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Mavroudis I, Petridis F, Petroaie AD, Ciobica A, Kamal FZ, Honceriu C, Iordache A, Ionescu C, Novac B, Novac O. Exploring Symptom Overlaps: Post-COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome and Post-Concussion Syndrome in Athletes. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1587. [PMID: 39062160 PMCID: PMC11274969 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges in managing neurological conditions, particularly among athletes. This paper explores the intersection of post-COVID-19 neurological syndrome (PCNS/PASC) and post-concussion syndrome (PCS), focusing on their implications in sports medicine. Our analysis covers the symptomatology, pathophysiology, and management strategies for PCNS/PASC and PPCS, with special attention paid to the unique challenges faced by athletes recovering from these conditions, including the risk of symptom exacerbation and prolonged recovery. Key findings reveal that both PCNS/PASC and PPCS present with overlapping symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, exercise intolerance, and mental health issues, but differ in specific manifestations like anosmia and ageusia, unique to COVID-19. Pathophysiological analysis reveals similarities in blood-brain barrier disruption (BBB) but differences in the extent of immune activation. Management strategies emphasize a gradual increase in physical activity, close symptom monitoring, and psychological support, with a tailored approach for athletes. Specific interventions include progressive aerobic exercises, resistance training, and cognitive rehabilitation. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of integrating neurology, psychiatry, physical therapy, and sports medicine to develop comprehensive care strategies. Our findings underscore the dual challenge of COVID-19 and concussion in athletes, necessitating a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to effective management. Future research should focus on the long-term neurological effects of both conditions and optimizing treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for advancing the management of athletes affected by these overlapping conditions and ensuring their safe return to sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Mavroudis
- Department of Neuroscience, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
- Faculty of Medicine, Leeds University, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Foivos Petridis
- Third Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Antoneta Dacia Petroaie
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (C.I.)
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Bd. Carol I, no. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Str. Splaiul Independentei no. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
- “Ioan Haulica” Institute, Apollonia University, Pãcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Fatima Zahra Kamal
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Processes and Materials, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Hassan First University, B.P. 539, Settat 26000, Morocco
| | - Cezar Honceriu
- Faculty of Physical Education, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Iordache
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Cătălina Ionescu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (C.I.)
- Clinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Novac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
| | - Otilia Novac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.I.); (O.N.)
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Tai K, Leland EM, Seal SM, Schneider ALC, Rowan NR, Kamath V. Olfactory Dysfunction Following Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neuropsychol Rev 2023; 33:717-732. [PMID: 36070126 PMCID: PMC10040093 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09563-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reports of smell loss following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are a well-documented but understudied phenomenon. Given the broad consequences of olfactory loss, we characterized psychophysical olfactory dysfunction in individuals with moderate to severe TBI using systematic review and meta-analytic methods. METHODS Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol, five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) were reviewed for studies investigating olfactory dysfunction in persons with moderate to severe TBI. Of the 5,223 studies reviewed, 19 met our inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 11 met inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. We calculated effect sizes (Hedges' g) to characterize the degree of olfactory dysfunction between patients with moderate to severe TBI and controls. RESULTS A total of 951 moderate-severe TBI patients from 19 studies were included in the systematic review, which largely demonstrated poorer olfactory psychophysical performances in this patient population. Meta-analysis demonstrated a large effect size for olfactory dysfunction in moderate-severe TBI relative to healthy controls (g=-2.43, 95%CI: -3.16 < δ<-1.69). The magnitude of the effect was moderated by age and patient sex, with larger effect sizes associated with older age (following exclusion of a pediatric population) and larger compositions of women in the patient group. CONCLUSION Moderate to severe TBI is associated with prominent olfactory dysfunction. Significant research gaps remain regarding the mechanism, recovery and natural history of olfactory dysfunction following moderate to severe TBI, which has significant clinical implications for the identification and treatment for those with post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Tai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evelyn M Leland
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stella M Seal
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea L C Schneider
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vidyulata Kamath
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer 218, 21287-7218, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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