Anakinra combined with methylprednisolone in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and hyperinflammation: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Immunomodulants have been proposed to mitigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced cytokine storm, which drives acute respiratory distress syndrome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine efficacy and safety of the association of IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra plus methylprednisolone in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with hyperinflammation. METHODS: A secondary analysis of prospective observational cohort studies was carried out at an Italian tertiary health care facility. COVID-19 patients consecutively hospitalized (February 25, 2020, to March 30, 2020) with hyperinflammation (ferritin ≥1000 ng/mL and/or C-reactive protein >10 mg/dL) and respiratory failure (oxygen therapy from 0.4 FiO2 Venturi mask to invasive mechanical ventilation) were evaluated to investigate the effect of high-dose anakinra plus methylprednisolone on survival. Patients were followed from study inclusion to day 28 or death. Crude and adjusted (sex, age, baseline PaO2:FiO2 ratio, Charlson index, baseline mechanical ventilation, hospitalization to inclusion lapse) risks were calculated (Cox proportional regression model). RESULTS: A total of 120 COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammation (median age, 62 years; 80.0% males; median PaO2:FiO2 ratio, 151; 32.5% on mechanical ventilation) were evaluated. Of these, 65 were treated with anakinra and methylprednisolone and 55 were untreated historical controls. At 28 days, mortality was 13.9% in treated patients and 35.6% in controls (Kaplan-Meier plots, P = .005). Unadjusted and adjusted risk of death was significantly lower for treated patients compared with controls (hazard ratio, 0.33, 95% CI, 0.15-0.74, P = .007, and HR, 0.18, 95% CI, 0.07-0.50, P = .001, respectively). No significant differences in bloodstream infections or laboratory alterations were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with anakinra plus methylprednisolone may be a valid therapeutic option in COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammation and respiratory failure, also on mechanical ventilation. Randomized controlled trials including the use of either agent alone are needed to confirm these results.

Prospective evaluation of metabolic syndrome and its features in a single-center series of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients.

Available studies on metabolic syndrome (MS) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are retrospective with heterogeneous inclusion criteria, and little is known about the early post-transplant phase. In our prospective study, clinical and laboratory data were collected in 100 HSCT recipients, 48 allogeneic and 52 autologous, at baseline, at + 30, + 100 and + 360 days. At baseline, MS was observed in 24 patients, significantly associated with insulin resistance and leptin on multivariate analysis. At + 30, the diagnosis of MS was confirmed in 43 patients, significantly related to insulin resistance and allogeneic transplants. If the whole series was considered, patients with MS had significantly higher mortality from any cause. The baseline presence of any MS feature was a predictor of + 30 MS. Isolated occurrences of MS features were related to hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia, except in the case of low HDL cholesterol, linked to adiponectin and resistin. Our data confirm that patients undergoing HSCT have a high prevalence of MS, with hyperleptinemia playing a major role. The early peak of new MS cases is primarily attributable to insulin resistance, notably but not exclusively immunosuppression-induced; the subsequent long-term increase in MS cases may be an effect of persistent adipokine imbalance.

Bone quality in beta-thalassemia intermedia: relationships with bone quantity and endocrine and hematologic variables.

We report the first evaluation of bone quality in 70 thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients (37 males, 33 females, age 41 ± 12 years). Thirty-three patients (47%) had been transfused, 34 (49%) had been splenectomized, 39 (56%) were on iron chelation therapy, and 11 (16%) were on hydroxyurea. Mean hemoglobin was 9.2 ± 1.5 g/dl, median ferritin 537 ng/dl (range 14-4893), and mean liver iron concentration 7.6 ± 6.4 mg Fe/g dw. Fifteen patients (21%) had endocrinopathies, and 29 (41%) had vitamin D deficiency. Bone quantity (bone mineral density, BMD) and bone quality (trabecular bone score, TBS) were evaluated by densitometry. In 53/70 patients (76%), osteopathy was found (osteoporosis in 26/53, osteopenia in 27/53). BMD values were higher in the never-transfused patients and in the not-chelated group. A highly significant correlation was found between splenectomy and BMD at all the sites, with lower values in the splenectomized patients. TBS values were significantly lower in TI patients than in 65 non-thalassemic controls (1.22 vs 1.36, p < 0.01), mainly in those splenectomized and in the transfused and chelated groups (p < 0.01). TBS did not correlate with liver iron concentration values. Our data disclose the major role of non-invasive bone quality evaluation in TI patients, especially those with the worst health state, to obtain a comprehensive assessment of fracture risk. Splenectomy seems to play a major part in bone complications.

