New‐onset neurodegenerative diseases as long‐term sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

AbstractThe association between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with increased risk for new‐onset neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear. Therefore, this meta‐analysis aims to elucidate whether new‐onset neurodegenerative diseases are long‐term sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. PubMed/MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were systematically searched for articles published up to January 10, 2023. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to calculate the pooled effect size, expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of each outcome. Twelve studies involving 33 146 809 individuals (2 688 417 post‐COVID‐19 cases and 30 458 392 controls) were included in the present meta‐analysis. The pooled analyses compared with control groups showed a significant association between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and increased risk for new‐onset Alzheimer's disease (HR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.22–1.85, I2 = 97%), dementia (HR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.42–1.94, I2 = 91%), and Parkinson's disease (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.06–1.95, I2 = 86%) among COVID‐19 survivors. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection may be associated with a higher risk for new‐onset neurodegenerative diseases in recovered COVID‐19 patients. Future studies are warranted to determine the biological mechanisms underlying the neurodegenerative consequences of COVID‐19 as long‐term sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.