De-novo Peripheral Neurological Complications Following COVID-19 Vaccinations

Abstract

Abstract Background Following the COVID-19 virus epidemic, extensive, coordinated international research had led to the rapid development of effective vaccines. Although COVID-19 vaccines were considered the best way to achieve collective safety and control mortality, they had the potential to induce a plethora of peripheral nervous system diseases (PNS). Aim of the Work The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in peripheral nervous system in case of post COVID-19 vaccinations by using electrophysiological modalities. This study identified a specific peripheral neurological risk profile for each vaccine and a clinical profile for those who more vulnerable to develop neurological complications after COVID-19 vaccines. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on twenty-five patients who started to develop de-novo peripheral neurological complications after COVID-19 vaccination. The patients were enrolled from the outpatient clinic of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical medicine as well as neurology department of Ain Shams University hospitals. Results Twenty-five reported cases of peripheral nervous system (PNS) affection manifesting after receiving COVID-19 vaccines had been analyzed in this work. Thirteen (52%) were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mostly, cases manifested after receiving AstraZeneca 15 (60%) and Pfizer 5 (20%) vaccines. Affected individuals usually presented following the first dose 16 (64%). Furthermore, the most frequently reported symptom was paresthesia (52%). The side-effects severity was greater after the AstraZeneca vaccine (88.89%). Moreover, several manifestations of PNS affection were observed, but the Guillain-Barre-Syndrome (GBS) was of higher incidence (48%). Conclusion This is one of comprehensive reviews discussing the new onset of clinical presentation of various peripheral neurological adverse events following the four most commonly available COVID-19 vaccines, confirmed by using electrodiagnostic studies.