Neridronate improves bone mineral density and reduces back pain in ß-thalassaemia patients with osteoporosis: results from a phase 2, randomized, parallel-arm, open-label study.

Neridronate is a third generation bisphosphonate with established efficacy in metabolic bone disease. In this randomized, open-label study, 118 adults with ß-thalassaemia and bone mineral density (BMD) Z scores ≤-2·0 were randomized 1:1-500 mg calcium with 400 international unis (iu) vitamin D daily or 500 mg calcium with 400 iu vitamin D daily plus neridronate 100 mg intravenously every 90 d. Significant increases in BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip were noted in the neridronate group at 6 and 12 months from baseline (P < 0·001), and values were significantly higher than the control group at both time intervals. Neridronate also significantly decreased serum bone alkaline phosphatase and C-telopeptide of collagen type 1 levels from as early as 3 months (P = 0·04 and P < 0·001, respectively), reaching significantly lower values at 12 months compared with the control group (P < 0·05). Reductions in back pain and analgesic use were also evident, starting 3 months from commencing treatment. Treatment was well tolerated by all patients. In this largest randomized trial in thalassaemia-induced osteoporosis to date, neridronate was safe and effective in reducing bone resorption and increasing BMD. The associated reduction in back pain and improved quality of life will encourage adherence to therapy. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01140321.).

Usefulness of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and metabolic alterations in the prediction of SARS-CoV-2 severity.

Despite vaccination programs, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a public health problem. Identifying key prognostic determinants of severity of the disease may help better focus health resources. The negative prognostic role for metabolic and hepatic alterations is established; however, the interplay among different metabolic comorbidities and their interconnections with the liver have never been explored.The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of liver alterations in addition to metabolic comorbidities as a predictor of SARS-CoV-2 severity. 382 SARS-CoV-2 patients were enrolled. Severe SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosed according to international consensus. Transaminases > 2 times the upper limit of normality (2ULN), hepatic steatosis (by ultrasound and/or computed tomography in 133 patients), and FIB-4 defined liver alterations. All data were collected on admission. The results are severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in 156 (41%) patients (mean age 65 ± 17; 60%males). Prevalence of obesity was 25%; diabetes, 17%; hypertension, 44%; dyslipidaemia, 29%; with 13% of the cohort with ≥ 3 metabolic alterations. Seventy patients (18%) had transaminases > 2ULN, 82 (62%) steatosis; 199 (54%) had FIB-4 < 1.45 and 45 (12%) > 3.25. At multivariable analysis, ≥ 3 metabolic comorbidities (OR 4.1, CI 95% 1.8-9.1) and transaminases > 2ULN (OR 2.6, CI 95% 1.3-6.7) were independently associated with severe SARS-CoV-2. FIB-4 < 1.45 was a protective factor (OR 0.42, CI 95% 0.23-0.76). Hepatic steatosis had no impact on disease course. The presence of metabolic alterations is associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the higher the number of coexisting comorbidities, the higher the risk of severe disease. Normal FIB-4 values are inversely associated with advanced SARS-CoV-2 regardless of metabolic comorbidities, speculating on use of these values to stratify the risk of severe infection.

Good Clinical Practice of the Italian Society of Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies (SITE) for the Management of Endocrine Complications in Patients with Haemoglobinopathies.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of endocrinopathies in haemoglobinopathies is a continually expanding research area; therefore, recommendations supporting the appropriateness of treatments are a pressing need for the medical community. METHODS: The Management Committee of SITE selected and gathered a multidisciplinary and multi-professional team, including experts in haemoglobinopathies and experts in endocrinopathies, who have been flanked by experts with methodological and organizational expertise, in order to formulate recommendations based on the available scientific evidence integrated by personal clinical experience. The project followed the systematic approach for the production of clinical practice guidelines according to the methodology suggested by the National Center for Clinical Excellence, Quality and Safety of Care (CNEC). RESULTS: Out of 14 topics, 100 clinical questions were addressed, and 206 recommendations were elaborated on. The strength of recommendations, panel agreement, a short general description of the topic, and the interpretation of evidence were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Good Practice Recommendations are the final outcome of translational research and allow one to transfer to the daily clinical practice of endocrine complications in haemoglobinopathies.

