NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF POST-COVID-19 PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction. The factors related to neurological complications and evaluation of treatment outcomes in COVID-19 patients are still very limited. The objective of our study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of neurological complications in post COVID-19 patients in Vietnam. Material and methods. A cross – sectional study with 4 weeks follow-up was conducted on 345 COVID-19 patients. Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), Dizziness Assessment Rating Scale (DARS), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used. Results. The study revealed that the prevalence of neurological complications after COVID-19 was 48.7%, mostly mild, with a low proportion of severe complications. A body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 Kg/ m2 increased the risk of complications by 2.026 times (95% CI 1.245-3.298, p=0.004) and the history of severe COVID-19 increased the risk of complications by OR 3.56 (95% CI 1.409-9.000, p=0.007). The results of treating headache and dizziness were good, all VRS and DARS scores before treatment being 3–4 points, and decreased to 1–2 points. However, stroke still appeared in 17.6% of patients who had a high mRS score (>2). Conclusions. The prevalence of neurological complications after COVID-19 was high; most complications were mild, and a low percentage of patients had severe complications. The outcomes of neurological complications treatment were good, with a low rate of impact on quality of life.