Results of the observational program “NOSTALGIA” (new strategies for the treatment of algic syndromes in the lower back in patients with post-COVID syndrome)

Abstract

Introduction. Allergic syndromes occur in 85.7% of COVID-19 survivors, according to recent statistics. However, there is no clear understanding of the pathogenesis of post-COVID pain syndrome and no therapy algorithms have been developed.Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of Alflutop (the bioactive concentrate from small sea fish (BCSSF)) in COVID-19 survivors with pain syndromes in the lower back (lumbosacral dorsopathy (LSD)) and osteoarthritis (OA)), who were previously treated with other chondroitin sulphate (CS) drugs.Materials and methods. The study group included 50 patients with persistent pain in the lower back according to VAS scale (6.6 ± 1.5 scores) without chronic diseases, pain lasted for more than 1 month. The average age was 55.7 ± 3.5 years, 30 men and 20 women, who had mild or moderate COVID-19 in the period of 40 to 90 days before the study. Some patients had been previously diagnosed with LSD before they contracted COVID-19 and had exacerbations 1-2 times a year. Most of the patients also suffered from large-joint OA. Of all patients, 10 were primary patients (before COVID-19 was diagnosed) and received therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and CS prior to enrolment in the study. The clinical examination provided to all patients included recording of complaints, medical history, a standard examination of the neurological status at visit 1, 2 (day 14–15), 3 (completion of therapy, 30 days after initiation of therapy) and 4 (2 months after visit 1). The pain was assessed according to VAS, and depression symptoms were measured according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. At visit 3, the patients were assessed according to the Clinical Global Impression scale. The standard laboratory test results were analysed.Results. After administration of BCSSF, a pronounced relief of pain and high anxiety was observed in all patients by Day 14. 80% of patients had no pain syndrome without changes in laboratory test results by visit 4. The majority of patients evaluated their condition as good according to the Clinical Global Impression scale.Conclusions. Early administration of BCSSF is topical in the therapy of post-COVID allergic syndromes.