[The Management of Endocrine Complications in Patients with Haemoglobinopathies: Good Clinical Practice of the Italian Society of Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies (SITE).] / Le principali complicanze endocrinologiche nelle emoglobinopatie: buone pratiche cliniche della Società Italiana Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie (SITE).

BACKGROUND: The treatment of endocrinopathies in haemoglobinopathies is a continually expanding research area; therefore, recommendations supporting the appropriateness of treatments are a pressing need for the medical community. METHODS: The Management Committee of SITE selected and gathered a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional team including experts in haemoglobinopathies and experts in endocrinopathies, who have been flanked by experts with methodological and organizational expertise, in order to formulate recommendations based on the available scientific evidence integrated by clinical experience. The project followed the systematic approach for the production of clinical practice guidelines according to the methodology suggested by the National Center for Clinical Excellence, Quality and Safety of Care (CNEC). RESULTS: Out of 14 topics 100 clinical questions were addressed and 206 recommendations were elaborated. Strength of recommendations, panel agreement, general description of the topic, and interpretation of evidence were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Good Practice Recommendations are the final outcome of translational research and allow to transfer the latest research knowledge to the daily clinical practice of endocrine complications in haemoglobinopathies.

Endocrine and bone disease in appropriately treated adult patients with beta-thalassemia major.

With the optimization of transfusional and chelation regimens, beta-thalassemia has changed from a pediatric disease with poor life expectancy into a chronic disease. Bone demineralization is an important cause of morbidity in older patients; the etiology is multifactorial and partially unknown. We examined, cross-sectionally, 111 adult patients with beta-thalassemia major (66 females and 45 males, 32.6 ± 6 years) who were regularly transfused, sufficiently chelated and replaced for endocrine defects. Bone demineralization was detected in 92.7% of patients with different severity according to gender and site: osteopenia was the prominent finding at the femur, osteoporosis at the lumbar spine (p < 0.001), more evident in males. The femoral site was more influenced by biochemical and clinical factors; despite adequate replacement, the femoral T-score was lower in the hypogonadic group than in the eugonadic group (p = 0.047). A significant correlation was found between the bone mass and body mass index (BMI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and pre-transfusional Hb levels. The multivariate analysis indicated as significant regressors ALP, BMI and hypoparathyroidism (T-score, p = 0.005, 0.035, and 0.002; Z-score, 0.002, 0.009, and 0.003, respectively) at the femoral site; whereas, only ALP at the lumbar spine (p = 0.008 and 0.045 for T-and Z-scores, respectively). The statistical significance was reached more frequently by the T-score, while the Z-score seemed to be a less sensitive parameter. Despite best care facilities, bone demineralization in thalassemic patients remains a challenge. Further exploration of the relationships between bone loss and endocrine, biochemical and hematologic parameters is warranted to find effective measures to reduce the risk of fracture in this disease.

Spinal postural alignment variance according to sex and age in 7- and 8-year-old children.

PURPOSE: Children's postural alignment undergoes many adjustments due to the changes in body proportions during the stages of growth. The objective of this study was to quantitatively characterize and analyze spinal postural standards in 7- and 8-year-old children to verify which of the differences found were correlated to age and sex. METHODS: Two hundred thirty public school students (Amparo, São Paulo, Brazil) aged 7 to 8 years were divided into groups according to postural alignment, which were further subdivided by sex and age, for comparison. Digital photos of upright subjects were analyzed to evaluate posture. Lumbar and thoracic curvature, pelvic inclination, head posture, and lateral spine deviation were measured using CorelDraw (Ottawa, Canada) software guidelines and bone landmarks. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance data analysis were utilized to verify differences among the groups. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. RESULTS: Mean values for the variables analyzed were calculated. For lumbar lordosis, 7-year-old boys showed 38.49 degrees +/- 15.32 degrees in comparison to all other groups (42.29 degrees +/- 7.13 degrees ). For thoracic kyphosis, the 7-year-old children presented 28.07 degrees +/- 7.73 degrees , and the 8-year-olds 30.32 degrees +/- 7.73 degrees . Pelvic inclination presented a mean value of 15.82 degrees +/- 5.46 degrees and single lateral spine deviation mean value of 3.48 degrees +/- 2.12 degrees . CONCLUSION: For the sample studied, differences based on sex and age were found for some of the body segments analyzed. The values found in this study may contribute to improved physiotherapeutic treatment when associated with other aspects of the clinical assessment and symptomatology.

