A Neurological Outpatient Clinic for Patients With Post-COVID-19 Syndrome — Clinical Presentations of the First 100 Patients, 2021, Boesl et al

Background and Objectives: Neurological and psychiatric symptoms are frequent in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Here, we report on the clinical presentation of the first 100 patients who presented to our PCS Neurology outpatient clinic ≥12 weeks after the acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. To date, PCS is only defined by temporal connection to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Identification of clinical phenotypes and subgroups of PCS is urgently needed.

Design: We assessed clinical data of our first 100 ambulatory patients regarding clinical presentations; self-questionnaires focusing on daytime sleepiness, mood, and fatigue; and a screening assessment for detecting cognitive impairment.

Results: A total of 89% of the patients presenting to the Neurology outpatient clinic had an initially mild course of COVID-19 and had not been hospitalized. The majority of the patients were female (67 vs. 33% male). The most frequent symptom reported was cognitive impairment (72%). There were 30% of patients who reported cognitive deficits and scored below 26 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Fatigue (67%), headache (36%), and persisting hyposmia (36%) were also frequently reported; 5.5% of all patients showed signs of severe depression.

Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of patient data of a PCS Neurology outpatient clinic. Neurological sequelae also exist for more than 3 months after mainly mild SARS-CoV-2 acute infections. The reported symptoms are in accordance with recently published data of hospitalized patients.

Open access, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.738405/full

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/montreal-cognitive-assessment

 

Heading down the same risky road as happened with ME/CFS.

In effect: Given we have no idea what the problem is, we will blindly assume that psychiatry can get safely manage things in until we do. Except that once they get a toe hold, they will seek to convince everyone they have all the answers anyway.

 

Except not “blindly” (wilfully?) as well as ableism this would convey unavoidable lack of some knowledge input. It’s not unavoidable though is it?

 

I'm not sure in this case. You may be right, or it may simply be they are repeating the same mistakes of the past, with this new 'syndrome'.

 

I don’t know if wilful either just a possibility. They lack knowledge of course but something has provoked them to decide to take action anyway.
Something that is not just their own not knowing.

So perhaps an expectation of praise and reward if they go right ahead with application of their usual strategy which (for them) has worked so far?

But they have to pretend that them not knowing much is a reason to go ahead in this way instead of very strong reason not to.