The Impact of Post COVID Rehabilitation on the Level of Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Post COVID Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Rationale Low-grade inflammation is a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events including death from cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular events are one of the most common manifestations of post covid syndrome, impacting the mortality in the post covid period. Methods: 260 post covid patients age 48-66 years were examined. All patients underwent rehabilitation in a Crimean sanitorium, that included climatologic therapy on the southern coast of Crimea;dietary therapy;pharmacologic therapy, and if necessary, breathing exercises using a variety of methods of respiratory therapy. The patients were examined for C-reactive protein (CRP) level in peripheral blood before and after the sanatorium rehabilitation. Results: The level of CRP of the patients who underwent rehabilitation did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the initial values obtained on the day of admission to the rehabilitation center. At admission and upon discharge the CRP values corresponded to the lower limit of the levels characteristic of low-grade inflammation ranging from 3 mg/l to 10 mg/l). Conclusions: The currently available methods of physical rehabilitation of post covid patients as implemented in a Crimean sanitorium did not provide a reduction of the level of systemic inflammation as assessed by CRP determination. New less traditional approaches may be needed to reduce inflammation in post covid syndrome patients who are at risk for cardiovascular adverse consequences.