0000000000640002
AUTHOR
Mariangiola Crivellaro
The Severe Asthma Network in Italy: Findings and Perspectives
Background Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI) is a registry of patients recruited by accredited centers on severe asthma. Objective To analyze epidemiological, clinical, inflammatory, functional, and treatment characteristics of severe asthmatics from the SANI registry. Methods All consecutive patients with severe asthma were included into the registry, without exclusion criteria to have real-life data on demographics, asthma control, treatments (including biologics), inflammatory biomarkers, and comorbidities. Results A total of 437 patients (mean age: 54.1 years, 57.2% females, 70.7% atopics, 94.5% in Global Initiative for Asthma severity step V) were enrolled into the study. The mean …
Effects of a structured educational intervention in moderate-to-severe elderly asthmatic subjects.
Background: Adherence to inhaled drugs is linked to patients’ satisfaction with their device, and an incorrect use can negatively affect the outcomes of asthma treatment. We speculated that this is particularly true in elderly asthmatic subjects. Aim: We performed a national pre-post interventional multicentre study, enrolling moderate-to-severe asthmatic subjects aged ≥65 years treated with fixed inhaled combination drugs by dry powder inhaler (DPI) or pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). Adherence and critical errors were evaluated by means of validated questionnaires at first visit (V1) and after 3–6 months (V2). At V1, subjects underwent intensive training on the correct use of the…
Illness perception, mood and coping strategies in allergic rhinitis: are there differences among ARIA classes of severity?
Background: This study was designed to assess if illness perception, mood state and coping strategies differ according to allergic rhinitis (AR) persistence and severity. Methods: Illness perception, mood profiles, coping behaviors and rhinitis symptoms were assessed by means of validated tools inpatients classified according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines. Results: Two hundred and thirty-one patients underwent data analysis. No difference in age, sex, socio-economic status, smoking habits was detected comparing patients according to AR severity, duration or 4 ARIA classes. Patients with intermittent AR reported higher scores than those with persistent A…