Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Mostrar: 20 | 50 | 100
Resultados 1 - 20 de 49
Filtrar
1.
Curr Issues Mol Biol ; 46(5): 4271-4285, 2024 May 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38785528

RESUMO

Galectins are a group of ß-galactoside-binding proteins with several roles in immune response, cellular adhesion, and inflammation development. Current evidence suggest that these proteins could play a crucial role in many respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. From this standpoint, an increasing body of evidence have recognized galectins as potential biomarkers involved in several aspects of asthma pathophysiology. Among them, galectin-3 (Gal-3), galectin-9 (Gal-9), and galectin-10 (Gal-10) are the most extensively studied in human and animal asthma models. These galectins can affect T helper 2 (Th2) and non-Th2 inflammation, mucus production, airway responsiveness, and bronchial remodeling. Nevertheless, while higher Gal-3 and Gal-9 concentrations are associated with a stronger degree of Th-2 phlogosis, Gal-10, which forms Charcot-Leyden Crystals (CLCs), correlates with sputum eosinophilic count, interleukin-5 (IL-5) production, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) secretion. Finally, several galectins have shown potential in clinical response monitoring after inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and biologic therapies, confirming their potential role as reliable biomarkers in patients with asthma.

2.
J Asthma ; : 1-5, 2024 Jul 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38949856

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Near-fatal asthma (NFA) is a severe condition that can lead to respiratory arrest or high carbon dioxide levels, often requiring mechanical ventilation. Biologics have revolutionized the management of severe asthma, significantly improving symptom severity, reducing the number of exacerbations and hospitalizations, and decreasing the need for oral corticosteroids. However, their effectiveness in acute settings, particularly for ICU patients experiencing severe respiratory failure, is not well-studied. More research is needed to determine if biologics can improve recovery during severe asthma exacerbations.Case Study: We report a case of NFA in a patient with severe allergic eosinophilic asthma, who experienced global respiratory failure necessitating hospitalization, intubation, and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Given the severity of the clinical condition, compassionate administration of Benralizumab, which targets the IL-5 receptor, was attempted. RESULTS: Five days from anti-IL5 receptor treatment start, the patient was extubated and the ECMO stopped. After the stepdown to the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU), the patient was weaned from oxygen therapy and subsequently discharged from hospital. CONCLUSION: Benralizumab demonstrated rapid effectiveness in improving respiratory failure leading to successful weaning from VV-ECMO and subsequent extubation.

3.
Am J Otolaryngol ; 45(4): 104275, 2024.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38574514

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Biologic agents are considered a new revolutionized therapy for severe and recurrent forms of CRSwNP which disease burden is not sufficiently controlled by conservative and/or surgical treatments. Recent Research has focused on evaluating their real-life efficacy in CRSwNP, as only limited reports on real-life data are available. However, in most studies, the response to treatment is evaluated in terms of improvement in Nasal Polyp Score (NPS) or in Sino-Nasal Outcome test (SNOT-22) scores. However, both criteria do not consider nasal immunophlogosis, which can be easily assessed by nasal cytology. The aim of our study was to evaluate changings in the nasal inflammatory infiltrate of CRSwNP patients treated with Dupilumab for 12 months. METHODS: 27 patients suffering from severe CRSwNP treated with Dupilumab were recruited. Nasal cytology findings, NPS, SNOT-22, ACT scores and blood eosinophil count at T0 (before treatment) and at T1 (after 1 year of treatment) were compared. RESULTS: After 1 year of biological therapy with Dupilumab, NPS, SNOT-22 and, among the 17 asthmatic patients, ACT scores improved significantly. At T1, a statistically significant percentage of patients showed negative citology. Moreover, a significant reduction in the mast cell-eosinophilic pattern and an increase of neutrophils and bacteria was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The response to treatment can be considered both in the case of negative nasal cytology and in the case of the appearance of neutrophils and bacteria. In this context, eosinophils, the specific target of biological therapies, play a crucial role in regulating tissue homeostasis and, consequently, the nasal immunophlogosis.


Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados , Pólipos Nasais , Rinite , Humanos , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Feminino , Pólipos Nasais/tratamento farmacológico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Rinite/tratamento farmacológico , Resultado do Tratamento , Sinusite/tratamento farmacológico , Doença Crônica , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Eosinófilos , Fatores de Tempo , Teste de Desfecho Sinonasal , Idoso , Mucosa Nasal/patologia
4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(11)2024 May 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38891935

RESUMO

Epithelial barrier damage plays a central role in the development and maintenance of allergic inflammation. Rises in the epithelial barrier permeability of airways alter tissue homeostasis and allow the penetration of allergens and other external agents. Different factors contribute to barrier impairment, such as eosinophilic infiltration and allergen protease action-eosinophilic cationic proteins' effects and allergens' proteolytic activity both contribute significantly to epithelial damage. In the airways, allergen proteases degrade the epithelial junctional proteins, allowing allergen penetration and its uptake by dendritic cells. This increase in allergen-immune system interaction induces the release of alarmins and the activation of type 2 inflammatory pathways, causing or worsening the main symptoms at the skin, bowel, and respiratory levels. We aim to highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying allergenic protease-induced epithelial barrier damage and the role of immune response in allergic asthma onset, maintenance, and progression. Moreover, we will explore potential clinical and radiological biomarkers of airway remodeling in allergic asthma patients.


Assuntos
Alérgenos , Asma , Humanos , Asma/metabolismo , Asma/imunologia , Asma/patologia , Alérgenos/imunologia , Animais , Remodelação das Vias Aéreas
5.
Pulm Pharmacol Ther ; 83: 102270, 2023 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38008396

RESUMO

Inhaled corticosteroids, along with beta2-agonists and anti-muscarinics, represent the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Although the advent of monoclonal antibodies has dramatically changed severe asthma management, there are still patients ineligible or with poor response to biologics. Moreover, high costs associated with monoclonal antibodies prescription are still an open issue, leading clinicians to carefully assess cost-benefit ratio before their administration. From this perspective, the use of single-inhaler Beclometasone Dipropionate/Formoterol Fumarate/Glycopyrronium in patients with severe asthma could not only improve their clinical and functional performance, but also postpone biologic prescription, with positive repercussions on healthcare costs.


Assuntos
Antiasmáticos , Asma , Produtos Biológicos , Humanos , Fumarato de Formoterol/uso terapêutico , Beclometasona/uso terapêutico , Glicopirrolato/uso terapêutico , Antiasmáticos/uso terapêutico , Administração por Inalação , Combinação de Medicamentos , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Nebulizadores e Vaporizadores , Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Produtos Biológicos/uso terapêutico , Broncodilatadores/uso terapêutico
6.
Molecules ; 28(15)2023 Jul 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37570725

RESUMO

Exhaled breath analysis using an e-nose is a groundbreaking tool for exhaled volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, which has already shown its applicability in several respiratory and systemic diseases. It is still unclear whether food intake can be considered a confounder when analyzing the VOC-profile. We aimed to assess whether an e-nose can discriminate exhaled breath before and after predefined food intake at different time periods. We enrolled 28 healthy non-smoking adults and collected their exhaled breath as follows: (a) before food intake, (b) within 5 min after food consumption, (c) within 1 h after eating, and (d) within 2 h after eating. Exhaled breath was collected by a formerly validated method and analyzed by an e-nose (Cyranose 320). By principal component analysis, significant variations in the exhaled VOC-profile were shown for principal component 1 (capturing 63.4% of total variance) when comparing baseline vs. 5 min and vs. 1 h after food intake (both p < 0.05). No significance was shown in the comparison between baseline and 2 h after food intake. Therefore, the exhaled VOC-profile seems to be influenced by very recent food intake. Interestingly, two hours might be sufficient to avoid food induced alterations of exhaled VOC-spectrum when sampling for research protocols.

