Longitudinal Analysis of Quadriceps Muscle Strength in Patients with Previous COVID-19 Hospitalization and in Patients with Post-Acute Sequelae following Mild COVID-19.
Anouk A F StoffelsEsther L van VoorthuizenHieronymus W H van HeesJeannette B PetersHanneke A C van HelvoortNicol C VoermansJonne Doorduinvan den Borst BPublished in: Nutrients (2022)
Muscle weakness is a prominent symptom in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). However, few studies have objectively and longitudinally assessed muscle strength after varying COVID-19 severity grades. This observational study aimed to explore the prevalence, determinants, and 1.5 years change of quadriceps muscle weakness in 98 patients discharged from COVID-19 hospitalization and in 50 patients with PASC following mild COVID-19. Isometric quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was assessed on a computerized dynamometer at three visits. Also, in a subgroup of 14 post-COVID-19 patients with quadriceps muscle weakness, muscle thickness and echo intensity were determined by muscle ultrasound of nine upper and lower extremity muscles. Muscle weakness was found in 59% of post-hospitalized patients and in 65% of those with PASC following mild COVID-19 at ~14 weeks after acute COVID-19. Whereas during ~1.5 years follow-up MVC modestly improved, muscle weakness prevalence remained unchanged. Hospital length of stay and diabetes mellitus were identified as possible predictors of muscle weakness following COVID-19 hospitalization. No predictors could be identified in those with PASC following mild COVID-19. Ultrasound outcomes revealed no large structural abnormalities. In conclusion, clinically relevant muscle weakness is common after COVID-19 and its long-term improvement is poor. Future studies with relevant control groups are warranted to confirm our data.
Keyphrases
- coronavirus disease
- sars cov
- skeletal muscle
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- magnetic resonance imaging
- type diabetes
- magnetic resonance
- metabolic syndrome
- liver failure
- risk factors
- intensive care unit
- healthcare
- machine learning
- hepatitis b virus
- randomized controlled trial
- blood pressure
- clinical trial
- adipose tissue
- cross sectional
- optical coherence tomography
- insulin resistance
- big data
- ultrasound guided
- body composition
- artificial intelligence
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- patient reported outcomes