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Background/Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 continually mutates, with five identified variants. Many neurological manifestations were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences between virus variants. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and characteristics of neurological manifestations during COVID-19 in hospitalized patients over three waves in Poland with comparison and analysis correlation with the course of infection. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 600 consecutive adults with confirmed COVID-19, hospitalized during 3 waves (pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron) in Poland. Demographic and clinical information and neurological manifestations were collected and compared across three periods. Results: The median age of the study group was 68, lower during the Delta wave. In the Omicron period, the disease severity at admission and inflammatory markers concentration were the lowest. Neurological manifestations were observed in 49%. The most common were altered mentation, headache, myalgia, mood disorder, ischemic stroke and encephalopathy. Smell and taste disturbances (STDs) were less frequent in the Omicron period. Neurological complications were predominant in the pre-Delta and Omicron periods. Ischemic stroke was observed more often in pre-Delta period. Altered mentation was related to higher severity at admission, worse lab test results, higher admission to ICU and mortality, while headache reduced mortality. Pre-existing dementia was related to higher mortality. Conclusions: Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are frequent, with a lower rate of STDs in the Omicron period and more often cerebrovascular diseases in the pre-Delta period. Headache improves the course of COVID-19, while altered mentation, stroke and neurological comorbidities increase severity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 continually mutates, with five identified variants. Many neurological manifestations were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences between virus variants. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and characteristics of neurological manifestations during COVID-19 in hospitalized patients over three waves in Poland with comparison and analysis correlation with the course of infection. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 600 consecutive adults with confirmed COVID-19, hospitalized during 3 waves (pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron) in Poland. Demographic and clinical information and neurological manifestations were collected and compared across three periods. Results: The median age of the study group was 68, lower during the Delta wave. In the Omicron period, the disease severity at admission and inflammatory markers concentration were the lowest. Neurological manifestations were observed in 49%. The most common were altered mentation, headache, myalgia, mood disorder, ischemic stroke and encephalopathy. Smell and taste disturbances (STDs) were less frequent in the Omicron period. Neurological complications were predominant in the pre-Delta and Omicron periods. Ischemic stroke was observed more often in pre-Delta period. Altered mentation was related to higher severity at admission, worse lab test results, higher admission to ICU and mortality, while headache reduced mortality. Pre-existing dementia was related to higher mortality. Conclusions: Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are frequent, with a lower rate of STDs in the Omicron period and more often cerebrovascular diseases in the pre-Delta period. Headache improves the course of COVID-19, while altered mentation, stroke and neurological comorbidities increase severity and mortality.

Background: Dyspnea is a common persistent symptom after acute coronavirus disease 2019 illness (COVID-19). One potential explanation for post-COVID-19 dyspnea is a reduction in diffusion capacity. This longitudinal study investigated diffusion capacity and its relationship with dyspnea on exertion in individuals previously hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: Eligible participants had been hospitalized for the treatment of acute COVID-19 and were assessed at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge. Pulmonary function testing, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), blood gas analysis and the level of dyspnea (Borg scale; before and after a 6 min walk test [6 MWT]) were performed. Participants were divided into subgroups based on the presence or absence of dyspnea during the 6 MWT at 12 months after hospitalization. Results: Seventy-two participants (twenty-two female, mean age 59.8 ± 13.5 years) were included. At 12 months after discharge, 41/72 participants (57%) had DLCO below the lower limit of normal and 56/72 (78%) had DLCO < 80% of the predicted value. Individuals with exertional dyspnea had significantly lower DLCO than those without exertional dyspnea (p = 0.001). In participants with DLCO data being available at three timepoints over 12 months (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) after discharge (n = 25), DLCO improved between 6 weeks and 6 months after hospital discharge, but not thereafter (p = 0.017). Conclusions: About 2/3 of the post-COVID individuals in this study had impaired diffusion capacity at 12 months after hospital discharge. There was an association between persisting dyspnea on exertion and significantly reduced DLCO. Impaired diffusion capacity improved over the first 6 months after hospitalization but not thereafter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quarantine was one of the strategies adopted by governments against the spread of COVID-19. This restriction has caused an increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in the practice of physical activity (PA), with a consequent negative impact on lifestyle both in healthy people and in those who need constant practice of PA to combat diseases, such as patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). Hence, this study aimed to compare PA levels among patients with NMD during and after quarantine. Methods: An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form and the Short-Form Health Survey were administered during COVID-19 quarantine (T0) and after 3 years (T1) to 91 Italian patients with NMDs. Results: We found a significant increase in the total PA level at T1, with no significant changes in vigorous-intensity PA. Moreover, a significant decrease in the PA level was found among the patients with different NMDs. No significant changes in physical component scores and mental component scores were detected. Conclusions: Our results suggest that it would be necessary to provide alternative indoor exercise settings to prevent the adoption of sedentary behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]