7.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 59(7)2023 Jul 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37512064

RESUMO

Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing burden to society, and remains underdiagnosed in Italy. This study aimed at evaluating five validated screening questionnaires to consider which one was the most accurate, and the optimal cut-off score for each to be considered for the Southern Italian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 patients were recruited in the study. The age range was 46-85 years. All subjects underwent spirometry, and completed the five questionnaires: CDQ, LFQ, COPD-PS, COPD-SQ, and CAPTURE. Receiver-operator curves (ROC) were drawn for each questionnaire. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), values for the optimal cut-off score and previously recommended score were calculated and compared. Results: Of the questionnaires, the CDQ, LFQ, and COPD-SQ had significant differences between COPD (n = 86) and non-COPD (n = 52) groups. The AUCs for each questionnaire with (95%CI) were: CAPTURE, 0.602 (0.431-0.773); CDQ, 0.714 (0.555-0.872); LFQ, 0.331 (0.183-0.479; COPD-PS, 0.652 (0.497-0.807); and COPD-SQ, 0.679 (0.520-0.837). Only the CDQ and COPD-SQ had significant AUC screening characteristics. The optimal cut-off values for the CDQ, LFQ, and COPD-PS were modified to 22, 10, and 4, respectively. The COPD-SQ remained at 17. Conclusion: The CDQ and COPD-SQ can discriminate between individuals with and without COPD in the Italian population. The CDQ has a moderate screening accuracy, and the COPD-PS and COPD-SQ have low accuracy, when the optimal cut-off scores are used. Of the five questionnaires assessed, the CDQ and COPD-SQ questionnaires could be used for screening for COPD in the Southern Italian population.


Assuntos
Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/diagnóstico , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/epidemiologia , Espirometria , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Inquéritos e Questionários , Área Sob a Curva
8.
Sensors (Basel) ; 22(17)2022 Aug 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36080944

RESUMO

The aim of our study was to assess whether a polymer-based e-nose can distinguish head and neck cancer subjects from healthy controls, as well as from patients with allergic rhinitis. A total number of 45 subjects participated in this study. The first group was composed of 15 patients with histology confirmed diagnosis of head and neck cancer. The second group was made up of 15 patients with diagnoses of allergic rhinitis. The control group consisted of 15 subjects with a negative history of upper airways and/or chest symptoms. Exhaled breath was collected from all participants and sampled by a polymer-based e-nose (Cyranose 320, Sensigent, Pasadena, CA, USA). In the Principal Component Analysis plot, patients with head and neck cancer clustered distinctly from the controls as well as from patients with allergic rhinitis. Using canonical discriminant analysis, the three groups were discriminated, with a cross validated accuracy% of 75.1, p < 0.01. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve for the discrimination between head and neck cancer patients and the other groups was 0.87. To conclude, e-nose technology has the potential for application in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer, being an easy, quick, non-invasive and cost-effective tool.


Assuntos
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Rinite Alérgica , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis , Testes Respiratórios , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Estudos Transversais , Nariz Eletrônico , Expiração , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/diagnóstico , Humanos , Polímeros , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/análise
9.
Molecules ; 26(9)2021 May 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34064506

RESUMO

E-noses are innovative tools used for exhaled volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, which have shown their potential in several diseases. Before obtaining a full validation of these instruments in clinical settings, a number of methodological issues still have to be established. We aimed to assess whether variations in breathing rhythm during wash-in with VOC-filtered air before exhaled air collection reflect changes in the exhaled VOC profile when analyzed by an e-nose (Cyranose 320). We enrolled 20 normal subjects and randomly collected their exhaled breath at three different breathing rhythms during wash-in: (a) normal rhythm (respiratory rate (RR) between 12 and 18/min), (b) fast rhythm (RR > 25/min) and (c) slow rhythm (RR < 10/min). Exhaled breath was collected by a previously validated method (Dragonieri et al., J. Bras. Pneumol. 2016) and analyzed by the e-nose. Using principal component analysis (PCA), no significant variations in the exhaled VOC profile were shown among the three breathing rhythms. Subsequent linear discriminant analysis (LDA) confirmed the above findings, with a cross-validated accuracy of 45% (p = ns). We concluded that the exhaled VOC profile, analyzed by an e-nose, is not influenced by variations in breathing rhythm during wash-in.


