. Stroke had an incidence of 1.3% and they found LVOs were predominant in patients with ischaemic stroke and COVID-19. These typically occurred in younger patients (median age 51).

Publication date / reference: 24/02/2021 Shen et al., The Epidemiological and Mechanistic Understanding of the Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis and a Network Medicine Observation. Front Neurosci.

Summary: This study aims to further epidemiological and mechanistic understanding of the neurological manifestations of COVID-19, using stroke as a case study. Network-based analysis of SARS-CoV-2 host genes and stroke-associated genes in the human protein-protein interactome is used to inform the underlying inflammatory mechanisms behind COVID-19 and stroke. Higher vulnerability to severe COVID-19 was found in those with a stroke history, suggesting a monotonic possibly causal relationship between the two.

Publication date / reference: 19/02/2021 Al-Kuraishy et al. COVID-19 and Risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke and Acute Lung Injury in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus: The Anti-inflammatory Role of Metformin. Front Med (Lausanne).

Summary: The authors of this retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate if risk of acute ischaemic stroke in patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=42) was associated with differential use of anti-diabetic drugs. This was compared to a group of 21-matched healthy controls. Patients were analysed based on whether they were receiving metformin or non-metformin antidiabetic drugs. The authors found that metformin therapy in diabetics patients was linked to a lower risk of acute ischaemic stroke during COVID-19. Ferritin, CRP and d-dimer levels were also significantly lower  in metformin compared to non-metformin treated patients. Conclusive evidence of a protective role for metformin in COVID-19 cannot be determined from this study design.

Publication date / reference: 01/03/21. Leveraging genetic data to elucidate the relationship between Covid-19 and ischemic stroke. medRxiv (not peer-reviewed).

Summary: This is a genetic association study to evaluate putative relationships between critical COVID-19. Based on the author’s analysis, a significant association was detected between critical Covid-19 and ischemic stroke. A Mendellian randomisation analysis determined that liability to critical Covid-19 was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio per log increase in genetically predicted critical Covid-19 liability of 1.03). However, there was no evidence to suggest that genetic liability to ischemic stroke increased the risk of critical Covid-19.

 Publication date / reference:7/03/2021. Rass et al. Neurological outcome and quality of life three months after COVID-19: a prospective observational cohort study. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: Prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study (n = 135) which assessed neurological and psychiatric signs and symptoms at 3-month follow-up post COVID-19 infection. Assessment included detailed neurological examination, the 16-item Sniffin-Sticks-test for the assessment of anosmia, Montreal cognitive assessment, 36-item Short Form to assess Quality of Life, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5. At three-month follow-up, 20 patients (15%) presented with one or more neurological symptoms that were not present before COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 30/01/2021 Vegunta et al. Diagnosis of Stroke on Neuroimaging of COVID-19 Patients in Coma: A Case Series. Cereus.

Summary: Small case series (n = 4) of severely unwell covid-19 patients with impaired consciousness. All patients were mechanically ventilated and, despite not being sedated, were unresponsive. CT scans showed stroke in all four cases.

 Publication date / reference: 03/2021. Tabibkhooei et al. COVID-19-associated spontaneous subacute subdural haematoma: report of two cases. New Microbes New Infect.

Summary: Tabibkhooei report two cases of patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection, who both  suffered a spontaneous subdural haematoma. Following both receiving a craniotomy, one patient was discharged the following week and the other patient died three days later.

Publication date / reference: 22/02/2021 Ostovan et al. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19: a case series and literature review. J Neurol.

Summary: This case series reported COVID-19 patients with clinical and radiological characteristics of CVST. The authors found six patients (31-62 years-old) admitted. Four patients had no respiratory symptoms, five patients developed the clinical manifestations of CVST and COVID-19 simultaneously, three patients had known predisposing factors for CVST. Despite receiving CVST and SARS-CoV-2 infection treatments, four patients died. SARS-COV-2 associated CVST patients were older, had lower female/male ratio, and higher mortality rate than CVST not associated with COVID-19. The authors concluded that practitioners should be aware of the possibility of CVST in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication date / reference: 17/02/21. Benny et al. Characteristics and outcomes of 100 consecutive patients with acute stroke and COVID-19. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: In a retrospective study, the authors evaluated 100 consecutive acute stroke patients with COVID-19 from western India. They found that patients with ischemic stroke and COVID-19 were more likely to present with altered sensorium, poor GCS, large vessel occlusion, and multiple territory involvement. However mortality was comparable to patients with ischemic stroke who did not have COVID-19.

 Publication date / reference: 29/12/20. Jain et al. Stroke in critical COVID-19 patients: a cautionary tale from the frontlines. Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis.

Summary: Jain and colleagues report a case series of six patients who suffered strokes whilst receiving ICU treatment for severe COVID-19. One of the patients was extubated and discharged to a neurological rehabilitation facility, whereas two patients remained on mechanical ventilation and with significant neurological damage. Three patients died, two of medical complications and one of brainstem death.

Publication date / reference: 23/02/21. Lang et al. Intracerebral Hemorrhage in COVID-19 Patients with Pulmonary Failure: A Propensity Score-Matched Registry Study. Neurocrit Care.

Summary: Lang and colleagues conducted a retrospective observational study which included 163 patients with ARDS, who were split into COVID-19 (PCR confirmed – 47/163), and non-COVID-19 groups. Intracerebral haemorrhage was detected in 22 patients, with no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Publication date / reference: 19/02/2021 Lawton et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can predispose young to Intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective observational study. BMC Neurol.

Summary: The authors of this retrospective observational study included 22 COVID-19 positive patients and 84 negative patients. Case group mean age was significantly lower and there was significant difference in presence of chronic arterial hypertension, but no difference in gender, diabetes, smoking, GCS, haematoma volume, and hydrocephalus on admission, as well as blood biomarkers.

Publication date / reference: 22/03/2021 Elfasi et al., Impact of COVID-19 on Future Ischemic Stroke Incidence eNeurologicalSci

Summary: This letter outlines current evidence on stroke manifestation in patients with COVID-19, many of which arising from a cardiac source. They also outline long-term cardiac effects in COVID-19 patients and emphasise atrial arrhythmias in these patients being associated with a more severe outcome. They. note the difficulties in determining the exact mechanism of ischemic stroke in this population and the possible future research needed in exacerbating cardiac complications.

Publication date / reference: 9/1/21 Alam et al. Coronavirus positive patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: Retrospective case series of patients presenting with stroke symptoms who tested positive for COVID-19 between April and June 2020 (n=17). Most patients had large vessel occlusion infarcts however no embolic source was identified upon further investigations. The authors suggested this may reflect a COVID-19 induced hypercoagulable state. However, most patients displayed conventional risk factors for ischaemic stroke clouding the validity of this conclusion.

Publication date / reference: 04/02/21. Qureshi et al. Acute Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19: An Analysis of 27 676 Patients. Stroke.Summary: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify risk factors, comorbidities, and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 with or without acute ischemic stroke, and compared these to patients without COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke. Using the Cerner de-identified COVID-19 dataset they identified a sample of 8163 confirmed COVID-19 patients, of whom 103 (1.3%) developed acute ischaemic stroke. In 19513 patients without a diagnosis of COVID-19, 199 developed ischaemic stroke (1.0%). Among COVID-19 patients age, ethnicity, and cardiovascular system disease associated with increased stroke risk.

Publication date / reference: 24/12/20. Nahas et al. A case series of ischemic stroke with coronavirus disease 2019 in two Egyptian centers. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg.

Publication date / reference: 08/01/2021 Mishra et al. Intracranial Hemorrhage in COVID-19 Patients. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Publication date / reference: 18/12/2020. Cezar-Junior et al. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and COVID-19 Association or coincidence?. Medicine (Baltimore).

Publication date / reference: 18/01/2021 Ischaemic stroke as an initial presentation in patients with COVID-19: evaluation of a case series in an emergency in Brazil. Neuroradiol J

Summary: Authors of the study aimed to investigate the incidence of thromboembolic events, specifically pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), in patients who tested positive for COVID-19 through RT-PCR. 3727 (23%) were positive with the virus. Out of those, 192 patients underwent 245 vascular imaging studies including chest CTA, venous duplex ultrasound and CTA head and neck. Among those who underwent imaging 6/25 (24%) had CVA. Results of this study indicate that COVID-19 patients are at increased risk for thromboembolic complications.

Publication date / reference: 18/1/21. Nogueira et al. EXPRESS: Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke hospitalizations and mechanical thrombectomy volumes. Int J Stroke.

Summary: This retrospective multicentre observational study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global stroke incidence. 1.45% (n=791/54,366) of COVID-19 hospitalisations had stroke (95% CI; 1.35-1.55), whereas 3.9% (n=784/20,250) (95% CI; 3.61-4.14) of the stroke admissions were diagnosed with COVID-19. However, overall the authors noted a global decline in stroke admissions during the pandemic (-19.2%). It was hypothesised that despite the increase in thromboembolic events associated with COVID-19 the behavioural changes related to the pandemic to avoid seeking medical help. 

Publication date / reference: 09/12/20. Daneshi et al. SARS coronavirus 2 and central nervous system manifestations: causation, relation, or coexistence? a case series study and literature review. Br J Neuro.

Publication date / reference: 04/12/2020. Ji et al. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of COVID-19 patients with stroke in China: A multicenter retrospective study. Phytomedicine. 

Publication date / reference: 11/12/2020 Kwan et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on a Regional Stroke Thrombectomy Service in the United Kingdom. Cerebrovasc Dis.

Publication date / reference: 17/10/2020 Beslow et al. Pediatric Ischemic Stroke: An Infrequent Complication of SARS-CoV-2. Ann Neurol.

Summary: This multicenter retrospective observational study surveyed 61 international sites with paediatric stroke expertise for the incidence of stroke in a paediatric population from March-May 2020. The authors found that as in adults, stroke was an uncommon complication of SARS-CoV-2 with only 4.7% of those tested testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. In particular the authors highlight that less than 50% of paediatric stroke cases were tested and in future testing should be considered in all paediatric stroke cases. 

Publication date / reference: 15/10/2020 Karvigh et al. Ischaemic stroke in patients with COVID-19 disease : A report of 10 cases from Iran. Cerebrovasc Dis.

Publication date / reference: 09/12/20 De Havenon et al. Impact of COVID-19 on Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke Patients in the United States. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: The authors compared 166,586 ischaemic stroke controls from 2019, versus 2086 ischaemic stroke + COVID-19 cases, from 312 hospitals in 46 American states.  Cases were more likely to be male, younger, and Black or Hispanic, with significant increases in morbidity and mortality compared to ischemic stroke controls.

Publication date / reference: Dec 2020. Nwajei et al. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Three Cases and a Review of the Literature. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

 Summary: This retrospective paper presented three cases of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The three patients were aged 68, 79 and 25 and all female. All had comorbidities and presentations included nausea, vomiting, weakness, headaches, disorientation, diplopia and papilledema. All three were discharged home after treatment. The authors also searched the literature and found 12 similar cases. The article concluded that the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in COVID-19 might present unique challenges. The authors called for more large studies in order to guide therapy in this population.

Publication date / reference: 7/12/2020. Dhamoon et al. Acute cerebrovascular events with COVID-19 infection. Stroke.

 Summary: This retrospective observational study compared clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients admitted with acute cerebrovascular events. COVID-19 infected stroke patients (38%) were significantly more likely to have lobar stroke and a cryptogenic cause (51.8% versus 22.3%, P<0.0001). COVID-19 infection was also associated with poorer clinical outcomes and in-patient death rate (33% VS 12.9%, P<0.0001) despite similar patient characteristics between COVID-19 positive and negative patients. COVID-19 infection therefore led to poorer outcomes in stroke patients independent of pre-existing physical risk factors.

Publication date / reference: 04/12/2020.  Appavu et al. Arteritis and Large Vessel Occlusive Strokes in Children Following COVID-19 Infection. Pediatrics.

 Summary: The authors report two interesting COVID-19 paediatric cases of arterial ischemic strokes secondary to post infection arteritis. Both children had elevated markers of systemic inflammation that is inconsistent with a diagnosis of ‘focal cerebral arteriopathy’ however neither would have met the criteria for diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children either due to the absence of fever.

Publication date / reference: 02/11/2020 Al-Mufti et al. Acute Cerebrovascular Disorders and Vasculopathies Associated with Significant Mortality in SARS-CoV-2 Patients Admitted to The Intensive Care Unit in The New York Epicenter. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: This prospective case series of hospitalised patients with covid-19 found 48/600 (8%) had associated ischaemic stroke, eight of whom required intensive care support. The authors present a short case series of these eight patients, including three of them who had cerebral artery dissection. Outcomes were poor: three died, one was discharged home, and the other four were discharged to external facilities and continued to require mechanical ventilation.

Publication date / reference: 20/11/2020 Chen et al. High incidence of stroke in COVID-19 patients. Aging.

Publication date / reference: 19/11/2020 Richter et al. Comparison of stroke care parameters in acute ischemic stroke patients with and without concurrent Covid-19. A Nationwide analysis. Neurol Res Pract.

Publication date / reference: 01/11/20. Fayed et al. Intracranial hemorrhage in critically ill patients hospitalized for COVID-19. J Clin Neurosci. 

Publication date / reference: 23/11/2020 Mac Grory and Yaghi. Response by Mac Grory and Yaghi to Letter Regarding Article, “SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke in a New York Healthcare System”. Stroke. 

