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We investigated the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of meningoencephalitis (ME) in patients with COVID-19 attending emergency departments (ED), before hospitalization. We retrospectively reviewed all COVID patients diagnosed with ME in 61 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, COVID-ME) during the COVID pandemic. We formed two control groups: non-COVID patients with ME (non-COVID-ME) and COVID patients without ME (COVID-non-ME). Unadjusted comparisons between cases and controls were performed regarding 57 baseline and clinical characteristics and 4 outcomes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemical and serologic findings of COVID-ME and non-COVID-ME were also investigated. We identified 29 ME in 71,904 patients with COVID-19 attending EDs (0.40 parts per thousand, 95%CI=0.27-0.58). This incidence was higher than that observed in non-COVID patients (150/1,358,134, 0.11 parts per thousand, 95%CI=0.09-0.13; OR=3.65, 95%CI=2.45-5.44). With respect to non-COVID-ME, COVID-ME more frequently had dyspnea and chest X-ray abnormalities, and neck stiffness was less frequent (OR=0.3, 95%CI=0.1-0.9). In 69.0% of COVID-ME, CSF cells were predominantly lymphocytes, and SARS-CoV-2 antigen was detected by RT-PCR in 1 patient. The clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of presenting ME in COVID patients were vomiting (OR=3.7, 95%CI=1.4-10.2), headache (OR=24.7, 95%CI=10.2-60.1), and altered mental status (OR=12.9, 95%CI=6.6-25.0). COVID-ME patients had a higher in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-ME patients (OR=2.26; 95%CI=1.04-4.48), and a higher need for hospitalization (OR=8.02; 95%CI=1.19-66.7) and intensive care admission (OR=5.89; 95%CI=3.12-11.14) than COVID-non-ME patients. ME is an unusual form of COVID presentation (

Objective We investigated the incidence, predictor variables, clinical characteristics, and stroke outcomes in patients with COVID-19 seen in emergency departments (EDs) before hospitalization. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with stroke during the COVID-19 outbreak in 62 Spanish EDs. We formed two control groups: COVID-19 patients without stroke (control A) and non-COVID-19 patients with stroke (control B). We compared disease characteristics and four outcomes between cases and controls. Results We identified 147 strokes in 74,814 patients with COVID-19 seen in EDs (1.96 parts per thousand, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.66 parts per thousand to 2.31 parts per thousand), being lower than in non-COVID-19 patients (6,541/1,388,879, 4.71 parts per thousand, 95% CI = 4.60 parts per thousand to 4.83 parts per thousand; odds ratio [OR] = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.49). The estimated that standardized incidences of stroke per 100,000 individuals per year were 124 and 133 for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 individuals, respectively (OR = 0.93 for COVID patients, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.99). Baseline characteristics associated with a higher risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous cerebrovascular and coronary diseases. Clinically, these patients more frequently presented with confusion, decreased consciousness, and syncope and higher D-dimer concentrations and leukocyte count at ED arrival. After adjustment for age and sex, the case group had higher hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates (but not mortality) than COVID-19 controls without stroke (OR = 3.41, 95% CI = 1.27 to 9.16; and OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.69 to 8.50, respectively) and longer hospitalization and greater in-hospital mortality than stroke controls without COVID-19 (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.24 to 1.94; and OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.37 to 2.30, respectively). Conclusions The incidence of stroke in COVID-19 patients presenting to EDs was lower than that in the non-COVID-19 reference sample. COVID-19 patients with stroke had greater need for hospitalization and ICU admission than those without stroke and longer hospitalization and greater in-hospital mortality than non-COVID-19 patients with stroke.

Introduction. After the European Headache Federation (EHF) Congress, renowned Spanish neurologists specialised in migraine presented the most significant latest developments in research in this field at the Post-EHF Meeting. Development. The main data presented concerning the treatment of chronic and episodic migraine were addressed, with attention paid more specifically to those related to preventive treatments and real-life experience in the management of the disease. An important review was carried out of the new therapeutic targets and the possibilities they offer in terms of understanding the pathophysiology of migraine and its treatment. An update was also presented of the latest developments in the treatment of migraine with fremanezumab, a monoclonal antibody recently authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Participants were also given an update on the latest developments in basic research on the pathology, as well as an overview of the symptoms of migraine and COVID-19. Finally, the repercussions of migraine in terms of its burden on the care and economic resources of the health system were addressed, along with its impact on society. Conclusions. The meeting summarised the content presented at the 10 EHF Congress, which took place in late June/early July 2020.