Assuntos
Testes Respiratórios/métodos , Nariz Eletrônico , Expiração/fisiologia , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/análise , Adulto , Análise de Variância , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Análise de Componente Principal
11.
Neurodegener Dis ; 17(1): 14-21, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27595268

RESUMO

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of central and peripheral motor neurons. Some studies have found discordant data in the presence of sleep apnea in ALS patients. An obstructive component also occurs with upper airways hypotonia and muscle weakness that may result in an excessive reduction of airway lumen, leading to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to assess the role of obstructive apneic events at disease onset in the ALS prognosis. METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective study was conducted on 42 clinically diagnosed ALS patients. The study population was divided into 2 groups according to their obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (AHIo): group 1 consisted of 20 patients with an AHIo ≥5 and group 2 consisted of 22 patients with an AHIo <5. Both groups were compared with regard to demographic, polygraphic, and respiratory function parameters as well as ALS characteristics (bulbar onset, time between onset and first check-up, time between diagnosis and first check-up, time between first check-up and death or tracheostomy). RESULTS: The mean survival in ALS patients with an AHIo ≥5 was significantly shorter than in ALS without OSA (p = 0.0237). The sniff nasal inspiratory pressure test was significantly correlated with AHIo, time of oxyhemoglobin saturation below 90% and the oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance of an early diagnosis of OSA in ALS patients, allowing the identification of ALS patients with an OSA phenotype (AHIo ≥5), who are characterized by a worse prognosis.


Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/complicações , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/diagnóstico , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/complicações , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/diagnóstico , Idoso , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/epidemiologia , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/terapia , Diagnóstico Precoce , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Inalação , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Modelos Lineares , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fenótipo , Prognóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/epidemiologia , Fatores de Tempo , Traqueostomia , Capacidade Vital
12.
Sleep Breath ; 20(2): 613-9, 2016 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26385777

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity are increasingly prevalent worldwide. Both promote endothelial dysfunction contributing to systemic and pulmonary hypertension over time. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a pivotal role in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The aim of the present study was to assess the association between plasma ET-1 and echocardiographic findings in obese individuals with and without OSA, as well as in non-obese patients with OSA. METHODS: Ninety-seven subjects (56 males) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent the following tests: venous endothelin-1 levels, pulmonary function testing, and arterial blood gas analysis. All patients except controls underwent transthoracic echocardiography and portable testing for sleep-disordered breathing. RESULTS: Plasma ET-1 levels were significantly higher in obese patients, both with and without OSA (respectively, n = 30 (mean value, 268.06 ± 49.56 pg/ml) and n = 32 (mean value, 263.12 ± 65.26 pg/ml)), compared with non-obese patients with OSA or to healthy controls (respectively, n = 20 (mean value, 149.8 ± 23.09 pg/ml) and n = 15 (mean value, 152.3 ± 27.64 pg/ml); p < 0.0001). Pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) in obese patients with OSA were significantly higher than in obese patients without OSA (p < 0.0001), while there was no statistical difference between PAPs of obese patients without OSA, compared with the group of non-obese OSA patients. Plasma ET-1 levels significantly correlated with systolic PAPs in obese patients both with and without OSA (respectively, n = 30, r = 0.385, p = 0.03567; n = 32, r = 0.3497, p = 0.0497). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that endothelin levels are more strongly associated with weight than the presence of sleep-disordered breathing, but pulmonary artery hypertension is associated with both weight and OSA.


