Background: Although COVID-19 has been linked to worse acute outcomes in patients with some neurodegenerative disorders, its long-term impact on dementia remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the outcomes of COVID-19 survivors with dementia. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 9806 patients with dementia in the Montefiore Health System (January 2016 to July 2023). Comparisons were made between dementia patients with and without a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase-chain-reaction test who had a follow-up at least two weeks post-infection. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), new-onset dysphagia, dyspnea, fatigue, new-onset sleep disturbances, altered mental status, first-time fall, headache, new-onset depression, and new-onset anxiety. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were computed adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and pre-existing comorbidities. Results: Dementia patients with COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be male, and had a higher prevalence of major pre-existing comorbidities compared to those without COVID-19. Patients who survived acute COVID-19 were more likely to die than non-COVID controls after adjusting for covariates (aHR = 1.65 [1.43, 1.91]). COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher risk of MACE (aHR = 1.58 [1.41, 1.78]), new-onset dysphagia (aHR = 1.64 [1.42, 1.91]), dyspnea (aHR = 1.27 [1.12, 1.44]), fatigue (aHR = 1.42 [1.22, 1.65]), new-onset sleep disturbances (aHR = 1.36 [1.15, 1.60]), altered mental status (aHR = 1.36 [1.16, 1.59]), and first-time fall (aHR = 1.34 [1.09, 1.65]). Conclusions: COVID-19 increases the risk of mortality and other adverse health outcomes in dementia patients. These findings highlight the need for closer follow-up and management strategies for dementia patients post-COVID-19.

Background/Objectives: Although COVID-19 has been linked to worse outcomes in patients with neurological disorders, its impact on those with essential tremor (ET) remains unclear. To investigate clinical outcomes of ET patients with and without COVID-19 three and a half years post-pandemic. Methods: 1074 ET patients were evaluated in this retrospective study in the Montefiore Health System from January 2016 to July 2023. Comparisons between ET patients with and without a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test were made. Outcomes included post-index date major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), new-onset sleep disturbances, fatigue, dyspnea, first-time fall, new-onset anxiety, new-onset depression, headache, new-onset imbalance, new-onset mild cognitive impairment, and all-cause mortality, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) adjusting for covariates were calculated. Results: ET patients with COVID-19 had higher prevalence of pre-existing type-2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety compared to ET patients without COVID-19. COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher risk of MACEs, (aHR = 2.39 [1.49, 3.82]), new-onset sleep disturbance, (aHR = 2.12 [1.44, 3.13]), fatigue, (aHR = 1.83 [1.27, 2.65]), dyspnea, (aHR = 1.98 [1.40, 2.80]), first-time fall, (aHR = 4.76 [2.24, 10.14]), new-onset anxiety, (aHR = 3.66 [2.02, 6.64]), and new-onset depression, (aHR = 2.38 [1.20, 4.70]). COVID-19 was not associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions: In patients with ET, COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of several long-term adverse health outcomes, but not mortality.

Background/Objectives: Although kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who are immune-compromised have been shown to be at high risk of adverse acute COVID-19 outcomes (i.e., mortality and critical illness), the long-term outcomes of KTRs with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection are unknown. We aimed to compare long-term outcomes of KTRs with and without exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated 1815 KTRs in the Montefiore Health System from 4 January 2001 to 31 January 2024. The final cohorts consisted of KTRs who survived COVID-19 (n = 510) and matched KTRs without COVID-19 (n = 510, controls). Outcomes were defined as all-cause mortality and changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) from 30 days up to four years post index date. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional modeling were performed for mortality. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze changes in eGFR and UPCR across time. Results: There was no significant group difference in long-term all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.66, [0.43, 1.01] p = 0.057). eGFR in controls and COVID-19 patients before infection similarly decreased −0.98 units/year [−1.50, −0.46]. By contrast, eGFR declined at a significantly greater rate (−1.80 units/year [−2.45, −1.15]) in KTRs after COVID-19 compared to KTRs without COVID-19. This association was only seen among male and not female KTRs. COVID-19 status was not significantly associated with rate of change in UPCR or acute kidney rejection rate. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an accelerated decline in eGFR up to four years post infection, suggesting potential long-term implications for graft health. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and management of kidney function post SARS-CoV-2 infection in this vulnerable population.

Hadidchi R, et al. J Clin Neurol. 2025 Jul;21(4):354-356. https://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2025.0155