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1.
J Asthma ; : 1-10, 2024 Jun 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38870405

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Achieving remission in severe asthma holds paramount importance in elevating patient quality of life and reducing both individual and societal burdens associated with this chronic condition. This study centers on identifying pivotal patient-relevant endpoints through standardized, reproducible methods, while also developing a patient-centric definition of remission, essential for effective disease management. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to assess patients' perceptions on the four primary criteria for defining severe asthma remission, as outlined by the SANI survey. Additionally, it investigated the correlation between these perceptions and improvements in the doctor-patient therapeutic alliance during treatment decision-making. RESULTS: 249 patients (70% aged between 31-60, 59% women and 82% without other pathologies requiring corticosteroids) prioritize the use of oral corticosteroids (OCS, 48%) and the Asthma Control Test (ACT, 27%) in defining their condition, ranking these above lung function and exacerbations. This preference for OCS stems from its direct role in treatment, tangible tracking, immediate symptom relief, and being a concrete measure of disease severity compared to the less predictable and quantifiable exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: This study explores severe asthma remission from patients' perspectives using clinician-evaluated parameters. The DCE revealed that most patients highly value OCS and the ACT, prefer moderate improvement, and avoid cortisone cycles. No definitive preference was found for lung function status. Integrating patient-reported information with professional insights is crucial for effective management and future research. Personalized treatment plans focusing on patient preferences, adherence, and alternative therapies aim to achieve remission and enhance quality of life.

2.
J Clin Med ; 13(10)2024 May 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38792553

ABSTRACT

Background: Benralizumab has been shown to restore good control of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). Robust data on benralizumab effectiveness over periods longer than 2 years are scarce. Methods: This retrospective multicentric study was conducted on 108 Italian SEA patients treated with benralizumab for up to 36 months. Partial and complete clinical remission (CR) were assessed. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics or using linear, logistic, and negative binomial mixed-effect regression models. Results: At 36 months, benralizumab reduced the exacerbation rate by 89% and increased the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (+440 mL at 36 months, p < 0.0001). Benralizumab improved asthma control as well as sinonasal symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Up to 93.33% of patients either reduced or discontinued OCS; benralizumab also decreased ICS use and other asthma medications. Overall, 84.31% of patients achieved partial or complete CR. Conclusions: Benralizumab improved asthma and sinonasal outcomes up to 36 months. These findings support the potential of benralizumab to induce CR, emphasizing its role as a disease-modifying anti-asthmatic drug for the management of SEA. Further research is warranted to expand these findings by minimizing data loss and assessing benralizumab's long-term safety.

3.
Respir Med ; 227: 107634, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38621547

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most important cause of death in high-income countries. Inappropriate use of COPD inhaled therapy, including the low adherence (only 10 %-40 % of patients reporting an adequate compliance) may shrink or even nullify the proven benefits of these medications. As such, an accurate prediction algorithm to assess at national level the risk of COPD exacerbation might be relevant for general practictioners (GPs) to improve patient's therapy. METHODS: We formed a cohort of patients aged 45 years or older being diagnosed with COPD in the period between January 2013 to December 2021. Each patient was followed until occurrence of COPD exacerbation up to the end of 2021. Sixteen determinants were adopted to assemble the CopdEX(CEX)-Health Search(HS)core, which was therefore developed and validated through the related two sub-cohorts. RESULTS: We idenfied 63763 patients aged 45 years or older being diagnosed with COPD (mean age: 67.8 (SD:11.7); 57.7 % males).When the risk of COPD exacerbation was estimated via CEX-HScore, its predicted value was equal to 14.22 % over a 6-month event horizon. Discrimination accuracy and explained variation were equal to 66 % (95 % CI: 65-67 %) and 10 % (95 % CI: 9-11 %), respectively. The calibration slope did not significantly differ from the unit (p = 0.514). CONCLUSIONS: The CEX-HScore was featured by fair accuracy for prediction of COPD-related exacerbations over a 6-month follow-up. Such a tool might therefore support GPs to enhance COPD patients' care, and improve their outcomes by facilitating personalized approaches through a score-based decision support system.


