Neurological, Neuropsychiatric and Psychiatric Symptoms During COVID- 19 Infection and After Recovery: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies Volume 6 - Issue 1

Maria Stavrou¹*, Solomis Solomou²*, Anthousa Kythreotou², Antreas Ioannou³, Eva Lioutas¹, Joanna Lioutas¹ and Peter Karayiannis⁴

• ¹Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
• ²Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
• ³Internal Medicine Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus
• ⁴Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Received:September 18, 2021;   Published:September 28, 2021

Corresponding author:Maria Stavrou, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

DOI: 10.32474/OJNBD.2021.06.000228

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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes a wide spectrum of disease severity. Initial manifestations include fever, dry cough, and constitutional symptoms, which may progress to respiratory disease. There may also be neurological and psychiatric manifestations, involving both the central and peripheral nervous system.

Methods: We performed a literature search of the databases PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science for observational studies reporting neurological, psychiatric, and neuropsychiatric effects of COVID-19. This was followed by a narrative synthesis to summarise the data and discuss neuropsychiatric associations, symptom severity, management, and recovery.

Findings: The most frequently reported neurological symptoms were ageusia, hyposmia/anosmia, dizziness, headache, and loss of consciousness. Statistically significant relationships were noted between Asian ethnicity and peripheral neuropathy (p=0·0001) and neuro-syndromic symptoms (p=0·001). ITU admission was found to have a statistically significant relationship with male sex (p=0·024). Depression and anxiety were also identified both during and after infection. The most frequent treatments used were intravenous immunoglobulins, followed by antibiotics, antivirals, and hydroxychloroquine; with mean treatment duration of 6 days.

Interpretation: Various neuropsychiatric symptoms have been associated with COVID-19 infection. More studies are required to further our knowledge in the management of neurological and psychiatric symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection

Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Abstract| Introduction| Methods| Main Outcomes| Results| Neurological Symptoms| Clinical Presentation| Treatments| Prognosis| Psychiatric Symptoms| Discussion| Supplementary Materials| References|