Long-term neurologic COVID symptoms are more common in younger and middle-aged adults. Explained

Long-term neurologic COVID symptoms are more common in younger and middle-aged adults. Read more here

A recent study found a negative correlation between the subjective quality of life and the increased burden of neurological symptoms among younger and middle-aged persons. Recent research findings in the journal Annals of Neurology indicate that neurologic symptoms of extended COVID affect younger and middle-aged persons more than older adults.1. "The results support improved prevention, detection, and treatment of long COVID in patients who are disproportionately affected," the study's authors concluded.

The number of adults in the US with long-term COVID has remained largely stable over the past year, at an estimated 17 million.2 A KFF survey found that 79% of persons with long-term COVID said it hinders their activities either significantly or somewhat. Additionally, research to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of the ailment is still lacking, despite the fact that 5% to 10% of adults in the nation may still have it at any given time.The authors noted that the symptoms linked to [long COVID] are extensive and multi-systemic, affecting the gastrointestinal, neurological, circulatory, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, constitutional, and psychiatric systems. "Neuro-[Long COVID], also referred to as the neurologic manifestations of [long COVID], may be especially incapacitating and account for a substantial amount of the morbidity and disability."

A study was carried out by researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to describe the neurologic symptoms of long-term COVID across the adult life course. Patients examined between May 2020 and March 2023 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Neuro-COVID-19 clinic were assessed in this cross-sectional study. Assessing the patients' neurologic symptoms, neurologic exam results, quality of life, and cognitive function were the objectives of the study.

1300 patients with persistent neurological symptoms that persisted after at least six weeks after the beginning of COVID-19 and who tested positive for SARS-COV-2 were included in the study group. Of them, 1100 individuals had non-hospitalized Neuro-Long COVID and 200 had post-hospitalization Neuro-Long COVID. Any neurologic symptoms linked to a SARS-CoV-2 infection were taken into consideration for assessment. Three age groups of patients were established: those aged 18 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 years or older.

According to the study, the majority of the post-hospitalization group consisted of middle-aged patients, whereas the majority of the non-hospitalized group consisted of younger patients. Ninety-five percent of non-hospitalized patients and seventy-one percent of post-hospitalization patients were younger or middle-aged. Patients with protracted COVID exhibited a median of five neurologic symptoms or manifestations. Younger persons in the post-hospitalization group reported more symptoms (between 4 and 8), followed by middle-aged adults (3 to 7) and elderly adults (2 to 6). Patients in the non-hospitalized group had less symptoms overall, which was less significant.

Furthermore, younger and middle-aged persons who experienced a greater load of neurological symptoms also reported lower subjective quality of life. Older persons showed a reduced burden of most neurologic and non-neurologic symptoms linked to prolonged COVID, despite having the highest number of comorbidities and a higher frequency of abnormal neurologic examinations.Igor Koralnik, MD, a corresponding author on the study, stated in a release that although COVID-19 deaths are declining, people continue to contract the virus repeatedly and may suffer from chronic COVID.3 The quality of life of patients is changing as a result of prolonged COVID. In spite of immunisations and booster shots, approximately 30% of COVID patients experience some persistent symptoms.