A Review on The Role of Environmental Exposures in IgG4-Related Diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RDs) are immune-mediated fibroinflammatory multisystemic conditions identified by the presence of tumefactive lesions with a rich infiltrate of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and often by a high IgG4 serum concentration. IgG-RDs have a prevalence of at least 1 case every 100,000 persons, and they are mostly diagnosed after age 50, with a male to female ratio of about 3:1. IgG4-RD pathophysiology is still uncertain: it has been proposed that both genetic predisposition and chronic environmental exposures may play a role by triggering abnormal immune activation that perpetuates the disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidences supporting the hypothesis that certain environmental/occupational exposures can trigger IgG4-RDs, focusing on the possible role of asbestos in an emerging IgG4-RD called idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF). RECENT FINDINGS: Although some studies suggested a relationship between tobacco smoking and IgG4-RD risk, occupational exposures seem to have the most interesting effects. Positive history of blue-collar work increases the risk of developing an IgG4-RD, and mineral dusts and asbestos were the most strongly associated industrial compounds. Asbestos has been found to be a risk factor for IRF years before its classification as IgG4-RD, and later in two large case-control studies. In the most recent one, conducted on 90 patients and 270 controls, asbestos exposure conferred an increased IRF risk, quantified by odds ratios from 2.46 to 7.07. Further structured studies including serum IgG4 evaluation should be conducted to clarify the effect of asbestos on patients with confirmed diagnosis of IgG4-related IRF. Environmental exposures, especially of occupational origin, appear to play a role in the development of different types of IgG-RDs. In particular, although first suggested very recently, the relationship between asbestos and IRF deserves to be explored in more structured studies, especially because of the biological plausibility of the role of asbestos in IRF pathogenesis.

Long-Term Survival among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 during the First Three Epidemic Waves: An Observational Study in a Northern Italy Hospital.

The mortality rate of hospitalized COVID-19 patients differed strongly between the first three pandemic waves. Nevertheless, their long-term survival has been poorly assessed. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and mortality rates of 825 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection who were hospitalized at the Alessandria hub hospital, in Northern Italy, during the first fifty days of the first three pandemic waves. Each subject was followed in terms of vital status for six months from the date of hospital admission or until deceased. Patients admitted during the three waves differed in age (p = 0.03), disease severity (p < 0.0001), Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.0002), oxygen therapy (p = 0.002), and invasive mechanical ventilation (p < 0.0001). By the end of follow-up, 309 deaths (38.7%) were observed, of which 186 occurred during hub hospitalization (22.5%). Deaths were distributed differently among the waves (p < 0.0001), resulting in being higher amongst those subjects admitted during the first wave. The COVID-19 infection was reported as the main cause of death and patients with a higher mortality risk were those aged ≥65 years [adjusted HR = 3.40 (95% CI 2.20-5.24)], with a higher disease severity [adjusted HR = 1.87 (95%CI 1.43-2.45)], and those requiring oxygen therapy [adjusted HR = 2.30 (95%CI 1.61-3.30)]. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients admitted to our hub hospital during the second and the third waves had a lower risk of long-term mortality than those admitted during the first. Older age, more severe disease, and the need for oxygen therapy were among the strongest risk factors for poor prognosis.

Baseline clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged ≤ 65 years: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Individual differences in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19 have thus far been observed but little is known about the prognostic factors of young patients. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 171 patients aged ≤ 65 years hospitalized in Alessandria's Hospital from 1st March to 30th April 2020 with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Epidemiological data, symptoms at onset, clinical manifestations, Charlson Comorbidity Index, laboratory parameters, radiological findings and complications were considered. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of COVID-19 severity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to establish factors associated with the development of a moderate or severe disease. FINDINGS: A total of 171 patients (89 with mild/moderate disease, 82 with severe/critical disease), of which 61% males and a mean age (± SD) of 53.6 (± 9.7) were included. The multivariable logistic model identified age (50-65 vs 18-49; OR = 3.23 CI95% 1.42-7.37), platelet count (per 100 units of increase OR = 0.61 CI95% 0.42-0.89), c-reactive protein (CPR) (per unit of increase OR = 1.12 CI95% 1.06-1.20) as risk factors for severe or critical disease. The multivariable logistic model showed a good discriminating capacity with a C-index value of 0.76. INTERPRETATION: Patients aged ≥ 50 years with low platelet count and high CRP are more likely to develop severe or critical illness. These findings might contribute to improved clinical management.