0000000000397310
AUTHOR
Massimo Pifferi
The disease-specific clinical trial network for primary ciliary dyskinesia: PCD-CTN
Primary ciliary dyskinesia; Rare genetic disorder; Lung diseases Discinesia ciliar primaria; Trastorno genético raro; Enfermedades pulmonares Discinesia ciliar primària; Trastorn genètic rar; Malalties pulmonars Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by impaired mucociliary clearance leading to irreversible lung damage. In contrast to other rare lung diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF), there are only few clinical trials and limited evidence-based treatments. Management is mainly based on expert opinions and treatment is challenging due to a wide range of clinical manifestations and disease severity. To improve clinical and translational research and facili…
Italian pediatric respiratory society recommendations on pediatric pulmonary function testing during COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2). Person-toperson transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs primarily through close contact with an infected person, mainly occurring via respiratory droplets and after touching contaminated objects. Accordingly, pulmonary function testing (PFT) could be considered at high-risk for viral transmission due to the potential for coughing and droplet formation during PFT procedures. The most likely surfaces for possible contamination by this route are mouthpieces, proximal valves, and tubing. Also, both technic…
COVID-19 Pandemic and Reduced Physical Activity: Is There an Impact on Healthy and Asthmatic Children?
Physical activity (PA) has been seen to improve asthma symptoms, lung function, and quality of life, as well as to reduce airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the minimal amount of PA recommended by the World Health Organization—i.e., about 60 min/day of moderate-to-high intensity—is difficult to achieve for many children, particularly those living in urban areas. Short-term changes in PA because of the COVID-19 pandemic may become habitual, increasing the risk of adverse asthma outcomes in children. Indeed, prolonged home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic reduces PA levels and increases sedentary behaviors, possibly impairing i…
Severe asthma features in children: A case–control online survey
Background Very few studies have explored the distinguishing features of severe asthma in childhood in Europe, and only one study was conducted in Southern Europe. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed characterization of children with severe asthma treated in specialized pediatric asthma centers across Italy. Methods We conducted a web-based data collection of family, environmental, clinical and laboratory characteristics of 41 patients aged 6–17 years with severe asthma, defined according to the recent guidelines of the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society, and 78 age-matched peers with non-severe persistent asthma. The patients have been enrolled from …
Impact of a Supervised Training Course on Spirometry Competency for Primary Care Pediatricians
Objective: Spirometry is the most commonly performed lung function test, and performance, adherence to acceptability and repeatability criteria, and accurate interpretation of results help optimize the test's usefulness. This study aimed to measure the effects of spirometry training courses supported by the Italian Pediatric Respiratory Society (IPRS) on primary care pediatricians' (PCP) knowledge of spirometry test quality, ability to interpret results, and overall degree of satisfaction with the course.Methods: Of the six face-to-face courses, four lasted two days and two lasted one day: mean duration of theoretical lessons was five and four hours respectively; and practical sessions last…