A recently published review in Vaccines shows COVID-19 vaccines may trigger Parsonage–Turner syndrome—a condition that causes intense pain and muscle atrophy.
A new systematic review suggests COVID-19 vaccination could trigger a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects the nerves outside the central nervous system, causing pain, muscle atrophy, and, in some cases, paralysis.
In a March 14 paper published in Vaccines, researchers found Parsonage–Turner syndrome (PTS) may occur after all COVID-19 vaccine types and can recur with additional doses of similar or unrelated vaccines.
To determine whether a relationship exists between COVID-19 vaccines and the development of PTS, researchers searched LitCOVID and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 databases through Jan. 25. They found 59 cases of PTS reported in the literature following COVID-19 vaccination. Of those 59 cases, 36 patients (61 percent) received an mRNA vaccine, and 18 patients (30 percent) received a viral vector vaccine.
Of those 36 patients who received an mRNA vaccine, 24 received Pfizer and 10 received Moderna. Of the 18 patients who received a viral vector vaccine, 15 received AstraZeneca and two received the Johnson & Johnson shot. Five patients received an unknown vaccine type.
After performing a causality assessment, researchers found 32 cases were “possibly caused by vaccination”—22 cases after mRNA vaccination, seven cases after viral vector vaccination, and three cases where the vaccine was unknown.
What Is Parsonage–Turner Syndrome?
PTS, or neuralgic amyotrophy, is a disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system characterized by the rapid onset of severe pain followed by significant muscular atrophy. It primarily affects the skull, shoulder, upper limbs, and the chest wall on one side of the body. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, PTS affects the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulders and arms. In some instances, nerves in the legs can also be involved.