Summary: MacGrory and Yaghi respond to correspondence from Bayona et al, who question whether the high incidence of cryptogenic stroke in their original article was an overestimation due to misclassification. Bayona et al point out that the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification system includes hypercoagulability under “other determined aetiology”. The authors acknowledge the challenges of attributing causality. They maintain that there are many contributing mechanisms to stroke in COVID-19, beyond acute hypercoagulability, and explain their reasoning for their classification.  

Publication date / reference: 23/11/20. Cagnazzo et al. European Multicenter Study of ET-COVID-19. Stroke.

Summary: The authors of the ET-COVID-19 study (Endovascular Thrombectomy in COVID-19 Patients) aimed to study early outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19. They conducted a multicentre cohort study involving 34 stroke centers in France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium, with data for the current paper collected between March and May 2020. They included consecutive laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with large vessel occlusion, who were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Of n=93 patients, acute ischaemic stroke in the anterior circulation represented the majority (83 patients). The most common sites of occlusion were M1 (n=46) and M2 (n=16), followed by the carotid terminus (n=13). Tandem occlusion occurred in nine patients with basilar artery occlusion in six further cases. Mortality at 30 days was 27/93 [29%, 95%CI, 20–39.4]). The primary cause of mortality was neurological (associated with ICH or malignant cerebral infarction/edema) in 14 patients and non-neurological (respiratory failure and multiorgan failure) in 13 patients.

Publication date / reference: 23/11/2020 Uchino and Cho. Letter by Uchino and Cho Regarding Article “Infarction of the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum in the Age of COVID-19: A Snapshot in Time”. Stroke.

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Summary: Uchino and Cho point out other radiological studies in critically ill, mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients which have shown frequent occurrences of (otherwise rare) cerebral infarcts and microhaemorrhages in the splenium of the corpus callosum, such as those reported by Sparr and Bieri. They suggest the possibility that this may be due to a microangiopathic process common among patients with critical illness, regardless of COVID-19 status. Sparr and Bieri have cited, in response, several larger imaging studies showing a wide range of imaging findings on MRI, including hyperintense lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum. They maintain that the splenium of the corpus callosum seems unusually susceptible to injury in patients with severe COVID-19 but concur that none of these findings and patterns of injury are unique to the disease itself. 

Publication date / reference: 21/11/20. Katsanos et al. The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Stroke Epidemiology and Care: A Meta-analysis. Ann Neurol.

Summary: This is a meta-analysis examining the potential impact of COVID-19 on the management and outcomes of acute stroke. 18 cohort studies, including 67845 patients were identified. The authors report that among patients with SARS-CoV-2, 1.3% were hospitalized for cerebrovascular events, 1.1% for ischemic stroke, and 0.2% for hemorrhagic stroke. Compared to non-infected contemporary or historical controls, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection had increased odds of ischemic stroke (OR=3.58) and cryptogenic stroke (no clear attributable cause) (OR=3.98). Diabetes mellitus, known to be a significant risk factor for stroke, was found to be more prevalent among SARS-CoV-2 stroke patients compared to non-infected contemporary or historical controls (OR=1.39). Odds for in-hospital mortality were higher among SARS-CoV-2 stroke patients – approximately five-fold (OR=5.60), compared to non-infected contemporary or historical stroke patients. The authors suggest that the increased risk of ischemic and cryptogenic stroke could be related to blood hyper-viscosity and a hypercoagulable state that has been linked to an immune-mediated response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Summary: The authors of this study utilised the Iranian Neurological Association to gather fifteen cases across the country of neurological symptoms secondary to stroke after definite or probably COVID-19.11/15 patients had previous cardiovascular comorbidities and median time from respiratory symptoms to neurological symptom onset was seven days. Stroke severity was severe in 7/15 and moderate in 6/15 (NIHSS), mortality was 6/15 and all but one surviving patient demonstrated significant disability on a modified ranking scale.

Publication date / reference: 11/11/2020 Wang et al., COVID-19 Associated Ischemic Stroke and Hemorrhagic Stroke: Incidence, Potential Pathological Mechanism, and Management. Front Neurol.

Summary: This article aims to explain various mechanisms pertaining to the CNS involvement in COVID-19 infected patients. Mechanisms for invasion of the CNS include hematogenous and neuronal routes – via ACE2 receptors or retrograde axonal transport. It also explains the evidence for COVID-19 infection causing a procoagulant state and thus inducing venous and arterial thromboembolism.  They also talk about the possible mechanism and management of patients with COVID-19 related stroke. The authors conclude that further studies need to be done to ascertain the exact links between cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19.

 Publication date / reference: 06/11/2020 Dakay et al. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series and Review of The Literature. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Publication date / reference: 02/11/20 Akhtar et al. Characteristics and Comparison of 32 COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Ischemic Strokes and Historical Stroke Patients. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study compared admission rates for stroke and their phenotype in the 6 months prior to SARS-CoV-2 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that stroke numbers declined marginally during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that patients who suffered strokes who were SARS-CoV-2 positive were typically younger, had less incidence of hyperlipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension and had more cortical and severe strokes with longer hospitalisation.

Publication date / reference: 02/11/20 Mousa-Ibrahim et al. Intracranial Hemorrhage in Hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Case Series. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: In their report Mousa-Ibrahim et al. present 6 cases of patients with COVID- 19, who received anticoagulant treatment and developed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Five of these patients were critically ill with COVID ARDS and developed ICH while on intermediate or full-dose therapeutic anticoagulation. One patient was SARS-CoV-2 positive but asymptomatic and suffered intracranial hemorrhage after prophylactic anticoagulation. The authors conclude that as therapeutic coagulation comes with increased risk of bleeding, clinicians must carefully balance the risks and benefits of anticoagulation in COVID-19 patients.

Publication date / reference: 28/09/20. Haroon et al. COVID-19 Related Cerebrovascular Thromboembolic Complications in Three Young Patients. Case Rep Neurol.

Summary: The authors reported the cases of three young patients who suffered cerebrovascular thrombolic complications secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first patient had mild to moderate COVID-19 severity, whilst the second and third had mild infection. The first and third patients presented with stroke at the onset of COVID-19 whilst the second developed a stroke two weeks after the onset of symptoms, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated thromboembolism can occur both early and later in the disease course.

Publication Date/Reference: 09/12/2020. Elkhider et al. COVID-19 and stroke, a case series and review of literature. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary:  Case-series of 4 COVID-19 patients who were all under 60 years old and suffered ischemic strokes as a complication. The authors discussed several possible mechanisms linking leading to the increased risk of ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients, including hypercoagulability, vasculitis, new onset atrial fibrillation and direct result of the viral infection.

Publication date / reference: 09/11/2020. Smilowitz et al., Thrombosis in Hospitalized Patients with Viral Respiratory Infections versus COVID-19. Am Heart J.

This is a case-control study aimed at evaluating the incidence of thrombosis in patients hospitalised with non-COVID-19 acute viral respiratory illnesses (adult patients from 2002-2014) compared to patients with COVID-19. Within the non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia group, acute MI occurred in 2.8% of hospitalisations, VTE in 1.6%, ischemic stroke in 0.7%, and other systemic embolism in 0.1%.The authors found that the proportion of hospitalisations complicated by thrombosis was lower in patients with viral respiratory illness in 2002-2014 than in COVID-19 (5% vs. 16%; p<0.001). This is the largest series to evaluate risks of in-hospital thrombosis among patients with non-COVID-19 respiratory illnesses, a majority of which were due to viral influenza.

Publication date / reference: 03/11/2020. Cheruiyot et al.Intracranial hemorrhage in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Neurol Sci.

Summary: This systematic review looked at the link between COVID-19 patients developing or presenting with cerebrovascular disease. 23 studies were analysed comprising of n=148 COVID-19 patients with ICH. The authors note that the incidence of ICH in these patients was 0.7% (95% CI 0.5–0.9). Most of these COVID-19 patients with ICH were male (65.8%), the majority of patients were over 50 years of age. The most common type of ICH in these patients were intraparenchymal haemorrhage (62.6) %, closely followed by SAH (15.0%). The majority of patients developed ICH during their admission rather than presenting with it (71%). Pre-existing co-morbidities were present in these patients including: hypertension, DM and hyperlipidaemia. Concerning outcomes, mortality was 48.6%.

Publication Date/Reference: 5/11/20 Perry et al. Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19-associated stroke: a UK multicentre case-control study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary: This case-control study aims to determine characteristics and outcomes of stroke associated with COVID-19. The authors included patients admitted with stroke and COVID-19 (n=86) compared with stroke patients without COVID-19 who admitted during the same time period (n=1,384). They found that cases with ischaemic stroke were more likely than ischaemic controls to occur in Asians, more likely to involve multiple large vessel occlusions, more severe, higher D-dimer levels, and more severe disability on discharge and inpatient death. Recurrence of stroke during the patient’s admission was rare in Cases and Controls. They concluded that COVID-19 may be an important modifier of the onset, characteristics and outcome of acute ischaemic stroke.

Publication Date/Reference: 27/10/2020 Bekelis et al. Ischemic Stroke Occurs Less Frequently in Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Stroke.

Summary: This large scale cross-sectional study reviewed the incidence of stroke and COVID-19 among discharged from January to April 2020 in the state of New York. A total of 10.1% had COVID-19 while 0.2% presented with acute ischaemic stroke. Surprisingly the authors found that having COVID-19 was associated with a one-quarter odds of having ischaemic stroke across all age groups and stayed significant in sensitivity analyses and propensity-weighted regression models. However, patients with stroke with COVID-19 had worse outcomes compared with those without, with over a 9-fold increase in mortality. The authors explore some proposed hypotheses for this decreased incidence but increased mortality of ischaemic stroke in COVID-19 from the wider literature and finally call for longer term follow-up of these patients to evaluate if any increased longer term complications occur.

Publication Date/Reference: 29/10/20. Katz et al. COVID-19 severity and stroke: correlation of imaging and laboratory markers. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: The authors of this study conducted a retrospective case series of COVID-19 patients with imaging-confirmed stroke (n=86) between March 14 and April 26, 2020. Comparisons revealed that patients with stroke already hospitalised for severe COVID-19 (n=41) had significantly more frequent infarctions, with multivascular distributions and associated haemorrhage, than patients with out-of-hospital stroke onset and milder or no COVID-19 symptoms (n=45). In addition, patients with stroke admitted with more severe COVID-19 had significantly higher CRP, ferritin and D-dimer levels, as well as more frequent lymphopenia, and renal and hepatic injury.

Publication Date/Reference: Oct, 2020. Alharthy et al., Life-threatening COVID-19 presenting as stroke with antiphospholipid antibodies and low ADAMTS-13 activity, and the role of therapeutic plasma exchange: A case seriesSAGE Open Med Case Rep.

Summary: This case series (n=3) included ICU COVID-19 patients with imaging showing confirmed brain infarctions. All cases were given plasma exchange. The findings suggest that high severity COVID patients who are showing immune dysregulation signs, plasma exchange can be effective.

 Publication Date/Reference: 30/10/2020. Lan et al. Association between SARS-CoV-2 infection, exposure risk and mental health among a cohort of essential retail workers in the USA. Occup Environ Med.

Summary: Cross sectional study of workers from a single grocery store (N=104). 20% of workers tested positive for SARS-Cov-2, 76% of which were asymptomatic. The study also reported a 24% prevalence of depression  (PHQ-9 score>4) and 8% prevalence of anxiety (GAD-7 score >4). Those able to practice social distancing had consistently lower risk for anxiety and depression (OR =0.1).

Publication date / reference: Nov, 2020 Requena et al., COVID-19 and Stroke: Incidence and Etiological Description in a High-Volume Center. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis

This single-centre retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between acute stroke in COVID-19 patients. They studied SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (n=2050) with stroke diagnoses. Of these, 21 (1.02%) presented with acute ischaemic stroke and 4 (0.2%) had intracranial haemorrhage. Only n=6 patients with diagnosed stroke were thought to be related to COVID-19; all of these patients required mechanical ventilation prior to stroke onset. The key findings suggested that the presence of acute stroke was only found in 0.2% of patients, who all had previous stroke risk factors and for most, a cause was identified. Of these, the most prominent was hypertension n=14/25 (56.0%). Regarding outcomes, of the n=25 stroke patients, 8 (32.0%) warranted ICU admission,14 (56.0%) had severe infection, and 10 (40.0%) had in hospital mortality.

Publication date / reference: Nov, 2020  Carneiro et al., Intravenous tPA for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with COVID-19 J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis

This is a multicentre case series (9 centres) evaluating patients with COVID-19 and acute neurological deficits who were treated with IV tPA (n=13). Three patients (n=3) underwent mechanical thrombectomy. The authors found that CT angiography revealed large vessel occlusion (LVO) in 8 cases (61.5%) and MRI brain confirmed acute ischemic stroke in 4 cases (30.7%). They also found that the most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolic (n=3). Administering IV tPA in their sample did not show any further complications and at follow-up showed clinical improvement. 8 (61.5%) patients had an improvement in their NIHSS score of 4 points or more and all except one patient was discharged home. The authors conclude that IV tPA was safe to use in acute ischemic stroke patients with COVID-19. However larger studies should be done to investigate this further.

Publication date / reference: 09/20. Kananeh et al. Arterial and venous strokes in the setting of COVID-19. J Clin Neurosci.

Summary: This retrospective study examined patients presenting to a large tertiary care centre in the US with stroke and COVID-19. Four patients were presented including characteristics on medical history, disease severity and laboratory findings. There were three cases of arterial ischaemic strokes and one case of venous stroke: Three males and one female. The mean age was 55 (48-70) years. All arterial strokes presented with large vessel occlusions and had mechanical thrombectomy performed. Two of the cases presented despite adequate anticoagulation being prescribed. The authors called for further studies needed in order to understand the role of anticoagulation in stroke patients.

