TY  - JOUR
TI  - Long-term neurological and otolaryngological sequelae of COVID-19: a retrospective study
AU  - Abu Ruqa, Wael
AU  - Barbato, Christian
AU  - Minni, Antonio
PY  - 2025
JO  - Exploration of Medicine
VL  - 6
SP  - 1001310
DO  - 10.37349/emed.2025.1001310
UR  - https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/em/Article/1001310
AB  - Aim: COVID-19, a multisystemic syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, often results in long-term complications collectively referred to as long COVID. This study explores the persistence of neurological and otolaryngological symptoms in patients two years after acute infection, with a focus on gender differences and variant-specific effects. Methods: A retrospective follow-up was conducted in January 2024 on 112 patients who had been hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients completed a questionnaire assessing the persistence of neuropsychiatric, otolaryngological, and systemic symptoms. Results: Findings reveal that 18.3% of women reported persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as memory deficits, depression, and concentration issues, compared to 5.7% of men. Otolaryngological symptoms, including anosmia and ageusia, largely resolved, with only 2% reporting persistent issues. Symptom persistence was more common in older individuals, women, smokers, and those with severe acute-phase illness. Neuropsychiatric symptoms remain prominent, underscoring the need for targeted long-term care. Conclusions: Vaccination significantly reduces the risk and severity of long COVID, particularly neuropsychiatric symptoms, emphasizing its role in mitigating the long-term burden of SARS-CoV-2. Future research should explore biomolecular markers and imaging techniques to better understand and address these long-term sequelae.
ER  -