Experience with the use of rebamipide for the correction of low-grade systemic inflammation in patients with postcovid syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the lack of a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the post-covid syndrome, a pronounced systemic inflammation that transforms into low-grade “chronic” inflammation during the process of recuperation undoubtedly plays an important role. One of the main problems of low-grade inflammation, which poses a risk to human health, is a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular complications in the post-covid period, which include death from cardiovascular disease. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the effect of the rebamipide on the level of C-reactive protein in patients with postcovid syndrome with severe arthralgias. Materials and methods. 62 patients with a postcovid syndrome and joint pain were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (n=34) received rebamipide and omeprazole for 28 days. Group 2 - 28 patients, received only omeprazole for 28 days. All patients underwent clinical examination, anamnestic data collection and blood tests for levels of systemic inflammation marker - C-reactive protein and basic lipopolysaccharide binding systems. Results. In peripheral blood in group No. 1 a significant decrease in C-reactive protein level (mg/L) was found to 3.75 [2.82; 4.21] and post-drug 2.05 [1.85; 2.62] (p<0.05), respectively (p<0.05). In the second group no significant changes were found before drug administration 3.4 [2.56; 4.0] and after proton-pump inhibitor course 3.52 [2.68; 3.9] (p>0.05). Conclusions. We can conclude that rebamipide has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for low-grade inflammation not only in patients with the presence of gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders, but also in individuals who have undergone a new coronavirus infection and have signs of postcovid syndrome accompanied by an increase in peripheral blood C-reactive protein as part of low-grade inflammation.