Publication date / reference: 10/09/20. Ghanchi et al. Racial disparity amongst stroke patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Cureus.

Summary: The authors of this US study reviewed the ‘Get with the Guidelines National Stroke Database’ to assess patients presenting with stroke between February – May 2020. A downward trend in the total number of patients presenting with stroke during this period of the pandemic was noted. A statistically significant increase in Black and Hispanic patients presenting with stroke was noted in California, Pacific hospital, Western hospitals and all US hospitals was observed during various months when comparing 2020 to 2019.

Publication date / reference: 14/10/20. Mowla et al. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with SARS-CoV-2; a multinational case series. J Neurol Sci.

Summary: Case series of COVID-19 patients presented with Cerebral venous Sinus thrombosis (CVST) (N=13). Compared with non-Covid control groups, the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were significantly older, had a lower rate of identified CVST risk factors, more frequent cortical vein involvement, and a non-significant higher rate of in-hospital mortality.

Publication date/ reference: 15/10/2020. Emanuella Keller et al. Large and Small Cerebral Vessel Involvement in Severe COVID-19: Detailed Clinical Workup of a Case Series. Stroke.

Summary: This case series assess large and small cerebral vessel involvement in severe COVID-19. The authors concluded that central nervous system disorders associated with COVID-19 could lead to long-term disabilities. Mechanisms should be urgently investigated to develop neuroprotective strategies.

Publication date / reference: 29/11/20. Anand et al. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: Two Cases and A Review of The Literature. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary:  Case report of  two COVID-19 patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)

Publication date / reference: 09/20. Pirau et al. Case Series: Evidence of Borderzone Ischemia in Critically-Ill COVID-19 Patients Who “Do Not Wake Up”. Front Neurol.

Publication date / reference: 14/10/2020 Yao et al. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of COVID-19 patients with cerebral stroke：a retrospective study of 113 cases from one single center. Eur J Neurosci.

Summary: In this retrospective notes review, researchers found that 1.0% of patients admitted to hospital had new-onset stroke associated with covid-19. Unsurprisingly, stroke was associated with poorer mortality rates, which was posited to be mediated by multiorgan dysfunction and an ‘overactivated’ inflammatory response.

Publication date / reference: 12/09/20. Nallebelle et al. Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients with Prior Ischemic Stroke. Cureus.

Summary: Nalleballe and colleagues utilised the TriNetX global COVID-19 database and aimed to investigate if patients with prior history of ischemic stroke are vulnerable to COVID-19.

Of those identified with a history of ischemic stroke (n=604,258), 0.15% developed COVID (n= 891). The investigators found that compared to control (n= 32,136), those with previous history of ischemic stroke tend to be older with multiple comorbidities which contributed to more severe COVID-19 complications.

Publication date / reference: 17/09/20. Tiwari et al. Etiologic Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke in SARS-CoV-2 Patients in a Cohort of New York City Hospitals. Front Neurol.

Summary: In this multi-site prospective cohort study, Tiwari and colleagues explored the characteristics of ischaemic stroke in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 during a peak period in the pandemic (PCR-confirmed). The vast majority (81%) had known vascular risk factors and ischaemic stroke was an acute complication in the COVID-19 disease course, occurring a median of 4 days from symptoms onset. There was an equal split between large vessel (LVO) and non-large vessel occlusion (NLVO) strokes (n=8 in each). Sub-group analysis revealed that LVO patients tended to be younger, had significantly higher mortality and raised acute phase reactants (except d-dimer) when compared to the NLVO group. The most common stroke aetiology was cryptogenic.

Publication date / reference: 09/10/2020. Mathew et al. COVID-19 Related Strokes are associated with increased mortality and morbidity: A multi-center comparative study from Bengaluru, south India. Int J Stroke.

Summary: Multicentre retrospective study (13 hospitals) of COVID-19 associated stroke. Most of the 62 included patients (97%) had ischaemic stroke. Based on a comparison with non-covid strokes, those associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were of a more severe nature.

Publication date / reference: 15/9/2020. Bihlmaier et al. Disseminated Multifocal Intracerebral Bleeding Events in Three Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation As Rescue Therapy. Crit Care Explor.

Summary:  Describes an unusual white matter multifocal bleeding pattern in three patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. They used clinical examination, CT and post-mortem examination. Neuropathological analyses found cerebrovascular occlusions which lead to microvascular and then macrovascular bleeding events. They use this as a basis for further consideration of bleeding risk and systemic anticoagulation strategies for patients suffering from COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 24/08/2020. Shekhar et al. Neurological Complications Among Native Americans with COVID-19: Our Experience at a Tertiary Care Academic Hospital in the U.S. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary:. Retrospective single center study for CNS complications in patients hospitalized with Covid -19 (N=90). Of the total screened seven were found with CNS complications (subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), Ischemic stroke (IS) and seizure), all were Native Americans. Authors reported clinical characteristics of each patient, there was no long term follow up.

Publication date / reference: 06/10/20. Kihira et al. Neurovascular complications that can be seen in COVID-19 patients. Clin Imaging.

Summary: Case series of neurovascular complications in 4 covid-19 positive patients.

Publication date / reference: 31/08/20. Rajdev et al. Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in COVID-19: Mounting Evidence. Cureus.

Summary: Rajdev and colleagues present a series of three patients presenting with COVID-19 and stroke. In two cases, the patient presented to hospital with sudden onset right sided weakness and were later diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. The third patient sustained an acute intracerebral haemorrhage as an inpatient. In all three cases, SARS-Cov-2 was elicited as being a precipitant for the stroke. The authors conclude that there should be a low threshold for suspecting stroke in patients with COVID-19 and that patients with cardiovascular risk factors should be closely monitored.

Publication date / reference: 20/08/20. Grewal et al. Acute Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19: Experience From a Comprehensive Stroke Center in Midwest US. Front Neurol. 

Summary:  This retrospective study looked at patients hospitalised with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and SARS-CoV-2 infection within a comprehensive stroke center in Chicago, IL. The authors reviewed stroke characteristics, etiologies and composite outcomes. The cohort was compared with historic patients with AIS without COVID-19 admitted in the year previous. Of the 13 patients with AIS and COVID-19, Latinos and African-Americans comprised the majority of the cohort (76.8%). Most strokes were cortical (84.6%) and more than 50% of patients had no identifiable source and were therefore characterised as embolic stroke of unknown cause. Less alteplase administration was noted in the COVID-19 AIS group as compared to the non-COVID-19 2020 group (7.1% vs. 20.7% p=0.435). Systemic thrombotic complications occurred in three of the COVID-19 patients. Eight patients were discharged home or to acute rehabilitation and two deceased from COVID-19 complications. The authors concluded that AIS in the setting of COVID-19 is associated with worse outcomes, especially among African-American and Latino populations. 

Publication date / reference: 24/09/20. Bach et al. Stroke in COVID-19: a single-centre initial experience in a hotspot of the pandemic. Stroke Vasc Neurol.  

Summary: This study retrospectively examined all patients admitted to their hospital in New Jersey, USA, with positive RT-PCR swab tests for SARS-CoV-2. Acute ischaemic strokes (AIS) were identified and the demographics, clinical, laboratory, imaging characteristics, treatments and outcomes were reviewed. 683 positive patients were identified, 20 of which had AIS. Large vessel occlusion was identified in 11 patients. Intravenous alteplase was administered in four patients and mechanical thrombectomy was performed in five patients. Respiratory symptoms preceded the onset of AIS in most of the patients (70%) by 1 to 21 days. Mortality in patients with AIS was 50% compared to 26% of all COVID-19 admissions. However, most of these patients died due to non-neurological causes. The authors concluded that large vessel occlusion was more common in patients with AIS and COVID-19 despite the lack of a control group. 

Publication date / reference: 24/09/20. Melmed et al. Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Thrombolysis.  

Summary: This study aimed to assess risk factors associated with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in a population of adult patients admitted to NYU Langone Health system with a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab test. Among 3824 patients admitted with COVID-19, 755 had neuroimaging and 416 were identified after the exclusion criteria were applied. The mean age was 69.3 and 35.8% were women. ICH occurred in 33 patients. Older age, non-caucasian race, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and therapeutic anticoagulation were associated with ICH on univariate analysis (p<0.01 on each variable). In adjusted regression models, anticoagulation use was associated with a five-fold increased risk of ICH (OR 5.26, 95% CI 2.33-12.24, p<0.001). ICH was also associated with increased mortality (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.9). The authors concluded that anticoagulation use was associated with increased risk of ICH in COVID-19 patients. They called for further investigation into the potential underlying mechanisms and prevention strategies in these populations. 

Publication date / reference: 18/09/20. Pata et al. Probability of COVID-19 Being the Culprit in Neurocognitive Deception: A Case Series of Incidental Strokes in ICU Patients With COVID-19. Cureus.

Publication date / reference: 18/09/20. Jillella et al. Ischemic stroke in COVID-19: An urgent need for early identification and management. PLoS One. 

Publication date / reference: 17/09/20. Siddiqui et al. COVID-19 Stroke Apical Lung Examination Study: A Diagnostic and Prognostic Imaging Biomarker in Suspected Acute Stroke. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 

Publication date / reference: 12/09/20. Siepmann et al. Increased risk of acute stroke among patients with severe COVID-19: a multicenter study and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol.

Summary:  The authors conducted a multi-centre retrospective case-note review of the prevalence of stroke in 165 confirmed COVID-19 patients. They also conducted a systematic review of stroke prevalence to calculate a pooled prevalence estimate. In the cohort study a requirement for intensive care independently predicted stroke, with an estimated prevalence of 4.2%. The meta-analysis returned a pooled prevalence estimate of 2.9%. This pooled figure masked a possible differential split between mild (1.7%) and severe (5.5%) forms of COVID-19. The search extended until May 19th, and the meta-analysis included only two studies. 

Publication date / reference: 13/09/20. Mowla et al. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Associated with SARS-CoV-2; a Multinational Case Series. MedRxiv (preprint).

Summary: The authors collected 13 cases of CVST (eight female) in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients admitted to nine tertiary stroke centers from the beginning of the pandemic to June 30th, 2020. They compared the demographics, clinical and radiological characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of these patients with a control group of non-SARS-CoV-2 infected CVST patients in the same seasonal period of the years 2012-2016. Compared to controls, SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with CVST were significantly older, with a lower rate of identified CVST risk factors, more frequent cortical vein involvement and a higher rate of in-hospital mortality. 

Publication date / reference: 08/09/20. Jensen et al. Neuropathological findings in two patients with fatal COVID-19. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol.

Summary:  The authors report two cases of fatal COVID-19 as well as the pathology observed through autopsy and histological analysis. The first case displayed severe multifocal cortical infarctions consistent with severe multi-territorial cerebral vascular injury, whilst the second case displayed a brainstem encephalitis centered on the dorsal medulla as well as subacute regional infarct involving the cerebellar cortex. In both cases it was noted that in situ hybridisation and RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA were negative in tissue sampled from the area of pathology, which the authors suggest may indicate that these are para-infectious phenomena from systemic hyperinflammation and hypercoagulable state.

Publication date / reference: 01/09/20. Lin et al. Racial differences and an increased systemic inflammatory response are seen in patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke. Brain Behav Immun Health.

Summary: This retrospective observational study reviewed patients admitted for acute ischaemic stroke to a single centre in the United States between March to May 2020. 60 patients were admitted for ischaemic stroke during this period of which 9 tested positive for COVID-19. These nine patients had an average age of 58.21; three were male and five were African American. Patients with infection had a more severe neurological deficit on presentation (higher NIHSS), increased inflammatory response (increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio- NLR) and increased mortality (44.4% vs. 7.6%) compared with those patients with no infection. These results should be taken with extreme caution due to the small COVID-19 sample size and as the absolute number of african-americans in the infected group was only one greater than the non-infected group, the effects of racial disparities in stroke are difficult to assess. Despite this the authors build on previous studies comparing stroke in groups with and without COVID-19 infection that haven’t addressed racial differences or systemic inflammation. As African Americans genetic variations are associated with inflammation it provides an additional avenue of research for future studies to explore the racial disparities in stroke outcomes. The authors propose that as the NLR is a well studied biomarker of inflammation in COVID-19 and the constituent blood tests are carried out routinely it may be a cost-effective marker in helping assess disease severity and predict complications. 

Publication date / reference: 07/09/20. Kwon et al. Characteristics of Acute Stroke in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Challenges in Stroke Management during an Epidemic. J Korean Med Sci.

Summary: In a retrospective case note review, the authors describe another five patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke.

Publication date / reference: 28/07/20. Usman et al. A Case Series of Devastating Intracranial Hemorrhage During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth.

Summary:  This retrospective case-series (n=10) described devastating intracranial haemorrhage in COVID-19 patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). An inclusion criteria was set consisting of severe refractory ARDS due to COVID-19, failure of proning therapy with muscle relaxant infusion and ECMO initiation. The primary outcome was  the incidence of any type of stroke for the duration of ECMO. Diagnosis of stroke was suspected via bedside findings of local neurological deficits, notably an abnormal pupillary examination in patients treated with heavy sedation and neuromuscular blockade. Four patients had haemorrhagic strokes during ECMO treatment, three were intraparenchymal and one was mild SAH. The authors noted previous studies with lower rates of ICH in ECMO support, and raised that venovenous ECMO has much different anticoagulation requirements. Study limitations included the low number of participants and the limited value of aPT testing for prediction of actual coagulation status in COVID-19. The authors concluded that COVID-19 is not a prothrombotic condition alone and actually causes severe imbalances in bleeding and thrombotic risk.

