The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on practically every aspect of daily life, and those with neuromuscular disorders have certainly not been spared. Early in the pandemic, the heterogeneity of disease was vast. The majority of cases involved mild upper respiratory symptoms, though some developed lower respiratory symptoms resulting in severe hypoxic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Cranial nerve deficits are the most common peripheral nerves affected. Olfactory dysfunction is seen in up to 80% of patients with COVID-19. Peripheral nerve palsies have also rarely been attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. Patients with severe COVID-19 often develop respiratory failure and require ventilatory support. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a fatal complication, occurs in response to hypoxia, inflammation, and resulting pulmonary edema. Approximately 5% of patients with COVID-19 progress to severe ARDS.
