Neuroscience Insights (May 2023)

Neuromuscular Disorders Associated With COVID-19

  • Larry Morgan,
  • Mary Hollist,
  • Katherine Au,
  • Lena Ayari,
  • Colton Betts,
  • Batool F Kirmani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/26331055231176251
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18

Abstract

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an enormous impact on practically every aspect of daily life, and those with neuromuscular disorders have certainly not been spared. The effects of COVID-19 infection are far-reaching, going well beyond respiratory symptoms alone. From simple myalgias to debilitating critical illness neuromyopathies, we continue to learn and catalog the diverse pathologies presented by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV-2) as it relates to the neuromuscular system. Complications have been documented both as a direct result of primary infection but also in those with pre-existing neuromuscular disorders from myasthenia gravis to devastating critical illness neuromyopathies. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between COVID-19 infection and critical illness neuromyopathy, peripheral nerve palsies, myalgias, positional compressive neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.