Publication date / reference: 24/08/20 Kvernland et al. Anticoagulation use and Hemorrhagic Stroke in SARS-CoV-2 Patients Treated at a New York Healthcare System. Neurocrit Care.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study (n=4071) examined patients with haemorrhagic stroke who were hospitalised between March 1st 2020 and May 15th 2020 in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both patients who developed haemorrhagic stroke on admission and those who developed haemorrhagic stroke during hospitalisation were included. Clinical characteristics and demographic variables were compared between those with COVID-19 and without COVID-19. Of the total sample, 34 patients with COVID-19 had haemorrhagic stroke. 15 were then excluded due to a diagnosis of haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic stroke. 84.2% of those with COVID-19 who developed stroke required mechanical ventilation and the mortality rate at discharge was 84.6%. Coagulopathy was the most common etiology of haemorrhagic stroke with a prevalence of 73.7%. Of the 17 patients on anticoagulation (two not prescribed), the goal intensity was full therapeutic range. 10/17 were supratherapeutically anticoagulated before stroke development. The authors concluded that they had seen a relatively low rate of haemorrhagic stroke in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and urged large studies to further validate the clinical characteristics found in the study.

Publication date / reference: 27/08/20 Lang et al. Risk of acute cerebrovascular events in patients with COVID-19 infection. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: The authors of this letter describe how between March 2th 2020 and April 10th 2020, 468 patients at a single institution were tested positive for COVID-19, 105 of whom underwent neuroimaging. Six cases were seen to have sustained an acute cerebrovascular event, four of which were haemorrhagic and two of which were ischaemic. No significant difference in age or comorbidities was seen between COVID-19 patients with or without acute cerebrovascular events.

Publication date / reference: 27/08/20 John et al. Characteristics of large-vessel occlusion associated with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study assessed patients with COVID-19 presenting with ischemic stroke from March 1st 2020 to May 25th 2020. Of 20 patients with COVID-19 and acute ischaemic stroke 15 had large vessel occlusion, average patient age was 46.5 years and patients were predominantly male (93%) and free from major burden of classic cardiovascular risk factors. Large vessel occlusions were detected in multiple vessels in 40% of cases and systemic thrombosis separate from large-vessel occlusion was seen in 26% of cases.

Publication date / reference: 13/08/20 Dmytriw et al. Ischaemic stroke associated with COVID-19 and racial outcome disparity in North America. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary:  This retrospective multi-centre study builds on the finding that the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients with stroke is greater than that reported in COVID-19 alone. The authors compared and contrasted the co-morbidities, treatment received, laboratory tests and stroke outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 patients by race. 27 African american patients were compared with 42 non-african americans, made up of caucasian, hispanic and asian participants. The authors used either t-tests or Wilcoxon rank sum test to compare participants on a range of variables. They found that African-American participants were significantly more likely to have diabetes mellitus, higher LDL, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, and higher mortality. The authors discuss a range of possible causes for the racial disparities but caution readers in interpretation pending larger-scale studies.

Publication date / reference: 19/08/20. Escalade et al. Early Brain Imaging Shows Increased Severity of Acute Ischemic Strokes With Large Vessel Occlusion in COVID-19 Patients. Stroke. 

Summary: In this comparative cohort study, Escalard and colleagues compared patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 who had anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (aLVO) and early brain imaging within 3 hours from onset (n=12) with a control group admitted during the same period in 2019 (n=34). The authors found that patients in the COVID-19 group had more severe strokes with a significantly lower clot burden score, higher rate of multivessel occlusion, higher infarct core volume and higher in-hospital mortality. The authors found no difference between the groups in terms of successful recanalization rate, time of onset to imaging and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. The baseline characteristics of the groups were similar, however, the COVID-19 group was younger with a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus. Although the sample was small and selected, the authors concluded that patients with COVID-19 had more severe strokes than patients without COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 13/08/20. Pop et al. Stroke Thrombectomy in Patients with COVID-19: Initial Experience in 13 Cases. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 

Summary: In this retrospective review Pop and colleagues examined patient cases over a two month period in two stroke units. They identified those who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke who also had a confirmed SARS-Cov2 infection (n=13), representing one third of all patients who underwent stroke thrombectomies during this period.  They note that in most cases patients did not have a COVID-19 diagnosis/suspicion before the acute stroke presentation. Limited by the small sample size, the authors were restricted to reporting descriptive findings only. They report an increased mortality rate (15.3%) and higher rate of thrombotic complications during hospitalization (DVT=23%, PE=7.6%) in this cohort of patients. Based on these findings, the authors call for full PPE measures for all stroke thrombectomies performed during the pandemic period.

Publication date / reference: 17/08/20. Shahjouei et al. Risk of stroke in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients: a multinational study. EBioMedicine.

Summary: The authors of this large multicentre, multinational observational study received data on 26,175 hospitalised patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 from 99 tertiary centres across 65 regions of 11 countries until May 1st 2020. 17,799 patients had sufficient clinical data to be included in meta-analyses, of whom 156 (0.9%) had sustained a stroke. Of patients who had a stroke, 123 (79%) had ischaemic stroke, 27 (17%) had intracerebral/subarachnoid haemorrhage, and 6 (4%) experienced cerebral sinus thrombosis. Meta-analyses determined an overall stroke risk of 0.5%, and ischaemic heart disease and requirement for mechanical ventilation were independently predictive of stroke, though the authors do note that the overall stroke risk would be lower if non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients were also included.

Publication date / reference: 01/09/20. Fifi and Mocco. COVID-19 related stroke in young individuals. Lancet Neurol.

Summary: In this comment on Ellul and colleagues’ rapid review ‘Neurological associations of COVID-19’ the authors discuss their own previously reported observations of five COVID-19 patients under the age of 50 presenting with large vessel stroke over a two week period, as well as findings in the literature suggesting stroke patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 are on average younger than uninfected stroke patients. The authors conclude that there is an increasing amount of data suggesting an association between COVID-19 and stroke in young populations that are typically free from vascular risk factors.

Publication date / reference: 17/08/20. Diaz-Perez et al. Acutely altered mental status as the main clinical presentation of multiple strokes in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Neurol Sci. 

Summary:  The author report on two critically ill patients with COVID-19 in whom acutely altered mental status was the main manifestation of multiple strokes. Following ICU care both patients displayed fluctuating drowsiness, inattention, disorientation, slow or inconsistent speech, and psychomotor agitation. Neuroimaging revealed multiple ischaemic lesions. 

Publication date / reference: 06/08/20. Nawabi et al. Clinical and Imaging Characteristics in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage. J Clin Med.

Summary: A multicentre retrospective, case series (n=18) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and intracranial hemorrhage. The median time of ICH was at 11 days post admission. Isolated cortical subarachnoid haemorrhage was the main ICH seen, and in most cases manifested in rarely reported areas along the convexity of the brain, which is previous reports are most commonly seen in vascular disorders like PRES. The authors postulate that endothelial dysfunction, perhaps as a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2, could be a risk factor for ICH in these populations. Caution is required given that a large proportion of the patients were anticoagulated at the time of the bleeds, and seven patients received ECMO, a known risk factor for ICH. 

Publication date / reference: 09/07/20. Ntaios et al. Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 and Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Global COVID-19 Stroke Registry. Stroke.

Summary:  International case control study asking whether stroke severity and outcomes differ between patients with and without COVID-19. The authors reported 174 consecutive patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and ischaemic stroke in 28 sites from 16 countries, and matched them with non-COVID-19 stroke patients on a set of prespecified covariates, including demographics (age, sex), stroke risk factors, and ten comorbidities. There was a trend towards higher prevalence of large-artery stroke between the two populations. Stroke patients with COVID-19 had higher risks for severe disability and death compared with stroke patients with non- COVID-19. The authors conclude that COVID-19 associated ischaemic strokes are more severe and call for studies to uncover underlying mechanisms.

Publication date / reference: 12/08/20. Goncalves et al. Thrombotic and Hemorrhagic Neurological Complications in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients. Neurocrit Care.

Summary:  The authors report three patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute renal failure who developed catastrophic intracerebral hemorrhages. They call for randomized clinical trials of anticoagulation strategies.

Publication date / reference: 29/07/20. Kihira et al. Association of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) With Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: A Case-Control Study. AJR Am J Roentgenol.

Summary: Kihira and colleagues present a retrospective case-control study aimed at investigating the association between COVID-19 and stroke subtypes. Of all patients (N=329) who presented with a suspected stroke, 126 of them tested positive for SARS-COV-2. The SARS-COV2 negative patient group (n=203) acted as control. The study found an increased proportion of large vessel occlusion in the covid-19 population compared to control (31.7% vs. 15.3%), the same difference was not found in the small vessel occlusion subtype.  Using multivariate analysis, controlling for race and ethnicity, a significant association was found between COVID-19 and large vessel occlusion stroke. Due to its retrospective design, the authors accept that the study is unable to evaluate causality between large vessel occlusion stroke and COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: 06/08/20. Katz et al. Cerebrovascular Complications of COVID-19. Stroke. 

Summary: Retrospective case series of COVID-19 patients with imaging confirmed stroke (N=86) during the months of peak pandemic in New York City and Long Island. Logistic regression analysis found COVID -19 to be a strong independent risk factor for in-hospital stroke amongst age, sex, black race, ICH, DVT, AF, Obesity and past stroke/ TIA. Other significant risk factors identified were male and presence of DVT. in addition, the authors found that in this study population the stroke presentations were frequently atypical,  that majority presented with non focal deficits (67.4%), instead are multi-vascular territories, with concomitant haemorrhages. It is important to highlight that the study used historical patients as controls, raising the possibility of differences between the control and study group that could not be accounted for (for example the behaviour of hospital staff during the pandemic). 

Publication date / reference: 06/08/20. Lapergue et al. Large vessel stroke in six patients following SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective case study series of acute thrombotic complications on stable underlying atherosclerotic disease. Eur J Neurol. 

Summary: This is a retrospective study aiming to identify the association between ischemic strokes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 6 patients with underlying atherosclerotic disease. All 6 patients had both intra and extracerebral thrombi, as shown on CT or MR imaging as well as underlying vascular risk factors. 5/6 of these patients had large thrombi in the cervical carotid artery with underlying mild non-stenosing atheroma. 3 of these patients eventually died, while the other 3 were successfully discharged to rehab centres. The authors acknowledge the limitations of a retrospective study – but urge clinicians to be vigilant for new onset of ischemic stroke in patients with vascular risk factors, atherosclerotic disease and concurrent COVID-19. 

Publication date / reference: 05/08/20. Agarwal et al. Cerebral Microbleeds and Leukoencephalopahy in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19. Stroke.

Summary: This study retrospectively examined patient charts of SARS-CoV-2 adults admitted to an academic medical center in New York City. Out of 4131 admitted COVID-19 patients, 115 adults had an MRI of the brain performed. Of these, 35 had cerebral leukoencephalopathy and/or cerebral microbleeds. Of the remaining 80, 47 had acute/chronic infarcts, haemorrhages, or other chronic findings and 33 patients had normal MRI brains. In this cohort, patients with leukoencephalopathy and/or microbleeds were younger and perhaps predominantly male. The odds ratio ‘per day increase’ when being on a ventilator and having leukoencephalopathy and/or cerebral microbleeds was 1.09 (95% CI 1.06-1.12) when compared to not having leukoencephalopathy and/or cerebral microbleeds. The authors concluded that leukoencephalopathy and/or cerebral microbleeds are seen in patients with COVID-19 patients with severe illness marked by prolonged ventilator support and hospitalisation, thrombocytopenia and elevated D-dimer. 

Publication date / reference: 31/07/20. Zhang et al. Clinical Course and Mortality of Stroke Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China. Stroke.

Summary: This case series examined the clinical course and mortality of pre-existing stroke patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Forty-nine out of 651 patients with COVID-19 had a pre-existing diagnosis of stroke. Patients with prior stroke were more likely to be elderly (70 vs 55 years). Initial symptoms of COVID-19 included fever (80%), cough (66%), fatigue (36%) and dyspnoea (39%). These symptoms did not differ between stroke and non-stroke patients. However, patients with prior stroke more easily developed ARDS and critical pneumonia. Mortality was higher among stroke patients than among those without stroke (45% versus 9%). The authors concluded that this was the first study examining the clinical course and mortality of COVID-19 in pre-existing stroke patients and urged more intensive surveillance and treatment in such cases.

Publication date / reference: 31/07/20. Majidi et al. Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke During New York City’s COVID-19 Outbreak: Clinical Characteristics and Paraclinical Findings. Stroke.

Summary: In this retrospective, observational case series, Majidi et al collected data from all patients who presented with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) (N=45) during over a three week period where COVID-19 was at its peak in New York City. They found 53% of patients presented with ELVO tested positive for COVID-19, and that these patients had an unusual demographic and risk factor profile (younger, more likely to be male and less likely to be white). The authors also reported a 2-fold increase in the number of large vessel occlusion patients presenting compared to the same period the previous year. Mindful that the study is limited by small sample size and retrospective design, the study nonetheless highlights importance for clinicians to consider acute ischemic stroke as a presentation of COVID-19, particularly in populations without typical cardiovascular risk factors.

