Neurological symptoms and findings in COVID-19: a prospective clinical study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective We sought to evaluate neurologic symptoms and findings in patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized in a ward and intensive care unit (ICU). Methods This study was designed as a prospective study. Hospitalized COVID-19 rRt-PCR positive patients in the ward and ICU were included in the study. A 54-item questionnaire was used to evaluate the patients. Patients were examined within 3 hours of hospitalization. Results A total of 379 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 ± 17.8. 89 of the patients were in intensive care. At least one general symptom was recorded in 95.5% of patients. The most common neurologic symptoms were myalgia (48.5%), headache (39.6%), anosmia (34.8%), and dysgeusia (34%). Neurological symptoms in ICU patients were higher than in the ward. 53.6% of patients had comorbidities. Discussion This study indicated that the prevalence of neurological symptoms was very high in patients with COVID-19. The percentage of neurological symptoms and findings was higher in patients hospitalized in ICU.