Authors: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is accumulating evidence of the neurological and neuropsychiatric features of infection with SARS-CoV-2. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to describe the characteristics of the early literature and estimate point prevalences for neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL up to 18 July 2020 for randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and case series. Studies reporting prevalences of neurological or neuropsychiatric symptoms were synthesised into meta-analyses to estimate pooled prevalence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13\u2009292 records were screened by at least two authors to identify 215 included studies, of which there were 37 cohort studies, 15 case-control studies, 80 cross-sectional studies and 83 case series from 30 countries. 147 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The symptoms with the highest prevalence were anosmia (43.1% (95% CI 35.2% to 51.3%), n=15\u2009975, 63 studies), weakness (40.0% (95% CI 27.9% to 53.5%), n=221, 3 studies), fatigue (37.8% (95% CI 31.6% to 44.4%), n=21\u2009101, 67 studies), dysgeusia (37.2% (95% CI 29.8% to 45.3%), n=13\u2009686, 52 studies), myalgia (25.1% (95% CI 19.8% to 31.3%), n=66 268, 76 studies), depression (23.0% (95% CI 11.8% to 40.2%), n=43\u2009128, 10 studies), headache (20.7% (95% CI 16.1% to 26.1%), n=64\u2009613, 84 studies), anxiety (15.9% (5.6% to 37.7%), n=42\u2009566, 9 studies) and altered mental status (8.2% (95% CI 4.4% to 14.8%), n=49\u2009326, 19 studies). Heterogeneity for most clinical manifestations was high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms of COVID-19 in the pandemic\u2019s early phase are varied and common. The neurological and psychiatric academic communities should develop systems to facilitate high-quality methodologies, including more rapid examination of the longitudinal course of neuropsychiatric complications of newly emerging diseases and their relationship to neuroimaging and inflammatory biomarkers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ\u2019s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n