0000000000419358
AUTHOR
Elisiana Carpagnano
Minimal clinically important difference for asthma endpoints: an expert consensus report
Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) can be defined as the smallest change or difference in an outcome measure that is perceived as beneficial and would lead to a change in the patient's medical management.The aim of the current expert consensus report is to provide a “state-of-the-art” review of the currently available literature evidence about MCID for end-points to monitor asthma control, in order to facilitate optimal disease management and identify unmet needs in the field to guide future research.A series of MCID cut-offs are currently available in literature and validated among populations of asthmatic patients, with most of the evidence focusing on outcomes as patient repo…
Noninvasive methods for the detection of upper and lower airway inflammation in atopic children
Background Exhaled nitric oxide (FE NO ) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are noninvasive methods to assess inflammation. Objective To investigate the role of the FE NO and of the EBC pH and IL-5 levels in atopic children. Methods We evaluated oral and nasal FE NO and the pH and IL-5 of oral and nasal EBC in children with atopic dermatitis (AD; n=18), allergic rhinitis (AR; n=18), intermittent asthma (n = 21), moderate persistent asthma (n = 18), and healthy controls (HCs; n=16). Results Oral FE NO was significantly increased in asthma, whereas the nasal values were increased in AR and asthma in comparison with HCs. The pH of oral EBC was lower in AD and asthma than in AR and HCs, wherea…
Economic impact of mepolizumab in uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma, in real life
Abstract Background and aims Severe asthma is burdened by frequent exacerbations and use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) which worsen patients’ health and increase healthcare spending. Aim of this study was to assess the clinical and economic effect of adding mepolizumab (MEP) for the treatment of these patients. Methods Patients >18 years old, referred to 8 asthma clinics, starting MEP between May 2017 and December 2018, were enrolled and followed-up for 12 months. Information in the 12 months before mepolizumab were collected retrospectively. The evaluation parameters included: OCS use, number of exacerbations/hospitalizations, concomitant therapies, comorbidity, and annual number of workin…