Distinct smell and taste disorder phenotype of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae.

PURPOSE: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) commonly accompanies coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the kinetics of OD resolution following SARS-CoV-2 infection (wild-type and alpha variant) and its impact on quality of life, physical and mental health. METHODS: OD prevalence was assessed in an ambulatory COVID-19 survey (n = 906, ≥ 90 days follow-up) and an observational cohort of ambulatory and hospitalized individuals (n = 108, 360 days follow-up). Co-occurrence of OD with other symptoms and effects on quality of life, physical and mental health were analyzed by multi-dimensional scaling, association rule mining and semi-supervised clustering. RESULTS: Both in the ambulatory COVID-19 survey study (72%) and the observational ambulatory and hospitalized cohort (41%) self-reported OD was frequent during acute COVID-19. Recovery from self-reported OD was slow (survey: median 28 days, observational cohort: 90 days). By clustering of the survey data, we identified a predominantly young, female, comorbidity-free group of convalescents with persistent OD and taste disorders (median recovery: 90 days) but low frequency of post-acute fatigue, respiratory or neurocognitive symptoms. This smell and taste disorder cluster was characterized by a high rating of physical performance, mental health, and quality of life as compared with convalescents affected by prolonged fatigue or neurocognitive complaints. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the heterogeneity of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae calling for tailored management strategies. The persistent smell and taste disorder phenotype is characterized by good clinical, physical, and mental recovery and may pose a minor challenge for public health. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04661462 (survey study), NCT04416100 (observational cohort).

Neurological outcomes 1 year after COVID-19 diagnosis: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurological sequelae from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may persist after recovery from acute infection. Here, the aim was to describe the natural history of neurological manifestations over 1 year after COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, longitudinal cohort study in COVID-19 survivors was performed. At a 3-month and 1-year follow-up, patients were assessed for neurological impairments by a neurological examination and a standardized test battery including the assessment of hyposmia (16-item Sniffin' Sticks test), cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 26) and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were evaluated 1 year after COVID-19, out of which 76 (94%) patients completed a 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Patients were 54 (47-64) years old and 59% were male. New and persistent neurological disorders were found in 15% (3 months) and 12% (10/81; 1 year). Symptoms at 1-year follow-up were reported by 48/81 (59%) patients, including fatigue (38%), concentration difficulties (25%), forgetfulness (25%), sleep disturbances (22%), myalgia (17%), limb weakness (17%), headache (16%), impaired sensation (16%) and hyposmia (15%). Neurological examination revealed findings in 52/81 (64%) patients without improvement over time (3 months, 61%, p = 0.230) including objective hyposmia (Sniffin' Sticks test <13; 51%). Cognitive deficits were apparent in 18%, whereas signs of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders were found in 6%, 29% and 10% respectively 1 year after infection. These mental and cognitive disorders had not improved after the 3-month follow-up (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that a significant patient number still suffer from neurological sequelae including neuropsychiatric symptoms 1 year after COVID-19 calling for interdisciplinary management of these patients.

Intrathecal Baclofen Trial Before Device Implantation: 12-Year Experience With Continuous Administration.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience using continuous intrathecal baclofen (ITB) administration prior to a possible ITB device implantation. DESIGN: Retrospective open label study. Mean duration of follow-up 64 months. SETTING: Primary-care and referral center, ambulatory and hospitalized care. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=116) undergoing continuous ITB trials between 2006 and 2017. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous application of baclofen via a temporary intrathecal catheter connected to an external pump. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of the modified Ashworth Scale and range of movement prior versus end of ITB trial. According to the Barthel Index, definition of high-level patients (60-100 scoring points) and low-level patients (0-55 scoring points). Calculation of the Rivermead Mobility Index in high-level patients prior versus end of ITB trial. Evaluation of occurring adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 119 ITB trials were performed in 116 patients (78 men, mean age 41±16), 113 patients completed the trials (31 of 113 high level, 82 of 113 low level). The median modified Ashworth scale improved from 4 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-4) to 2 (IQR 1-2; P≤.001), the range of movement from 2 (IQR 1-3) to 3 (IQR 3-3; P≤.001). The Rivermead Mobility Index increased from 9 (IQR 6-12) to 10 (IQR 7-12.5; P=.004) in high-level patients. Eighty-eight out of 113 patients (78%) were appropriate candidates for ITB device surgery, 75 of 88 (85%) proceeded to an implantation. A total of 69 adverse events occurred in 57 of 119 trials (48%), 37 of 69 (54%) were drug related, 32 of 69 (46%) were procedure related, and 42 of 69 (61%) were minor. The ITB device was implanted in 69 of 75 patients (92%) at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous administration of ITB is an effective and useful alternative to ITB bolus application during ITB screening period. Half of the patients experienced adverse events; the majority were minor events.

