Sleep Disorders in Post-COVID Syndrome: A Psychiatric or Neurological Problem?

Abstract:

The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019 continues. COVID-19 adversely affects human health not only in the acute, but also in the long-term period of the disease: in a large percentage of cases, health is not fully restored after long periods, requires medical intervention, and is often difficult to correct.

Researchers noted during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 that about 10-20% of patients did not fully recover by three weeks from disease onset and the possible duration of the recovery period remains insufficiently clear, as do the reasons for differences in course during this period. Prolonged recovery after viral infection is not a feature exclusive to COVID-19, which does not facilitate the management of patients with post-COVID syndrome (PCS).

The mental health impact of COVID-19 is significant, with at least 30% of recovered patients likely to have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression after the acute phase has passed. Since the onset of COVID-19, there has been an increase in sleep disorders by 42%, with every third COVID-19 survivor reporting sleep complaints. In PCS, this condition is referred to as coronasomnia.

The success of therapy for this condition depends on identifying and correcting patients’ mental disorders, as anxiety and depression are often accompanied by sleep disorders this results in a bidirectional interaction between mental disorders and sleep quality. This article presents data on the anti-anxiety drugs Noofen and Adaptol, which help to correct the manifestations of PCS with sleep disorders.

Source: Kotova OV, Medvedev VE, Poluektov MG, Belyaev AA, Akarachkova ES. Sleep Disorders in Post-COVID Syndrome: A Psychiatric or Neurological Problem? Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2023;53(1):16-20. doi: 10.1007/s11055-023-01385-w. Epub 2023 Mar 11. PMID: 36969358; PMCID: PMC10006556. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11055-023-01385-w (Full text available as PDF file)

 

Efficacy and safety of noophen in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency

Abstract:

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of noophen in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients with cerebrovascular disease, who complain about persistent fatigue, were randomized into two groups. Patients of the main group (n=33) received standard therapy and noophen, patients of the control group (n=20) received only standard therapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed using MFI-20, HADS-A, LSEQ. In addition, cognitive functioning was evaluated using Schulte test.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Treatment with noophen resulted in the marked decrease in the total intensity of fatigue measured with MFI-20. The decrease in fatigue intensity by 30-50% was observed in 3/4 of patients of the main group. Noophen reduced all components of fatigue syndrome, including a mental component, and improved motivation. The reduction of the mental fatigue component was combined with the improvement of cognitive functioning assessed with Schulte test. Therefore, the effect of noophen on motivation and mental fatigue component can promote cognitive training in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Source: Vorob’eva OV, Rusaya VV. Efficacy and safety of noophen in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. [Article in Russian; Abstract available in Russian from the publisher] Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2017;117(11):31-36. doi: 10.17116/jnevro201711711131-36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29265084