Anxiety among hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a case-control study from a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.

Introduction: Anxiety has been increasingly recognized as part of the psychosocial health issues in COVID-19 patients. However, the impact of this topic may be underestimated in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors of anxiety in COVID-19 patients compared to controls in a local tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods: In this case-control study, we analyzed data on adult patients aged 18 years and above hospitalized for COVID-19 infection with matched hospitalized controls. The demographic, clinical data and anxiety measures using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 86.6% in the COVID-19 group had anxiety, significantly higher than 13.4% in the control group (p = 0.001). The COVID-19 group was significantly associated with the GAD-7 severity (p = 0.001). The number of COVID-19 patients in the mild, moderate, and severe anxiety groups was 48 (84.2%), 37 (86%), and 18 (94.7%), respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed significant predictors for anxiety, including COVID-19 diagnosis and neurological symptoms. Anxiety was found 36.92 times higher in the patients with COVID-19 compared to those without COVID-19 (OR 36.92;95% CI 17.09, 79.78, p = 0.001). Patients with neurological symptoms were at risk of having anxiety (OR 2.94; 95% CI 1.03, 8.41, p = 0.044). Discussion: COVID-19 patients experience a significant disruption in psychosocial functioning due to hospitalization. The burden of anxiety is notably high, compounded by a diagnosis of COVID-19 itself and neurological symptomatology. Early psychiatric referrals are warranted for patients at risk of developing anxiety symptoms.

Neurological manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A single-center cross-sectional study in Malaysia.

Background: Neurological involvement associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported from different regions of the world. However, data from South East Asia are scarce. We described the neurological manifestations and their associated factors among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients from an academic tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was conducted. The neurological manifestations were divided into the self-reported central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, stroke associated symptoms, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy and specific neurological complications. Multiple logistic regression was performed using demographic and clinical variables to determine the factors associated with outcome. Results: Of 156 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mean age of 55.88 ± 6.11 (SD) years, 23.7% developed neurological complications, which included stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy. Patients with neurological complications were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033), symptoms of stroke [limb weakness (p < 0.001), slurred speech (p < 0.001)]; and encephalitis or encephalopathy [confusion (p < 0.001), forgetfulness (p = 0.006) and seizure (p = 0.019)]. Unvaccinated patients had a 4.25-fold increased risk of having neurological complications (adjusted OR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 17.71, p = 0.047). Anosmia and dysgeusia were less associated with neurological complications (adjusted OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.96, p = 0.044). The odds of neurological complications were increased by 18% in patients with leukocytosis (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.003, p = 0.0460). Conclusions: Stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy were the common neurological complications from our study. Diabetes mellitus, presence of symptoms of stroke, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy, leukocytosis, and being unvaccinated against COVID-19 were the associated risk factors of developing neurological complications.

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis in Highly Active Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Transverse myelitis in multiple sclerosis is typically a short cord lesion with patchy distribution. Rarely, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis can be seen in those with highly active disease or frequent relapses. The recognition of this uncommon phenotype in multiple sclerosis is important as the treatment is largely different from other demyelinating diseases. We describe a patient with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on interferon beta-1a who developed LETM after multiple relapses.

Lithium neurotoxicity with electroencephalogram changes.

Lithium is a medication with a variety of medical usage for various diseases including bipolar mood disorder. As the therapeutic window of lithium is narrow, its usage is commonly associated with toxicity. Lithium toxicity affects multiple systems especially the central nervous system, leading to neuropsychiatric complications. Haemodialysis is an effective method for lithium removal especially in severe lithium toxicity such as neurotoxicity with electroencephalogram changes. We describe a case of lithium neurotoxicity with electroencephalographic abnormalities which was reversed following haemodialysis.

Cerebral Toxoplasmosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A 37-year-old man with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis presented with an episode of generalized tonic seizure. He complained of poor concentration and forgetfulness for 1 week. He suffered a relapse of lupus nephritis 4 months ago and received a course of intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. Clinically, there was no focal neurological deficit. Retroviral screening was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed eccentric and concentric signs which confirmed the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis.

