We wished to test whether thrombopoietin (TPO) is entirely regulated by receptor binding or if other factors may play a role in the mechanism of TPO regulation. Therefore, we analyzed the TPO serum levels in 43 patients with reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis and in 37 with myeloproliferative thrombocytosis. Thrombocytosis was defined as a platelet level greater than 440 x 10(9)/l. Forty-two patients (98%) with reactive thrombocytosis had high concentrations of IL-6 correlating with elevated C-reactive protein levels. Twenty-three patients (53%) in this group had TPO serum concentrations of more than 300 pg/ml (normal: below 300 pg/ml). Only nine patients (24%) with myeloproliferative thrombocytosis had TPO serum levels above normal range, whereas 28 patients (76%) had normal levels of TPO. No correlation between the TPO serum levels and the concentrations of IL-6 or EPO was established. The other investigated thrombopoietic cytokines (IL-3, IL-11, GM-CSF) were unmeasurable; therefore, a correlation could not be assessed. We conclude that TPO concentrations are not strictly inversely related to platelet count. TPO serum levels are elevated especially in a considerable percentage of patients with reactive thrombocytosis, arguing for the existence of additional mechanisms of TPO regulation.

The international AKTIV register presents a detailed description of out- and inpatients with COVID-19 in the Eurasian region. It was found that hospitalized patients had more comorbidities. In addition, these patients were older and there were more men than among outpatients. Among the traditional risk factors, obesity and hypertension had a significant negative effect on prognosis, which was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among comorbidities, CVDs had the maximum negative effect on prognosis, and this effect was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among other comorbidities, type 2 and 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and anemia had a negative impact on the prognosis. This effect was also more significant (with the exception of type 1 diabetes) for patients 60 years and older. The death risk in patients with COVID-19 depended on the severity and type of multimorbidity. Clusters of diseases typical for deceased patients were identified and their impact on prognosis was determined. The most unfavorable was a cluster of 4 diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. The data obtained should be taken into account when planning measures for prevention (vaccination priority groups), treatment and rehabilitation of COVID-19 survivors.

Nebulized budesonide is an effective and safe alternative to SGCS in treating an exacerbation of COPD. Inhaled GCSs, unlike SGCSs, exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, but exert no immunosuppressive activity.

The organizer of the registers “Dynamics analysis of comorbidities in SARSCoV-2 survivors” (AKTIV) and “Analysis of hospitalizations of comorbid patients infected during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak” (AKTIV 2) is the Eurasian Association of Therapists (EAT). Currently, there are no clinical registries in the Eurasian region designed to collect and analyze information on long-term outcomes of COVID-19 survivors with comorbid conditions. The aim of the register is to assess the impact of a novel coronavirus infection on long-term course of chronic non-communicable diseases 3, 6, 12 months after recovery, as well as to obtain information on the effect of comorbidity on the severity of COVID-19. Analysis of hospitalized patients of a possible second wave is planned for register “AKTIV 2”. To achieve this goal, the register will include men and women over 18 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19 who are treated in a hospital or in outpatient basis. The register includes 25 centers in 5 federal districts of the Russian Federation, centers in the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The estimated capacity of the register is 5400 patients.

Aim. Study the impact of various combinations of comorbid original diseases in patients infected with COVID-19 later on the disease progression and outcomes of the new coronavirus infection. Materials and methods. The ACTIV registry was created on the Eurasian Association of Therapists initiative. 5,808 patients have been included in the registry: men and women with COVID-19 treated at hospital or at home. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04492384. Results. Most patients with COVID-19 have original comorbid diseases (oCDs). Polymorbidity assessed by way of simple counting of oCDs is an independent factor in negative outcomes of COVID-19. Search for most frequent combinations of 2, 3 and 4 oCDs has revealed absolute domination of cardiovascular diseases (all possible variants). The most unfavorable combination of 2 oCDs includes atrial hypertension (AH) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The most unfavorable combination of 3 oCDs includes AH, coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHF; the worst combination of 4 oCDs includes AH, CHD, CHF and diabetes mellitus. Such combinations increased the risk of lethal outcomes 3.963, 4.082 and 4.215 times respectively. Conclusion. Polymorbidity determined by way of simple counting of diseases may be estimated as a factor in the lethal outcome risk in the acute phase of COVID-19 in real practice. Most frequent combinations of 2, 3 and 4 diseases in patients with COVID-19 primarily include cardiovascular diseases (AH, CHD and CHF), diabetes mellitus and obesity. Combinations of such diseases increase the COVID-19 lethal outcome risk.