Background: Accurate diagnosis and management of bronchial asthma are complex processes guided by national and international asthma guidelines, particularly the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). However, adherence to these guidelines is often suboptimal, varying across healthcare professionals and countries, which can lead to poor asthma control and increased healthcare costs.
Aim: In this observational study, we assessed the alignment to GINA recommendations in the diagnosis and management of asthma among 15 primary care physicians in two metropolitan areas of the Campania region, Southern Italy.
: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, which can be assessed non-invasively through flow-mediated dilation (FMD). In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy on FMD of COPD patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). : Medical records of COPD patients undergoing FMD assessment upon admission to our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit were reviewed in this retrospective post hoc analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe monocyte-phagocyte system (MPS), including monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), plays a key role in anti-viral immunity. We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of the MPS components on in-hospital mortality in a cohort of 58 patients (M/F; mean age ± SD years) with COVID-19 pneumonia and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We measured frequencies and absolute numbers of peripheral blood CD169 monocytes, conventional CD1c and CD141 (namely cDC2 and cDC1), and plasmacytoid CD303 DCs by means of multi-parametric flow cytometry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has recently emerged as a crucial therapeutic strategy for hypoxemic patients both in acute and chronic settings. Indeed, HFNC therapy is able to deliver higher fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO) with a heated and humidified gas flow ranging from 20 up to 60 L per minute, in a more comfortable way for the patient in comparison with Conventional Oxygen Therapy (COT). In fact, the flow keeps the epithelium of the airways adequately moisturized, thus positively affecting the mucus clearance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) can result in severe liver and respiratory disorders. The uninhibited elastase activity on the elastic tissue of arterial walls suggests that AATD may also impact vascular health. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of the studies evaluating cardiovascular risk in individuals with AATD and non-AATD controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF