One-year self-reported neurological sequelae in older COVID-19 survivors

Abstract

Aim: With the increasing number of patients recovered from COVID-19, the long-term health consequences of this disease have attracted much attention. Neurological complications are commonly seen in the acute phase of COVID-19, especially in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the long-term neurological sequelae in older COVID-19 survivors. Methods: A total of 1438 COVID-19 survivors were recruited in this study. One year after hospital discharge, information about self-reported symptoms of the central and peripheral nervous system was collected. Comparisons of these neurological symptoms between COVID-19 survivors with severe and nonsevere cases were performed. Results: A total of 139 (53.46%) COVID-19 survivors with severe cases and 328 (27.84%) survivors with nonsevere cases reported at least one neurological symptom one year after discharge. Most of these neurological symptoms were symptoms of the central nervous system. Specifically, 126 (48.46%) survivors with severe cases and 306 (25.98%) survivors with nonsevere cases reported at least one CNS symptom. The most frequently reported symptoms were memory deficit [234 (16.27%)] and attention deficit [80 (5.56%)]. Disease severity was associated with increased risks of long-term neurological sequelae of COVID-19. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that neurological sequelae of COVID-19 are common one year after patient discharge, suggesting that the effects of COVID-19 on the neurological system are prolonged.