Assuntos
Ecocardiografia Doppler , Endotelina-1/sangue , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Comorbidade , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertensão Pulmonar/complicações , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/complicações , Obesidade/diagnóstico , Polissonografia , Pressão Propulsora Pulmonar/fisiologia , Valores de Referência , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/complicações , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/diagnóstico , Estatística como Assunto
13.
Molecules ; 19(2): 1651-62, 2014 Jan 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24481114

RESUMO

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Systemic inflammation plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular complications in OSA patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and inflammatory markers plasma levels in OSA patients. We enrolled 80 OSA patients and 40 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). The presence and severity of sleep apnea was determined by in-laboratory portable monitoring (PM). Demographic data, blood pressure, heart rate, and cIMT were measured. High-sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and pentraxin (PTX)-3 serum concentrations were detected. cIMT was higher in OSA patients than controls (0.89 ± 0.13 mm vs. 0.65 ± 0.1 mm, p < 0.01). Moderate-severe OSA patients (0.95 ± 0.09 mm) had significantly increased cIMT than mild OSA (0.76 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.01) and control (0.65 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.01). hsCRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and PTX-3 in patients with OSA (1.67 ± 0.66 mg/L, 2.86 ± 1.39 pg/mL, 20.09 ± 5.39 pg/mL, 2.1 ± 0.59 ng/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than in controls (1.08 ± 0.53 mg/L, p < 0.01; 1.5 ± 0.67 pg/mL, p < 0.01; 12.53 ± 3.48 pg/mL, p < 0.01; 1.45 ± 0.41 ng/mL, p < 0.01, respectively). Carotid IMT was significantly correlated to CRP (r = 0.44; p < 0.01), IL-6 (r = 0.42; p < 0.01), TNF-α (r = 0.53; p < 0.01), and PTX-3 (r = 0.49; p < 0.01). OSA patients showed increased cIMT, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and PTX-3 levels. Inflammatory markers levels are correlated to cIMT in OSA patients.


Assuntos
Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Espessura Intima-Media Carotídea , Inflamação/metabolismo , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/metabolismo , Adulto , Aterosclerose/complicações , Biomarcadores/sangue , Proteína C-Reativa/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Inflamação/complicações , Interleucina-6/sangue , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Componente Amiloide P Sérico/metabolismo , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/complicações , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/patologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue
14.
Adv Respir Med ; 92(2): 110-122, 2024 Feb 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38525773

RESUMO

Biologics targeting IgE, IL-5, IL-4/IL-13, and TSLP are crucial in severe asthma treatment. Research, including randomized controlled trials and real-world studies, has been conducted to assess their efficacy and identify patient characteristics that may predict positive responses. The effectiveness of switching biologics, especially given overlaps in treatment eligibility, and the clinical outcomes post-cessation are critical areas of investigation. This work reviews the effects of switching between these biologics and the indicators of treatment success or failure. Insights are primarily derived from real-world experiences, focusing on patients transitioning from one monoclonal antibody to another. Moreover, this review aims to provide insights into the effectiveness, safety, and broader implications of switching biologics, enhancing understanding for clinicians to optimize severe asthma management. The article underlines the importance of a patient-centered approach, biomarker assessment, and the evolving nature of asthma treatment in making informed decisions about biologic therapy.


Assuntos
Asma , Produtos Biológicos , Humanos , Produtos Biológicos/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Interleucina-13
15.
J Breath Res ; 18(3)2024 Jun 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38876093

RESUMO

Analyzing exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with an electronic nose (e-nose) is emerging in medical diagnostics as a non-invasive, quick, and sensitive method for disease detection and monitoring. This study investigates if activities like spirometry or physical exercise affect exhaled VOCs measurements in asthmatics and healthy individuals, a crucial step for e-nose technology's validation for clinical use. The study analyzed exhaled VOCs using an e-nose in 27 healthy individuals and 27 patients with stable asthma, before and after performing spirometry and climbing five flights of stairs. Breath samples were collected using a validated technique and analyzed with a Cyranose 320 e-nose. In healthy controls, the exhaled VOCs spectrum remained unchanged after both lung function test and exercise. In asthmatics, principal component analysis and subsequent discriminant analysis revealed significant differences post-spirometry (vs. baseline 66.7% cross validated accuracy [CVA],p< 0.05) and exercise (vs. baseline 70.4% CVA,p< 0.05). E-nose measurements in healthy individuals are consistent, unaffected by spirometry or physical exercise. However, in asthma patients, significant changes in exhaled VOCs were detected post-activities, indicating airway responses likely due to constriction or inflammation, underscoring the e-nose's potential for respiratory condition diagnosis and monitoring.


