Objective: Patients with acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a significant mortality and morbidity. Previous studies have identified a number of independent prognostic factors. However, information on hospital admission databases is limited and data regarding short-term prognosis of these patients in Italian hosp....
Mepolizumab effectiveness on small airway obstruction, corticosteroid sparing and maintenance therapy step-down in real life
Background: Mepolizumab (MEP) has been recently introduced to treat severe eosinophilic asthma. Trials have demonstrated a significant effectiveness in this asthma phenotype. We evaluated MEP efficacy on lung function, symptoms, asthma exacerbations, biologic markers, steroid dependence and controller treatment level in real-life. Methods: We retro....
A prevalent exposure to male dog is a risk factor for exclusive allergic sensitization to Can f 5: An Italian multicenter study
A prevalent exposure to male dog is a risk factor for exclusive allergic sensitization to Can f 5: An Italian multicenter study PMID: 32173510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.02.041 No abstract available
Seasonal monitoring of serum IgE and blood eosinophil variability may lead to a better severe asthma phenotyping and to a correct biologic prescription
PMID: 32538068 DOI: 10.23812/19-429-L-49 No abstract available Keywords: IgE; biologic treatment; blood eosinophils; prescription; season; severe asthma. full article
Normal Values of the Mitral-Aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa Thickness: A Multimodality Study
Background: The avascular region of the fibrous body between the mitral and aortic valves, named mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF), is often involved in the periaortic diffusion of infective endocarditis (IE), resulting in abscess or pseudoaneurysm formation. The early recognition of these life-threatening complications is of crucial impo....
Use of narrative medicine to identify key factors for effective doctor-patient relationships in severe asthma
Background: In this project the authors use a narrative medicine (NM) approach to assess the promotion of trust in the relationship between physicians and their asthma patients. Methods: Following a NM educational course for physicians, a research was carried out in which at least 5 written narratives (parallel charts) for each participating physic....
Higher blood eosinophil levels after omalizumab treatment may be associated with poorer asthma outcomes
Collaborators, Affiliations PMID: 30898690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.03.006 No abstract available full article
Metronomic Chemotherapy with Vinorelbine Produces Clinical Benefit and Low Toxicity in Frail Elderly Patients Affected by Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The treatment choice for advanced stage of lung cancer may depend on histotype, performance status (PS), age, and comorbidities. In the present study, we focused on the effect of metronomic vinorelbine treatment in elderly patients with advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer....
Should omalizumab be used in severe asthma/COPD overlap?
A large number of patients suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can show overlapping features of both diseases. Several subjects affected by asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) may be at a severe stage, poorly responsive to triple therapy including inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β2 agonists and muscarinic antagonists. T....
Factors reducing omalizumab response in severe asthma
Background: Despite adding Omalizumab to conventional therapy, several severe asthmatics still show poor disease control. We investigated the factors that may affect a reduced Omalizumab response in a large population of severe asthmatics. Methods: 340 patients were retrospectively evaluated. FEV1%, FVC%, Asthma Control Test (ACT), fractional exhal....
Should Inhaler Prescriptions Also Recommend Watching Videos Showing How to Use Inhaling Devices Properly?
PMID: 29812991 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2018.1470 No abstract available full article
Multimodality Imaging and Clinical Significance of Congenital Ventricular Outpouchings: Recesses, Diverticula, Aneurysms, Clefts, and Crypts
The high spatial resolution of cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) permit the diagnosis of congenital ventricular outpouchings (CVOs), including congenital ventricular diverticula (CVD), congenital ventricular aneurysms (CVA), clefts, and crypts. A unique classification has not been established, and these terms are....
