Orofacial and facial pain during the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic. Choosing a non-steroid anti-inflammator – focus on nimesulide

Doctors of various specialties face orofacial and facial pain in their practice: dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists, neurosurgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, therapists, general practitioners, traumatologists, ophthalmologists, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, aesthetic medicine doctors, anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons and other specialists. The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic, spread by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become a challenge for all medical specialties and health care systems around the world. The respiratory system is the dominant target of SARS-CoV-2. The oral mucosa is also highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to the wide distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme type II receptors in the oral cavity. We searched the literature for the period from the beginning of the pandemic until August 22, 2022, on the study of the association of orofacial pain with a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in the electronic search engines PubMed and Scopus. Analysis of the found sources indicates an increase in the frequency of various types of orofacial pain associated with 1) violation of dentoalveolar and related structures during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) temporomandibular disorders; 3) with damage or disease of the cranial nerves; and 4) like manifestations of primary headache. This growth is due both directly to the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, its complications, and to a complex of biopsychosocial factors directly related to the pandemic. In the second part of the article, as part of the review, the possibility of using nimesulide for the treatment of orofacial and facial pain during the COVID-19 pandemic is discussed. The choice of nimesulide is supported by 1) the likely coadjuvant effect of nimesulide in the treatment of COVID-19; 2) positive experience with the use of nimesulide in the treatment of facial and orofacial pain in the period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic; 3) the safety of using nimesulide in comorbid patients, who are the main risk group for the development and severe course of COVID-19.