Assuntos
Asma , Testes Respiratórios , Nariz Eletrônico , Exercício Físico , Expiração , Espirometria , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis , Humanos , Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis/análise , Masculino , Feminino , Testes Respiratórios/métodos , Testes Respiratórios/instrumentação , Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/fisiopatologia , Asma/metabolismo , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem
16.
J Clin Med ; 13(8)2024 Apr 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38673593

RESUMO

Background/Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated the positive clinical and functional impact of adding Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) to Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) and Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABA) therapy in the treatment of severe asthma. Aim and objectives: To demonstrate that treating Small Airways Disease (SAD) in severe asthma patients who are candidates for biologics can improve respiratory symptoms, lung function, and airways inflammation, potentially avoiding or delaying the use of biological therapy. Methods: Thirty-two severe asthma patients with SAD were transitioned from separate inhalers for ICS/LABA and LAMA to extrafine single-inhaler beclomethasone, formoterol, and glycopyrronium. None of these patients underwent biological therapy before the study. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at baseline (T0) and three months after initiation (T3). Assessments included clinical evaluations, spirometry, oscillometry, and inflammation markers. Results: Transitioning to single-inhaler triple therapy from T0 to T3 resulted in significant improvements in Asthma Control Test (ACT) and SAD parameters, including increased Forced Expiratory Volume in the mid-range of lung capacity and improved airway resistance and reactance measurements using impulse oscillometry. A significant reduction in airway inflammation was evidenced by lower levels of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide 350 (FeNO 350) (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: Adopting a single-inhaler triple therapy notably enhanced clinical control and small airway function in patients with severe asthma and SAD, supporting the positive impact of target-therapy for the achievement of a stable state termed "Quiet Asthma".

17.
Respir Med ; 226: 107628, 2024 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38615715

RESUMO

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reliable biomarkers able to predict post-COVID syndrome development are still lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between Galectin-3 blood concentrations and the development of post-COVID syndrome. METHODS: We performed a single-center, prospective, observational study, enrolling 437 consecutive patients attending our outpatient clinic for the post-COVID assessment. For each patient, we recorded the main clinical, functional and radiological findings. We also dosed several blood biomarkers which have been related to COVID-19 disease, including Galectin-3. We performed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the predictive performance of Galectin-3 for post-COVID syndrome development. RESULTS: Among the blood biomarkers tested, Galectin-3 resulted the only one correlated with the outcome, although the insufficient performance of the Cox regression model from a statistical standpoint. Correlation coefficients and ROC curves analysis revealed the close relationship between Galectin-3 levels and the time passed from the acute phase of COVID-19 disease, suggesting a possible predictive role for this biomarker when dosed from 60 to 120 days after the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3 could play an important role as predictive biomarker for COVID-19 sequelae, but its evaluation must be carefully planned along the follow up to avoid misinterpretations.


Assuntos
Biomarcadores , COVID-19 , Galectina 3 , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Humanos , COVID-19/sangue , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/complicações , Biomarcadores/sangue , Masculino , Feminino , Estudos Prospectivos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Galectina 3/sangue , Idoso , Curva ROC , Galectinas/sangue , Adulto , Síndrome de COVID-19 Pós-Aguda , Proteínas Sanguíneas/análise , SARS-CoV-2
18.
Respirology ; 18(6): 968-73, 2013 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23600534

