DOI: 10.12890/2025_005907

Acute viral-induced myopathy following COVID-19

Authors

  • Ragda A. Kahiyah Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, North Zealand hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
  • Aymen Alkarawi Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Hvidovre hospital, Copenghagen, Denmark

ragda.aladdin.shakir.kahiyah@regionh.dk

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, viral infection, myopathy

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with myopathies that may arise from immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, or possible direct viral injury, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Recognizing these cases is clinically important, as they can resemble primary autoimmune myopathies but may follow a different course and prognosis.
Case report: We report a 59-year-old previously healthy woman who developed acute myopathy shortly after COVID-19. She presented with diffuse myalgia, fatigue, exertional dyspnoea, dizziness, fine motor difficulties, and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination showed preserved reflexes, no sensory deficits, and normal cerebrospinal fluid, excluding Guillain–Barré syndrome and transverse myelitis. Laboratory tests revealed elevated lactate dehydrogenase (616 U/l; ref. 105–205), alanine aminotransferase (239 U/l; ref. <70), and plasma myoglobin (60–74 µg/l; ref. <45). The myositis antibody panel was negative except for isolated CHD4 (anti-Mi-2) positivity, deemed non-specific. She was treated with intravenous fluids, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and physiotherapy. Symptoms resolved within 1 week, and she was discharged on day 10. At 6-month follow-up, she remained fully recovered without recurrence.
Conclusion: This case illustrates that COVID-19 can cause acute, self-limiting viral myopathy in otherwise healthy individuals, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness and supportive management.

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References

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Published

2025-12-03

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 12 (2025)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Kahiyah RA, Alkarawi A. Acute viral-induced myopathy following COVID-19. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 3 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(12). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5907