Author:
Breville Gautier,Herrmann François,Adler Dan,Deffert Christine,Bommarito Giulia,Stancu Patrick,Accorroni Alice,Uginet Marjolaine,Assal Frederic,Tamisier Renaud,Lalive Patrice H.,Pepin Jean-Louis,Lövblad Karl-Olof,Allali Gilles
Abstract
Abstract
Background
This study evaluates the impact of high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute encephalopathy (AE).
Methods
Between 3/1/2020 and 11/1/2021, 97 consecutive patients were evaluated at the Geneva University Hospitals with a neurological diagnosis of COVID-19 AE. They were divided in two groups depending on the presence or absence of high risk for OSA based on the modified NOSAS score (mNOSAS, respectively ≥ 8 and < 8). We compared patients’ characteristics (clinical, biological, brain MRI, EEG, pulmonary CT). The severity of COVID-19 AE relied on the RASS and CAM scores.
Results
Most COVID-19 AE patients presented with a high mNOSAS, suggesting high risk of OSA (> 80%). Patients with a high mNOSAS had a more severe form of COVID-19 AE (84.8% versus 27.8%), longer mean duration of COVID-19 AE (27.9 versus 16.9 days), higher mRS at discharge (≥ 3 in 58.2% versus 16.7%), and increased prevalence of brain vessels enhancement (98.1% versus 20.0%). High risk of OSA was associated with a 14 fold increased risk of developing a severe COVID-19 AE (OR = 14.52).
Discussion
These observations suggest an association between high risk of OSA and COVID-19 AE severity. High risk of OSA could be a predisposing factor leading to severe COVID-19 AE and consecutive long-term sequalae.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Neurology (clinical),General Medicine