RESUMO

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nocturnal application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Determination of the therapeutic pressure (CPAP titration) is usually performed by a technician in the sleep laboratory during attended polysomnography. One possible alternative to manual titration is automated titration. Indeed, during the last 15 years, devices have been developed that deliver autoadjustable CPAP (A-CPAP). The aim of the present study was to compare the titration effectiveness of two A-CPAP devices using different flow-based algorithms in patients with OSA. METHODS: This is a randomized study; 79 subjects underwent two consecutive unattended home A-CPAP titration nights with two different devices (Autoset Resmed; Remstar Auto Respironics); during the third and the fourth night, patients underwent portable monitoring in the sleep laboratory during fixed CPAP at the A-CPAP recommended pressure. RESULTS: Bland Altman plots showed good agreement between the recommended median and maximal pressure levels obtained with the two devices. A significant improvement was observed in all the sleep parameters by both A-CPAP machines to a similar degree. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the two A-CPAP devices using different algorithms are equally effective in initial titration of CPAP.


Assuntos
Algoritmos , Pressão Positiva Contínua nas Vias Aéreas/instrumentação , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/terapia , Idoso , Pressão Positiva Contínua nas Vias Aéreas/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polissonografia , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do Tratamento
19.
Adv Respir Med ; 91(1): 66-73, 2023 Feb 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36825941

RESUMO

We aimed to evaluate asthmatic patients with fixed airways obstruction (FAO) and to verify the impact of follow-up in an asthma-dedicated outpatient clinic on symptoms control and spirometry compared to asthmatics without FAO. We enrolled 20 asthmatic FAO+ patients and 20 FAO- asthmatics at baseline (T0) and at a one-year follow-up visit (T1). FAO+ and FAO- groups were compared for anamnesis, FEV1, asthma control test (ACT) and their ΔT0-T1. FAO+ and FAO- groups did not differ for age, BMI, pack-years, allergy, T0 blood eosinophils, comorbidities or GINA therapy step at T0 and T1, whereas, in the FAO+ group, we found more patients with a delay >5 years between symptoms onset and correct asthma diagnosis (p < 0.05). ACT at T0 and ΔT0-T1, FEV1 at ΔT0-T1 and number of exacerbations at T0 and ΔT0-T1 did not differ between groups. Despite a widespread perception of FAO, per se, as a severity factor for asthma, we found similar severity profiles and amelioration after one year of treatment in the FAO+ and FAO- groups. The only factor linked to FAO development in our population was a delay in asthma diagnosis from respiratory symptoms onset, which may have led to airway remodeling. Physicians should characterize patients with FAO for avoiding misdiagnosis between asthma and other respiratory diseases and for establishing the appropriate therapy.


Assuntos
Obstrução das Vias Respiratórias , Asma , Hipersensibilidade , Humanos , Asma/diagnóstico , Obstrução das Vias Respiratórias/epidemiologia , Espirometria , Eosinófilos
20.
Respir Med ; 217: 107348, 2023 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37422023

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Dupilumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-4/interleukin-13 monoclonal antibody, has shown efficacy in many aspects of Type-2 severe asthma management. Currently, we lack real-life studies addressing the achievment of clinical remission in patients treated with this biologic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study enrolling 18 patients with severe asthma treated with Dupilumab. We assessed main clinical, functional and biological severe asthma features at baseline (T0) and after a 1-year course of treatment (T12). Clinical remission was defined at T12 in patients without asthma exacerbations, no oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, ACT ≥ 20 and FEV1 improvement ≥ 100 ml from baseline. RESULTS: Among total population, 38.9% of patients achieved clinical remission at T12. Anti IL-4/IL-13 treatment significantly reduced asthma exacerbations and OCS use in the overall cohort, with a more pronounced ACT improvement in the remission group. Patients achieving clinical remission went through a step down of the inhalation therapy, suspending long-acting anti-muscarinics administration at T12. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with anti-IL4/IL13 can induce clinical remission in patients with T2 severe asthma.


Assuntos
Antiasmáticos , Asma , Produtos Biológicos , Humanos , Interleucina-13 , Estudos Prospectivos , Corticosteroides/uso terapêutico , Produtos Biológicos/uso terapêutico
SELEÇÃO DE REFERÊNCIAS
DETALHE DA PESQUISA