tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Brain Sci
. 2021 Dec 6;11(12):1611.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci11121611.
COVID-19 Neuromuscular Involvement in Post-Acute Rehabilitation
Sergio Bagnato[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Manfredi Ferraro[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Cristina Boccagni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Gianluca Battaglia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tiziana D'Agostino[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Caterina Prestandrea[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marina Angela Bellavia[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesca Rubino[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with muscle and nerve injuries as a consequence of prolonged critical illness or the infection itself. In this study, we evaluated neuromuscular involvement in patients who underwent post-acute intensive rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Methods: Clinical and neurophysiological evaluations, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography, were performed on 21 consecutive patients admitted for rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Results: Clinical signs suggesting muscle or nerve involvement (weakness, reduced deep tendon reflexes, impaired sensitivity, abnormal gait) were found in 19 patients. Neurophysiological examinations confirmed neuromuscular involvement in 17 patients: a likely association of critical illness myopathy (CIM) and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) was found in 5 patients; CIM alone was found in 4 patients; axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy was found in 4 patients (CIP in 2 patients, metabolic polyneuropathy in 2 patients); Guillain-Barré syndrome was found in 2 patients (classical demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy and acute motor axonal neuropathy, respectively); peroneal nerve injury was found in 1 patient; and pre-existing L4 radiculopathy was found in 1 patient.
Conclusions: Neuromuscular involvement is a very common finding among patients admitted for rehabilitation after COVID-19, and proper investigation should be conducted when muscle or nerve injury is suspected for adequate rehabilitative strategy planning.
Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; acute motor axonal neuropathy; critical illness myopathy; critical illness polyneuropathy; demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy; electromyography; neurological manifestations; peripheral nerve injury; positioning nerve injury.
. 2021 Dec 6;11(12):1611.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci11121611.
COVID-19 Neuromuscular Involvement in Post-Acute Rehabilitation
Sergio Bagnato[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Manfredi Ferraro[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Cristina Boccagni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Gianluca Battaglia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tiziana D'Agostino[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Caterina Prestandrea[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marina Angela Bellavia[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesca Rubino[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34942912
- DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121611
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with muscle and nerve injuries as a consequence of prolonged critical illness or the infection itself. In this study, we evaluated neuromuscular involvement in patients who underwent post-acute intensive rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Methods: Clinical and neurophysiological evaluations, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography, were performed on 21 consecutive patients admitted for rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Results: Clinical signs suggesting muscle or nerve involvement (weakness, reduced deep tendon reflexes, impaired sensitivity, abnormal gait) were found in 19 patients. Neurophysiological examinations confirmed neuromuscular involvement in 17 patients: a likely association of critical illness myopathy (CIM) and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) was found in 5 patients; CIM alone was found in 4 patients; axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy was found in 4 patients (CIP in 2 patients, metabolic polyneuropathy in 2 patients); Guillain-Barré syndrome was found in 2 patients (classical demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy and acute motor axonal neuropathy, respectively); peroneal nerve injury was found in 1 patient; and pre-existing L4 radiculopathy was found in 1 patient.
Conclusions: Neuromuscular involvement is a very common finding among patients admitted for rehabilitation after COVID-19, and proper investigation should be conducted when muscle or nerve injury is suspected for adequate rehabilitative strategy planning.
Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; acute motor axonal neuropathy; critical illness myopathy; critical illness polyneuropathy; demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy; electromyography; neurological manifestations; peripheral nerve injury; positioning nerve injury.