Recovery of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy on Treatment With Ocrelizumab in a Patient With Co-Existing Multiple Sclerosis.

The chimeric anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has demonstrated good efficacy as an off-label treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), while the humanized anti-CD20 antibody ocrelizumab has been approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), whereas there is no evidence for its use in CIDP so far. We present a patient suffering from CIDP and MS, both refractory to standard treatment and both showing marked improvement on ocrelizumab. To the best of our knowledge, this is a unique report of CIDP with an almost full electrophysiological recovery on ocrelizumab which could be considered as a potential treatment option for refractory CIDP.

On the recovery of disorders of consciousness under intrathecal baclofen administration for severe spasticity-An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Occasionally, patients show dramatic recovery from disorders of consciousness (DOC) under intrathecal baclofen (ITB), an established treatment option for severe supraspinal spasticity. Anecdotal explanations for ITB-related recovery of cognition include modulation of afferent impulses at the spinal level, thereby reducing spasticity-related proprioceptive information overload within cortico-thalamo-cortical connections. OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective patient chart analysis, we assessed whether a reduction in spasticity would be associated with an increase in Coma Recovery Scale revised (CRS-R) scores in a larger sample of patients than previously published. METHODS: From a hospital-based ITB treatment register, we extracted data from 26 patients with DOC and severe supraspinal spasticity who improved by >2 points on the Coma Recovery Scale revised (CRS-R) within 6 months after ITB treatment initiation. We assessed Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scores and CRS-R scores on admission (PRE) and 3 and 6 months after initiation of ITB treatment (3M, 6M). We performed correlation analysis of the scores and their respective changes (PRE to 3M, 3M to 6M). We also correlated the time from acute event until ITB initiation to CRS-R scores at 3M and 6M. RESULTS: ITB led to significant improvement in spasticity based on MAS scores, which did not correlate to the improvements seen in CRS-R total and subscale scores. Daily ITB dose did neither correlate to MAS scores nor to CRS-total scores in the whole patient group, but after 3 months, ITB dose correlated to some CRS-R subscale scores in some patient subgroups. Time until ITB treatment did not correlate to CRS-R scores later on. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that ITB may exert beneficial effects in selected DOC patients with respect to improved cognitive functions, which, however, do not correlate to its antispastic effect. The lack of correlation between time to ITB and CRS-R outcome, but significant CRS-R improvements following pump implantation, renders spontaneous remissions unlikely and leaves room for alternative pharmacological mechanisms.

Experiences in treatment of multiple sclerosis with natalizumab from a real-life cohort over 15 years.

Natalizumab (NTZ) has been used for treatment of highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). When stopping NTZ the risk of severe rebound phenomenon has to be considered. We aimed to investigate the use of NTZ in clinical routine and focused on identification of potential risk factors for disease reactivation after treatment discontinuation. At the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, we identified all MS patients who were treated with NTZ and performed a retrospective analysis on therapeutic decision making, disease course before, during and after treatment with NTZ and on risk factors for disease reactivation after NTZ discontinuation. 235 NTZ treated MS patients were included, of whom 105 had discontinued treatment. At NTZ start disease duration was 5.09 (IQR 2.09-10.57) years, average number of total relapses was 4 (IQR 3-6) and median EDSS 2.0 (range 0-6.5), whereby these values significantly decreased over time. Reduction of annualized relapse rate (ARR) on treatment was 93% and EDSS remained stable in 64%. In multivariate regression models only conversion to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) on treatment was significantly associated with lower risk of disease reactivation after NTZ, while ARR before treatment was associated with earlier disease reactivation. We could confirm the high therapeutic efficacy of NTZ which trends to be used earlier in the disease course nowadays. Discontinuation of NTZ seems safe only in patients who convert to SPMS during treatment, while higher ARR before NTZ increases the risk of disease reactivation after treatment discontinuation.

Transverse myelitis as a rare presentation of antiphospholipid-antibody-associated disorders.

We report the case of a 35-year-old male patient suffering from a clinical and radiological manifestation of a transverse myelitis associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. After a challenging diagnosis the patient improved substantially due to immunosuppressive treatment. The demyelinating spinal cord lesion and the impressive therapeutic outcome may support the possibility of a direct binding of antiphospholipid antibodies to CNS antigens and consequently leading to a neuroimmunological pathomechanism distinct from the well-known pro-thrombotic effect of antiphospholipid antibodies. In terms of clinical routine diagnostic this case report highlights a rare but notable differential diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis-like syndromes.