We diagnosed 11 Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cases among 71,904 COVID patients attended at 61 Spanish emergency departments (EDs) during the 2-month pandemic peak. The relative frequency of GBS among ED patients was higher in COVID (0.15 parts per thousand) than non-COVID (0.02 parts per thousand) patients (odds ratio [OR] = 6.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18-12.5), as was the standardized incidence (9.44 and 0.69 cases/100,000 inhabitant-years, respectively, OR = 13.5, 95% CI = 9.87-18.4). Regarding clinical characteristics, olfactory-gustatory disorders were more frequent in COVID-GBS than non-COVID-GBS (OR = 27.59, 95% CI = 1.296-587) and COVID-non-GBS (OR = 7.875, 95% CI = 1.587-39.09) patients. Although COVID-GBS patients were more frequently admitted to intensive care, mortality was not increased versus control groups. Our results suggest SARS-CoV-2 could be another viral infection causing GBS. ANN NEUROL 2020

Introduction:Since the beginning of the Covid-19 epidemic produced by SARS2-Cov virus, olfactory alterations have been observed at a greater frequency than in other coronavirus epidemics. While olfactory alterations may be observed in patients with rhinovirus, influenza virus, or parainfluenza virus infection, they are typically explained by nasal obstruction with mucus or direct epithelial damage; in the case of SARS-CoV-2, olfactory alterations may present without nasal congestion with mucus. We performed a study of patients presenting olfactory/gustatory alterations in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon. Material and Methods:We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study of the clinical characteristics of olfactory/gustatory alterations using a self-administered, anonymous online questionnaire. Results:A total of 909 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and olfactory/gustatory alterations responded to the questionnaire in the 4-day data collection period; 824 cases (90.65%) reported simultaneous olfactory and gustatory involvement. Patients' responses to the questionnaire revealed ageusia (581, 64.1% of respondents), hypogeusia (256, 28.2%), dysgeusia (22, 2.4%), anosmia (752 82.8%), hyposmia (142, 15.6%), and dysosmia (8, 0.9%). Fifty-four percent (489) did not report concomitant nasal congestion or mucus. Conclusion:Olfactory alterations are frequent in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and is only associated with nasal congestion in half of the cases.

Introduction: It has been observed in recent years that levels of such molecules as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and, to a lesser extent, the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide are elevated during migraine attacks and in chronic migraine, both in the cerebrospinal fluid and in the serum. Pharmacological reduction of these proteins is clinically significant, with an improvement in patients' migraines. It therefore seems logical that one of the main lines of migraine research should be based on the role of CGRP in the pathophysiology of this entity.Development: The Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group decided to draft this document in order to address the evidence on such important issues as the role of CGRP in the pathophysiology of migraine and the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies and gepants; and to critically analyse the results of different studies and the profile of patients eligible for treatment with monoclonal antibodies, and the impact in terms of pharmacoeconomics.Conclusions: The clinical development of gepants, which are CGRP antagonists, for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, and CGRP ligand and receptor monoclonal antibodies offer promising results for these patients. Introducción: En los últimos a ̃nos se ha observado que moléculas como el péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina (CGRP) y, en menor grado, el péptido activador de la adenilato- ciclasa pituitaria estaban elevadas durante los ataques de migra ̃na y en la migra ̃na crónica tanto en líquido cefalorraquídeo como en suero y que su reducción farmacológica tenía una significación clínica con una mejoría en la migra ̃na de los pacientes. Es lógico por tanto que una de las principales líneas de investigación en migra ̃na se base en el papel del CGRP en la fisiopatología de esta entidad. Desarrollo: Desde el Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Espa ̃nola de Neurología nos planteamos la redacción de este documento, cuyo objetivo es abordar, basándonos en la evi- dencia publicada, cuestiones tan importantes como el papel del CGRP en la fisiopatología de la migra ̃na, el mecanismo de acción de los anticuerpos monoclonales y de los gepantes, el aná- lisis crítico de los resultados de los diferentes estudios, el perfil del paciente que podría ser candidato al tratamiento con anticuerpos monoclonales y su impacto en términos de farmacoe- conomía. Conclusiones: El desarrollo clínico de los gepantes, antagonistas del CGRP, para el tratamiento agudo del ataque de migra ̃na y de los anticuerpos monoclonales contra ligando y contra el receptor del CGRP ofrecen resultados esperanzadores para nuestros pacientes.

To develop a proposal for a portfolio of services and a set of indicators for Headache Units.Qualitative study that applied techniques of consensus with the participation of 15 professionals who are experts in the treatment of headaches (experience of 15 years) and in quality assurance. The description of the indicators included: statement, definition, standard, type of indicator, dimension, source, level of evidence, and clarification of terms. The proposal for a portfolio of services included the following areas: clinical management, patient-centered care, community involvement, knowledge management, translational research, and social dissemination. The proposal converged in 13 indicators exploring five dimensions.This proposal contributes to ensure and assess the level of quality of a Headache Unit or outpatient clinic.Cartera de servicios y cuadro basico de indicadores de calidad para las unidades de cefalea: estudio de consenso.Objetivo. Elaborar una propuesta de cartera de servicios para una unidad de cefalea y un conjunto basico de indicadores de calidad asistencial en cefalea. Desarrollo. Estudio que aplico tecnicas de busqueda de consenso con participacion de un total de 15 profesionales expertos en tratamiento de cefaleas (experiencia de mas de 15 años) y en gestion de calidad. La descripcion de los indicadores incluyo: enunciado, definicion, estandar, tipo de indicador, dimension, fuente, nivel de evidencia y aclaraciones de terminos. La propuesta de cartera de servicios incluyo los siguientes ambitos: gestion clinica, atencion centrada en el paciente, implicacion comunitaria, gestion del conocimiento, investigacion traslacional y difusion social. La propuesta se concreto en 13 indicadores que abarcaban cinco dimensiones. Conclusiones. Esta propuesta contribuye a asegurar y evaluar el nivel de calidad de una unidad de cefaleas o de las consultas monograficas de cefaleas.