Relationship between neurological manifestations and severity of COVID-19. San Vicente de Paul Hospital. Ecuador 2021

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 mainly affects the respiratory system, but the damage caused by this virus also extends to other systems, including the nervous system, and the mechanisms of neurological infection can be direct or indirect. Objective: To determine the relationship between neurological manifestations and disease severity in symptomatic COVID-19 positive patients at San Vicente de Paul Hospital in 2021. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations, which were classified into manifestations of the central nervous system and manifestations of the peripheral nervous system. Results: The results show that 74,1 % of patients presented neurological manifestations; the highest percentage was concentrated in patients who developed severe disease (15 [60 %], CNS; 91 [77,1 %], PNS; 125 [65,4 %], CNS and PNS). The joint presence of central and peripheral neurological manifestations was significantly associated with critical COVID-19 (P value= 0,011; OR: 2,005). The mortality rate reached 2,69 %. Conclusions: Neurological manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients are very common, and critical COVID-19 is more likely to have neurological manifestations.

Keywords

• manifestaciones neurológicas
• covid-19
• sars-cov-2.