Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the 7% hypertonic solution with hyaluronic acid in patients with COVID-19 in the outpatient phase

Abstract

Introduction. Since 2020, the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a serious threat to health systems in many countries around the world. Finding inexpensive and affordable, effective and safe medications that can promote rapid recovery and reduce the risk of a severe course of COVID-19 is an important challenge for the health care system of any country. It has long been known that 7% hypertonic sodium chloride solution has nonspecific antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. A 2020 study shows the effectiveness of hypertonic NaCl solutions in blocking SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero cells. These data suggest that hypertonic solutions can be used as a prophylactic and alternative comprehensive treatment for patients with COVID-19.Aim. We study the efficacy and safety of hypertonic solution with hyaluronic acid in patients undergoing outpatient treatment with mild to moderate COVID-19.Materials and methods. We conducted an open prospective study of the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) solution 7% (Ingasalin® forte 7%) in outpatients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who had 1 or more risk factors for a severe course of the disease. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 patients each. The main group received, in addition to standard therapy (according to the interim guidelines in effect at the time of treatment, version 14 dated 12/27/21), inhalation of 7% HG with HA in the morning and evening for 10 days; patients in the control group received standard therapy according to the interim guidelines.Results and discussion. Patients of the study group who received hyaluronic acid solution 7% had statistically significant decrease of dyspnea and normalization of saturation values already on the 5th day of therapy compared to patients of the control group. One patient in the study group was hospitalized, and 4 patients in the control group were hospitalized. There were no side effects associated with the administration of hyaluronic acid solution 7%. Also, there was no development of cough or its intensification against the background of inhalation in patients of the main group.Conclusion. It is reasonable to use hyaluronic acid solution 7% in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and with one or more risk factors of severe disease course as part of complex therapy.