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Review
. 2021 Oct 1;34(5):669-674.
doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000970.

Neuromuscular complications of coronavirus disease-19

Joome Suh  1 , Anthony A Amato
Affiliations
Review

Neuromuscular complications of coronavirus disease-19

Joome Suh et al. Curr Opin Neurol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Since its outbreak in Wuhan, China in late 2019, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. The number of affected cases and deaths continues to rise. Primarily a respiratory illness, COVID-19 is now known to affect various organ systems including peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle. The purpose of this review is to discuss the scope of neuromuscular manifestations and complications of COVID-19.

Recent findings: Several neuromuscular conditions, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and myositis, have been reported in patients infected with COVID-19, but even with a temporal association, a causal relationship remains unproven. Direct invasion of neurons or myocytes by the virus, and immune-mediated injury have been speculated but not consistently demonstrated. In addition to potentially causing the above conditions, COVID-19 can trigger exacerbations of preexisting neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis, and severe infections can lead to critical illness myopathy/polyneuropathy.

Summary: COVID-19 appears to be potentially associated with a wide range of neuromuscular manifestations and complications. Further studies are needed to examine these possible associations, understand the pathogenesis, and develop preventive and treatment strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.S.: none.

A.A.A. has served on medical advisory boards for Johnson and Johnson, Alexion, Sarepta, CSL Behring, Strongbridge Pharma.

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
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See this image and copyright information in PMC

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