Subject(s)
Disease Progression , Primary Health Care , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Aged , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment/methods , Cohort Studies , Algorithms , Predictive Value of Tests
4.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38444551

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the burden of moderate to severe exacerbations and all-cause mortality; the secondary objectives were to analyze treatment patterns and changes over follow-up. Design: Observational, multicenter, retrospective, cohort study with a three year follow-up period. Setting: Ten Italian academic secondary- and tertiary-care centers. Participants: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD referring to the outpatient clinics of the participating centers were retrospectively recruited. Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Annualized frequency of moderate and severe exacerbations stratified by exacerbation history prior to study enrollment. Patients were classified according to airflow obstruction, GOLD risk categories, and divided in 4 groups: A = no exacerbations; B = 1 moderate exacerbation; C = 1 severe exacerbation; D = ≥2 moderate and/or severe exacerbations. Overall all-cause mortality stratified by age, COPD category, and COPD therapy. A logistic regression model assessed the association of clinical characteristics with mortality. Results: 1111 patients were included (73% males), of which 41.5% had a history of exacerbations. As expected, the proportion of patients experiencing ≥1 exacerbation during follow-up increased according to pre-defined study risk categories (B: 79%, C: 84%, D: 97.4%). Overall, by the end of follow-up, 45.5% of patients without a history of exacerbation experienced an exacerbation (31% of which severe), and 13% died. Deceased patients were significantly older, more obstructed and hyperinflated, and more frequently active smokers compared with survivors. Severe exacerbations were more frequent in patients that died (23.5%, vs 10.2%; p-value: 0.002). Chronic heart failure and ischemic heart disease were the only comorbidities associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) for death (OR: 2.2, p-value: 0.001; and OR: 1.9, p-value: 0.007). Treatment patterns were similar in patients that died and survivors. Conclusion: Patients with a low exacerbation risk are exposed to a significant future risk of moderate/severe exacerbations. Real life data confirm the strong association between mortality and cardiovascular comorbidities in COPD.


Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Male , Humans , Female , Cohort Studies , Retrospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Italy/epidemiology
5.
Biomedicines ; 12(2)2024 Feb 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38397992

ABSTRACT

Dupilumab is currently approved for the treatment of Type 2 severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Few studies have specifically reported on dupilumab efficacy on asthma outcomes as a primary objective in a real-life setting, in patients with and without CRSwNP. Our study aimed to explore the efficacy of dupilumab on functional, inflammatory, and patient-reported outcomes in asthma patients across different disease phenotypes and severity, including mild-to-moderate asthma coexisting with CRSwNP. Data from 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up were analyzed. Asthma (FEV1%, Tiffeneau%, ACT, FeNO, oral steroid use, exacerbation rate, and blood eosinophilia) and polyposis (SNOT22, VAS, NPS) outcomes showed a rapid (3 months) and sustained (6 and 12 months) significant change from baseline, despite most of the patients achieving oral steroid withdrawal. According to the sensitivity analysis, the improvement was not conditioned by either the presence of polyposis or severity of asthma at baseline. Of note, even in the case of milder asthma forms, a significant further improvement was recorded during dupilumab treatment course. Our report provides short-, medium-, and long-term follow-up data on asthma outcomes across different diseases phenotypes and severity, contributing to the real-world evidence related to dupilumab efficacy on upper and lower airways T2 inflammation.

6.
Expert Opin Biol Ther ; 24(1-2): 15-23, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38197326

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, effectively blocks both IL-4 and IL-13 mediated pathways. Its introduction has represented a significant advancement in the treatment of severe asthma and other Type 2 (T2) conditions, including nasal polyps, atopic dermatitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis. To date, Dupilumab has demonstrated optimal efficacy and safety profile. AREAS COVERED: The safety profile of dupilumab has been extensively studied, especially for its effects on blood eosinophil count. Transient eosinophil increase during treatment is typically insignificant from a clinical point of view and related to its mechanism of action. Rare cases of hyper-eosinophilia associated with clinical conditions like eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) have been reported. Those cases are often related to the drug's steroid-sparing effect or the natural trajectory of the underlying disease rather than a direct cause-effect relationship with dupilumab. EXPERT OPINION: The management of hyper-eosinophilia during dupilumab treatment requires comprehensive diagnostic work-up and strict follow-up monitoring for early detection of systemic disease progression in order to avoid unnecessary discontinuation of an effective treatment. This approach highlights the importance of a personalized treatment.


