Post-Covid Conditions and their Effects on the Cardiovascular System.

Background: Rising global concerns about COVID-19 recently gained more research attention due to the ease of person-to-person transmission, various symptoms after healing, and the shortage of effective antiviral therapy. The study aims to analyze post-COVID conditions and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular lesions in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection. Methods: A practical examination of post-COVID conditions manifestation was conducted in a prospective cohort study, involving 250 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021. The study specifically focused on analyzing the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, utilizing data from a subgroup of 200 patients previously discharged from the hospital with elevated troponin levels. The cardiovascular variables assessed included tachycardia, ischemia, heart attack, myocarditis, hypertension, blood clots, and heart failure. Results: It has been observed that among surviving patients, the following symptoms persisted: anosmia/ageusia (59%), severe dyspnea (36.7%), palpitations and complaints related to the cardiovascular sys-tem (15.8%), headaches (13.2%), arthralgia (11.7%), myalgia (9.8%), and hair problems (≥5%). By the 60th day, a reduction in symptoms by 5-10% was noted, and by the 90th day, a decrease in activity by 25-35% was observed. Patients aged 40-60 years exhibited the highest percentage of cardiovascular diseases (75%). Conclusions: Consequently, the SARS-CoV-2 virus underscores the critical importance of cardiological attention in patient care. Cardiac screening results in individuals with COVID-19 reveal a significant prevalence of serious heart problems, affecting over half of the patients. This emphasizes the necessity for heightened vigilance and specialized cardiac care when managing patients with COVID-19.

[Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the context of COVID-19 infection: present and future challenges: A review].

A significant prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection is also associated with its fecal-oral transmission, which leads to a progressive increase in the number of patients with diseases of the esophagus, stomach and intestines. In addition, intestinal infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 may be one of the main causes of functional long-term stress-related gastrointestinal disorders, united in the concept of post-COVID syndrome.

[The role of the main risk factors and endocrine cells of the antrum of the stomach producing motilin in the occurrence of cholelithiasis].

AIM: To establish the role of the main risk factors and endocrine cells of the antrum of the stomach producing motilin (M-cells) in the occurrence of cholelithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first group included 122 patients with cholelithiasis. The second group consisted of 30 healthy individuals who underwent medical examination. The groups were matched for gender and age. The work analyzed anamnestic, biochemical and anthropometric data. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with targeted biopsy of the mucous membrane from the antrum. Biopsies were subjected to cytological and immunohistochemical studies in order to verify Helicobacter pylori and estimate the number of M-cells. RESULTS: Patients with cholelithiasis more often belonged to the group of people of mental labor, had low physical activity, were committed to inappropriate nutrition and more often indicated the presence of aggravated heredity for cholelithiasis. Patients with gallstone disease had higher body mass index, waist volume, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, H. pylori infection was more often verified and M-cell hypoplasia in the mucous membrane was established. stomach in comparison with the representatives of the second group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that certain external factors, nutritional characteristics of the metabolic syndrome components, hypoplasia of M-cells in the gastric mucosa are important factors in the formation of calculi in the gallbladder.

[Erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract: optimization of diagnosis and management tactics].

Erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract are one of the most pressing problems in the clinic of internal diseases due to the extremely widespread prevalence, the presence of severe complications, often fatal, diagnostic difficulties due to the presence of a large number of asymptomatic pathologies and difficulties in the rational choice of therapy. Particularly noteworthy is the data that during the global pandemic of Covid-19 infection, it is capable, quite often, of causing the development of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. In this regard, it seems important to use drugs that can not only prevent the occurrence of erosive and ulcerative lesions and strictures throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but also effectively achieve epithelialization of injuries to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine. One of them is Rebamipid-CZ, which has a fairly high safety and efficacy profile. It seems important to consider the issues of optimizing the prevention and treatment of erosive and ulcerative lesions of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract of various etiologies, taking into account the possibility of using rebamipide both as part of complex therapy and in isolation.

[Liver disease during the pandemic of COVID-19 infection: prediction of the course and tactics of management: A review].

The hepatic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection are now recognized as an important component of CoronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This aspect is most clinically relevant in patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease (CKD), who are at extremely high risk of severe COVID-19 and death. Risk factors for severe CKD, especially in people with liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, are the direct and indirect cytotoxic effects of coronavirus against the background of systemic inflammation, blood clotting disorders and immune dysfunction. The severe negative impact of the pandemic in the presence of CKD and the difficulties of patient relationships contribute to the progressive increase in the global burden of liver disease on the health system.

[Functional dyspepsia: a multifaceted problem in gastroenterology].

The article presents the views on dyspepsia in world practice, data on the difficulties of diagnosis and the problem of the effectiveness of various therapy regimens. Particular attention is paid to the use of fixed forms of drugs for functional dyspepsia, in particular Omez DSR.

