Abstract Details

Title The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) experience in an outpatient neurology setting

Topic Infectious Disease

Presentation(s) S18 - COVID-19: From Bedside and Beyond (1:48 PM-2:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 005

Background

Symptoms of fatigue, headaches, and memory impairment have been reported in patients with PASC.

Objective To determine the frequency of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae (PASC) symptoms in an outpatient neurology setting.

Design/Methods This is an observational study of the PASC experience of 98 non-hospitalized COVID-positive patients in neurology outpatient clinics. Participants completed a survey regarding persistent symptoms, after acute infection. Scales of quality of life and cognition were obtained and included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Neuro-QOL (Anxiety, fatigue, depression).

Results Of 98 participants recruited, 68% of participants were seen in neurology clinic specifically for PASC while 31% were seen for non-COVID related complaints but had a prior positive COVID-19 test. Mean age was 50.5±15.1 and 65% were female. Median time post-acute infection was 9.0 (IQR 4.7-11.7/range 0.5 – 16.8) months. Of the 93 participants with symptoms after 6 weeks, the most frequent symptoms reported were fatigue (67%), headaches (49%), muscle aches (48%), word-finding difficulty (48%), difficulty sleeping (47%), shortness of breath (47%), and change in memory (46%). The most common pre-morbid conditions were anxiety/depression (32%), hypertension (26%), pulmonary disease (23%), and autoimmune (17%). BMI>25 was present in 68%. 41% had a prior neurological condition with migraines being the most common (18%). There was no statistically significant difference in reported symptoms, pre-morbid conditions, sex, and age between participants who presented with PASC versus other neurological complaints. Patients reporting persistent fatigue (n=64) had a mean Neuro-QOL fatigue score of 53.3±9.9. Normal mean MoCA scores were present in patients reporting word finding difficulty or memory change (19.3±2.4 points) and in participants with abnormal Neuro-QOL scores (19.4±2.1 points).

Conclusions Patients with PASC in a neurology outpatient clinic report persistent neurological, systemic symptoms that affect their quality of life on multiple validated measures. The MoCA test may not be able to detect subtle cognitive deficits in this population.

Authors/Disclosures
Sujata P. Thawani, MD (NYU Neurology Associates) PRESENTER	Dr. Thawani has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Lisena Hasanaj (NYU Langone Medical Center)	Ms. Hasanaj has nothing to disclose.
Jennifer A. Frontera, MD (NYU Langone Health)	Dr. Frontera has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for FirstKindMedical. Dr. Frontera has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Physician Education Resource. The institution of Dr. Frontera has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Frontera has received research support from Alexion. Dr. Frontera has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Azizi Seixas	No disclosure on file
Steven Galetta, MD, FAAN (NYU Langone Medical Center)	Dr. Galetta has nothing to disclose.
Laura J. Balcer, MD, MSCE, FAAN (NYU Grossman School of Medicine)	An immediate family member of Dr. Balcer has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Balcer has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.