Subject(s)
Churg-Strauss Syndrome , Eosinophilia , Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis , Humans , Churg-Strauss Syndrome/drug therapy , Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis/drug therapy , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects , Eosinophilia/drug therapy , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit
7.
Orphanet J Rare Dis ; 18(1): 302, 2023 09 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37752586

ABSTRACT

Mepolizumab at the dose of 300 mg/4 weeks has been recently approved as an add-on therapy for patients with uncontrolled hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) without any identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause. According to the available real-life evidence mepolizumab 300 mg and 100 mg, licensed for severe eosinophilic asthma, are comparable in terms of drug efficacy. However, the clinical rationale for selecting one dose or the other has not been explored. We investigated the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab 100 mg in idiopathic HES (I-HES) patients as a steroid sparing strategy for disease remission maintenance by assessing clinical conditions, blood eosinophil count (BEC) and adverse events at baseline and at 3-6-12 months follow-up. Overall, 11 patients were enrolled (females 4-36%) with a median age of 62 years (IQR 55.0-72.0). At 3-month visit both prednisone daily dose and BEC significantly decreased from baseline, whilst a substantial improvement of Brief fatigue inventory score (BFI) was not recorded before the 6 months assessment. More than 70% of patients completely stopped prednisone at 12-months follow-up, without any flare in terms of BEC and BFI. No adverse event was registered. Although larger studies are needed, our report firstly describes that in a well-defined population, diagnosed with I-HES and in disease remission, low dose mepolizumab is a safe and effective steroid-sparing option for remission maintenance. It suggests that a personalized treatment dose might be explored according to the disease classification and activity at the time of biologic treatment start.


Subject(s)
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome , Precision Medicine , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Hypereosinophilic Syndrome/drug therapy
8.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 12(6)2023 Jun 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37370328

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic emerged, antimicrobial stewardship (AS) activities need to be diverted into COVID-19 management. METHODS: In order to assess the impact of COVID-19 on AS activities, we analyzed changes in antibiotic consumption in moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients admitted to four units in a tertiary-care hospital across three COVID-19 waves. The AS program was introduced at the hospital in 2018. During the first wave, COVID-19 forced the complete withdrawal of hospital AS activities. In the second wave, antibiotic guidance calibration for COVID-19 patients was implemented in all units, with enhanced stewardship activities in Units 1, 2, and 3 (intervention units). In a controlled before and after study, antimicrobial usage during the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic was compared to the 12-month prepandemic unit (Unit 4 acted as the control). Antibiotic consumption data were analyzed as the overall consumption, stratified by the World Health Organization AWaRe classification, and expressed as defined-daily-dose (DDD) and days-of-therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-day (PD). RESULTS: In the first wave, the overall normalized DOT in units 2-4 significantly exceeded the 2019 level (2019: 587 DOT/1000 PD ± 42.6; Unit 2: 836 ± 77.1; Unit 3: 684 ± 122.3; Unit 4: 872, ± 162.6; p < 0.05). After the introduction of AS activities, consumption decreased in the intervention units to a significantly lower level when compared to 2019 (Unit 1: 498 DOT/1000 PD ± 49; Unit 2: 232 ± 95.7; Unit 3: 382 ± 96.9; p < 0.05). Antimicrobial stewardship activities resulted in a decreased amount of total antibiotic consumption over time and positively affected the watch class and piperacillin-tazobactam use in the involved units. CONCLUSIONS: During a pandemic, the implementation of calibrated AS activities represents a sound investment in avoiding inappropriate antibiotic therapy.

