Background: We know that excessive short-acting β2-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....

Authors present 6 cases of abdominal bleeding associated with COVID-19, representing 1.35% of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients and hypothesize that there could be, although not very frequently, a relationship between SARS-CoV2 and bleeding. They excluded a side effect of the low molecular weight heparin therapy that all patients underwent during ....

 Background: Several immune mechanisms activate in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Usually, coronavirus infection is characterized by dysregulated host immune responses, interleukine-6 increase, hyper-activation of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Interestingly, Vitamin D deficiency has been often associated with altered immune responses and infections. In....

Objective: This study analysed whether the persistence of both reversible airway obstruction (RAO) and elevated BE counts was associated to reduced asthma control and accelerated lung function decline in treated severe asthmatics. Methods: About 202 severe asthmatics were studied after 12-120 months of step-5 treatment associated to anti-IgE therap....

Introduction: Many uncontrolled severe asthmatics are not on biologic therapy. We hypothesized that using a prescription database could help us identify them. Material and methods: 3,309 patients who received at least one Montelukast prescription in 2019 were extracted from our prescription database. Number of packages/year, types and dosages of IC....

Background: To date, it is unknown how many Italians have had or have a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, because of the lack of epidemiological studies involving the general population. Study design: Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence/incidence of a symptoms-based mild SARS-CoV-2 infection in southern Tuscany, by using an online survey. ....

Background: Given COPD heterogeneity, we do not know if some LABA/LAMAs are more suitable for some COPD phenotypes. This real-life database study aimed to evaluate retrospectively the 4 LABA/LAMA effectiveness and highlight possible specificities that could better guide us in choosing the right LABA/LAMA to be used. Methods: We searched for subject....

Background: It is not clear whether mepolizumab is differently effective in allergic and nonallergic severe eosinophilic asthmatics (SEA) in real life. Objective: We tested mepolizumab effectiveness in allergic/nonallergic SEA in real life. A strict criterion to identify the 2 phenotypes was used. Method: We retrospectively considered 134 consecuti....

An epidemiological study on COVID-19 should be carried out: With a serological test, a pharyngeal swab or both?  Marco Scalese 1, Bruno Sposato 2Affiliations expand PMID: 33055004 PMCID: PMC7522694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.09.007 Free PMC article full article

Affiliations expand PMID: 33039948 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmer.2020.100791No abstract available Keywords: Mepolizumab; Nasal polyposis; Outcomes; Real-life; Severe eosinophilic asthma.  full article

Background: Omalizumab therapy was found to be safe and effective as an add-on therapy for patients with poorly controlled severe asthma. Although several studies over the last decade have demonstrated its efficacy in other Immunoglobulin E related diseases, its use in such conditions is off-label. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiv....

Today it remains unclear why children seem to be less likely to get infected by COVID-19 or why they appear to be less symptomatic after infections. All individuals, especially children, are exposed to various viruses including human coronavirus (CoVs) that can generally lead to respiratory infections. We hypothesize that recurrent CoVs exposure ma....