Postcovid-19 Asthenic Syndrome

Abstract

Objective. To study the characteristics of asthenic syndrome and the potential for treating it in the postcovid period. Materials and methods. A continuous sampling method was used to select 129 patients (mean age 49.8 ± 8.9 years) after COVID-19. Study patients were selected at the clinical out-patient and polyclinic facilities in Samara in the period July–August, 2020. All patients signed informed consent. The envelope method was used to randomize patients into two groups: the study group (n = 64) received ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (Neurox) 1 tablet (125 mg) three times daily for four weeks; medications in the reference group (n = 65) did not include any substances of the pharmacological antihypoxant/antioxidant/nootrope groups. Three visits (V) were made: the first (V1) was before inclusion in the study; the second (V2) was at 14 days; the third (V3) was on day 28 from treatment initiation. The dynamics of overall status (weakness, fatigue, concentration of attention, vertigo, headache, sleep impairment) were evaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS); the subjective perception of the severity of asthenia (tiredness, physical and mental fatigue, decreased motivation and activity) was evaluated using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, MFI-20); cognitive functions were assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSA); and autonomic tone was assessed using the Kérdö index. Results. At the end of the study (V3), statistically significant changes in measures (VAS, MFI-20) were seen only in patients of the study group; the Kérdö Index showed no statistically significant differences. Analysis of MMSE data revealed a decline in cognitive functions in both groups, which may be linked with pseudocognitive deficit due to asthenia. Conclusions. Our studies yielded evidence of a high incidence of asthenic syndrome after COVID-19. Neurox decreased the severity and extent of the symptoms of asthenia.