Electrodiagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients of an underserved population with neuromuscular complaints: case series

Abstract

Introduction: Persistent neuromuscular symptoms have occurred in some patients after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection requiring hospitalization. Objective: This is a retrospective chart review of an underserved patient population referred to our electrodiagnostic [electromyography (EMG)] laboratory with persistent neuromuscular symptoms after COVID-19 infection hospitalization and recovery. Methods: A retrospective review of EMG charts from March 2020 to May 2022 was conducted in an underserved county hospital of a major urban city. History of COVID-19 infection with neuromuscular symptoms that began during hospitalization was included in the study. Demographic, neuromuscular symptoms, EMG data, and diagnosis are reported in this study. Results: Fifteen cases are included in this series. All the patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, most required intubation in the intensive care unit. Overall, 86.7% were Hispanic, 6.7% African American, and 6.7% Asian. This compares to 57% Hispanic in this county’s hospital population in general. EMG results diagnoses include sciatic neuropathies, brachial plexopathy, radiculopathy/polyradiculopathy, amyotrophy, and multiple proximal mononeuropathies. Conclusions: This case series reports EMG findings in patients post-COVID-19 infection in an underserved county hospital population. Interestingly, many neuropathies were not in the conventional compression sites seen with prolonged immobility in intensive care settings.