Oto-neurological manifestation in post COVID-19 patients: a randomized prospective observational study

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>: The corona virus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is characterized by symptoms of the lower respiratory tract involvement, such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and chest heaviness.<strong> </strong>Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is most frequent audio-vestibular symptom described, occurring alone or in association with tinnitus and vertigo.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted in COVID-19 tertiary care center Prayagraj. COVID-19 positive patients who were included in moderate to severe category were taken up for the study and data was collected from 1<sup>st</sup> June 2021 to 1<sup>st</sup> July 2022 for audiological assessment and presence of equilibrium disorder. All patients were investigated on basis of closed ended questionnaire.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 1000 patients incidence of ear heaviness was found in 3.3%., decreased hearing in 0.9%., tinnitus in 1.9%., equilibrium in 0.4% and migraine in 0.4%, which was higher as compared to the normal population but not significant.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SARS-CoV-2 infection<strong> </strong>may cause<strong> </strong>thrombosis in audiovestibular artery and may alter the blood flow in cochlea and vestibule and cause otoneurological manifestation.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>