9.
Minerva Med ; 114(5): 642-651, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34269554

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We know that excessive short-acting ß2-agonists (SABA) use in asthma may be associated to high exacerbation risks. We studied whether such excessive SABA consumption is connected with different higher oral corticosteroid (OC) prescriptions in the two sexes. METHODS: In our prescribing database, we searched subjects aged 18-40 years that were prescribed at least one SABA package/year and/or at least two ICS or two ICS/LABA boxes/year to identify asthmatics. Their OC prescriptions/year were also examined. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to SABA packages/year prescribed (0, 1-2,3-6 and ≥7), considering sexes separately. RESULTS: Individuals recruited were 9,102. Subjects with at least one OC prescription were higher in each group and were females (P<0.001). The OC packages/year number was also more elevated in women especially those with >7 SABA prescriptions/year (0.96 in males vs. 2.64 in females, P<0.001). 94.7%/93.6% males/females, who never used SABA, took at least one ICS/LABA (mean 5.84/5.48 packages/year), while the subject percentage adhering to ICS/LABA dropped to 28-47% (mean 0.94-3.82 packages/year) in those who used SABA (P<0.001). Higher SABA prescriptions were associated with an increasing OC dispensation (ß=0.057, P<0.0001). We observed also a greater risk of using >3 OC packages/year in subjects with 3-6 (OR: 2.98 [95% CI: 2.19-4.06], P<0.001) and ≥7 (OR: 3.49 [95% CI: 2.39-5.10], P<0.001) SABA prescriptions compared to those that never used SABA. Besides, we found that using ICS (OR:0.51 [95% CI: 0.35-0.75], P<0.001) or ICS/LABA (OR:0.07 [95% CI: 0.05-0.09], P<0.001) may significantly reduce SABA prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Poor adherence to maintenance treatment appears to associated with excessive SABA prescriptions that may lead to a higher OC consumption particularly noticeable in women.


Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents , Asthma , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Characteristics , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/adverse effects , Administration, Inhalation , Asthma/drug therapy , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/adverse effects
10.
Curr Med Res Opin ; 38(11): 1997-2001, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36154352

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition with a relevant clinical and economic burden. Only 10% to 40% of COPD patients reporting a regular use of respiratory medications, including those who suffered from severe disease being prescribed with triple combination therapy, nominally long-acting beta agonist (LABA), long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The recent market launch of fixed-triple LABA/LAMA/ICS therapy might contribute to improve medications adherence and costs containment, given the use of a single instead of two or three inhalers. Few data are available on costs due to triple therapy prescribed for COPD. In specific, there are no studies providing data on the potential costs saving whether COPD patients exposed to free-triple combination therapy were switched to fixed-triple combination. In this respect, we simulated some scenarios of virtual switching and calculated the related cost savings.


Subject(s)
Muscarinic Antagonists , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Muscarinic Antagonists/therapeutic use , Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/therapeutic use , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Administration, Inhalation , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Primary Health Care , Drug Therapy, Combination
11.
Expert Rev Respir Med ; 16(7): 713-721, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35703018

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dupilumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling. It is currently indicated for the treatment of asthma, moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Eosinophilia has been reported as a potential adverse event in treated patients. AREAS COVERED: A selective search on PubMed and Medline up to January 2022 was performed, by focusing on dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia described in clinical trials, real-life studies, and case reports. The possible mechanisms underlying dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia and the eosinophil-related morbidity have also been explored. EXPERT OPINION: Dealing with dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia represents a clinical challenge for clinicians managing patients on dupilumab therapy. An algorithm for the practical management of dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia has been proposed, in order to properly investigate potential eosinophil-related morbidity and avoid unnecessary drug discontinuation.


Subject(s)
Eosinophilia , Nasal Polyps , Sinusitis , Algorithms , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Humans
12.
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther ; 22(7): 725-735, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35608060

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Due to important achievements in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic tools and the complexity of the disease itself, lung cancer management needs a multidisciplinary approach. To date, the classical multidisciplinary team involves different healthcare providers mainly dedicated to lung cancer diagnosis and treatments. Nevertheless, the underlying disease and related treatments significantly impact on patient function and psychological well-being. In this sense, supportive care may offer the best approach to relieve and manage patient symptoms and treatment-related adverse events. AREAS COVERED: Evidence reports that exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation, and psychological well-being bring many benefits in patients with lung cancer, from both a physical and socio-psychological points of view, and potentially improving their survival. Nevertheless, supportive care is rarely offered to patients, and even less frequently these needs are discussed within the multidisciplinary meeting. EXPERT OPINION: Integrating supportive care as part of the standard multidisciplinary approach for lung cancer involves a series of challenges, the first one represented by the daily necessity of specialists, such as kinesiologists, dietitians, psycho-oncologists, able to deliver a personalized approach. In the era of precision medicine, this is an essential step forward to guarantee comprehensive and patient-centered care for all patients with lung cancer.


Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Precision Medicine
13.
Respiration ; 101(7): 688-696, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35468602

ABSTRACT

In 2020, COPD was the third leading cause of death worldwide. Lung function is central for the diagnosis of this disease, and COPD severity is still partially classified based on airflow obstruction, which can range from "mild" (GOLD 1 group, FEV1 ≥80% predicted) to "very severe" (GOLD 4, FEV1 <30% predicted). However, the term "mild COPD" needs to be carefully analyzed. Several studies have shown that even in the presence of a mild obstruction, patients can have significant symptoms, physiological deterioration, evidence of emphysema, and suffer from recurrent exacerbations. Small airways pathology significantly correlates with the presence of symptoms, and it has been demonstrated that the onset of bronchiolitis occurs earlier than that of emphysema. These damages have long been known to not be detectable with conventional tests, and exclusive reliance on spirometry is not enough to adequately study and stage a patient with "mild COPD." Therefore, early identification of COPD is of utmost importance in the light of modifying the natural course of the disease. However, patients with early lung damage are yet to be included and studied in interventional clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Emphysema , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Pulmonary Emphysema , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Smoking , Spirometry
14.
Clin Transl Allergy ; 12(4): e12143, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35423001

ABSTRACT

Background: Mepolizumab and benralizumab are clinically effective biological treatments for severe eosinophilic asthmatic patients by hampering eosinophilic inflammation. The effects of these compound on the immunoglobulin (Ig)E T2 component are virtually unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the change in total IgE levels at 4 ± 2 months after initiation of the mepolizumab (primary outcome) or benralizumab. When available, the changes of blood inflammatory cell counts, lung function and asthma control test (ACT) were also assessed and correlated with changes in total IgE levels. Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicentre, cohort study. Severe eosinophilic atopic asthmatic patients treated with mepolizumab or benralizumab were included in the analysis. Results: Three-month treatment (on average) with mepolizumab (n = 104) or benralizumab (n = 82) resulted in significantly higher reduction of blood eosinophil and basophil levels in patients treated with benralizumab compared to mepolizumab. Mepolizumab did not significantly modified the levels of blood total IgE during the study period, whereas benralizumab significantly reduced (-35%, p < 0.001) total blood IgE levels. In patients treated with benralizumab the reduction of blood total Ig-E levels correlated with the reduction of blood basophils (but not eosinophils) and weakly with the improvement of asthma control. Conclusion: Benralizumab but not mepolizumab, treatment led to a significant reduction of circulating IgE level. The study provides different and specific mechanisms of action for anti-IL5-pathway treatments.

15.
Multidiscip Respir Med ; 17(1): 813, 2022 Jan 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35127078

ABSTRACT

Greater understanding of molecular pathophysiology has led to the recognition that an excessive type 2 inflammatory response is at the basis of the pathophysiology of several inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Given the availability of biological agents that can permit management of specific disease endotypes, this reinforces the need for detailed characterization of these diseases through a multidisciplinary approach. Herein, these three conditions are briefly overviewed and practical guidance for a multidisciplinary approach to management is presented. Since type 2 inflammation is suppressed by steroids, drugs such as glucocorticoids have long been the workhorse of medical therapy. However, steroids have well-known local and systemic adverse effects, especially when used at high doses over prolonged periods of time, which is problematic when treating chronic diseases such as AD, asthma, and CRSwNP. Moreover, a substantial proportion of patients remain refractive to therapy. In the attempt to overcome these limitations, greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of type 2 inflammation have led to the development of targeted biological drugs such as dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the α chain of the IL-4 receptor. Dupilumab represents a unique therapy for type 2 inflammatory diseases and to date is the only therapy approved for AD, asthma, and CRSwNP. In terms of multidisciplinary management of type 2 inflammatory conditions, the main healthcare professionals involved include a dermatologist, pneumologist or allergologist, and ENT specialist. The model proposed herein takes into account the complex management of patients with type 2 inflammatory conditions and the new biological agents available. A multidisciplinary team can provide a central point for patient management, improve outcomes and specialist referrals, reduce costs, and guarantee that the most appropriate therapeutic decisions are made, as well as aid in management of adverse events. The multidisciplinary model should be structured and dedicated, but at the same time simple and flexible in order to not risk slowing down the patient's care. At present, it is believed that a structured multidisciplinary approach is currently the best means to optimize care of patients with type 2 inflammatory conditions.

