Altered mental status in 71 deaths due to COVID-19. (3rd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyson, Brad; Erdodi, Laszlo; Ray, Sudeshna; Agarwal, Pinky
• Is Part Of: International journal of neuroscience. Volume 132:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 539
• Page End: 542
• Publication Date: 2022-06-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- delirium -- dementia -- neurology -- neuropsychology; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.805
• DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1825422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7454

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of neurologic symptoms with a focus on altered mental status in a sample of deaths due to COVID-19. Methods: We reviewed neurologic symptoms in 71 deaths due to COVID-19 at the first US hospital with reported cases, of which 66 (93%) had medical comorbidities, 47 (66%) came from assisted living facilities or nursing homes and 35 (49%) had baseline dementia. Results: Sixty-one patients (86%) demonstrated neurologic symptoms at hospital admission. Altered mental status was seen in 47 patients (66%) and represented the most common neurologic symptom. Seven patients (10%) were comatose at hospital admission and 5 (7%) presented with altered mental status without respiratory symptoms. Three patients had seizures and two had strokes. Hypertension (61%), cardiovascular disease (59%), and dementia (49%) were the most common comorbidities associated with death due to COVID-19 in our sample. Conclusions: Neurologic symptoms, particularly altered mental status, are very common in COVID-19 patients with high risk of mortality. In a small subset of patients, altered mental status is the defining feature of disease presentation. A mental status examination should be incorporated in the medical assessment of COVID-19.