Medicina (Apr 2022)

Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients Recovering from Severe COVID-19: A Case Series

  • Pietro Balbi,
  • Annamaria Saltalamacchia,
  • Francesco Lullo,
  • Salvatore Fuschillo,
  • Pasquale Ambrosino,
  • Pasquale Moretta,
  • Bernardo Lanzillo,
  • Mauro Maniscalco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58040523
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 58, no. 4
p. 523

Abstract

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Background and Objectives: Neurological manifestations have been reported in a significant proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in a large group of convalescent COVID-19 patients undergoing in-hospital multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Convalescent COVID-19 patients admitted to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit were consecutively screened for inclusion within 48 h of discharge from an acute care setting. All included patients underwent electrophysiological examinations. Results: Among 102 enrolled patients (mean age 62.0 years, 82.4% males), PNS electrophysiological alterations were detected in 42.2%. Mononeuropathies exclusively involving the peroneal nerve were observed in 8.8% (n = 9), while multiple mononeuropathies were similarly reported in nine patients (8.8%). A symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy was documented in 24.5% of participants (n = 25). A significant difference was found for exercise capacity and pulmonary function in post hoc comparisons between the three study groups. Conclusions: The risk of neuropathy in the convalescent phase of COVID-19 is relevant. This should be considered when planning multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies.

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