Publication date / reference: 07/08/20. Shahjouei et al. SARS-CoV-2 and stroke characteristics: a report from the multi-national COVID-19 stroke study group. MedRxiv preprint.

Summary: In this preprint multi-national observational case-series study involving 136 tertiary centres in 32 countries, data were collected on SARS-CoV-2 infected adult patients with subsequent imaging-confirmed stroke. A total of 432 cases were included. Among these 74.8% (323/432) had sustained an acute ischaemic stroke, 21.1% (91/432) intracranial haemorrhage, and 4.2% (18/432) cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis. Among acute ischaemic stroke patients 44.5% had large vessel occlusion whilst 10% had small vessel occlusion according to the TOAST criteria. The authors reported a large proportion of young patients and patients without vascular risk factors, with just under a quarter (104/432) of patients being under the age of 55 and a similar proportion (105/432) having no identifiable risk factors. Interestingly a substantial minority of patients (144/380 available) had presented to the hospital with stroke-related symptoms as the major presenting complaint, with asymptomatic or undiagnosed COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 07/20. Uchino et al. Decline in Stroke Presentations During COVID-19 Surge. Stroke. 

Summary: The authors obtained healthcare data from 19 emergency departments in Ohio, USA, in order to establish whether the number of acute stroke presentations had been altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Variables included total daily stroke alerts, thrombolysis, time to presentation and severity of stroke. Baseline (January 1st – March 8th, 2020) data was compared with COVID-19 period (March 9th – April 2nd, 2020) data. The study reported a significant reduction in daily stroke alerts from the baseline (median 10, IQR 8-13) to COVID period (median 8, IQR 4-10), p=0.001. Other variables such as severity and in-hospital process times did not differ between the periods. The authors comment that this may be as a result of a reduced number of ED visits due to fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date / reference: 25/07/20. Shtaya et al. Comment on “Stroke in patients with SARS‑CoV‑2 infection: case series” from a London hospital experience. J Neurol.

Summary: Correspondence describing a case series of two broad populations: stroke patients who subsequently caught COVID-19 (n=5) and COVID-19 patients who subsequently developed stroke (n=17). The authors discerned a further subpopulation of very severe COVID-19 patients in the latter group. In all groups patients who died tended to have higher CRP. However not all COVID-19 patients were scanned, so the number of cases diagnosed with stroke due to COVID-19 disease may be underestimated.

Publication date / reference: 30/07/20. D’Amore et al. Pressing issues in COVID-19: Probable cause to seize SARS-CoV-2 for its preferential involvement of posterior circulation manifesting as severe posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and posterior strokes.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: In this retrospective case series, D’Amore and colleagues collected clinical data regarding patients with COVID-19 (PCR confirmed) who underwent CT, CT angiogram or MRI scans (n=27). In 15 cases, there was evidence of acute pathology with the majority of findings being acute posterior circulation ischaemic haemorrhagic events (n=7). One patient in the cohort presented with PRES evidenced by extensive cerebral oedema alongside haemorrhagic lesions. D’Amore and colleagues speculated that SARS-Cov-2 neurotropism may be a contributory factor in the development of acute haemorrhagic brain injury, with preferential involvement of the posterior circulation. However, this study is limited by its small sample size of patients treated at a single institution. 

Publication date / reference: 19/07/20. Aoud et al. Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in patients with COVID-19. Rev Neurol (Paris).  

Summary: Three cases of ischaemic stroke are presented representing 0.83% of the total cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive testing patients in Saint-Camille hospital in France. The study provides more evidence to support a prothrombotic state in COVID-19, as well as the heterogeneity of clinical and radiological findings in ICD.

Publication date / reference: 26/07/20. Altschul et al. Hemorrhagic presentations of COVID-19: Risk factors for mortality. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 

Summary: This retrospective cohort study (n=5,227) included patients with COVID-19 admitted to one of three major New York hospitals during the pandemic. The study aimed to characterise the incidence, risk for mortality and identify risk factors for mortality in patients presenting with brain haemorrhage and COVID-19. 35/5,227 SARS-CoV-2 patients presented with haemorrhagic stroke. Only four cases underwent surgical management and 16/35 subsequently died. Mortality rates varied between subtypes: Subdural haematoma (SDH) = 6/17, Multifocal intracerebral haemorrhage (MFH) = 2/4, subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) = 1/2, Multi-compartmental haemorrhage (MCH) = 5/7 and focal intracerebral haemorrhage (fICH) = 2/5. Patients that died had higher rates of severe COVID-19 on admission, higher rates of heart failure, higher rates of INR >1.7 and mostly spontaneous haemorrhages.

Publication date / reference: 07/20. Dogra et al. Hemorrhagic stroke and anticoagulation in COVID-19. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: This cohort study aimed to evaluate the presence of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, as well as the use of prior anticoagulation. The authors examined neuroimaging reports in 755 patients for evidence of haemorrhage. 33 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients suffered an ICH; 22 received therapeutic dose anticoagulation and three received prophylactic dose anticoagulation prior to ICH discovery. The most frequent reason for initiating anticoagulation was elevated D-dimer levels. Limitations included not comparing anticoagulation use to non-ICH patients. The authors called for more research in order to more effectively balance the risks and benefits of anticoagulation in COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 10/07/20. Argirò et al. Cerebral hemorrhage related to vein thrombosis in Covid-19 patients in different Italian hospitals: View point for clinical and imaging implications. J Neurol Sci

Summary: In this correspondence, the authors reported six patients with COVID-19 (unclear if PCR-confirmed) and intraparenchymal cerebral hemorrhage related to cerebral vein thrombosis. Heparin (LMWH) was given to five of the patients, at least three days prior to the cerebral haemorrhage diagnosis. The neurological presentation and COVID-19 severity greatly varied across the series, with four patients requiring mechanical ventilation and one patient with no respiratory symptoms, who presented with cerebral haemorrhage. The authors call for more selective use of CT brain imaging in ICU and mechanically ventilated patients to detect subversive acute neurological complications of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 14/07/20. Annie et al. Prevalence and Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke Among Patients ≤50 Years of Age With Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Infection. Am J Cardiol.

Summary: The authors investigated the incidence and outcomes of acute ischaemic stroke in young adults. They queried the TriNetx Research Network to select patients <50 years of age with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection (n=9358, one third of whom were hospitalised with severe symptoms). In this young cohort, the incidence of acute ischemic stroke was 64/9358 (0.7%). Stroke was more likely in an older sub-population of these patients, with more comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, nicotine dependence, COPD, prior stroke, and renal failure. Comparing outcomes in patients who had, versus who did not have stroke, all-cause mortality occurred in 10/64 patients after stroke and 58/9294 patients (0.6%) in the no-stroke cohort. The authors acknowledge that a control arm without COVID-19 would be required to confirm an association between COVID-19 and increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Publication date / reference: 20/07/20. Sparr & Bieri. Infarction of the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum in the Age of COVID-19: A Snapshot in Time. Stroke.

Summary: Callosal infarction is generally rare, but the authors report four such cases presenting to a single New York centre over a two-week period. All patients presented with encephalopathy, and had vascular risk factors that were likely exacerbated by hypoxia, renal failure, inflammation, and coagulopathy caused by COVID-19. The authors argue that a cluster of infarctions isolated to the corpus callosum involving the splenium is distinctly unusual and deserving of further evaluation.

Publication date / reference: 20/07/20. Rothstein et al. Acute Cerebrovascular Events in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Stroke

Summary: In this retrospective observational study Rothstein et al selected hospitalised COVID-19 patients with brain imaging across 3 hospitals in Philadelphia (N=833) and sought to investigate the incidence of ischemic (2.4%) and haemorrhagic stroke (0.9%) in this patient population.  The authors found that overall risk of acute cerebrovascular events are relatively low. Majority of those with ischemic stroke were older in age with established vascular risk factors, and it is also notable that 80% of the patients were black. Limited by the small overall number of ischemic (n=20) and haemorrhagic (n=8) patients captured, the authors acknowledged that studies of a larger cohort of stroke patients with COVID-19 is needed to understand the various mechanisms contributing to stroke risk.

Publication date / reference: Preprint 24/07/20. Conklin et al. Cerebral Microvascular Injury in Severe COVID-19. Preprint MedRxiv.

Summary: This retrospective cohort study investigated the MRI findings of 16 patients with neurological complications of severe COVID-19. 11 of the 16 cases had punctate foci of abnormal susceptibility signal and eight had more than 10 microvascular lesions. Four of the eight cases with clustered lesions involved the corpus callosum and the other four showed predilection for subcortical and deep white matter. The authors reported that their findings suggest that cerebral microvascular lesions, both ischaemic and haemorrhagic, are common in COVID-19 patients with neurological abnormalities. Hypoxic microvascular injury and endothelial disruption are offered as potential pathogenic mechanisms for microvascular injury in COVID-19. The authors questioned whether tracking serum-based markers of coagulability and hyperinflammatory states could be of value in predicting micro haemorrhage and ischaemia.

Publication date / reference: 15/07/20. Diaz-Segarra et al. COVID-19 Ischemic Strokes as an Emerging Rehabilitation Population: A Case Series. Am J Phys Med Rehabil.

Summary:  This is a case series of four patients with COVID-19 (unclear if confirmed) and ischemic stroke. Interestingly, two of the patients were non-critically ill and less than 55 years of age whereas the other two were critically ill, >55 years of age and developed stroke during the course of hospitalisation. This small cohort demonstrates some of the clinical heterogeneity of patients with ischaemic stroke and COVID-19. All patients had elevated ferritin, fibrinogen, CRP, and d-dimer levels – reflecting a prothrombotic state which may have contributed to the development of an ischaemic event. However, the paradoxical increase in prothrombin time in these cases and other reports requires further elucidation. The authors call for improved access to appropriate rehabilitation to maximise recovery in this population. 

Publication date / reference: 15/07/20. Degeneffe et al. Acute hemorrhage after intra-cerebral biopsy in COVID-19 patients: a report of 3 cases. World Neurosurg. 

Summary: In this correspondence, Degeneffe and colleagues responded to criticism regarding the importance of pre-operative screening in patients with COVID-19 to identify those prone to haemorrhagic complications following neurosurgical interventions. However, the authors disputed the use of viral load (SARS-CoV-2) CSF testing and assessment of anosmia and ageusia as a means of screening patients for haemorrhagic risk. They drew on data regarding the non-specificity of disturbed taste and smell and reports of undetectable CSF viral loads in patients with neurological COVID-19 manifestations. 

Publication date / reference: 08/07/20 Liang et al. COVID-19 and Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke. Stroke. 

Summary: Case series (n=7) of SARS-CoV-2 patients with large hemispheric strokes who were admitted to a neuroscience ITU for edema monitoring. Four died, three received decompressive hemicraniectomy of which two survived. Although caution should be given to the small retrospective series, the authors argue being infected with the virus should not preclude such an operation. 

Publication date / reference: 09/07/20 Hernandez-Fernandez et al. Cerebrovascular Disease in Patients With COVID-19: Neuroimaging, Histological and Clinical Description. Brain.

Summary: Single-centre retrospective cohort study examining patients admitted to hospital with confirmed or likely COVID-19 between 1st March and 19th April (n=1683), of whom 23 developed an acute cerebrovascular event (1.4%). Among these CVD patients there were seventeen ischaemic strokes; ten with large vessel occlusion and six affected in the vertebrobasilar territory. The overall clinical outcome was mostly poor and logistic regression modelling identified age as the only independent prognostic factor. 

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20. Gulko et al. Acute common carotid artery bifurcation thrombus: an emerging pattern of acute strokes in patients with COVID-19? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary:  Correspondence describing two cases in response to a previous case report (Goldberg et al., 2020) that had attributed COVID-19 associated stroke to progression of atherosclerotic disease. Here Gulko et al. propose acute thrombosis in the ipsilateral common carotid artery bifurcation as an alternative explanation, per their two cases. They call for studies to examine this potential cause of acute strokes in the context of COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20. Mohamud et al. Intraluminal carotid artery thrombus in COVID-19: another danger of cytokine storm? AJNR Am J  Neuroradiol.

Summary: This is a case series of six COVID-19 patients (mean age 65, five male) with acute ischaemic stroke as a consequence of intraluminal carotid artery thrombus. Vascular risk factors were present in all cases, including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and/or smoking. Elevated CRP and D-Dimer were reported in all cases, amongst other inflammatory markers. The authors hypothesise that the elevated inflammatory state due to COVID-19 leads to instability and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, resulting in thrombosis / ischaemic stroke. 

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20. Li et al. Acute cerebrovascular disease following COVID-19: a single center, retrospective, observational study. Stroke Vasc Neurol.

Summary: This is a retrospective cohort study examining clinical features, laboratory findings and outcomes of n=219 COVID-19 patients. Acute ischaemic stroke was observed in ten patients (4.6%) and intracerebral haemorrhage in one (0.5%), with six deaths. Features associated with new-onset CVD were older age, severe COVID-19, diabetes, hypertension, history of CVD, and elevated CRP or D-dimer. Treatments for ischaemic stroke were antiplatelet (n=6; aspirin, clopidogrel) or anticoagulant (n=4; enoxaparin).   

Publication date / reference: 02/07/20. Merkler et al. Risk of ischemic stroke in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vs patients with influenza. JAMA Neurol. 

Summary: This retrospective study compared the risk of ischaemic stroke in patients attending hospital with COVID-19 to that of a historical control group of patients with influenza. N=31/1916 COVID-19 patients had an acute ischaemic stroke compared to n=3/1486 with influenza. Influenza controls tended to be younger and female, and had fewer vascular risk factors. After adjusting for demographic variables, number of vascular risk factors, and ICU admissions, the likelihood of stroke was higher with COVID-19 infection than with influenza infection (OR= 4.6; 95%CI 1.4-15.7).