Oocyte quality in women with thalassaemia major: insights from IVF cycles.

BACKGROUND: Women with thalassaemia major typically experience hypogonadotropic hypogonadism because of the toxic effects of iron overload on the anterior pituitary. Moreover, in affected women, serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) are also shown to be reduced, suggesting that the peripheral excess of iron could also harm the ovarian reserve. To date, the detrimental effects of the disease on oocyte quality have not been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with thalassaemia major who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles were retrospectively identified over a 9 years period. They were matched (with a 1:5 ratio) by study period and age to a control group of infertile women undergoing IVF. Embriological variables were compared between the two groups. The primary outcome was the rate of top quality embryos. RESULTS: Twenty-one women with thalassaemia major (exposed group) and 105 controls (unexposed group) were ultimately included. Serum AMH was 0.6 [0.2-1.8] and 1.5 [0.7-3.5] ng/ml, respectively (p = 0.05). AFC was 4 (1-7.5) and 11 (5.5-16), respectively (p < 0.001). The total dose of gonadotropins used was higher in exposed women but the number of retrieved oocytes and oocytes used did not differ. The fertilization rate was higher in exposed compared to unexposed women, being 100% (76-100%) and 75% (50-100%). respectively (p = 0.03). The cleavage rate was also higher, being 75% (39-100%) and 50% (29-64%), respectively (p = 0.04). In contrast, the rate of top quality embryos did not differ, being 20% (0-76%) and 25% (5-50%), respectively (p = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Despite lower ovarian reserve, oocyte quality is not significantly affected in women with thalassaemia major.

Low-dose Synachten test with measurement of salivary cortisol in adult patients with ß-thalassemia major.

PURPOSE: Beta-thalassemia major is a severe, congenital hematological disorder and, if untreated, leads to early mortality. Progress in therapeutical strategies improved clinical outcomes and life expectancy; however, increased survival led to the development of new disorders, including endocrinopathies. Little is known on the possible impairment of adrenocortical function, a potentially life-threatening condition, in long-term thalassaemic survivors. We therefore decided to assess adrenal reserve and the value of salivary cortisol during ACTH stimulation in the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency in adult patients with ß-thalassemia major. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 72 adults with ß-thalassemia major. Patients were tested with 1 µg ACTH for serum and salivary cortisol. RESULTS: Subnormal serum cortisol responses to ACTH stimulation (i.e., <500 nmol/l) were registered in 15 out of 72 patients. Salivary cortisol increased in parallel with serum cortisol and a clear-cut positive correlation was detected at each timepoint. Moreover, peak salivary cortisol values after ACTH stimulation were significantly lower in patients with impaired adrenal reserve (513.6 ± 52.33 vs. 914.1 ± 44.04 nmol/l p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results attest to the need for testing for adrenal insufficiency among adult thalassaemic patients, as up to 20% presented impaired adrenal reserve. Salivary and serum cortisol levels during stimulation with ACTH were closely correlated and the use of salivary cortisol sampling during ACTH testing may represent a surrogate to serum cortisol in these patients.

Bone turnover and mineral density in adult thalassemic patients: relationships with growth hormone secretory status and circulating somatomedins.

Previous evidence supports a role for growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I deficiency in the pathophysiology of osteopenia/osteoporosis in adult thalassemia. Moreover, serum IGF-II has never been studied in this clinical condition. Thus, we elected to study the GH secretory status and the levels of circulating somatomedins, correlating these parameters with bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. A hundred and thirty-nine normal weight adult thalassemic patients (72 men and 67 women) were studied. Lumbar and femoral neck BMD were measured in 106/139 patients. Sixty-eight patients underwent growth hormone releasing hormone plus arginine testing. Measurement of baseline IGF-I and IGF-II was performed in all patients, while osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), and urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) were assayed in 95 of them. Femoral and lumbar osteoporosis/Z score below the expected range for age were documented in 61.3 and in 56.6 % of patients, respectively. Severe GH deficiency (GHD) was demonstrated in 27.9 % of cases, whereas IGF-I SDS was low in 86.3 %. No thalassemic patients displayed circulating levels of IGF-II below the reference range. GH peaks were positively correlated with femoral, but not lumbar, Z score. No correlations were found between GH peaks and osteocalcin, CTx and NTx. GH peaks were positively correlated with IGF-I values, which in their turn displayed a positive correlation with osteocalcin, CTx, and NTx. No correlations emerged between IGF-I values and either femoral or lumbar Z scores. No correlations were found between IGF-II and any of the following parameters: GH peaks, osteocalcin, CTx, NTx, femoral Z score, and lumbar Z score. Our study, besides providing for the first time evidence of a normal IGF-II production in thalassemia, contributes to a better understanding of the involvement of the somatotropin-somatomedin axis in the pathophysiology of bone demineralization in this disease. In particular, the contribution of GHD to femoral osteoporosis appears to be likely mediated by locally produced rather than circulating IGF-I.

