COVID‐19 infection and vaccination in patients with skeletal muscle channelopathies

Abstract

Introduction/Aims Although we have gained insight into coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 since the beginning of the pandemic, our understanding of the consequences for patients with neuromuscular disorders is evolving. In this study we aimed to study the impact of COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 vaccination on skeletal muscle channelopathies. Methods We conducted a survey of patients with genetically confirmed skeletal muscle channelopathies seen at the UK Nationally Commissioned Channelopathy Service. Results Thirty‐eight patient responses were received. Six patients had COVID‐19 infection leading to exacerbation of their underlying muscle channelopathy. No major complications were reported. Thirty‐six patients had received one or two COVID‐19 vaccinations and the majority (68%) had no worsening of their underlying channelopathy. Thirty‐two percent reported worsening of their usual symptoms of their muscle channelopathy, but all reported recovery to baseline levels. No serious adverse events were reported. Discussion The overall rates of COVID‐19 infection were low in our study and COVID‐19 vaccine uptake rates were high. Our results have been useful to inform patients that a subset of patients have reversible worsening of their channelopathy post–COVID‐19 vaccination. Our study provides information for giving advice to patients with skeletal muscle channelopathies regarding COVID‐19 infection and vaccination.

Adherence and Reactogenicity to Vaccines against SARS-COV-2 in 285 Patients with Neuropathy: A Multicentric Study

“…The higher reactogenicity following vaccination in females could be explained by the higher immune systemic response to non-self-antigen (e.g., spike protein); indeed, women are more prone to developing autoimmune disorders [ 30 ]. A total of 35 patients (13%) reported a symptom worsening following vaccination, which is lower than reported by Vivekanandam et al in a cohort of patients with channelopathies (38%) [ 31 ]. Finally, an association between the occurrence of AEs (asthenia, fever, and myalgia; Table 3 ), having had COVID-19 before vaccination, as well as age comprised between 18 and 30 were factors associated with higher odds of perceived worsening of the neuropathy-related symptoms after vaccination ( Table 3 ).…”

Factors associated with the severity of COVID‐19 outcomes in people with neuromuscular diseases: Data from the International Neuromuscular COVID‐19 Registry

“…To date there have been few studies that have investigated COVID‐19 outcomes and factors associated with these outcomes in patients with NMDs, and most of them have looked at small numbers of subjects and/or a single NMD [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. NMDs are often rare conditions when considered individually, and currently there is a knowledge gap regarding the clinical outcome of COVID‐19 in this patient group.…”