Relationship between neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms and SARS-CoV-2
infection: a systematic review
Abstract
Background: Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is a recent disease
that is easily spread and has serious complications, such as
neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. Thus, studies are necessary on the
clinical manifestations during and/or after the course of the disease.
Aims and objectives: To describe the relationship between
neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods:
Systematic review conducted in the Pubmed Portal, Brazilian Virtual
Health Library, Cochrane, and Science Direct databases. The descriptors
coronavirus, SARS, and neurologic symptoms were used in Pubmed,
Cochrane, and Science Direct databases, while the descriptors SARS Virus
and Nervous System were used in the Virtual Health Library database. A
total of 1024 studies were found and 67 were selected to compose this
systematic review. The studies were analyzed qualitatively with the
narrative description divided into four thematic categories. Results:
There is a pathophysiological relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection
and manifestations involving the Central Nervous System and the
Peripheral Nervous System through different pathways and mechanisms. The
chances of Nervous System manifestations increase in elderly patients
with associated morbidities, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and/or pre-existing
neurological/psychiatric diseases. The most cited neuropsychiatric signs
and symptoms were headache, delirium, smell and/or taste disorders, and
stroke. The evaluation and monitoring of patients during and after
COVID-19 infection is important for the early detection and treatment of
neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. Conclusions: It is recommended that
health professionals monitor patients with COVID-19 infection or who had
recently had the disease for detecting neuropsychiatric signs and
symptoms, especially elderly patients, people with comorbidities such as
cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, and obesity,
and patients with pre-existing neurological/psychiatric diseases.
Decision-making for the implementation of an early rehabilitation
treatment can be reinforced in this groups, minimizing the sequels
resulting from COVID-19.