Neurological manifestations as the predictors of severity and mortality in hospitalized individuals with COVID-19: a multicenter prospective clinical study

Abstract Backgrounds The reports of neurological symptoms are increasing in cases with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This multi-center prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence manifestations hospitalized COVID-19 and assess these as predictors severity death. Methods Hospitalized males females who aged over 18 years were included study. They examined by two neurologists at time admission. All survived followed for 8 weeks after discharge 16 if their had no improvements. Results We 873 participants. Of eligible cases, 122 individuals (13.97%) died during hospitalization. most common non-neurological fever (81.1%), cough (76.1%), fatigue (36.1%), shortness breath (27.6%). Aging, male gender, co-morbidity, smoking, hemoptysis, chest tightness, associated increased odds severe and/or mortality. There 561 (64.3%) smell taste dysfunctions (hyposmia: 58.6%; anosmia: 41.4%; dysguesia: 100%). more among (69.7%) non-smokers (66.7%). Hyposmia/anosmia dysgeusia found be reduced Myalgia (24.8%), headaches (12.6%), dizziness (11.9%) other symptoms. Headaches negative correlation death due but myalgia not associated. cerebrovascular events ( n = 10) status epilepticus 1) findings. partial or full recovery 95.2% 97.3% weeks. parosmia (30.9%) phantosmia (9.0%) also reported follow-up. Five mild 5 discharge. demyelinating myelitis Guillain-Barré syndrome Conclusion Neurological prevalent should under-estimated current pandemic outbreak.