Possibilities of improving the effectiveness of therapy in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia against the background of COVID-19

Abstract

To study the possibility of improving the efficacy of treatment with mexidol in COVID-19 patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI). Three hundred and four patients with CCI and COVID-19 were observed, group 1 (n=152) consisted of patients receiving basic therapy and mexidol, group 2 (n=152) received only basic therapy. Mexidol was administered intravenously for 14 days, 500 mg (10 ml) per 400 ml of saline solution, then Mexidol FORTE 250 was administered in a dose of 250 mg 3 times a day for 2 months. The state of cognitive functions (MoCA scale), sleep (Spiegel questionnaire), asthenia (MFI-20 scale), and quality of life (SIP questionnaire) were evaluated. Examinations were performed before treatment, 30 and 75 days after start of treatment. In group 1, there was a more complete and earlier recovery of the state of cognitive functions (an increase in indicators on the MoCA scale, p<0.01), a regression of asthenia (p<0.05), and normalization of sleep (p<0.01). By the end of the study, there were significantly more patients in group 1 with complete or significant recovery of all quality of life indicators. Long-term sequential therapy with mexidol provides a more complete recovery of impaired functions in patients with CCI and COVID-19.