Reversible cutaneous silent period abnormalities in vitamin B12 deficiency: A case report.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in adult and elderly patients and is often underdiagnosed because of its polymorphous manifestations. Neurological symptoms of this condition include subacute combined degeneration and polyneuropathy, with possible affection of thin-myelinated A-delta fibers. Cutaneous silent periods (CSPs) may serve to test small-diameter fiber function non-invasively, using routine electrodiagnostic equipment, but to the best of our knowledge have not been studied so far in vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: We report a 49-year-old male patient suffering from B12 hypovitaminosis due to autoantibodies against gastric parietal cells, who underwent neurophysiological investigation to confirm clinically suspected polyneuropathy during the first month of intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation. We performed standard electroneurography, needle electromyography in tibialis anterior muscle, quantitative sensory testing, and cutaneous silent periods six months after symptom onset and repeated the electrodiagnostic study 21 months later, after intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation. RESULTS: Standard electroneurography demonstrated axonal sensory polyneuropathy. Needle electromyography (EMG) in tibialis anterior muscle was unremarkable. Cutaneous silent periods in tibialis anterior muscle after noxious electrical sural nerve stimulation were delayed, with incomplete EMG suppression concurring with dysfunction of thin-myelinated A-delta fibers. Quantitative sensory testing revealed altered cold and warm perception thresholds in both upper limbs, but normal values in both lower limbs. A follow-up electrodiagnostic study after 21 months intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation revealed improvement of all neurophysiological findings, including normalization of cutaneous silent periods. CONCLUSIONS: Thin-myelinated A-delta fibers may be affected in B12 hypovitaminosis and may show recovery after intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation. CSP may serve to diagnose small fiber affection in this medical condition and to monitor their recovery after vitamin supplementation. SIGNIFICANCE: CSP testing represents a useful, non-invasive, rapidly available diagnostic and follow-up tool in vitamin B12 deficiency.

Intrathecal Baclofen in Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis.

Introduction: Treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a therapeutic option in the management of severe spasticity in patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). However, information on the impact of ITB on the natural course of disease, especially the effect of ITB on functional parameters over time is limited. Materials and Methods: We evaluated seven patients with HSP retrospectively who were treated with an ITB device. The following parameters were measured before (pre-implantation) and after implantation (post-implantation) of the ITB device at steady state dosage of ITB and annually until last follow-up: modified Ashworth Scale, Reflex Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and Rivermead Mobility Index. The ITB dosages were assessed after reaching steady state as well as annually until last follow-up. Results: The ITB device was implanted 13 ± 6 (range 9-16) years after diagnosis of HSP on average. Severe spasticity was controlled in all patients by a mean baclofen dosage of 188 ± 60 (range 145-230) µg per day at steady state post-implantation. The modified Ashworth Scale improved significantly from 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-3.25) to 1 (IQR 1-1.25; p = 0.046), as did the Reflex Scale from 5 (IQR 4.75-5) to 3 (IQR 2.75-3; p = 0.046) at steady state dosage of ITB. The modified Rankin Scale improved from 2 (IQR 2-2) to 1 (IQR 1-1.5; p = 0.083) and the Rivermead Mobility Index remained 14 (IQR 13.5-14 pre-implantation, IQR 14-14 post-implantation; p = 0.18). Post-implantation, spasticity improved for 2-3 years, followed by a stable phase of ambulatory and other mobility functions for 4-5 years. Thereafter, the maintenance or progressive loss of mobility depended on individual courses of the disease. No ITB-related severe side effects occurred. Discussion: Our data further support the role of ITB in the treatment of severe spasticity in patients with deteriorated walking performance suffering HSP. ITB therapy may initially improve spasticity and stabilize mobility functions for the first 6-8 years in patients with HSP.

Eleven years' experience with Intrathecal Baclofen - Complications, risk factors.

Objective: Treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is commonly used in patients with severe spasticity. However, complications may occur after implantation of the ITB-device, albeit mainly procedure- and device-related problems. The aim of the study was to assess surgical- as well as catheter- and pump-related complications and define their risk factors. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients with an implanted ITB-device who were treated at the Department of Neurology, Hochzirl Hospital, Zirl, Austria, between 2006 and 2016. Results: Twenty-nine of 116 (25%) patients experienced 32 complications: 5 procedure- and 27 device-related (4 pump- and 23 catheter-associated) problems occurred. Risk factors for sustaining any complication were a spinal localization of lesion (odds ratio [OR] OR 2.71, p = .021), other catheter types than an Ascenda® catheter (OR 3.87, p = .041), a lower modified Rankin Scale (median 4 vs. 5; OR 2.86, p = .015) and a higher Barthel Index (median 53 vs. 0; OR 2.84, p = .006). The median time from the last ITB-related surgery to the first complication was 18 (IQR 1-57) months. Overall, 47% complications occurred within the first year after any surgical procedure regarding the ITB-device, thereof 25% within the first month. Conclusions: Procedure- and device-related complications are frequent after implantation of an ITB-device with catheter-associated complications as the most frequently encountered problems. Patients with a spinal origin of spasticity, a lower modified Rankin Scale and a higher Barthel Index have a higher risk to sustain a complication.