SEVERE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYNDROME IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY FAILURE A SERIAL CASES

Abstract

COVID-19 pneumonia infection is a disease that can cause morbidity and mortality in the care of critical patients in the Covid-specific Intensive Care Unit. One of the morbidities that occur in patients is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome which can aggravate the condition of patients with acute respiratory failure. We presented 9 cases of patients with clinical conditions of Covid 19 Pneumonia accompanied by acute respiratory failure. These patients experienced severe neuropsychiatric syndromes, including excessive anxiety, delirium, acute psychosis, to encephalopathy. Monitoring is done by daily measurements of agitation levels, awareness, and psychological orientation of patients using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale score (RASS score). The patient's clinical condition and organ dysfunction were measured using the organ failure sequence score (SOFA) and APACHE II score. Patients were obtained a gradual worsening of the neuropsychiatric syndrome, which is not well recognized at the beginning of treatment. Finally, it has become a complication in the form of tentament suicide and organ failure in the form of encephalopathy. This case series concludes that early recognizing and conducting clinical management of neuropsychiatric syndrome symptoms in Covid-19 Pneumonia patients is needed. In patients with acute respiratory failure treated intensively in ICU, this syndrome can increase the risk of morbidity, mortality and improve patient outcomes.