The psychiatric and neuropsychiatric repercussions associated with severe infections of COVID-19 and other coronaviruses

Abstract

Introduction It is known that viral infections are epidemiologically prevalent and some of them are harmful to the central nervous system (CNS) due to the development of neuropsychiatric syndromes which affect the cognitive, affective, behavioral and perceptual domains. Objective To carry out a comprehensive analysis of the psychiatric and neuropsychiatric repercussions of COVID-19 based on epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical foundations observed in previous and recent pandemic events, and also to make a proposition about effective therapeutic interventions to help tackle this serious public health problem, more specifically in its neuropsychiatric developments. Method This current literature review has utilized literature reserves and scientific search engines MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science. The search terms included, “SARS-CoV-2”, “etiology,” “psychiatric and neuropsychiatric repercussions”, “severe infections” “COVID-19”. Specific choices of unique papers from each of the searches were identified. The inclusion criteria were relevance and availability of full-text. Papers were excluded on the basis of relevance and non-availability of full-text. Papers were identified in the general literature reserve as pertinent to the search terms. Results The main psychiatric and neuropsychiatric repercussions analyzed were depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, nonspecific neurological symptoms, delirium, cerebrovascular complications, encephalopathies, neuromuscular disorders, anosmia and ageusia. Conclusion The psychiatric and neuropsychiatric symptoms of acute respiratory syndromes can appear during or after the infectious stage. Among the risk factors pointed out for such effects are the female gender, health professionals, presence of avascular necrosis and distressing pain.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Suicidal Behavior

“…In some studies, it has been reported that the initial symptoms of COVID-19 may be neuropsychiatric in nature. Patients may present delirium, cerebrovascular complications, encephalopathy, anosmia, and neuromuscular disorders [37,38]. On the other hand, patients with a previous psychiatric diagnosis may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 and may be at higher risk for negative consequences.…”

Neuropsychiatrische Aspekte von COVID-19 – Eine narrative Übersicht

“…Eine Metaanalyse (8 Studien, 11 054 Fälle) ergab eine Prävalenz von 75 % Geruchsstörungen und 81 % Geschmacksstörungen [30]. Oft werden daher GGS auch als Screening-Symptom angesehen [31,32]. Warum die Angaben zu GGS so stark variieren, ist unklar.…”

“…Hypoaktive Formen scheinen dabei fast so häufig wie hyperaktive aufzutreten und prognostisch quoad vitam ungünstiger zu sein [46]. Für die Genese des Delirs besonders bedeutsam wird die durch die Störung der Lungenfunktion bedingte Hypoxie gehalten [21], jedoch sind auch Fälle von Delirien ohne Beeinträchtigung der Lungenfunktion beschrieben [31]. Bei vorbestehender Demenz kann das Delir schon früh im Erkrankungsverlauf auftreten [43,47,48], was mit einer besonders schlechten Prognose einhergeht [48].…”

The Cognitive and Psychiatric Subacute Impairment in severe Covid-19.

“…Over the course of the pandemic, the general population has been subjected to stressors derived from the social and economic impacts of the virus 28,44 . It is, for this reason, di cult to separate the actual contribution of the biological factors highlighted in this article from other environmental factors.…”