Abstract Details

While most large studies about the possible association of COVID 19 and stroke were done in rich countries, only few small studies have been done in low to mid income countries like the Philippines.

This is an observational study done in 37 referral hospitals for COVID-19 all over the country. RT-PCR confirmed adult COVID-19 patients more than 18 years of age were included in the study. For those who consented, a pre-made detailed abstraction form containing the variables of interest is filled up by the field neurologist by clinical observation, chart review and interview of the relatives or the patient.

The incidence of stroke among COVID-19 patients was 3.4% (n=367). More died among patients with stroke than those without (42.2% vs 14.7%, p<0.01). In addition, more patients were admitted in the ICU (43.3% vs 15.0%, p<0.01) regardless of causes in the same cohort. Smoking (95% CI: 0.27 to 0.53, p<0.0001), hypertension (95% CI:0.43 to 0.68, p<0.0001), presence of heart failure (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.62, p=0.01), presence of any past neurologic co-morbidities (95% CI:0.34 to 0.10, p=0.004) and past history of stroke (95% CI:0.60 to 1.09, p<0.0001) had positive while being a health care worker (95% CI: -1.12 to -0.35, p<0.0004) had negative significant associations with stroke.

COVID 19 stroke patients in LMIC have higher mortality and ICU admission rates than patients with COVID 19 alone or COVID 19 stroke patients from developed countries.