Evaluation of Neurological Complications in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study 2020

Objective: The coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading around the world since December 2019. Neurological symptoms have been reported as a part of the clinical spectrum of the disease. This study aimed to determine the frequency of neurological complications in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: Electronic medical records in the hospital information system, laboratory findings, and radiological examinations were evaluated for all patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cases were referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital affiliated to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences from February 20, 2020 to the end of the same year. Results: A total of 477 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included in the analyses. Based on our results, 105 (22.02%) patients showed neurological manifestations. Ischemic stroke, decreased consciousness, and headache were the most frequent reported neurological symptoms with the rate of 34 (7.13%), 28 (5.88%), and13 (2.72%), respectively. Moreover, 54 (51.43%) cases were male, and the vast majority of the patients (66; 62.86%) had more than 60 years of age. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may involve nervous system and cause brain tissue damage. The findings of this study provide more information on coronavirus disease, contributing to effective interventions for the control of the disease