[Comparative effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid preparations in the treatment of biliary sludge].

In the clinical classification of cholelithiasis, biliary sludge (BS) is distinguished as the pre-stone stage. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a drug with an evidence base for effective and safe effects on BS. The therapeutic equivalence of various UDCA drugs remains an important issue for clinical practice. AIM: To conduct a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of the use of UDCA: Ursofalk with other UDCA drugs for the treatment of BS in a fixed dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observation group consisted of 225 patients with various types of BS. In randomized groups, the comparison of the effectiveness of UDCA drugs in the dissolution of BS was determined by the data of ultrasound of the gallbladder. Dynamic ultrasound cholecystography using a standardized technique was performed to study the effect of the compared drugs on the contractile function of the liver. When analyzing the impact of ursotherapy on the clinical manifestations of BS, the dynamics of biliary pain syndrome and dyspeptic disorders were evaluated. RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of UDCA drugs for BS lysis with a high degree of confidence established the advantage of Ursofalk: after 3 months in 80%, and after 6 months of therapy in 95.65% of patients, a regression of BS was detected. In the group of patients who took other UDCA, the corresponding indicators were 46.36% and 67.27%. The greatest effectiveness of ursotherapy was demonstrated in the BS variant by the type of suspension of hyperechogenic particles, the lowest in the variant by the type of putty-like bile in the form of mobile or fixed clots. In the last variant of BS, the relationship between the success of lysis with the extension of the UDCA intake period to 6 months and the preferred choice of Ursofalk was traced. Normalization of the contractile function of the gallbladder was noted in patients who took Ursofalk. CONCLUSION: From the standpoint of therapeutic effectiveness, the drug of choice for the treatment of BS, regardless of its type, is Ursofalk, which has proven the best dynamics of BS litolysis, recovery of the contractile function of the gastrointestinal tract, and relief of clinical symptoms.

[Comparison of clinical-metabolic efficacy of pre- and probiotics in the conducted optimized protocols of eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection].

Low patient compliance due to the development of adverse events in the form of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is considered as the main reason for the failure of the eradication of optimized anti-Helicobacter therapy regimens. A key mechanism for the development of AAD is to reduce the number and species diversity of bacteria that form butyric acid. AIM: The purpose of this study was to study the comparative effect on the clinical effectiveness of eradication therapy (ET) of Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic changes in the colon microbiota of additional inclusion in the optimized treatment regimen of the combined prebiotic Zakofalk (inulin + butyrate) with probiotics (lacto- and bifidobacteria in an amount of at least 1017 СFU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 patients with chronic gastroduodenal diseases and infected H. pylori were еxamined. A comparative analysis of the effect of a combined prebiotic and lacto-bifid-containing probiotics on improving the effectiveness of the optimized ET scheme and improving its tolerability, as well as on the quantitative and qualitative content of short-chain fatty acids (SFA) in feces. The success of eradication was controlled by a 13C urease breath test. RESULTS: According to the results of the study in randomized groups of patients, an excellent percentage of eradication (95%) was achieved in patients who performed ET with the addition of the prebiotic Zakofalk. In the same group of patients, there was an increase in the absolute content of SFA and a significant increase in the concentration of butyric acid. In the group of patients who received ET with the addition of probiotics, an acceptable level of eradication was achieved (85.7%), but no changes in SFA were found indicating an increase in the number or activity of the butyrate-producing flora. Patients who performed ET without the addition of pre-probiotics did not achieve the target percentage of successful eradication (83.3%), and a significant quantitative decrease in SFA was found with a significant decrease in the proportion of butyric acid. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of Zakofalk in the ET scheme, in comparison with probiotics, significantly increases the probability of successful eradication, more effectively restores the metabolic potential of the microbiota, and prevents the development of AAD.

[Chronic pancreatitis with IBS-like syndrome: approach to therapy].

AIM: To determine approaches of the exacerbations treatment of chronic pancreatitis (CP) with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)-like syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 312 patients with exacerbation of CP were observed and received standard therapy: antispasmodics, enzymes, proton pump inhibitors. 85 (27.2%) patients had no response to treatment. After excluding obstructive CP, celiac disease, decompensation of diabetes (DD), ischemic and microscopic colitis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as a cause of abdominal pain and intestinal dysfunction, a group of 54 patients with exacerbation of CP and IBS-like syndrome was isolated. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 persons receiving with standard treatment of CP ciprofloxacin in a dose of 500 mg 2 times a day for 10 days (26 patients), group 2 rifaximin 400 mg 3 times a day for 10 days (28 patients). The dynamics of clinical picture, biocenosis indices, endoscopic, morphological features of the colon, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-8 concentration in the colon mucosa (CA) were evaluated. RESULTS: IBS-like syndrome was determined in 54 (63.5%) patients with prolonged (more than 4 weeks) exacerbation of CP. A modification of therapy is proposed with the results of clinical and instrumental, laboratory, bacteriological studies. 68% of patients with exacerbation of CP, receiving in addition to the standard regimen rifaximin, achieved clinical improvement, normalization of intestinal biocenosis, reduced concentrations of cytokines in tissues, reducing signs of chronic inflammation in the colon mucosa with reducing concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 in colon mucosa (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Exacerbation of CP, resistant to standard therapy, may be associated with the formation of IBS-like syndrome. The inclusion of rifaximin in the complex therapy of prolonged exacerbation of CP contributes to the relief of intestinal dysfunction, abdominal pain of intestine, improves biocenosis, reduces inflammatory modifications, and reduces the concentration of cytokines in the colon mucosa.

