Experts have reported that Nigerians are facing a concerning trend of neurological manifestations due to long COVID, a condition referred to as neuro-long COVID. This phenomenon is recognized as one of the most debilitating effects of the virus, manifesting in symptoms such as persistent brain fog, mild cognitive impairment, overwhelming fatigue, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, and unusual sensations like pins and needles, as well as debilitating muscle pain.
Published in the esteemed Journal of NeuroVirology, the pivotal research was conducted by a dedicated team of scientists from the University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos State, working in collaboration with esteemed scientists from Northwestern University in the United States.
In their comprehensive analysis involving 2,319 participants, the researchers discovered that 106 individuals, representing 4.6% of the study group, were suffering from long COVID accompanied by neurologic symptoms. Alarmingly, some participants continue to endure these debilitating symptoms almost two years after their initial COVID-19 illness.
According to the researchers, long COVID, also termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), has emerged as a critical health issue affecting millions across the globe. While the neurologic manifestations of PASC, referred to as Neuro-PASC, rank among the most challenging symptoms faced by patients, they remain significantly underreported within the African continent.
Additionally, the study revealed that approximately 11.5% of individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia reported a significantly heightened incidence of long COVID symptoms, compared to just 3.9% of patients who experienced mild initial COVID-19 symptoms and were not hospitalized.
The researchers emphatically concluded that there exists an urgent need for enhanced screening, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies for neuro-long COVID within Nigeria. Dr. Igor Koralnik, Chief of Neuro-Infectious Disease and Global Neurology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, emphasized that the research was conducted not only to underscore the necessity for accurate diagnosis and clinical care for affected individuals but also to advocate for the establishment of specialized outpatient clinics to cater to these patients.
He further noted that their findings showcase the possibility of conducting substantial studies, even in resource-limited settings where various other pressing issues demand attention. Dr. Koralnik expressed hope that their data would lead to meaningful interventions aimed at alleviating the suffering of those impacted by neuro-long COVID.
Koralnik shared that the research group intends to employ similar methodologies they currently utilize in Chicago to treat brain fog and cognitive dysfunction in Nigerian patients suffering from neuro-long COVID.
A detailed breakdown of the predominant neurologic symptoms reported among study participants reveals a staggering 59.4% experiencing difficulty with memory and persistent brain fog, 55.7% suffering from extreme fatigue, 32% indicating sleep problems, and 31% plagued by headaches. Furthermore, 11.3% reported sensations of paresthesia or numbness akin to pins and needles, while 9.4% experienced myalgia or muscle pain.
The study effectively utilized a renowned screening tool known as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is widely adopted for identifying cognitive impairment. Among the 66 participants diagnosed with neuro-long COVID who underwent an in-person neurological evaluation and cognitive screening, a concerning 16.9% completed the assessment with results indicative of mild cognitive impairment.
