Predictors of Neurological Presentations of COVID-19 Infected Patients in South Egypt, Aswan Governorate: A Single Center Study

Abeer A Tony,1 Shazly BA Ahmed,2 Effat AE Tony,3 Salah Maklad,4 Islam Elnakeeb,5 Mohamed M Amin6 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Neurology Section, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt; 2Department of Chest Diseases and TB, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 4Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt; 5Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt; 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, EgyptCorrespondence: Abeer A Tony Tel +20 1005389084Fax +20 97-3480449Email abeer.tony@aswu.edu.egBackground: COVID-19 is a complex multisystem disease comprising multiple organ dysfunctions including neurologic manifestations. Some COVID-19 patients may present neurologic symptoms as the initial presentations of the disease.Objective: We aim at investigating the frequency and the predictors of neurological manifestations in patients with confirmed COVID-19.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional single-center study analyzed COVID-19 positive patients with neurological manifestations from March to June 2020, in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Demographic data, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings, comorbidities, and treatments were collected and analyzed.Results: Out of the 905 confirmed COVID-19 patients; 422 patients (46.6%) had neurological manifestations and fulfilled the study inclusion criteria, 223 patients (52.8%) had central neurological disorders (CNS), 107 (25.4%) had peripheral neurological disorders (PNS), and 92 (21.8%) patients had non-specific neurological disorders. Age > 50 years, diabetes mellitus, CORAD> III and smoking were predictors for neurological system affection.Conclusion: COVID-19 infection has been associated with numerous neurological deficits, especially in elderly patients. Central nervous system disorders were the most prevalent deficit with predominance of cerebrovascular events.Keywords: COVID-19, central neurological disorders, CND, peripheral neurological disorders, PN