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Muscle involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Lea Pitscheider1, Mario Karolyi2, Francesco R Burkert3
1Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
European Journal of Neurology
|September 30, 2020
Summary
Creatine kinase (CK) elevations occur similarly in COVID-19 and influenza. However, CK levels are lower in COVID-19 patients, correlating with inflammation and disease severity, with the cause of hyperCKemia remaining unclear.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) can cause neurological and muscle involvement.
- Elevated creatine kinase (CK) and myalgia are reported indicators of muscle damage in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate creatine kinase (CK) levels and their correlation with inflammation and disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- To compare CK levels and disease characteristics between COVID-19 and influenza patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Austria.
- Data collected included creatine kinase (CK), inflammation markers, comorbidities, and statin use.
- Disease severity was defined by intensive care unit (ICU) admission or mortality; comparison with historical influenza patient data.
Main Results:
- Creatine kinase (CK) elevation occurred in 27% of COVID-19 and 28% of influenza patients.
- CK levels correlated significantly with inflammation markers and disease severity in COVID-19.
- Despite more severe disease courses in COVID-19 patients, influenza patients exhibited higher baseline CK levels.
Conclusions:
- HyperCKemia frequency is similar in COVID-19 and influenza, but CK levels are lower in COVID-19.
- CK levels strongly correlate with inflammation markers and disease severity.
- The exact cause of hyperCKemia in COVID-19 (inflammatory response vs. direct muscle toxicity) requires further investigation.
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