Long-term outcomes of patients with a pre-existing neurological condition after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Authors: Hadidchi R, Al-Ani Y, Choi S, Renteria S, Duong KS, Henry S, Wang SH, Duong TQ.

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Journal of the Neurological Sciences.  REVIEW ARTICLE| VOLUME 473, 123477 June 15, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2025.123477

Highlights

• Patients with neurological disorders with and without COVID-19 were analyzed up to 3.5 years post-index date.
• COVID-19 survivors were at higher adjusted risk of mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and dyspnea.
• COVID-19 may be a risk factor for onset of symptoms and adverse events in patients with neurological conditions.

This study followed patients with pre-existing neurological conditions for up to 3.5 years, comparing those who had COVID-19 with those who didn’t. COVID-19 survivors, especially those hospitalized, had a higher risk of death, major cardiovascular events, fatigue, sleep issues, dyspnea, and altered mental status. Even non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients showed increased risk for several symptoms. Black and Hispanic patients had higher cardiovascular risk post-COVID. The findings suggest COVID-19 worsens long-term outcomes in neurologically vulnerable individuals, highlighting the need for targeted follow-up care.