[General and particular issues of etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer: current status of the problem].

The development of peptic ulcer (PU) and gastric cancer (GC) is the result of the interaction of various internal and external factors. Moreover, if the role ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in the development of diseases of the stomach is fully established, the significance of many other factors continues to be discussed. Serious controversy is caused by the participation of various strains ofH. pyloriin the development of PU and GC. First of all, these are Vac- and Cag-positive strains ofH. pylori. The role of genetic human polymorphism in the development of this pathology is debatable. Especially the interleukin genes and necrotizing tumor factor alpha. The role of environmental factors in the formation of PU and GC is not fully understood. So, the role of alcohol, occupational hazards and drugs in the development of these diseases continues to be discussed. Further study of risk factors for various diseases of the stomach will optimize their prevention and treatment. The review presents a modern view of individual issues in the pathogenesis of PU and GC.

[Functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the context with overlapping functional disorders: current status of the problem].

Functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cause significant damage to the health care system. Their frequent combination in the same patient with the migration of clinical symptoms throughout the digestive tube is accompanied by continuous exacerbations, refractory to the therapy and severe psychosocial disorders. This review provides data on the main etiopathogenetic factors, clinical manifestations, course features and management tactics for patients with overlapping for the most common functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Oral medical dissolution of gallstones in patients with gallstone disease

Being the main treatment for cholelithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not always solve the problem. It often entails postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). Oral medication to dissolve gallstones with bile acids is alternative therapy for some patients. However, lack of efficacy and limited medical indications make it necessary to apply combination treatment tactics. This study was conducted to investigate the dissolution of gallstones during the combined effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and rosuvastatin as well as to assess the results of eradication therapy in the presence of H. pylory as a measure to prevent cholelithiasis in the course of treatment.

[Diseases of biliary tract in the context of association with oncological diseases of the digestive system].

Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract are widespread among the population and cause significant damage to the health care system. In order to improve the strategy of preventive measures and the detection of oncological diseases at the early stages, it is necessary to provide timely impact on possible risk factors contributing to the onset and progression of malignant neoplasms. This review demonstrates the association between the pathology of the biliary tract and oncological diseases of the digestive system, discusses the possible mechanisms of the influence of cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy on the development of malignant neoplasms of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis associated with the use of drugs: the modern state of the problem].

From the standpoint of evidence - based medicine, the ability of various drugs to induce the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis is considered. Thus, all known drugs can be divided into 3 groups: drugs that have the ability to reduce pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, for example, ß-adrenoreceptor agonists, α-adrenoreceptor antagonists, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, benzodiazepines (diazepam), estrogen, progesterone, aminophylline (theophylline), tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, glucocorticosteroids; means providing a direct damaging effect on the esophageal mucosa, as well as lowering its resistance reflyuktatu, e.g., bisphosphonates, acetylsalicylic acid / non - steroidal anti - inflammatory agents, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, iron preparations, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, quinidine, phenytoin, calcium dobesilate, 131I sodium iodide, antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, ornidazole, clindamycin, rifampicin), antitumor agents; drugs that impede gastric emptying: calcium channel blockers, anticholinergics. These data can be used in practice in the choice of treatment tactics, especially in individuals with a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn.

