Title : A survey on respiratory and neurological symptoms in alzheimer's, schizophrenia, bipolar, and migraine patients following COVID-19 infection
Abstract:
Introduction: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 led to the global Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with varied clinical symptoms. Neurological complications have been a significant concern, with diverse symptoms and potential neuroinvasive mechanisms. The pandemic has also affected individuals with mental health conditions, such as migraines, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, highlighting complex interconnection between physical and mental health during these challenging times.
Aim: This Report from Iranian Network for Research in Viral Diseases (INRVD) study aims to investigate the multifaceted interactions between COVID-19, neurological complications, and mental health disorders (migraines, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) to better understand their collective impact on individuals' health and well-being.
Material and Methods: This study involved 63 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, 32 were females (50.8%) and 31 were males (49.2%). The participants were categorized into different groups based on their underlying conditions: 7 individuals with Schizophrenia, 8 with Bipolar disorder, 6 with Migraine, 12 with Alzheimer's disease, and 30 in COVID-19 patients without any underlying neurologic disorder. Our investigation took place in 12 hospitals supervised by the Iranian viral diseases research network, between March 2020 and May 2021. The study used frequencies and percentages to describe data and employed chi-square tests, including the contingency coefficient, to explore associations between COVID-19 symptoms and disease groups.
Results: The analysis of clinical manifestations revealed distinctive patterns. Cough was the most prevalent symptom across the entire sample, affecting over 79% of participants. Fever followed as the second most common symptom, with approximately 62% of individuals reporting it. Fatigue ranked third, impacting 57% of subjects. In contrast, vomiting was the least frequently reported symptom, with an incidence of only 14.3%. In terms of specific conditions, a notable discrepancy was observed in the prevalence of headaches. While present in 71.4% of individuals with Schizophrenia, this symptom was reported by only 50% of those with Bipolar disorder, followed by 66.7% with Migraine, and 83.3% with Alzheimer's. Patients without neurologic disorder group exhibited a lower incidence of neurological manifestations, with only 23.3% reporting headache.
Conclusion: This study provides insights into the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in individuals with distinct underlying conditions. The prevalence and presentation of symptoms varied significantly across the different groups and neurological symptoms exhibited a higher prevalence in this patient group compared to those without any underlying neurologic disorder group. This study aimed for more comprehensive understanding of the probable intricate interplay between COVID-19, underlying health conditions, and clinical manifestations. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring effective clinical interventions.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Neurologic Disorder, Bipolar, Alzheimer, Schizophrenia