Publication date / reference: 05/06/20. Agarwal et al. Intracerebral hemorrhage and SARS-CoV-2: association or causation? Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 

Summary: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate if SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). The authors analysed medical records of patients admitted to their neurology unit with stroke and found that of n=14 patients with ICH, two tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The sample size is insufficient to detect a statistically significant association.  

Publication date / reference: 25/06/20. Belani et al. COVID-19 Is an Independent Risk Factor for Acute Ischemic Stroke.  AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: Retrospective case-control study examining whether there is a statistically independent association between COVID-19 and ischemic stroke. Drawing entirely from patients referred for neuroimaging ‘query stroke’ the authors studied n=41 cases with positive scans and n=82 matched controls with negative scans. In this selected population, having COVID-19 increased the odds of a diagnosis of stroke almost four-fold (OR=3.9, 95%CI=1.7-8.9). 

Publication date / reference: 24/06/20. D’Anna et al. Characteristics and clinical course of Covid-19 patients admitted with acute stroke. J Neurol 

Summary:  Correspondence describing a case series of n=8 patients with PCR-positive COVID-19 who were admitted to ICU with stroke (seven ischaemic, one haemorrhagic). The authors propose that early detection of stroke symptoms in Covid-19 patients may allow better identification of those patients who could benefit from reperfusion therapy. 

Publication date / reference: 24/06/20 Ashrafi et al. COVID-19-related strokes in adults below 55 years of age: a case series. Neurol.sci.   

Summary: Case series of n=6 patients under the age of 55 presenting with neurological symptoms of stroke and admitted to acute stroke unit. 5 out of 6 patients were not known cases of COVID-19, but diagnosis was confirmed later. These patients had no previous history of CVD and all had negative carotid doppler. Most involved area was MCA (n=5). Most patients had low lung involvement score (zonal score based on CT chest scan). Elevated d-dimer was seen in all patients and all had oxygen saturations below 92% on room air. But lung involvement extension appeared unrelated to stroke development.

Publication date / reference: 22/06/20 Immovilli et al. Stroke in COVID-19 patients—A case series from Italy. Int J Stroke 

Summary: Case series of n=19 patients with COVID and stroke from a COVID outbreak epicentre in Italy. Retrospective analysis found that incidence of stroke among COVID inpatients was 2.2% at the site. The majority of strokes were ischaemic (17/19, 89.5%) compared to haemorrhagic (2/19, 10.5%). The majority (15/19) had a stroke during COVID illness. Interestingly, an association between stroke and pneumonia severity was found.

Publication date / reference: 16/06/20 Sharifi-Razavi et al. Ischemic Stroke Associated with Novel Coronavirus 2019: A Report of Three Cases. J Int Neurosci.

Summary: Case series (n=3) of patients with ischaemic stroke and concurrent SARS-CoV-2. 

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Khan et al. COVID-19 and Acute Ischemic Stroke- A Case Series From Dubai, UAE. Int J Stroke.

Summary: Correspondence reporting a case series of n=22 patients with ischaemic stroke and confirmed COVID-19 infection. Most patients were young males, and two thirds had one or more vascular co-morbid conditions. All patients had large territory infarctions, with most having evidence of vessel occlusion on CT angiogram. The authors discuss the concept of COVID-19 associated coagulopathy.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Morelli et al. COVID-19-Related Stroke: Barking Up the Wrong Tree? Eur Neurol.

Summary: Correspondence arguing that it is too early to consider a direct “cause-effect” relationship between 2019-nCoV infection and stroke occurrence, and calling for more prospective large-volume studies.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Franceschi et al. Neurovascular Complications in COVID-19 Infection: Case Series. Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary: Case series of 10 hospitalized patients with confirmed coronavirus 2019 infections who developed severe neurovascular complications, mostly ischemic stroke, and mostly with very poor outcomes.

Publication date / reference: 09/06/20 Cantador et al. Incidence and Consequences of Systemic Arterial Thrombotic Events in COVID-19 Patients. J Thromb Thrombolysis.

Summary: Single-centre retrospective cohort (case note review) study. Of 1419 patients admitted with COVID-19, n=14 (1%) had a systemic arterial thrombotic event, eight of which were in the brain (six ischaemic strokes and two TIAs).

Publication date / reference: 08/06/20 Mehrpour et al. EXPRESS: COVID-19 and stroke in Iran; a case series, and effects on stroke admissions. Int J Stroke.

Summary:  retrospective case control study of stroke patients with (n=31) and without (n=99) SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with COVID-19 were older had more large vessel and more severe strokes on average.

Publication date / reference: 05/06/20 Malentacchi et al. Concomitant Brain Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in a COVID-19 Patient. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: Case report of an 81-year-old man receiving non-invasive respiratory support, who developed confusion progressing subacutely to coma. CT angiogram suggested partial bilateral MCA occlusions and contrast-enhanced CT showed a filling defect in the right sigmoid sinus. COVID-19 coagulopathy may involve both arterial and venous systems: the authors recommend early neuroradiological investigation where indicated.

Publication date / reference: 05/06/20 Sweid et al. EXPRESS: Brain Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Complications of COVID-19. Int J Stroke.

Summary: Retrospective case series of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed patients with stroke. 17 acute ischemic strokes, three aneurysmal rupture, and two sinus thromboses. COVID-19 strokes were more complicated, due to burden and consistency, plus the involvement of venous and arterial vasculature. Those affected were also younger.

Publication date / reference: 04/06/20 COVID-19 presenting with thalamic haemorrhage unmasking moyamoya angiopathy. Can J Neurol Sci. 

Summary: Case of a 19-year-old SARS-CoV-2 positive patient who presented with thalamic stroke and moyamoya angiopathy. Her presentation included cognitive impairment and dystonia.

Publication date / reference: 03/06/20 García-García et al. Haemorrhagic Conditions Affecting the Central Nervous System in COVID-19 Patients. Neurosurgery.

Summary: Case series (n=4) of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with neurological symptoms and CNS haemorrhage, both typical and atypical.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/20 Zayet et al. Acute Cerebral Stroke With Multiple Infarctions and COVID-19, France, 2020. Emerg Infect Dis.

Summary: Case series (n=2) of coronavirus disease patients in France involving presumed thrombotic stroke that occurred during ongoing anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation stroke prophylaxis; 1 patient had positive antiphospholipid antibodies.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2020 Venketasubramanian et al. Stroke in COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-1. Cerebrovasc Dis.

Summary: Short article comparing rates of stroke in COVID-19 versus SARS.

Publication date / reference: 25/05/20. Jillella et al. Characteristics of Ischemic Stroke in COVID-19: A Need for Early Detection and Management. MedRxiv (preprint).

Summary: Case series (n=8) of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed patients with ischaemic stroke. The authors report higher than expected rates of cryptogenic stroke in the COVID-19 group (62.5% vs 20% of non-COVID-19 strokes).

Publication date / reference: 22/05/20. Gunasekeran et al. Stroke in a young COVID -19 patient. QJM.

Summary: Case report of 40-year-old female without a past medical history who was intubated due to critical SARS-CoV-2 infection. Whilst in ICU she developed a huge MCA infarct which caused a central diabetes insipidus. She was negative for lupus anticoagulant with no septal defects on echo.

Publication date / reference: 20/05/20 Morassi et al. Stroke in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: case series. Journal of Neurology.

Summary: Retrospective case-series (n=6) of ischaemic strokes in cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2. One was encephalopathic prior to the stroke with focal seizures and behavioural disturbance. All patients saw raised LFTs and LDH, whilst 4 of the patients demonstrated.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/20
Heman-Ackah et al. Neurologically Devastating Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage in COVID-19 Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Series. Neurosurgery.

Summary: Retrospective case analysis (n=2) of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 confirmed patients on ECMO (a treatment for severe hypoxia) who suffered massive intracranial bleeds whilst receiving treatment. The authors posit that ECMO can derange clotting cascades, however, there was no such derangement in the patients described in this report.

Publication date / reference: 18/05/20 Merkler et al. Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Covid-19 versus Patients with Influenza. MedRxiv (preprint)

Summary: retrospective cohort study of stroke in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (n=2,132) and influenza (1,516). 1.5% of SARS-CoV-2 had an ischaemic stroke compared with 0.2% of patients with influenza, a 7.5-fold increase. Interestingly 13 (42%) of the strokes in the SARS-CoV-2 group were cardioembolic in origin. 

Publication date / reference: 14/05/20 Goldberg et al. Cerebrovascular Disease in COVID-19. American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Summary: Case report of a 64-year-old male with PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Authors describe this as the first case to include imaging at multiple time points and CT angiography.

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Hughes et al. COVID-19 and the Cerebro-Cardiovascular Systems: What do we Know so Far? J Am Heart Assoc.

Summary: Detailed review of the shared mechanisms of systemic infection and cerebrovascular disease from coagulopathy in SARS-CoV-19 infection. Summary table of current evidence so far.

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Valderrama et al. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection and Ischemic Stroke. Stroke (preprint)

Summary: Detailed case report of a 52-year-old man who represented  with stroke following SARS-CoV-19 infection. The report provides imaging data on the case, as well as investigation of a potential risk of thrombotic strokes in infection. Authors suggest stroke may be increased due to direct damage to the heart and vascular endothelium, inflammation, and elevation of prothrombotic factors.

Publication date / reference: 11/05/20 Wang et al. Stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19: technical observations and patient characteristics. J Neurointerv Surg.

Summary: Case series (n=5) of patients presenting with stroke and concurrent SARS-CoV-2 who underwent thrombectomy. Each patient did have objective coagulopathy on blood tests; however, the authors maintain these are a novel group to treat given their young age (mean 52.8) and a propensity for multiple territory infarcts and high clot burden. For these reasons, successful revascularisation will prove difficult.

Publication date / reference: 06/05/20 Tunç et al. Coexistence of COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke report of four cases. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

Summary: Case series (n=4) of co-diagnosed ischaemic stroke and SARS-CoV-2 (NT PCR confirmed) in patients aged between 45-77. The authors further the existing evidence potentially linking the prothrombotic state seen during infection and cerebrovascular infarcts. It should be noted that each case had independent risk factors for stroke. 

Publication date / reference: 05/05/20 Muhammad et al. Letter to editor: Severe brain haemorrhage and concomitant COVID-19 Infection: A neurovascular complication of COVID-19. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: Case report of aneurysmal rupture in a patient with SARS-CoV-19 infection. Commentary implicating systemic inflammatory responses in endothelial dysfunction and increasing risk of haemorrhage.

Publication date / reference: 03/05/20 Berekashvili et al. Etiologic Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke in SARS-COV-2 Virus patients. medRxiv (preprint)

Summary: Case series (n=10) of ischaemic strokes in patients with SARS-CoV-19 with varying aetiologies (ages 27-75). There were no common risk factors for stroke in a fifth of patients.

Publication date / reference: 01/05/20  Garaci et al. Venous Cerebral Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patient. Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Summary: Authors report the case of a 44-year-old female with no comorbidities who developed a cerebral venous thrombosis as well as thromboses of the superior vena cava and pulmonary artery. She developed these 2 weeks following a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2. Her bloods demonstrated a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC).

Publication date / reference: 01/05/2020 González-Pinto et al. Emergency Room Neurology in times of COVID-19: Malignant Ischemic Stroke and SARS-COV2 Infection. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: Single case report of a 36-year-old health care worker who suffered left MCA infarct in the context of a COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2020  Beyrouti R, et al.  Characteristics of ischaemic stroke associated with COVID-19. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary: Case series (n=6) of consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke and COVID-19 including demographic, clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics(♦).

Publication date / reference: 30/04/2020 Al Saiegh et al. Status of SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with COVID-19 and stroke. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary: Case series (n=2) with confirmed covid-19 on nasopharyngeal swab but not in CSF. Patient one developed a aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and patient two developed an ischaemic stroke with massive haemorrhagic conversion.

Publication date / reference: 29/04/20 Hughes et al. Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Presentation of COVID-19. Eur J Case Reports Internal Medicine.

Summary: Detailed case report of CVST as a presenting symptom of COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 28/04/2020 Avula A et al. COVID-19 presenting as stroke. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary: Case series of four patients presenting with imaging confirmed acute strokes and PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication date / reference: 28/04/2020  Oxley TJ et al. Large-Vessel Stroke as a Presenting Feature of COVID-19 in the Young. N Engl J Med. 

Summary: Case series (n=5) of large-vessel stroke in patients younger than 50 diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2

Publication date / reference: 23/04/2020  Zhang Y et al. Coagulopathy and Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Patients with COVID-19. N Engl J Med.

Summary: Case series (n=3) of stroke (as well as additional infarcts) positive for COVID-19 and antiphospholipid antibodies.

Publication date / reference: 23/04/2020 Lodigiani et al. Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy. Thrombosis Research.

Summary: Prospective observational study of 288 patients with confirmed COVID-19. Ischaemic stroke was diagnosed in 9 (2.5%) of included patients.

Publication date / reference: 23/04/2020  Lushina N, et al. Pulmonary, Cerebral, and Renal Thromboembolic Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Radiology.

Summary: Single case report of 84-year-old man with thrombotic occlusion of the distal basilar artery concurrent with COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 21/04/2020 Moshayedi P et al. Triage of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Confirmed COVID-19 : Large Vessel Occlusion Associated With Coronavirus Infection. Front Neurol.