[The role of motivational factors in the health promotion training programs for the overweight subjects]. / Rol' motivatsionnykh faktorov v ozdorovitel'no-trenirovochnykh programmakh pri izbytochnoi masse tela.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of this ensues from the fact that despite the numerous currently available health promotion training programs for the reduction of body weight, there is still the need for the development of the new forms of the efficacious physical training programs and the methods of motivation for compliance with them among the people of different age, sex and social status. AIM: The objective of the present study was to determine the role of motivational factors, including the assessment of the biological age, in the improvement of the effectiveness of the health promotion training programs for the reduction of the excess body weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 82 students with overweight and first-degree obesity at the age from 17 to 21 years (average age 18.5±1.4 years) were examined. 42 girls included in the first (main) group spent 9 months performing health promotion training programs on an individual basis developed taking into consideration the motivational factors. The physical training programs included the aerobic exercise in the form of dance classes. 40 students in the control group were engaged in physical training envisaged by the academic curriculum of the university. The third group (the group of comparison) was comprised of 36 practically healthy girls having the normal body weight. We studied the components of the body composition with the use of bioimpedanceometry, evaluated the physical working capacity (the PWC-170 test) and the adaptive reserves of the body (heart rate variability test as proposed by R.M. Baevskyi, Garkavi test). In addition, the psycho-emotional status of the participants was estimated making use of the Lusher test and SAN. The biological age was determined by the original method based on the combination of the morphological and functional indices. RESULTS: The excess body weight in the students comprising group 1 was reduced by 10% on the average; simultaneously the physical working capacity among these students increased by an average of 24.5% while the level of emotional stability and self-esteem increased by 20% and 24%, respectively. We also documented a decrease in the initially increased biological age by 5 years on the average. The students included in group II did not experience any significant changes in the parameters of interest. CONCLUSION: The consideration of the motivational factors for the development of the training programs designed to promote the reduction of the excessive body weight significantly increases their effectiveness, as evidenced by the improvement of the morpho-functional and psychological characteristics in the students of the first group and its absence in their counterparts included in group II.

NSAID-induced enteropathy: the current state of the problem.

The review analyzes the main etiological and pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of NSAID-enteropathy. Particular attention is paid to the role of intestinal microbiota in the manifestation and progression of NSAID-enteropathy. The special role of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of NSAIDs enteropathy is considered.

Optimizing therapy of liver diseases not associated with viral infection.

The review demonstrated results and prospects of non-pharmacological and drug therapy patients with liver disease, not associated with a viral infection. The presented data emphasize the relevance of studying the problem of effective therapy of diseases of the liver and its role in improving the course and outcomes of liver disease.

Comparative effectiveness of vitamin-mineral complexes with iron in correcting iron deficiency in women in the outpatient setting.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of prophylactic administration of mineral-vitamin complexes "Feroglobin-B12" and "Complivit iron" with different degrees of Fe valence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 female subjects were examined. To determine the quality of life, the SF-36 questionnaire was used. The presence of anxiety was determined on the Spielberger-Khanin Alarm Scale. 30 women with a deficit of Fe were divided into 2 groups of 15 people each. The first group received "Ferroglobin-B12", the second - "Complivit iron" for a month. RESULTS: In a month after the initiation of preventive therapy in women of the 1 group the content of Fe serum was normalized. In the second group, its concentration approached the control values. The difference in Fe content in the 1 and 2 groups was of a reliable nature. CONCLUSION: The intake of "Ferroglobin-B12" was not accompanied by side effects, and performance indicators, social activity and mental health reached control values, unlike the group of patients taking Complivit iron.

[Chronic constipation in the practice of a therapist: Features of therapy for comorbidity]. / Sindrom khronicheskogo zapora v praktike terapevta: osobennosti terapii pri sochetannoi patologii.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of laxatives with different pharmacological effects in the combination therapy in patients with chronic constipation (CC) concurrent with obesity, hypertensive disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 110 people (45 men, 65 women) aged 45 to 72 years with CC in the presence of concomitant diseases: grade 1 or 2 hypertensive disease + obesity + type 2 DM. The investigators determined the severity of abdominal pain syndrome and flatulence, by indicating the mean frequency of defecations per week and fecal consistency according to the Bristol stool scale; anthropometric parameters; serum biochemistry tests; and serum lipoprotein phenotyping. Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire. The patients were divided into 3 groups according their use of agents: 1) dietary fiber (psyllium); 2) osmotic laxatives (disaccharides); 3) osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol). RESULTS: The patients taking psyllium to treat constipation showed an increasing frequency of defecations and normalization of stool consistency. Incorporating psyllium into combination therapy was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A similar trend was observed for serum triglycerides. The patients receiving combination therapy including other laxatives displayed no significant differences between lipid metabolic parameters at the beginning and after the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: The whole complex of properties of psyllium (Mucofalk) can be fully realized in patients with comorbidity and chronic constipation, which is accompanied not only by the normalization of bowel emptying, but also by marked positive changes in the main lipid metabolic parameters and by a reduction in overweight.

[PROSPECTS FOR CLINICAL APPLICATION OF STATINS IN GASTROENTEROLOGY].

We present the analytical review of non-cardial effects of statins used in gastroenterology with the data illustrating their high antibacterial activity as exemplified by combined therapy of conditions associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Special emphasis is laid on anti-inflammatory and oncoprotective mechanisms of statin action that are successfully made use of for the treatment of liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and biliary system diseases. Prophylactic aspects of statin application to overcome an addiction to fast food are discussed.