posted on 2023-06-09, 22:24authored byAlberto Romagnolo, Roberta Balestrino, Gabriele Imbalzano, Giovannino Ciccone, Franco Riccardini, Carlo Alberto Artusi, Marco Bozzali, Bruno Ferrero, Elisa Montalenti, Elisa Montanaro, Mario Giorgio Rizzone, Giovanna Vaula, Maurizio Zibetti, Leonardo Lopiano
Objective Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 patients have been recently described. However, no comprehensive data have been reported on pre-existing neurological comorbidities and COVID-19. This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of neurological comorbidities, and their association with COVID-19 severity. Methods We evaluated all consecutive patients admitted to the Emergency Room (ER) of our hospital between the 3rd March and the 14th April 2020, and diagnosed with COVID-19. Data on neurological and non-neurological diseases were extracted, as well as data on demographic characteristics and on severity degree of COVID-19. The prevalence of neurological comorbidities was calculated, and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between neurological diseases and COVID-19 severity. Results We included 344 patients. Neurological comorbidities accounted for 22.4% of cases, with cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive impairment being the most frequent. Neurological comorbidity resulted independently associated with severe COVID-19 (OR 2.305; p?=?0.012), as well as male gender (p?=?0.001), older age (p?=?0.001), neoplastic diseases (p?=?0.039), and arterial hypertension (p?=?0.045). When neurological comorbidity was associated with non-neurological comorbidities, the OR for severe COVID-19 rose to 7.394 (p?=?0.005). Neurological patients, in particular cerebrovascular and cognitively impaired ones, received more respiratory support indication. Conclusion Neurological comorbidities represent a significant determinant of COVID-19 severity, deserving a thorough evaluation since the earliest phases of infection. The vulnerability of patients affected by neurological diseases should suggest a greater attention in targeting this population for proactive viral screening.