Frailty in Stroke—A Narrated Review

Abstract

This narrative review provides a summary introduction to the relationship between stroke and physical and cognitive frailty syndromes and the neuro-inflammatory similarities (including inflammaging) between the two. The review argues the potential effects of Post COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome (PCNS, also known as Long COVID) with similar pathophysiology. Many patients who have suffered from acute stroke experience long-lasting symptoms affecting several organs including fatigue, brain fog, reduced physical activity, loss of energy, and loss of cognitive reserve, culminating in the loss of independence and poor quality of life. This is very similar to the emerging reports of PCNS from different parts of the world. Stroke, particularly in older adults with comorbidities appears to impact the health and welfare of patients by reducing central neuronal input and neuromuscular function, with muscular atrophy and neuropsychiatric complications. The cumulative effects can potentially lead to a range of physical and cognitive frailty syndromes, which, in many cases may be attributed to persistent, maladapted, low grade, chronic inflammation. Meanwhile, post-COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome (also known as Long COVID Syndrome) appears to share a similar trajectory, adding further urgency for investigations into the mechanisms underlying this constellation of symptoms.