Symptomatic Metabolic Treatment of Ophthalmopathies in Patients with COVID-19-Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

Background. The causative agent of the coronavirus infection – SARS-CoV-2 – remains active and causes new cases despite the measures taken around the world. In order to timely detect ophthalmopathies in patients with dyslipidemia who have gone through COVID-19-associated pneumonia, prospective observation during the period of convalescence is advisable, justified and relevant. The assessment of the microcirculation of the bulbar conjunctiva is simple, non-invasive, safe, and allows assessing changes in the entire microcirculatory system of the body. Purpose. To study the features of the somatic status, hemodynamics of the bulbar conjunctiva in patients with dyslipidemia who have gone through COVID[1]19-associated pneumonia, depending on gender, homocysteine and cystatin C indicators during symptomatic therapy. Methods. 55 patients (110 eyes) with a documented diagnosis of COVID-19-associated pneumonia with an increased level of homocysteine and cystatin C were prospectively examined 3 months after discharge from the hospital. After consulting with therapist, cardiologist and functional diagnostics doctor, patients were divided into two groups according to gender. Results. In both groups, the dependence of the severity of lung damage on age was noted: Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) amounted to r = 0.4; p = 0.017 and r = 0.5; p = 0.045, respectively. A direct correlation on the stage of AH was noted in patients of Group 1 (r = 0.4; p = 0.016), however, in patients of Group 2, this dependence was not found to be significant (r = 0.2; p = 0.367). There were no statistically significant changes in lipid profile in patients of both groups. The severity of endotheliosis during the period of convalescence in the study groups was confirmed by the average values of homocysteine and cystatin C compared to the reference values (1.4/1.6 and 1.62/1.67 times higher, respectively). A month of symptomatic metabolic treatment (Rosuvastatin, 1 mg of folic acid three times a day, 1 pill of Combilipen once a day, 1 drop of Chiloparin[1]Komod solution in both eyes 3 times a day) has shown its effectiveness in the course of changes in bulbar conjunctival microcirculation and disturbed total tear secretion in patients of both groups. Conclusion. In patients who went through COVID-19-associated pneumonia, markers of endotheliosis (homocysteine and cystatin C) remain during the period of convalescence, which indicates the severity of endotheliosis and the need for symptomatic metabolic treatment.