Summary: Single case report of an elderly patient with multiple infarctions (STEMI, ischaemic limbs) who subsequently developed left middle cerebral artery infarct in the context of COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 20/04/2020 Morassi, M et al. Cerebrovascular complications in patients with SARSCoV- 2 infection: Case series. Research Square.

Summary: Case series of six patients (4 ischaemic stroke, 2 haemorrhagic stroke). CT/MRI demonstrated probable thromboembolic ischaemic strokes in 2, ischaemic strokes in 2 and haemorrhage in 2. All RT-PCR positive in nasopharyngeal swabs.

Publication date / reference: 20/04/2020  Aggarwal G, et al. Cerebrovascular disease is associated with an increased disease severity in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A pooled analysis of published literature. Int J Stroke.

Summary: Meta-analysis of 4 studies showing 2.5-fold increase in OR of severe COVID-19 in patients with history of stroke. No statistically significant association of stroke with mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Publication date / reference: 10/04/2020 Klok FA et al. Incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19. Thromb Res.

Summary: Case series of three patients with ischaemic stroke. CT brain was performed in all cases, but no details given. Authors stats “Proven COVID-19”, but details not reported.

Publication date / reference: 01/04/2020  Zhai P, et al. The impact of COVID-19 on ischemic stroke: A case report. Preprint (Research Square).

Summary: Single case report of 79 year old male diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (lacunar infarction on CT imaging) presenting with right sided weakness. COVID-19 positive.

Publication date / reference: 13/03/2020 Li, Y. et al. Acute Cerebrovascular Disease Following COVID-19: A Single Center, Retrospective, Observational Study. Preprint (SSRN/Lancet). 

Summary: Case series (n=221) of patients with COVID-19. 11 (5%) developed acute ischemic stroke, 1 (0·5%) cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), and 1 (0·5%) cerebral haemorrhage

Publication date / reference:27/03/2020 Sharifi-Razavi A et al. COVID 19 and Intra cerebral hemorrhage: Causative or Coincidental. New Microbes New Infect. 

Summary: Single case report of large cerebral haemorrhage concurrent with COVID-19 infection

Publication date / reference: 02/09/21 Guilmot et al. SARS-CoV-2-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome in four patients: what do we know about pathophysiology? Acta Neurol Belg.

Summary: The authors report clinical characteristics of four patients with GBS following SARS-CoV-2 infection: “The interval of 3 weeks between SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and neurological onset, the clinical improvement after IVIG administration, and the presence of positive anti-ganglioside antibodies in one patient further support the hypothesis of an immune-mediated post-infectious process.”

Publication date / reference: May-Jun/21 Dhamne et al. Guillian–Barre’ Syndrome in Patients with SARS-CoV-2: A Multicentric Study from Maharashtra, India. Ann Indian Acad Neurol.

Summary: This retrospective, multicentre observational study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of GBS associated with COVID-19. They identified 42 patients between March and November 2020. The median interval was 14 days and the characteristics were similar to that of normal GBS. Demyelinating pattern was the most common on electrophysiological testing. MOst had favourable outcomes but nine died.

Publication date / reference: 29/07/2021. Yaranagula & Koduri. DimachkieSpectrum of Acute Neuropathy Associated with Covid-19: Clinical and electrophysiological study of 13 patients from a single center. Int J Infect Dis.

Summary: In this retrospective case notes review, clinical and electrophysiological data regarding 13 patients with Acute Neuropathy Associated with COVID-19 (ANAC-19) was compared with data obtained from literature regarding non-COVID GBS and with the clinical data of patients presenting to the same centre with acute neuropathy which was not associated with COVID-19. The majority of patients with ANAC presented with paraparesis and were found to have demyelinating neuropathy following electrophysiological investigations. Higher incidence of paraparesis and encephalopathy differentiated ANAC 19from non Covid GBS.

Publication date / reference:  18/04/2021 Sheikh AB et al., Association of Guillain-Barre syndrome with COVID-19 infection: An updated systematic review. J Neuroimmunol.

Summary: The authors of this systematic review investigated the link between Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) development as a result of COVID-19 infection. Following analysis of 64 relevant studies, the mean age of patients was established at 56 ± 16 years. The majority of those affected were males (64.9%). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for diagnosis of the majority of patients (69.2%). Paresthesia was the most prevalent symptom (with 48.9% of patients affected); and whilst most patients recovered, a minority of patients (4.26%) later presented with facial diplegia. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) was linked with higher levels of glucose on CSF analysis and reduced paresis. 77.7% of patients received immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg). AIDP patients were more likely to receive IVIg therapy and, thus, develop respiratory complications.

Publication date / reference: 03/04/2021 González del Castilo et al., Currently available data regarding the potential association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome Brain

Summary: This study forms part of the Unusual Manifestations of Covid-19 (UMC-19) project, a retrospective, case-controlled, emergency department-based, multicentre study investigating the potential relationship between COVID and 10 different entities that could be influenced by SARS-Cov-2 infection. This study showed that GBS is rarely observed as a form of COVID-19 presentation. However, in comparison with non-COVID-19 patients coming to the emergency department, patients with COVID presented a significantly higher relative frequency of GBS.

Publication date / reference: 12/03/2021. Moure et al. Acute Polyneuropathy in an Outpatient Context During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Brief Case Serie Report. SN Compr Clin Med.

Summary: This is a case series of five patients with mild COVID-19 who manifested neurological symptoms consistent with acute polyneuropathy (confirmed with neurophysiological studies). Interestingly, not only was the COVID-19 disease mild in these patients, but the neurological deficits were also self-limiting. The patients only required outpatient care and symptoms resolved in all cases.

Publication date / reference: 10/3/2021 Li et al. Bioinformatic analyses hinted at augmented T helper 17 cell differentiation and cytokine response as the central mechanism of COVID-19-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome. Cell Prolif.

Summary: This study aimed to delineate the potential genetic crosstalk between COVID-19 and GBS using bioinformatic analyses. The authors found that COVID-19 and GBS were associated with a similar subset of immune/inflammation regulatory genes, including TNF, CSF2, IL2RA, IL1B, IL4, IL6 and IL10. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that the combined gene set showed an increased connectivity as compared to COVID-19 or GBS alone, particularly the potentiated interactions with CD86, IL23A, IL27, ISG20, PTGS2, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1 and ITGAM, and these genes are related to Th17 cell differentiation. Transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with COVID-19 and GBS further demonstrated the activation of interleukin-17 signalling in both conditions. They concluded that aberrant Th17 cell differentiation as a possible mechanism by which COVID-19 can increase the risk of GBS.

Publication date / reference: 13/03/2021 Umapathi et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome decreases in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Peripher Nerv Syst.

Summary: This paper from Singapore presents further data suggesting that COVID-19 may not be a significant antecedent infection of GBS.  During the covid-19 outbreak in the country in 2020, in comparison to 2019, there was a halving of presentations of GBS (9/month to 4/month). There was also no association between cases of GBS and patient’s covid-19 status.

Publication Date/Reference: 09/10/2020 Sriwastava et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome and its variants as a manifestation of COVID-19: A systematic review of case reports and case series. J Neurol Sci  

Summary: This is among the initial reports that systematically reviewed GBS and its variants for clinical presentation, outcomes and neurological complications. GBS variants like Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) and Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) and rare variants like Miller Fisher Syndrome and Bilateral facial Palsy with paresthesia, among others were included. 66% of the patients had AIDP and 34% had non-AIDP variants of GBS. The modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS) – a prediction model for estimating the probability of walking independently in first six months of follow up – was determined and wasn’t significantly different for AIDP and AMSAN/AMAN patients. Majority of the patients in both sub-groups belonged to Brighton Level 1 indicative of certainty of the diagnosis.

Publication Date/Reference: 09/12/2020. Fragile et al. Incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with Covid-19. Ann Neurol.

Publication date / reference: 14/11/2020. Abolmaali et al. Guillian-Barré syndrome as a parainfectious manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case series. J Clin Neurosci.

 Summary: Three cases of GBS during the active phase of COVID-19 were reported, with GBS leading to death in one 47 year old male patient on day four of admission. The authors recommend testing for COVID-19 in patients presenting with GBS.  

Publication Date/Reference: 06/11/20. Filosto et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome and COVID-19: an observational multicentre study from two Italian hotspot regions. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

Summary: This multicentre retrospective study examined the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared this to the same time period (March and April) in 2019. Previously, case reports and case series had identified GBS as a potential consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to further explore the connection. Within 12 Italian referral hospitals, 34 diagnoses of GBS were made during March-April 2020. During the same time period in 2019, 13 diagnoses were made. Out of the 34 cases of GBS during the pandemic, 30 (88.2%) had confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors estimated the incidence of GBS in COVID-19 patients during the pandemic as 2.14/100,000/year, while in 2019, the incidence was 0.93/100,000/year. Therefore the relative incidence in March and April compared to 2019 was 2.6. Within the SARS-CoV-2 positive GBS patients, 90% presented with a classical form of GBS and the interval between COVID-19 onset and neuropathic symptoms was 24.2 (SD=1.81) The authors concluded that their findings further supported a pathogenic link between COVID-19 and GBS and presented direct viral damage and immune function dysregulation as possible hypotheses.

Publication Date/Reference: 16/09/20. Satyan Nanda et al. Covid-19 associated Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Contrasting tale of four patients from a tertiary care centre in India. Am J Emerg Med.

Summary: This communication report details four cases of COVID-19 who presented to hospital with features in keeping with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Publication date / reference: 02/10/2020. Gigli et al. HLA and immunological features of SARS-CoV-2-induced Guillain-Barré syndrome. Neurol Sci.

Case report of a 53 year old man who developed GBS 2 months following COVID-19. CSF analysis showed increased CSF concentration of IL-8, and moderately increased serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. This patient also carried several HLA alleles known to be associated with GBS, including distinctive class I (HLA-A33) and class II alleles (DRB1*03:01 and DQB1*05:01). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of GBS in which SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in the CSF.

Publication date / reference: 01/10/20. Fatehi et al. Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke and COVID-19: Case Series. SN Compr Clin Med.

Fatehi and colleagues report a case series of five patients with COVID-19. All patients presented with fever, chills, muscular pain, cough and tachypnea were present in all patients. All patients had a erythrocyte count and abnormal findings present on CT scans of the brain. The authors promote that COVID-19 may cause blood vessel damage and lead to stroke.

Publication date / reference: 02/09/20. Garnero et al. COVID-19-related and not related Guillain-Barré syndromes share the same management pitfalls during lock down: The experience of Liguria region in Italy. J Neurol Sci.

Summary:  The authors compared the clinical characteristics and course of GBS patients with COVID-19 (n=6) and without COVID-19 (n=9), presenting to their Italian hospital during the height of the pandemic. Five of the COVID-19 patients also had pneumonia. Outcomes in this very small case series were severe: one COVID-19 associated case died and another two remained quadriplegic and ventilator-dependent in ICU at one month followup. 

Publication date / reference: 11/09/20. Trifan et al. Characteristics of a Diverse Cohort of Stroke Patients with SARS-CoV-2 and Outcome by Sex. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 

Summary: This retrospective study of patients with acute stroke with COVID-19 aimed to describe the characteristics of a diverse cohort of acute stroke patients. The study included 83 patients, 47% of which were black, 28% hispanics and 16% whites. The median age of the included patients was 64 years. Approximately 89% had at least one pre-existing vascular risk factor. The most common complications were respiratory failure (59%) and septic shock (34%). Compared with females, a higher proportion of males experienced severe SARS-CoV-2 symptoms requiring ICU hospitalisation (73% vs. 49%; p=0.04). By stroke subtype, 77% were ischaemic, 19% were intracerebral hemorrhage and 3% were subarachnoid haemorrhages. Compared with females, males had a higher mortality (38% vs. 13%; p=0.02) and were less likely to be discharged home (12% vs. 33%; p=0.04). The authors concluded that in this cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected stroke patients, severe in-hospital complications and worse outcomes after ischaemic strokes were higher in males than in females. 

Publication date / reference: Preprint 24/07/20. Keddie et al. Epidemiological and cohort study finds no association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Preprint MedRxiv

Summary:  This epidemiological and cohort study sought to investigate a causative association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Cases reported via the UK National Immunoglobulin Database between 2016-2019 were studied and compared to case reports published during the pandemic. Also, the clinical features, investigations and outcomes were compared between COVID-19 probable (n=12), confirmed (n=13), and negative (n=22) cases reported by members of the British Peripheral Nerve Society. GBS and COVID-19 incidence varied by region and did not correlate (r=0.06, 95%CI -0.56, p=0.86). Interestingly, fewer cases of GBS were reported during March, April and May compared to previous years. No significant differences were found in the pattern of weakness, time to nadir, neurophysiology or outcomes between case groups. The authors concluded that their evidence did not point to SARS-CoV-2 as a causative agent of GBS.

Publication date / reference: 14/07/20. Manganotti et al. Clinical neurophysiology and cerebrospinal liquor analysis to detect Guillain Barré syndrome and polyneuritis cranialis in COVID-19 patients: a case series. J Med Virol. 

Summary:  the authors reported a case series (n=5) of patients with GBS following COVID-19 disease. The onset of neurological symptoms included polyradiculoneuritis and cranial polyneuritis (including facial nerve involvement). Serum interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) were significantly raised in three patients, and the authors argue that the observed polyneuropathy should be considered as part of a cytokine storm syndrome. The authors propose that facial nerve involvement, in the demyelinating process, could underlie the observed ageusia in this report. 

