EXPERIENCE FROM A SARS-COV2 NEUROLOGY CLINIC AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL OF NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY

IntroductionThe profile of neurological disorders post-SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. We describe obser- vations from a SARS-CoV-2 neurology clinic established to meet demand.MethodsA retrospective case-note review of consecutive patients attending a SARS-CoV2 neurology clinic over a 6-month period was conducted. Demographics, clinical features, medications and inves- tigation results were collected.ResultsThere were 122 patients included (78 female: 44 male, median age 44 years); all met WHO criteria for probable or confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection and 15.6% were hospitalised. Most frequently reported symptoms included fatigue (82.0%), cognitive disturbance (63.9%) and headache (63.9%). Attentional deficits were the most common observation on formal neuropsychometry and were associated with fatigue, sleep-impairment, migraine and anxiety symptoms (p<0.05). Majority of neuroimaging was reas- suring; only 3 patients had findings attributable to SARS-CoV2. Neurophysiology results were significant in 2 of 25 tests. Autonomic testing revealed vasodepressor syncope or postural tachycardia syndrome in 7 of 16 cases. Median follow-up was 186.5 days (range 25-552) and 59.8% reported improved symptoms.ConclusionThe majority of patients had normal brain imaging and showed improvement. Further research is required to look into the biological mechanisms underlying neurological symptoms in SARS-CoV2 including in those not hospitalised for their initial illness.