Autonomic and neuropathic complaints of long-COVID objectified: an investigation from electrophysiological perspective

Abstract

Purpose Here , we aimed to assess the frequency and phenomenology of autonomic and neuropathic complaints of long-COVID and to evaluate them by means of electrophysiology. Methods Step 1. Patients with prior COVID-19 infection were screened by COMPASS-31 and mTORONTO to create the target population for further evaluation. Step 2. Patients with high scores were invited for a detailed history of their complaints and electrophysiological analysis, which included nerve conduction studies, cutaneous silent period (CSP), and sympathetic skin response (SSR). We also constituted a control group composed of healthy subjects of similar age and sex for electrophysiological analysis. Results There were 106 patients, who matched the study criteria. Among them, thirty-eight patients (%35.8) had neuropathic or autonomic complaints or both. Fatigue and headache were significantly more frequent in patients with autonomic and neuropathic complaints. Detailed examination and electrophysiological evaluation were performed in 14 of 38 patients. Neuropathic complaints were patchy and proximally located in the majority. The entire CSP suppression index was higher in the patients (p = 0.002). There was no difference in palmar and plantar SSR between patients and healthy subjects. mTORONTO scores were negatively correlated with palmar and plantar SSR amplitudes, and the correlation was moderate. Conclusion Neuropathic or autonomic complaints were seen in more than one-third of patients with long-COVID. Neuropathic complaints were generally patchy, proximally predominant, asymmetric, or diffuse. The CSP suppression index was abnormal whereas SSRs were normal.