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Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and myopathy in patients post‐ COVID‐19 infection
Author(s) -
Saif Dalia S.,
Ibrahem Reda Abdellatif,
Eltabl Mohamed A.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.14409
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , peripheral neuropathy , myopathy , peripheral , peripheral nervous system , epidemiology , central nervous system , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS‐CoV‐2), caused by the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19), has become a life‐threatening epidemic, affecting multiple organs, including the nervous system. Recent studies have documented that COVID‐19‐associated peripheral neuropathy is a common and frequent problem, with central and peripheral nervous system complications. Objective This work aims to evaluate the peripheral nerves and muscle involvement after COVID‐19 infection, in addition to studying the prevalence rate and risk factors of their affection. Methods The study involved 400 patients, divided into 2 groups, with a history of COVID‐19 infection with or without symptoms of neuromuscular affection, and 30 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy volunteers were involved as controls. They were referred to the Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation for electro‐diagnosis. All participants performed complete clinical examination and laboratory measures with an electrophysiological study. Results The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and myopathy in post‐COVID‐19 patients was 56.3% among all patients. A significant difference was detected among patients of both groups regarding serum creatine phosphokinase level, clinical signs, and electrophysiologic findings of neuropathy and myopathy compared to the control group, with more prominent features among the symptomatic group. Histories of hospitalization, severe and long‐lasting respiratory symptoms were risk factors for developing neuromuscular complications. Conclusions The present study could indicate that muscle involvement and peripheral nerve affection are common problems even among asymptomatic patients after COVID‐19 infection, especially in the presence of any risk factors.