Abstract Details

Title Neurological Syndromes Associated with COVID-19 in Brazil – The NeurocovBR Cohort

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P6 - Poster Session 6 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 11-008

Objective

To characterize emerging neurological manifestations during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil.

Background

At the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was questioned whether neurological syndromes (NS) could emerge with the new virus. Medical literature supported this by replicating occurrences from past viral outbreaks, suggesting increased morbidity and mortality risks. We assembled the NeurocovBR study group, comprising four neurological reference centers and a robust virology laboratory. Sites were located in two COVID-19 hotspot states. Here, we present the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of this cohort.

Design/Methods From June 2020 to June 2021, adults presenting NS within 60 days of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Data were compared with general COVID-19 data and a pre-pandemic vascular syndrome cohort. We used chi-square for categorical data and non-parametric tests for continuous variables.

Results A total of 197 patients were included, presenting mainly with vascular syndromes (81), encephalopathy (68), encephalitis (19), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (13). The neuro-COVID incidence curve mirrored the one of general COVID-19 . NS occurred regardless of infection severity, with an average time of 14 days from COVID-19 to neurological symptoms. This finding suggests an immune-mediated mechanism. Neuro-COVID patients had 9 times higher mortality risk and 38 times higher hospitalization risk compared to respiratory syndrome patients. Vascular syndrome patients were 3 times more likely to need ICU care and 6 times more likely to die than those with pre-pandemic vascular syndromes.

Conclusions

Our study supports the link between neurological syndromes and COVID-19. Incidence correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection waves, and neuro-COVID patients had worse outcomes than other COVID-19 patients. Vascular syndromes were the most common and were more severe than those seen before the pandemic.

Authors/Disclosures
Aline d. Matos, MD PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Matos has received research support from Hoffmann LaRoche.
Fernanda M. Maia, MD, PhD (Hospital General De Fortaleza)	Dr. Maia has nothing to disclose.
Francisco T. Oliveira, MD	Dr. Oliveira has nothing to disclose.
JOSE E. VIDAL, MD, PhD	Dr. VIDAL has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Janssen-Cilag. Dr. VIDAL has received research support from IMMY.
Rodrigo M. Massaud, Sr., MD	Dr. Massaud has nothing to disclose.
Felipe Von Glehn Silva, MD, PhD, MSc, FAAN (University of Brasilia – School of Medicine)	Dr. Von Glehn Silva has nothing to disclose.
Jorge Casseb, MD	Dr. Casseb has nothing to disclose.
Augusto C. Penalva, PhD	Dr. Penalva has nothing to disclose.
Camila M. Romano, PhD	The institution of Dr. Romano has received research support from Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento.

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