Case Report: Overlap Between Long COVID and Functional Neurological Disorders.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, termed long COVID, affect a significant patient proportion.
• Long COVID symptoms can manifest in various patient groups, including those with asymptomatic acute infections.
• A potential overlap exists between long COVID and functional neurological disorders (FNDs).

Observation:

• A case report details a 23-year-old male with asymptomatic COVID-19 who developed fatigue, dyspnea, tachycardia, chest pain, cognitive difficulties, and limb dysesthesia.
• Neurological examination led to an FND diagnosis, concurrent with a long COVID-19 syndrome diagnosis from a post-COVID center.
• The patient underwent psychoanalytic psychotherapy and physical therapy for FNDs.

Findings:

• Following 4 months of targeted FND treatment, the patient experienced resolution of dysesthesia and motor symptoms, with significant improvement in cognitive complaints.
• Mild persistent symptoms continued to limit physical activities, indicating incomplete recovery.
• The case highlights that functional symptoms can coexist with long COVID symptoms.

Implications:

• Shared underlying mechanisms, such as stress and inflammation, may link long-term post-COVID symptoms and FNDs.
• Targeted interventions for FNDs may improve outcomes for patients with coexisting long COVID symptoms.
• Considering FND diagnosis in patients with new, fluctuating symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for comprehensive patient care.