Characteristics of neurologic manifestations in COVID-19 patients at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Indonesia

Abstract

Background/aim. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Although the main symptoms of this virus are in the respiratory system, neurological clinical manifestations in the form of the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS) and musculoskeletal system are often found. This study aims for data on the characteristics of neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Research methods. A retrospective cohort study with medical record from June 2020 to June 2021 which was analyzed descriptive, Chi-Square test and survival using SPSS program. Research result. There were 136 patients with PCR swab results (+), 80 (58.8%) male and 56 (41.2%) female, age > 50 years 92 (67.6%), 47 (34.6%) died. Neurological manifestations in the CNS that stroke 72 (52.9%) RR 4.8 (CI 95% 2.1-10.6; p<0.001), seizures 19 (14%) RR 14.7 (95% CI 4-54.3; p <0.001), headache 32 (23.5%) RR 5.7 (95% CI 2, 4-13.4; p<0.001), encephalopathy 35 (25.7%) RR 41.1 (95% CI 12.7-132.7; p<0.001), in the PNS myasthenic crisis 6 (4.4%) RR 10.4 (95% CI 1.2-92.5; p = 0.035) anosmia 73 (53.7%) RR 0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.5; p<0.001) while musculoskeletal myalgia 25 (18.4%) and low back pain 18 (13.2%) was not significant. Conclusion. Most neurological clinical manifestations in the CNS (stroke, headache, seizures and encephalopathy) followed by the PNS (myasthenia crisis and anosmia). Neuroinvasive complications are thought to play a role as one of the causes of respiratory failure and death in patients with COVID-19.