Publication date / reference: 23/06/20. Tatu et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome in the COVID-19 era: another occasional cluster? J Neurol. 

Summary: Correspondence reporting a small but unusually clustered case series (n= 7) of patients admitted with GBS to two hospitals in France and Switzerland. As with a similar prior study in Italy, all patients were PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2. The authors speculate about possible mechanistic explanations including false negative PCR results, or/and a cryptic immunological response to

Publication date / reference: 16/06/20 Ahmad and Rathore. Guillain Barre syndrome in COVID-19:A scoping review. MedRxiv (preprint).

Summary: review up to the 18th of May of 24 cases of GBS. The authors provide a thorough review of the clinical and electrophysiological findings in SARS-CoV-2 positive GBS patients to date.

Publication date / reference: 11/06/20 Manganotti et al. Miller Fisher syndrome diagnosis and treatment in a patient with SARS-CoV-2. J Neurovirol.

Summary: Case report of a 50-year-old woman admitted to hospital with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Ten days after admission she developed ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia, and was treated with IVIG for Miller Fisher syndrome. It resolved one week after starting treatment.

Publication date / reference: 09/06/20 Sancho-Saldana et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with leptomeningeal enhancement following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clin Med (Lond).

Summary: Case report of a 56-year-old lady developing Guillain-Barré syndrome following severe SARS-CoV-2) infection, in association with leptomeningeal enhancement. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and improved over 2 weeks. The authors speculate that leptomeningeal enhancement could be a marker of GBS in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication date / reference: 05/06/20 Reyes-Bueno et al. Miller-Fisher Syndrome After SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: case report of a 51-year-old female diagnosed with Miller-Fisher Variant of GBS two weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication date / reference: 04/06/20 Oguz-Akarsu et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Patient with Minimal Symptoms of COVID-19 Infection. Muscle Nerve.

Summary: Case report of a 53-year-old woman with progressive weakness and numbness of her lower extremities. She had a low-grade fever, but no other symptoms of COVID-19. She was SARS-CoV-2 positive on nasopharyngeal swab.

Publication date / reference: 01/06/20 Lascano et al. SARS-CoV-2 and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: AIDP Variant with Favourable Outcome. Eur J Neurol.

Summary: Case series (n=3) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 who presented with distal paraesthesia and rapidly progressive limb weakness. NCS showed a classic demyelinating pattern.

Publication date / reference: 29/05/20 Chan et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome with facial diplegia related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Can J Neuro Sci.

Summary: Case report of a 58-year-old otherwise healthy male who presented with acute-onset bilateral facial weakness, dysarthria, and paraesthesia in his feet. His lower limb reflexes were absent. He was SARS-CoV-2 swab positive but had no respiratory symptoms.

Publication date / reference: 28/05/20 Andrea et al. New clinical manifestation of COVID-19 related Guillain-Barré syndrome highly responsive to intravenous immunoglobulins: two Italian cases. Neurol Sci.

Summary: Case series of (n=2) of two COVID-19 related GBS. One of GBS/Miller-Fisher overlap, the other an Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy with whole body impairment. In both cases, patients were highly responsive to IVIG. CSF for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in both cases.

Publication date / reference: 28/05/20. Lantos et al. COVID-19-Associated Miller Fisher Syndrome: MRI Findings. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.

Summary:  Case of COVID-19-associated Miller Fisher syndrome with MR imaging. Antibody testing was testing was negative for anti-GQ1b.

Publication date / reference: 27/05/2020 Bigaut et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary: Case series of 2 patients exhibiting demyelinating form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2020 Fernández-Domínguez et al. Miller-Fisher-like Syndrome Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID 19). J Neurol.

Summary: Case report of a patient admitted for impaired gait after SARS-Cov2 infection. MRI head showed non-pathological alterations and CSF SARS-CoV-2 PCR was also negative.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/2020 Riva et al. Post-infectious Guillain-Barré Syndrome Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report. J Neurol.

Summary: Case report of GBS; SARS-CoV2 on CSF tested negative.

Publication date / reference: 26/05/20 Su et al. SARS-CoV-2 Associated Guillain-Barre Syndrome with Dysautonomia. Muscle and Nerve.

Summary: 72-year-old male with SARS-CoV-2 and quadriplegic GBS and dysautonomia following mild diarrhoea. Weakness presented 6 days after diarrhoea, at no point had he had fever or respiratory symptoms. After initial treatment for GBS he developed fluctuating blood pressures and tachycardia.

Publication date / reference: 19/05/2020 Gigli et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome in the COVID-19 era: just an occasional cluster?Journal of NeurologyJournal of Clinical Neurosciences

Summary: Review of a cluster of GBS cases in a specialist neurology centre during the peak Italian SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The authors argue an increase from the usual rates of GBS could be linked to the pandemic.

Publication date / reference: 15/05/20 Ghiasvand et al. Symmetrical Polyneuropathy in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). ID Cases.

Summary: Case report of a 68-year-old female who developed bilateral ascending limb weakness on day 3 of her admission due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This progressed to breathing compromise and she did not survive intubation.

Publication date / reference: 14/05/2020 CCaamaño & Beato. Facial diplegia, a possible atypical variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome as a rare neurological complication of SARS-CoV-2.Journal of Clinical Neurosciences

Summary: case report of 61-year-old male with no previous neurologic morbidity presenting with facial diplegia ten days after PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-19 infection. The authors propose this could be a rare variant of GBS.

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Pfefferkorn et al. Acute polyradiculoneuritis with locked-in syndrome in a patient with Covid-19. J Neurol.

Summary: Case report of a 51-year-old male who developed extensive polyradiculoneuritis leading to a locked-in syndrome. The patient developed generalized nerve root contrast enhancement on MRI suggestive of parainfectious Guillain-Barré-syndrome (GBS). CSF revealed mild pleocytosis (9 cells/μl), normal protein content and negative PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. Serum anti-ganglioside antibodies were negative.

Publication date / reference: 11/05/20 Arnaud et al. Post SARS-CoV-2 Guillain-Barré syndrome. Clinical Neurophysiology

Summary: Case report of a 64-year old with confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Three weeks later he presented with 4 days of progressive lower limb weakness. His CSF showed markedly raised protein, but no presence of SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date / reference: 12/05/20 Ottaviani et al. Early Guillain-Barré syndrome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a case report from an Italian COVID-hospital. Neurological Sciences.

Summary: Case report of a 66-year-old female who developed rapidly progressive flaccid paralysis with unilateral facial neuropathy after 10 days of mild respiratory symptoms. CSF demonstrated no SARS-CoV-2 but was consistent with GBS. During her ITU stay she experienced transient episodes of confusion with psychomotor agitation(♦).

Publication date / reference: 10/05/20 Scheidl et al. Guillain-Barre syndrome during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a case report and review of recent literature. J Peripher Nerv Syst.

Summary: Case report of a 54-year-old female who developed features of acute demyelinating inflammatory polyneuropathy (AIDP) three weeks post SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR.

Publication date / reference: 08/05/20 Marta-Enguita J et al. Fatal Guillain-Barre syndrome after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Neurología (English Edition).

Summary: Case report of fatal clinically diagnosed GBS concurrent with COVID-19 infection. Authors acknowledge that the main limitation of their report is lack of diagnostic tests supporting the diagnosis: neurophysiology and ganglioside antibodies are not reported.

Publication date / reference: 30/04/20 Alberti et al. Guillain-Barre syndrome related to COVID-19 infection. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.

Summary: Single case report of a 71-year-old man who developed symptoms suggestive of GBS. As with some other reports, nasopharyngeal swab was positive for COVID-19 however CSF was negative for the virus.

Publication date / reference: 28/04/20 Coen M et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome as a Complication of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Brain Behav Immun.

Summary:  Case report of an elderly man who presented with paraparesis, distal allodynia, difficulties in voiding and constipation. Nerve conduction studies suggested a demyelinating polyneuropathy. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 before the first signs of polyneuropathy, thus supporting a postinfectious GBS phenotype.

Publication date / reference: 24/04/20 Padroni, M et al.  Guillain-Barré syndrome following COVID-19: new infection, old complication? J Neurol.

Summary: Single case report of GBS in a 70-year-old with confirmed COVID-19 on nasopharyngeal swab

Publication date / reference: 18/04/20 Virani, A et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. ID Cases.

Summary: Single case report of progressive, ascending weakness associated with COVID-19 infection. Note patient had concurrent diarrhoeal illness too.

Publication date / reference: 17/04/20 Gutiérrez-Ortiz, C et al. Miller Fisher Syndrome and polyneuritis cranialis in COVID-19. Neurology. 

Summary: Case series (n=2) of patients with COVID-19 presenting acutely with Miller Fisher syndrome and polyneuritis cranialis.

Publication date / reference: 17/04/20 Toscano, G et al. Guillain–Barré Syndrome Associated with SARS-CoV-2. N Engl J Med.

Summary: Case series (n=5) of Guillain–Barré syndrome after the onset of COVID-19. Four had a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 at the onset of the neurologic syndrome.

Publication date / reference: 15/04/20 Camdessanche, J.P et al. COVID-19 may induce Guillain–Barré syndrome. Revue Neurologique.

Summary: Single case report of GBS in a 64-year-old with confirmed COVID-19 on nasopharyngeal swab.

Publication date / reference: 14/04/20 Sedaghat, Z et al. Guillain Barre syndrome associated with COVID-19 infection: A case report. J Clin Neurosci.

Summary: Single case report of 65-year-old male patient with progressive symmetric ascending quadraparesis, diagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome

Publication date / reference: 01/04/20 Zhao, H et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: causality or coincidence? Lancet Neurol.

Summary: Single case report of Guillain-Barré syndrome contemporaneous with covid-19 infection. The authors speculate that this could have been due to a parainfective process, or even a coincidence.

Publication date / reference: 18/8/2021 Gosavi et al. ENT Symptomology in Active COVID-19 Patients in our Tertiary Care Centre. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.

Summary: This prospective study aimed to obtain a clear picture of ENT related symptoms in active COVID-19 patients and determine the association of ENT symptoms with Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction in these patients. The authors included (n=70) active COVID-19 patients and found 77.8% Throat related symptoms, 63.49% Nasal symptoms and 14.28% Ear related symptoms (11.11% Aural fullness, 3.17% Tinnitus and 6.35% complained Hearing loss). Rhinorrhoea and Sneezing was significantly more associated in the presence of Olfactory dysfunction. The most common ENT symptoms were Sore throat (49.21%), Rhinorrhoea (34.92%), Sneezing (33.33%), changes in Smell perception (36.51%), changes in Taste perception (47.62%) and Headache (30.16%). 17.14% had both Olfactory and Gustatory dysfunction. They concluded that knowledge of ENT symptomatology in COVID-19 patients will aid in early quarantine and hence limitation of viral transmission. The manifestation of Anosmia or Hyposmia, Ageusia and Aural Fullness in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients can also act as an important tool and help in early isolation and quicker initiation of COVID-19 therapy.

Publication date / reference: 26/7/2021 Otte et al. Patients with COVID-19-associated olfactory impairment also show impaired trigeminal function. Auris Nasus Larynx.

Summary: This study aimed to determine possible limitations of nasal chemesthesis after COVID-19 infection by a psychophysiological diagnostic tool. The authors tested olfaction by a sniffin’ sticks test for (n=65) patients with a PCR-confirmed, former COVID-19 disease. They found a restriction of nasal chemesthesis and the extent correlated with the loss of smell, as well as with the values of the taste score, but not with subjective self-assessment. They concluded that not only the ability to smell and taste, but also nasal chemesthesis is affected by COVID-19.

Publication date / reference: 02/08/2021 Şahin et al. Assessment of olfactory and gustatory functions in covid-19 patients. Turk J Med Sci.

Summary: In this cross-sectional study the authors aimed to evaluate olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions of COVID-19 patients with a subjective self-reported questionnaire. 171 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between April 2020 and June 2020 completed the survey. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions rates were 10.5% (n=18) and 10.5% (n=18) respectively. Olfactory dysfunction occurred in 8% of patients without any other symptoms and 17.4% of those who were clinically symptomatic.

No participant reported olfactory dysfunction at the time of the test but 64% of the participants (n=16) were normosmic and 36% of the participants (n=9) were hyposmic according to Sniffin’ Stick test.

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are more common in patients who are clinically symptomatic than those diagnosed during filiation. Objective tests may show that frequency of olfactory dysfunction is greater than frequency of self-reported olfactory dysfunction.

Publication date / reference: 06/07/2021 Zhou et al. Anosmia but Not Ageusia as a COVID-19-Related Symptom among Cancer Patients-First Results from the PAPESCO-19 Cohort Study. Cancers (Basel)

Summary: This multicenter cohort study aimed to identify symptoms associated with COVID-19 and to assess the strength of their association in cancer and cancer-free populations. 878 cancer patients and 940 healthcare workers (HCW) reported the presence or absence of 13 COVID-19 symptoms observed over 3 months as well as indicators of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. 8% of cancer patients were COVID-19 positive and 32% symptomatic. Among the HCWs, these proportions were 9.5 and 52%, respectively. Numerous neuropsychiatric symptoms were able to discriminate COVID-19 cases from cancer patients, most notably anosmia but not ageusia. COVID-19 cases among the HCWs were discriminated by both anosmia and dysgeusia/ageusia. COVID-19 symptoms and their diagnostic performance differ in the cancer patients and HCWs.

 Publication date / reference: 29/07/2021. Santos et al. Oral Manifestations in Patients with COVID-19: A 6-Month Update. J Dent Res.