LAUSR

Long sessions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and self-imposed restrictions have created a negative impact on patients with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Similarly, patients with degenerative cerebellar ataxia (CA) are also at risk for contracting COVID-19 infection and its complications, such as long-term COVID sequelae, referred to as “post-COVID-19 syndrome” or “long COVID.” Currently, there is no published report on the effects of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome in patients with CA. Here, we report our observations on the impact of COVID-19 in 102 genetically confirmed patients with spinocerebellar ataxia 12 (SCA12), which is one of the most common forms of hereditary ataxia in North India. During the COVID-19-related lockdown period from April 2021 to June 2021, the patients were followed up routinely via telephone. We conducted a structured telephone interview to identify the implications and outcomes of COVID-19 using a questionnaire prepared by movement disorder experts. Of 102 patients, 28% (29; 21 male and 8 female) were infected with COVID-19 (COVID-19-SCA12). The mean age and disease duration at interview were 59.73 (SD 10.02) and 8.0 (SD 4.63) years, respectively. Demography, other characteristics, COVID-19-related issues, and outcomes among COVID-19-positive and -negative patients with SCA12 are listed in Table 1. About 83% of all patients with SCA12 had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Among patients with COVID-19-SCA12, deterioration of gait, tremors, slurred speech, and weakness were reported by 27.5%, 17%, 7%, and 10%, respectively, during the pandemic. Daily activities were performed independently by 66% of patients, while 24% needed support. Hypertension (21%) and diabetes (31%) dominated as comorbid illnesses. History of contact with COVID-19-infected family members or workplace cohabitants was confirmed by 31% of patients. Hospitalization was required in 24%, while 76% of patients recovered in home isolation. The most frequent COVID symptoms were low-grade fever (90%), weakness (90%), and coughing (41%). The majority of patients (92%) recovered within 4 weeks of onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Three patients died in the hospital. Two patients experienced post-COVID complications: one experienced short-term memory loss, and the other had a temporary confused mental state. The frequency of covid-19 infection in our SCA 12 patients was not very different (28% vs. 24.1%) from national seroprevalence data of the general population in India. High vaccination rate in patients with SCA12 could be attributed to their living in relatively larger cities, their higher education level, and their older age, which made them eligible for early vaccination. The phenotype of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our patients with SCA12 concur with existing literature on the most prevalent COVID-19 symptoms in the general adult population. Recovery of patients with COVID-19-SCA12 matched with acute COVID-19 timelines. We believe that prolonged confinement to homes and disruption in rehabilitation sessions may have contributed to the worsening of ataxic symptoms in patients with SCA12. We