Electroneurological changes in peripheral nerves in patients post-COVID

Various neurological manifestations are observed in about 36.4% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and post-COVID neuropathy is one of them. There is lack of studies describing neurophysiological abnormalities in peripheral nerves in case of patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in peripheral nervous system in case of COVID-19 survivors. In the presented study, 45 COVID-19 survivors who had nerve conduction study (NCS) were involved. Results were compared with control group consisting of healthy patients who had nerve conduction study before the COVID-19 pandemic. In our study group, neurophysiological abnormalities were present in the case of both sensory and motor nerve fibers. The most significant reduction of NCS parameters was observed in the case of sensory action potential amplitude of sural nerve. Moreover, that correlation was the most significant in the case of amplitude and conduction velocity in sensory and motor neuron fibers both in arms and legs. Those abnormalities were observed even 6 mo after COVID-19. Further investigation needs to be done regarding the polyneuropathies associated with human coronaviruses, and we should answer the question whether the virus directly damages peripheral nerves or factors mediating inflammatory response are responsible for the neural damage. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Various neurological manifestations are observed in about 36.4% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and post-COVID neuropathy is one of them. There is lack of studies describing neurophysiological abnormalities in peripheral nerves in case of patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in peripheral nervous system in case of COVID-19 survivors.