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Myopathic changes in patients with long-term fatigue after COVID-19
J Agergaard1, S Leth2, T H Pedersen3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Summary
Long-term COVID-19 can cause muscle damage (myopathy), not nerve damage, in some patients. This myopathy may explain persistent physical fatigue and muscle pain following the infection, even in those not hospitalized.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Physiology
Background:
- Persistent neuromuscular symptoms are reported following Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Electrophysiological assessment is crucial for diagnosing peripheral nerve and muscle disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To electrophysiologically investigate peripheral nerve and muscle function in patients with long-term neuromuscular symptoms after COVID-19.
- To determine if COVID-19 causes neuropathy or myopathy in affected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Included 20 patients with suspected neuropathy post-COVID-19.
- Performed nerve conduction studies (NCS) and quantitative electromyography (qEMG) on three muscles.
- Compared findings with 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Quantitative electromyography (qEMG) revealed myopathic changes in 55% of patients.
- Motor unit potential duration was significantly shorter in patients compared to controls.
- Physical fatigue was reported by all patients with myopathic changes and some without.
Conclusions:
- Long-term COVID-19 does not appear to cause large fiber neuropathy.
- Myopathic changes are evident in the muscles of patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19.
- Myopathy is a potential contributor to physical fatigue in long-term COVID-19 survivors, including non-hospitalized individuals.
Keywords:
Long-term COVID-19 illnessMyopathyPhysical fatiguePolyneuropathyQuantitative electromyographySARS-COV-2More Related Videos
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