TH-248. Electrophysiologic changes in patients with new-onset neuromuscular disorder after COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Many neurological complications have been described in association with the COVID-19 infection. The pathogenesis of the complications associated with COVID-19 may arise due to direct invasion of the central nervous system, autoimmune mechanisms, and concomitant disease. We aimed in this study to investigate peripheral nerve and muscle function electrophysiologically in patients with neuromuscular symptoms following COVID-19 diagnosis. Method(s) In this study, the data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and December 2021 and who developed a new-onset neuromuscular disorder after COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed. Neuromuscular symptoms, neurological examination, nerve conduction studies (NCS) and concentric-needle electromyography (EMG) were obtained from the patient records. Result(s) Four female and nine male patients with a mean age 48.3+/- 9.3 years were enrolled. There were six cases (46.1%) with neuropathy, one case (7.5%) with myopathy, two cases (15.8%) with myastenia graves, one case (7.5%) with rhabdomyolysis and three cases (23.1%) with subclinical myopathic findings. Electrodiagnostic studies were obtained in all 13 patients. Mean time to performing electrodiagnostic study from onset of neurological symptom was 7 days with standard deviation of 6.25. 3 out of 6 patients with neuropathy had demyelinating patterns (prolonged motor latencies, severe conduction velocity slowing, and conduction blocks). Two patients had acute sensory motor axonal neuropathy and one had acute motor axonal neuropathy. Conclusion(s) More research is needed to fully understand the spectrum, pathogenesis, preventive strategies, and treatment of neuromuscular outcomes post-COVID-19. Copyright © 2022