COVID-19 infection in patients with late-onset Pompe disease

Muscle Nerve. 2021 Dec 24. doi: 10.1002/mus.27482.

PMID: 34952985

Jennifer Avelar, Marie Wencel, Anastasia Chumakova

Highlights: Individuals with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) remain at high risk and should receive COVID-19 vaccinations and exercise precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19 infection.

Abstract

Introduction/aims: Individuals with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disorders are more likely to develop severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 2019 (SARS-CoV2/COVID-19). The impact on patients with neuromuscular problems is concerning, although little is known about it. Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a lysosomal storage disorder that causes progressive degeneration of the skeletal and respiratory muscles. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. The effect of COVID-19 on these patients was investigated.

Methods: This is a case study of four LOPD patients that were infected with COVID-19.

Results: COVID-19 caused mild to moderate illness in all of the patients, and they did not require hospitalization. One had neurological deterioration, whereas the other three had no change in physical ability, and all four had stable respiratory symptoms.

Discussion: In certain LOPD patients, COVID-19 infection can have a benign prognosis. Individuals with LOPD, on the other hand, remain at high risk and should obtain COVID-19 immunizations and take steps to avoid infection.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, fatigue, late-onset Pompe disease, pulmonary disease