Insights from comparison of serum IgG4 between T2-eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis/idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Objectives: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (iHES) are systemic hypereosinophilic diseases largely overlapping. Type 2 (T2)-eosinophilic asthma is documented in 100% and 44-95% of EGPA and iHES patients, respectively, probably representing the beginning of the systemic eosinophilic disorders, as suggested by mepolizumab, effective in both asthma and EGPA/iHES. In this respect, there are no predictive biomarkers of progression from T2-eosinophilic asthma into EGPA/iHES.

ANCA-negative EGPA: only eosinophils without vasculitis? Insights from anti-T2 biologics.

The pathogenic role of p-ANCA in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a long-standing matter of debate. In this work, we report our real-life experience with EGPA patients, treated with biologics targeting type 2 (T2)-eosinophilic inflammation (Mepolizumab, Benralizumab, Dupilumab). Interestingly, we observed EGPA extrarespiratory relapses only in p-ANCA-positive patients (2/5 cutaneous vasculitis, 3/5 constitutional symptoms), with new rise of p-ANCA and normal eosinophil blood count.

Oscillometry in severe asthma: the state of the art and future perspectives.

Introduction: Approximately 3-10% of people with asthma have severe asthma (SA). Patients with SA have greater impairment in daily life and much higher costs. Even if asthma affects the entire bronchial tree, small airways have been recognized as the major site of airflow limitation.

Long-term residential exposure to air pollution and risk of chronic respiratory diseases in Italy: The BIGEPI study.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has adverse respiratory health effects. We investigated the cross-sectional relationship between residential exposure to air pollutants and the risk of suffering from chronic respiratory diseases in some Italian cities. In the BIGEPI project, we harmonised questionnaire data from two population-based studies conducted in 2007-2014.

The Association of Self-Reported Birthweight with Lung Function and Respiratory Diseases: Results from a Multi-Centre, Multi-Case Control Study in Italy.

Early life conditions are associated with lung function and the development of respiratory and non-respiratory illnesses. The relationship with birthweight (BW), however, is conflicting. We examined associations of self-reported BW with lung function and the development of respiratory and also non-respiratory diseases within the GEIRD (Gene-Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases) project, an Italian multi-centre, multi-case control study involving cases of COPD, asthma, allergic rhinitis and controls.

Patients and doctors group meetings: an innovative way to explore severe asthma backstage.

Severe asthma patients' life is heavily influenced by the disease, which has impact on personal and professional choices or general lifestyle. Despite the available tools to help physicians investigating the patient-reported outcomes there is a need for a more standardised and structured approach to include the evaluation of quality of life together with the emotions of patients into the routine clinical interaction. We hereby report the use of an active listening and insight approach to understand the emotions of patients with severe asthma through dedicated in-person meetings involving a group of patients with their doctors, caregivers and an external moderator.

Real-World Experience with Dupilumab in Severe Asthma: One-Year Data from an Italian Named Patient Program.

Introduction: Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4Rα recently licensed for severe asthma (SA). A Named Patients Program (NPP) was created in Italy before its commercial availability for SA patients with no other available therapeutic options. We aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with SA and unmet needs.

Gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease are strongly associated with non-allergic nasal disorders.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been reported to be significantly associated with chronic rhinosinusitis, but the strength of the association is still debated.

Aims: To evaluate the strength of the association between gastritis/GERD and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR)/allergic rhinitis (AR)/sinusitis.

Methods: We investigated 2887 subjects aged 20-84 years, who underwent a clinical visit in seven Italian centres (Ancona, Palermo, Pavia, Terni, Sassari, Torino, Verona) within the study on Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases, a population-based multicase-control study between 2008 and 2014.

Safety and Adherence to Venom Immunotherapy During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: According to expert consensus, the time interval between Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy (VIT) injections can be extended up to 12 weeks, without significant impact on efficacy and safety. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic caused longer delays, and no recommendations are available to manage this huge extension.

Objectives: To provide advice on how to resume VIT safely after a long delay from the last injection considering the potential risk factors for side effects, without starting again with the induction phase.

Chronic bronchitis without airflow obstruction, asthma and rhinitis are differently associated with cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.

Background And Objectives: Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases can frequently coexist. Understanding their link may improve disease management. We aimed at assessing the associations of chronic bronchitis (CB), asthma and rhinitis with cardiovascular diseases and risk factors in the general population.

Depression is associated with poor control of symptoms in asthma and rhinitis: A population-based study.

Background: Although many studies have highlighted the link between asthma/rhinitis and depression, it is still unclear which characteristics of these diseases are associated with the risk of depression. We aimed to explore the relationship between depression and asthma or rhinitis in a representative sample of the Italian general population.

Methods: The data were collected in GEIRD, an Italian multicenter, population-based, multicase-control study.

Pollen concentrations and prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Italy: Evidence from the GEIRD study.

Background: Pollen exposure has acute adverse effects on sensitized individuals. Information on the prevalence of respiratory diseases in areas with different pollen concentrations is scanty.

Aim: We performed an ecologic analysis to assess whether the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in young adults varied across areas with different pollen concentrations in Italy.

Asthma-related deaths.

Despite major advances in the treatment of asthma and the development of several asthma guidelines, people still die of asthma currently. According to WHO estimates, approximately 250,000 people die prematurely each year from asthma. Trends of asthma mortality rates vary very widely across countries, age and ethnic groups.

The Heterogeneity Hidden in Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Co-Existing Asthma in Adults: A Population-Based Survey.

Background: It has been suggested that there is some overlap between allergic rhinitis (AR), sinusitis and polyposis, but this has not been fully documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these co-existing diseases and their impact on bronchial asthma in the general population of Italy.

Methods: Within the frame of the multicentre Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study, a postal screening questionnaire including questions about self-reported symptoms of asthma, AR, AR with sinusitis without nasal polyps (AR + SsNP) and AR with sinusitis with nasal polyps (AR + SwNP) was administered.

The gender, age and risk factor distribution differs in self-reported allergic and non-allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional population-based study.

Background: Few population-based studies have assessed the prevalence and the risk factors of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) in comparison to allergic rhinitis (AR). Moreover, epidemiologic data on rhinitis in the elderly subjects and in southern Europe are scarce.

Objective: This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and at comparing the risk factor distribution of AR and NAR in a general population sample aged 20-84 years in Italy.