16.
J Infect ; 84(4): 566-572, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35150765

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Residual symptoms can be detected for several months after COVID-19. To better understand the predictors and impact of symptom persistence we analyzed a prospective cohort of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Patients were followed for 9 months after COVID-19 onset. Duration and predictors of persistence of symptoms, physical health and psychological distress were assessed. RESULTS: 465 patients (54% males, 51% hospitalized) were included; 37% presented with at least 4 symptoms and 42% complained of symptom lasting more than 28 days. At month 9, 20% of patients were still symptomatic, showing mainly fatigue (11%) and breathlessness (8%). Hospitalization and ICU stay vs. non-hospitalized status increased the median duration of fatigue of 8 weeks. Age > 50 years (OR 2.50), ICU stay (OR 2.35), and presentation with 4 or more symptoms (OR 2.04) were independent predictors of persistence of symptoms at month 9. A total of 18% of patients did not return to optimal pre-COVID physical health, while 19% showed psychological distress at month 9. Hospital admission (OR 2.28) and persistence of symptoms at day 28 (OR 2.21) and month 9 (OR 5.16) were independent predictors of suboptimal physical health, while female gender (OR 5.27) and persistence of symptoms at day 28 (OR 2.42) and month 9 (OR 2.48) were risk factors for psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced age, ICU stay and multiple symptoms at onset were more likely to suffer from long-term symptoms, which had a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. This study contributes to identify the target populations and Long COVID consequences for planning long-term recovery interventions.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Fatigue/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
19.
Intern Emerg Med ; 17(2): 457-464, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34524623

ABSTRACT

Lung Cancer (LC) is the first cause of death worldwide. Recently increased interest in interstitial lung diseases (ILD) has highlighted an association with lung cancer, offering interesting insights into the pathogenesis of the latter. Describe the association between lung cancer and ILD and evaluate the impact of LC on survival in these populations. We collected clinical, radiological, histologic data of 53 cases of advanced pulmonary fibrosis with lung cancer: 17 with UIP pattern (usual interstitial pneumonia, UIP/IPF-LC) and 36 with non-UIP pattern (ILD-LC). Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological subtype of lung cancer in all three groups and in UIP/IPF-LC developed in the lung periphery and in an advanced fibrosis context. Patients with DLCO% < 38% showed survival < 10 months, irrespective of group and development of carcinoma in UIP/IPF does not necessarily affect survival, unlike in SR-ILD. Our results confirm that the oncogenic mechanism is closely linked to fibrotic and inflammatory processes and that the development of carcinoma affects survival in SR-ILD but not in IPF.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma , Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis , Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Lung Neoplasms , Carcinoma/complications , Humans , Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications , Lung , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/complications , Lung Neoplasms/complications , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
20.
World Allergy Organ J ; 14(10): 100592, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34786034

ABSTRACT

In the recent years, it was recognized that type-2 inflammation links many forms of nasal polyposis with severe asthma. Thus, some biological drugs developed for severe asthma appeared to exert an effect on nasal polyposis. So far, there are several trials supporting this concept; therefore, some monoclonal antibodies for severe asthma were assessed also in polyposis, with promising results. Since different specialists are involved in the management of nasal polyposis (eg, pulmonologists, ENT, allergists), it was felt that an educational and informative document was needed to better identify the indications of biologicals in nasal polyposis. We collected the main Italian Scientific Societies, and prepared (under the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, ARIA) a document endorsed by all Societies, to provide a provisional statement for the future use of monoclonal antibodies as a medical treatment for polyposis. It is the first nationwide endorsed document on this aspect. The current pathogenic knowledge and the experimental evidence are herein reviewed, and some suggestions for a correct prescription and follow-up are provided.

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