Stanley Soares Xavier

Prof. Stanley Soares Xavier


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 October 2026 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Camilla Costa SilvaCamilla Costa Silva
Camilla Costa Silva
KMKarina Carvalho Marques
Karina Carvalho Marques
PNPablo Neves
Pablo Neves
DMDaniel Carvalho de Menezes
Daniel Carvalho de Menezes
SXStanley Soares Xavier
Stanley Soares Xavier
LFLuiz Fábio Magno Falcão
Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão
Background: Neuromuscular dysfunction in long COVID remains poorly understood, and conventional biomarkers of muscle injury often fail to account for persistent symptoms. This study aimed to compare laboratory biomarkers and neuromuscular outcomes by sex, long COVID duration, and hospitalisation status, and examine the association between neuromuscular outcomes and laboratory biomarkers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 153 adults with long COVID underwent clinical, body composition, handgrip strength, surface electromyography, and laboratory assessments, including creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin, sodium, potassium, and calcium. Analyses were stratified by sex, disease duration, and hospitalisation. Results: Significant between-group differences in laboratory and neuromuscular variables were more frequent among men than among women. Hospitalised women had lower muscle mass and higher body fat than non-hospitalised women. Men with longer long COVID duration differed in CK, ferritin, haemoglobin, and vastus lateralis electromyographic activity. Ferritin, calcium, potassium, haemoglobin, and LDH showed consistent, modest multivariate associations with neuromuscular outcomes. The haemoglobin–ferritin–ESR axis correlated most consistently with muscle mass and handgrip strength. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest a sex-specific pattern and a consistent haemoglobin–ferritin–ESR axis in long COVID, requiring confirmation in longitudinal studies.