Objective:

To describe the incidence of localized paralysis or paresis of muscle groups in the upper limb (UL) and lower limb (LL) in subjects after infection with SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to physical therapy in a rehabilitation center in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), and to describe the clinical-demographic characteristics of the subjects.

Materials and methods:

This is a descriptive, observational, and retrospective study. Data were obtained from the medical records of hospitalized subjects. The presence of paresis or paralysis of muscle groups in the UL and LL, time of COVID-19 clinical course, medical history, medication, duration in prone position, age, and sex were registered. A statistical significance of p<0.05 was considered.

Results:

A total of 84 subjects were included; of them, 85% (n=71) of the subjects were men, with a median age of 62 years. The total incidence of localized paralysis or paresis of the muscle groups in the UL and LL was 57% (n=84). Forty-nine percent (n=41) of the subjects had arterial hypertension (AHT); 30 (n=25) diabetes and 29% (n=24) obesity. Eighty-nine percent (n=75) of the subjects took 3 or more medications, and 56% (n=47) were in the prone position.

Conclusion:

The total incidence of paresis or paralysis of the muscle groups in the UL and LL was 57% (n=84) in subjects after infection with SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to physical therapy in a rehabilitation center in CABA. Fifty-six percent (n=47) of the subjects were in prone position. Most of the subjects were 62 years old, with a 55-day course of COVID-19, AHT, and polypharmacy.

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