0000000000560549
AUTHOR
Laura Serafino-agrusa
showing 3 related works from this author
Blood eosinophils and treatment response in hospitalized exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study
2015
Background: In outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), blood eosinophilia is considered as a biomarker of response to systemic corticosteroid therapy. However, little is known on whether blood eosinophilia is also predictive of positive clinical outcome in severe acute exacerbations of COPD requiring hospitalization. We hypothesized that blood eosinophil-positive severe acute exacerbations of COPD differ from eosinophil-negative ones in terms of response to therapy and clinical outcomes. Methods: To test our experimental hypothesis, we retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients with COPD admitted to our ward because of severe exacerbation, over a two-year pe…
Asthma and metabolic syndrome: Current knowledge and future perspectives
2014
Asthma and obesity are epidemiologically linked; however, similar relationships are also observed with other markers of the metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which cannot be accounted for by increased body mass alone. Obesity appears to be a predisposing factor for the asthma onset, both in adults and in children. In addition, obesity could make asthma more difficult to control and to treat. Although obesity may predispose to increased Th2 inflammation or tendency to atopy, other mechanisms need to be considered, such as those mediated by hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in the context of metabolic syndrome. The mechanisms underlying the associ…
Physical capacity in performing daily activities is reduced in scleroderma patients with early lung involvement
2015
Background and Aims Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) often complain reduced capacity at submaximal exercise; conversely, physical capacity in performing daily duties has never been measured in SSc. The aim of this study is to evaluate this performance and its correlates, in patients with SSc compared with healthy controls, in a free-living setting. Methods Twenty-seven outpatients with stable SSc and 11 controls were recruited. Physical activity was assessed by portable multiple sensor device (SenseWear Armband) worn for at least 6 days. Physical activity duration (PAD; in minutes) for non-sedentary activities and physical activity level (PAL = total daily energy/resting energy expend…