Bone disease in adult patients with ß-thalassaemia major: a case-control study.

Despite the extraordinary improvements carried out in diagnostic and therapeutic management of thalassaemia major over the past few decades, bone demineralization is still a common finding, even in optimally treated patients. The relationships between bone density and several clinical characteristics or hematological markers have been described, and many factors contributing to demineralization have been identified; among them endocrine complications seem to play an important role. Nevertheless, the complex etiological mechanisms of this heterogeneous osteopathy still remains incompletely clarified. While previous studies focused on the characteristics of thalassaemic patients affected from bone demineralization, we conducted a case-control study focused on thalassaemic patients free from bone disease, aimed to detect the distinctive characteristics and any possible protective feature. Among a large cohort of 150 adult patients with ß-thalassaemia major, we enrolled 20 patients with normal bone mineralization and 20 patients with osteoporosis matched for gender, BMI, age at first transfusion, serum ferritin and pre-transfusional hemoglobin (Hb) levels. The differences in demographic, clinical and endocrinological profiles were investigated, correcting for physical and hematological features known as confounding variables. The comparison of the two groups for biochemical parameters and endocrine function showed a protective role of normal gonadic function and IGF-1 levels against osteoporosis, and a similar influence of hypoparathyroidism. Treatment-corrected hypothyroidism and diabetes seemed not to affect bone mineralization. In conclusion, from a different perspective our results corroborate the role of endocrinopathies in thalassaemic osteopathy, and once again underline the crucial importance of an early and multi-disciplinary intervention in preventing bone complications in thalassaemic patients.

Unusual presentation in a case of primary hyperparathyroidism.

This report describes a case of classic severe primary hyperparathyroidism (PH) with clinical presentation that is very infrequent nowadays, which was osteitis fibrosa cystica. As bone scintigraphy demonstrated multiple areas of increasing uptake associated with hypercalcemia, a thorough investigation was conducted to exclude the neoplasms which most frequently are responsible for bone secondarisms. A fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated diffuse and multiple foci of increased FDG uptake and a focal uptake at the left thyroid region. Parathyroid function was studied, revealing unexpectedly high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Further tests confirmed the diagnosis of PH and localized a parathyroid adenoma in the lower left side.

Pregnant women affected by thalassemia major: a controlled study of traits and personality.

BACKGROUND: The reproductive and sexual health issues concerning persons affected by thalassemia major are complex. The study was planned to investigate the psychological attitudes and expectations in a group of thalassemic pregnant women attending hospital for regular blood transfusion. METHODS: This is a preliminary cross-sectional study involving 20 consecutive thalassemic patients and a control group of 42 healthy pregnant volunteers. The personality structure was evaluated by Rorschach's test and the presence of psychic symptoms by SCL-90-R and STAI. RESULTS: Narcissism and sexual traumas are significantly higher in thalassemic women with respects to the control group. Also the percent of anxiety and depression observed with the SCL-90-R was significantly higher than in control group (45% vs. 3%, p < 0.001, mean and SD values are 1.65 ± 0.15 vs. 0.43 ± 0.18 for anxiety; 55% vs. 12%, p < 0.001, mean and SD values are 1.76 ± 0.18 vs. 0.85 ± 0.25 for depression). The score observed with the STAI shows that the trait of anxiety differed between thalassemic pregnant women and the control group, even though the score values aren't pathologic in neither group (87% vs. 42%, p < 0.05, mean and SD values are 33 ± 0.8 vs. 22 ± 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study addresses the need for developing, implementing and evaluating proper psychological support for thalassemic pregnant patients. Moreover, psychological screening and support prior to, during and following pregnancy would be indicated.