Impact of coronavirus infection on asthenic syndrome in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

It is known that the presence of asthenic syndrome is characteristic of ischemic brain damage. At the same time, patients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke, who have been diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection with a mild and asymptomatic course without signs of damage to other organs, are of particular interest. The aim of the research was to identify and study the severity and duration of asthenic syndrome in patients with ischemic stroke under conditions of the coronavirus infection in order to determine the effect of asthenia on the quality of life in the post-COVID period. The subjects were patients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke with the NIHSS neurological deficit score of 12.0 [9.0;15.0], whose mean age was 58.82±3.29 years [Me=54; Mo=60.0]. The main group (38 people) included patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection without signs of damage to other organs; the comparison group (31 people) consisted of patients with AMI only, comparable to the main group in all respects, including the set of vascular risk factors. All patients underwent a clinical and neurological examination, an examination by a general practitioner and / or a cardiologist, CT using an angio mode, the MFI-20 questionnaire, A. M. Wein questionnaire, Spielberger and Khanin scale. Quality of life was assessed using a short version of the MOS SF-36‑ltem questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out via statistical programs Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (USA) and Statistica for Windows, v. 10.0. It has been established that the coronavirus infection aggravates the course of asthenic syndrome in patients with acute ischemic stroke, has a long-term effect on the recovery process, remains relevant in the post-COVID period, and is accompanied by anxiety and vegetative disorders. Organic symptomatic asthenia largely determines the course of the pathological process, affecting the general condition, performance, social adaptation and, as a result, the quality of life of the patient.