[Prospects and possibilities for the treatment of patients with long COVID-19 syndrome].

AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of a drug product based on the succinic acid complex with trimethylhydrazine used to treat patients with asthenic syndrome after a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of sequential therapy with Brainmax® enrolled 160 patients 12-16 weeks after coronavirus infection (no more than 12 months). The study was conducted at 6 healthcare centers in different regions of the Russian Federation. At the enrollment, clinical and neurological examination and the following tests were performed: complete blood count, urinalysis, blood chemistry, coagulation test, pulse oximetry, electrocardiography, glomerular filtration rate calculation (according to Cockcroft-Gault formula) were performed. Also, the patients were assessed using the following tools: VAS headache rating scale, MFI-20 asthenia scale, PSQI index, FAS-10 fatigue assessment scale, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), MoCA-test for cognitive impairment assessment, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Kérdö Autonomic Index. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was the mean reduction in the MFI-20 asthenia scale score after the therapy (Visit 5, 41st day of therapy) compared to data from Visit 0 (beginning of therapy). A clinically significant advantage of the study drug versus the placebo was demonstrated, with a median absolute change in the MFI-20 score of -19.5 [-27; -11] points in the Brainmax® drug group and -3 [-7; 1] score in the placebo group (p<0.001). A significant sleep quality improvement according to the PSQI index was shown in the study group: by -2.5 [-4; -1] points versus no improvement in the placebo group (0 [-3; 0], p<0,001). Significant differences were also noted for the following secondary endpoints: PSQI sleep quality scale, FAS-10 fatigue assessment scale, DHI, and Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory. There was also a decrease in patients' complaints of cognitive deterioration according to the CGI scale. CONCLUSION: Our study clearly demonstrated the efficacy and high safety profile of Brainmax® in a representative sample of patients with the post-COVID syndrome.

[Asthenic post-COVID syndrome]. / Astenicheskii postkovidnyi sindrom.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy for post-COVID asthenic syndrome with multicomponent bioregulatory drugs Traumeel S, Ubichinon compositum and Coenzyme compositum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 104 patients (averaged age 39.5 [30.8; 48] years) after COVID-19, clinically recovered from an acute infectious process, with asthenic syndrome lasting from 2 weeks to 6 months; the severity of asthenic syndrome on the asthenia VAS scale was at least 30 points. Before the start of the study, in addition to a physical examination, the patient's condition was assessed using the following questionnaires and scales: VAS for asthenia, subjective scale for assessing asthenia (MFI-20), L.D. Malkova, a questionnaire for the quality of life (EQ-5D), a questionnaire for identifying signs of autonomic disorders (Vayne A.M.). The patient's condition was monitored during follow-up visits 2 weeks, 1 month after the start of treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. Patients of the main group received combination therapy, which included Traumeel S 1 tablet x 3 times a day, Ubichinone compositum and Coenzyme compositum 2.2 ml intramuscularly, alternating every other day, for 1 month (15 injections of each drug per course of treatment). Patients of the comparison group received eleutherococcus extract 100 mg during 30 days, 2 tablets x 2 times a day before mealsand vitamins B. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed by analysis of the asthenia severity (VAS scale), quality of life (EQ-5D questionnaire), patient satisfaction with treatment on a 5-point scale, which was carried out 1 month after the end of the course of treatment. RESULTS: As a result of the treatment was positive. The general asthenia severity, low activity and motivation significantly decreased in patients of both groups without significant differences. At the same time, in patients of the comparison group, there was no correlation between the quality of life and physical and mental asthenia, while in the main group there was an inverse correlation with the asthenia severity, which indicates an increase in the quality of life with a decrease in the severity of asthenia. One of the significant differences was the regression of headache and musculoskeletal pain in patients of the main group. CONCLUSION: The advantage of combined therapy of post-COVID asthenic syndrome with bioregulation therapy Traumeel S, Ubichinone compositum and Coenzyme compositum was shown in comparison with one of the common treatment regimens, including eleutherococcus extract and combined preparations of B vitamins.

[The use of neurotropic therapy in young patients with postcovid syndrome]. / Primenenie neirotropnoi terapii u molodykh patsientov s postkovidnym sindromom.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to identify postcovid asthenic syndrome and cognitive disorders in young patients on an outpatient basis, and to evaluate the experience of using combined neurotropic therapy in this category of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Included 87 young patients who underwent COVID-19 and applied for an outpatient appointment with a neurologist. All patients underwent a scale assessment of the severity of asthenia on the MFI-20 scale, cognitive functions - on the MMSE scale, the 5-word test and the Schulte test. The severity of the anxiety syndrome - according to the Spielberger Anxiety Scale. All patients in the study group were treated with a combination of Cortexin and Recognan, and a repeat study was conducted 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The study revealed the predominance in the observation group of patients with a comorbid background, as well as pronounced anxiety disorders. After the complex treatment, there was a significant decrease in the indicators of common, physical, mental asthenia, as well as an increase in motivational activity, there was a decrease in situational anxiety, and to a lesser extent personal anxiety. According to cognitive tests, there was an improvement in indicators on the MMSE scale, direct reproduction of the 5-word test, significant changes in the evaluation of work efficiency when performing the Schulte test. CONCLUSION: It should be noted that the positive results of this study can be considered a decrease in the severity and severity of asthenia symptoms, a decrease in anxiety manifestations, and an improvement in cognitive functions against the background of complex neurotropic therapy with Cortexin and Recognan. Preference in this situation should be given to drugs with a multimodal mechanism of action, as well as creating optimal combinations of drugs that potentiate each other's action.

[Asthenic disorders as a manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome]. / Astenicheskie rasstroistva kak proyavlenie sindroma khronicheskoi ustalosti.

The article explains the changes in terminology and diagnostic criteria for asthenic disorders as manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as neuroimmune endocrine dysfunction with a purely clinical diagnosis. Probably, viral infections can play a leading role in the pathogenesis. Published diagnostic criteria reveal possible correlations between chronic fatigue syndrome and COVID-19 disease. A promising strategy for the therapy and rehabilitation of patients is the use of smart peptides, a representative of which is the drug cortexin.

Follow-up of adults with noncritical COVID-19 two months after symptom onset.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical evolution and predictors of symptom persistence during 2 months' follow-up in adults with noncritical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We performed descriptive clinical follow-up (day (D) 7, D30 and D60) of 150 patients with noncritical COVID-19 confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR at Tours University Hospital from 17 March to 3 June 2020, including demographic, clinical and laboratory data collected from the electronic medical records and by phone call. Persisting symptoms were defined by the presence at D30 or D60 of at least one of the following: weight loss ≥5%, severe dyspnoea or asthenia, chest pain, palpitations, anosmia/ageusia, headache, cutaneous signs, arthralgia, myalgia, digestive disorders, fever or sick leave. RESULTS: At D30, 68% (103/150) of patients had at least one symptom; and at D60, 66% (86/130) had symptoms, mainly anosmia/ageusia: 59% (89/150) at symptom onset, 28% (40/150) at D30 and 23% (29/130) at D60. Dyspnoea concerned 36.7% (55/150) patients at D30 and 30% (39/130) at D60. Half of the patients (74/150) at D30 and 40% (52/130) at D60 reported asthenia. Persistent symptoms at D60 were significantly associated with age 40 to 60 years old, hospital admission and abnormal auscultation at symptom onset. At D30, severe COVID-19 and/or dyspnoea at symptom onset were additional factors associated with persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 2 months after symptom onset, two thirds of adults with noncritical COVID-19 had complaints, mainly anosmia/ageusia, dyspnoea or asthenia. A prolonged medical follow-up of patients with COVID-19 seems essential, whatever the initial clinical presentation.

Ninety days post-hospitalization evaluation of residual COVID-19 symptoms through a phone call check list.

An observational and descriptive study including patients discharged for COVID-19 was carried out by the COVID-19 Working Group of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC). We aimed to identify the main symptoms after 90 days of hospital discharged. A structured interview was conducted, through a "checklist" that included symptoms within the 90 days post-discharge. A total of 134 patients were enrolled. The most frequently referred symptoms were asthenia, dyspnea and weight loss. Anxiety was the most frequent psychological symptom found through the GAD-7 scale.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy: 2 case reports on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Yichang city, Hubei Province, China.

RATIONALE: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2019 has become a global pandemic. It is not known whether the disease is associated with a higher risk of infection in pregnant women or whether intrauterine vertical transmission can occur. We report 2 cases of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. PATIENT CONCERNS: In all of Yichang city from January 20, 2020, to April 9, 2020, only 2 pregnant women, who were in the late stage of pregnancy, were diagnosed with COVID-19; one patient was admitted for fever with limb asthenia, and the other patient was admitted for abnormal chest computed tomography results. DIAGNOSES: Both pregnant women were diagnosed with COVID-19. INTERVENTIONS: After the medical staff prepared for isolation and protection, the 2 pregnant women quickly underwent cesarean sections. A series of tests, such as laboratory, imaging, and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid examinations, were performed on the 2 women with COVID-19 and their newborns. OUTCOMES: One of the 2 infected pregnant women had severe COVID-19, and the other had mild disease. Both babies were delivered by cesarean section. Both of the women with COVID-19 worsened 3 to 6 days after delivery. Chest computed tomography suggested that the lesions due to SARS-CoV-2 infection increased. These women began to exhibit fever or reduced blood oxygen saturation again. One of the 2 newborns was born prematurely, and the other was born at full term. Neither infant was infected with COVID-19, but both had increased prothrombin time and fibrinogen, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphocreatine kinase, and creatine kinase isoenzyme contents. LESSONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection was not found in the newborns born to the 2 pregnant women with COVID-19, but transient coagulation dysfunction and myocardial damage occurred in the 2 newborns. Effective management strategies for pregnant women with COVID-19 will help to control the outbreak of COVID-19 among pregnant women.