Early management of COPD: Where are we now and where do we go from here? a delphi consensus project

Fabiano Di Marco,1 Piero Balbo,2 Francesco de Blasio,3 Vittorio Cardaci,4 Nunzio Crimi,5 Giuseppe Girbino,6 Girolamo Pelaia,7 Pietro Pirina,8 Pietro Roversi,9 Pierachille Santus,10,11 Nicola Scichilone,12 Alessandro Vatrella,13 Patrizio Pasqualetti,14 Mauro Carone15 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Respiratory Unit, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy; 2SC Malattie dell’Apparato Respiratorio, AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy; 3Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Section, Clinic Center S.p.A. Private Hospital, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, It…

Persistence of both reversible airway obstruction and higher blood eosinophils may predict lung function decline in severe asthma.

Objective: This study analysed whether the persistence of both reversible airway obstruction (RAO) and elevated BE counts was associated to reduced asthma control and accelerated lung function decline in treated severe asthmatics. Methods: About 202 severe asthmatics were studied after 12–120 months of step-5 treatment associated to anti-IgE therapy. Following treatments, reversibility tests, after inhaling 400 mcg of Salbutamol, were performed. FEV1 > 12% or ≤12% changes differentiated RAO+ from RAO− subjects. Blood eosinophil (BE) counts after treatment were considered. Results: Pre-/post-treatment bronchodilator FEV1% and ACT were lower (61% [50–71], 74.4% [62.5–83.7] and 20[18–22]), …

Correction: Circadian rhythm of COPD symptoms in clinically based phenotypes. Results from the STORICO Italian observational study (BMC Pulmonary Medicine (2019) 19 (171) DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0935-2)

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that the article had been provided with the names of the authors (not including the STORICO study group) in the wrong order: the 'Given Names' and Family Names' were erroneously swapped around. Please see this table for the correct order of the names: (Table Presented) This error has now been corrected in the original article and the corrected author list is detailed in this article.

Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?

Abstract Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely use…

Erratum to: Safety Considerations of Inhaled Corticosteroids in the Elderly(Drugs Aging, (2014), 31, 7987-796, DOI 10.1007/s40266-014-0213-1)

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, high-dose regimens and long-term use of ICSs have the potential to cause a variety of local and systemic side effects such as candidiasis, cataracts, glaucoma, and osteoporosis. The use of ICSs can also be associated with the risk of bone fractures, diabetes mellitus and pneumonia. These ICS-related side effects are of particular importance in elderly patients due to the presence of comorbidities and age-related behavioral, cognitive, and psychological problems, which can all interact with inhaled treatment. We reviewed the available literature on the clinically …

MASK 2017: ARIA digitally-enabled, integrated, person-centred care for rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity using real-world-evidence

mHealth, such as apps running on consumer smart devices is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly affect healthcare and health outcomes. However, it may be disruptive and results achieved are not always reaching the goals. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline using the best evidence-based approach to care pathways suited to real-life using mobile technology in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity. Patients largely use over-the-counter medications dispensed in pharmacies. Shared decision making centered around the patient and based on self-management should be the norm. Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), th…

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: No Data for Supporting a Relationship After a Systematic Review