The advantages of drinking mineral water in the rehabilitation of patients with viral hepatitis C with accompanying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after suffering from COVID-19

Abstract

Past COVID-19 significantly worsens Chronic viral hepatitis C patients with concomitant NAFLD. The aim of the study was to assess effectiveness of including mineral water in the rehabilitation complex in patients with chronic hepatitis C with concomitant non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who contracted COVID-19. Materials and method. 71 patients with chronic hepatitis C with concomitant NAFLD wo contracted COVID-19 were examined. Group I (control) – 39 patients prescribed dietary nutrition and exercise therapy. Group II (main) – 32 patients, in addition to the above, received packaged ‘Shayanskaya’ mineral water. Methodology comprised anamnestic, anthropometric and clinical, general clinical, biochemical, serological, and molecular genetic (markers of hepatitis C virus, HCV RNA PCR (qualitative and quantitative determination, genotyping), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ultrasonographic examination of digestive organs, and statistical methods. Results. Due to the treatment, there were significant improvements in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as the cytokine profile. Conclusions. The effectiveness was established of the use of silicon low-mineralized bicarbonate sodium mineral water in the complex rehabilitation of patients with chronic hepatitis C and suputor NAFLD after contracted COVID-19. There was a significant improvement in the clinical course of the disease and improvement in the functional state of the liver.