Frequency and Characterization of Movement Disorders in Anti-IgLON5 Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-IgLON5 disease is a recently described neurological disease that shares features of autoimmunity and neurodegeneration. Abnormal movements appear to be frequent and important but have not been characterized and are under-reported. Here we describe the frequency and types of movement disorders in a series of consecutive patients with this disease. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational study, the presence and phenomenology of movement disorders were assessed with a standardized clinical questionnaire. Available videos were centrally reviewed by three experts in movement disorders. RESULTS: Seventy two patients were included. In 41 (57%) the main reason for initial consultation was difficulty walking along with one or several concurrent movement disorders. At the time of anti-IgLON5 diagnosis, 63 (87%) patients had at least one movement disorder with a median of three per patient. The most frequent abnormal movements were gait and balance disturbances (52 patients, 72%), chorea (24, 33%), bradykinesia (20, 28%), dystonia (19, 26%), abnormal body postures or rigidity (18, 25%), and tremor (15, 21%). Other hyperkinetic movements (myoclonus, akathisia, myorhythmia, myokymia, or abdominal dyskinesias) occurred in 26 (36%) patients. The craniofacial region was one of the most frequently affected by multiple concurrent movement disorders (23 patients, 32%) including dystonia (13), myorhythmia (6), chorea (4) or myokymia (4). Considering any body region, the most frequent combination of multiple movement disorders consisted of gait instability or ataxia associated with craniofacial dyskinesias or generalized chorea observed in 31(43%) of patients. In addition to abnormal movements, 87% of patients had sleep alterations, 74% bulbar dysfunction, and 53% cognitive impairment. Fifty-five (76%) patients were treated with immunotherapy, resulting in important and sustained improvement of the movement disorders in only seven (13%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Movement disorders are a frequent and leading cause of initial neurological consultation in patients with anti-IgLON5 disease. Although multiple types of abnormal movements can occur, the most prevalent are disorders of gait, generalized chorea, and dystonia and other dyskinesias that frequently affect craniofacial muscles. Overall, anti-IgLON5 disease should be considered in patients with multiple movement disorders, particularly if they occur in association with sleep alterations, bulbar dysfunction, or cognitive impairment.

Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis with Guillain-Barré syndrome overlap following chlamydia infection.

Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is a rare autoimmune encephalitis characterised by ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and altered consciousness. An overlap between BBE with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) shows similar clinical and immunological features. We report a case of BBE with GBS overlap secondary to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. The triad of altered consciousness, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia were present in the patient. The investigations included cerebrospinal fluid cytoalbuminological dissociation, nerve conduction test that showed prolonged or absent F wave latencies, hyperintensity in the left occipital region on brain MRI and diffuse slow activity on the electroencephalogram. The chlamydia serology was positive indicating a postinfectious cause of BBE syndrome. He required artificial ventilation as his consciousness level deteriorated with tetraparesis, oropharyngeal and respiratory muscle weakness. Immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone was commenced. He made good recovery with the treatment. Prompt recognition of this rare condition following chlamydia infection is important to guide the management.

Dupuytren's Contracture with Secondary Ulnar Neuropathy.

Dupuytren's disease is a progressive fibrotic condition of the hand. The underlying pathomechanism is not fully known. Dupuytren's contracture can be seen in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism, smoking, or hand trauma. It is uncommon to affect the neurovascular supply causing clinical symptoms. We describe a patient with idiopathic Dupuytren's disease complicated with bilateral ulnar neuropathies and highlight the importance of such rare treatable complication.

Proceedings of the Inaugural Strategy Meeting for the Establishment of a Southeast Asia Regional Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Consortium for Neurological Disorders.

In conjunction with the third regional Southeast Asian (SEA) therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25 clinicians and researchers from SEA and South Asian countries attended the inaugural strategy meeting for the establishment of a regional TPE consortium for neurological disorders. The primary objective was to establish regional collaboration to improve delivery of TPE services in SEA. A pre-meeting survey was conducted to gather insights on disease spectrum, contextual practice challenges, and the need for a regional TPE consensus. Challenges identified include limited healthcare funding in support of diagnostic workup, TPE therapy, as well as development of clinical infrastructure and expertise capacity building. There was favorable interest in developing a working plan contextualized to this region. Strategies to overcome challenges were discussed. This included the need for a comprehensive referral system and network of regional TPE centers suited to local needs, supported by innovative TPE delivery programs.

Levodopa-induced myocardial infarction in a patient with Parkinson's disease and severe coronary artery disease.

Levodopa is the most effective medical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) to date. As dopamine is known to increase cardiac inotropism and vasomotor tone, peripheral dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor is coadministered to suppress the peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine. Levodopa poses potential cardiovascular risks, thus its use in patients with existing coronary artery disease needs to be carefully monitored. We report a case of an elderly male with newly diagnosed PD who developed non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction following levodopa (Madopar) initiation.