Abstract
Accumulating evidence in the third year of the global pandemic suggests that coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause neuromuscular complications during or after the
acute phase of infection. Direct viral infection and immune-mediated mechanisms have
been hypothesized. Furthermore, in patients with underlying autoimmune neuromuscular
diseases, COVID-19 infection may trigger a disease flare. COVID-19 vaccines appear
to be safe and effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19. Certain vaccines
are associated with an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome and possibly Bell's
palsy, but the absolute incidence is low, and benefits likely outweigh the risks.
Newer prophylactic therapies and treatments are also becoming available for patients
who may not mount a sufficient response to vaccination or have contraindications.
In this article, we discuss the current available evidence on neuromuscular complications
of COVID-19 and clinical considerations regarding vaccination.
Keywords
COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - neuromuscular - Gullain-Barre syndrome - myasthenia - myositis
- immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy
