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O Resta

Publications and source records attributed to O Resta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Airway inflammation in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux-related asthma.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) are both characterized by airway inflammation. DESIGN: The purposes of this work were (i) to study airway inflammation in patients troubled by gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) and GER associated with asthma, (ii) to ascertain whether GER can aggravate asthma by exacerbating the pre-existing airway inflammation and oxidative stress and (iii) to establish the validity of analysing breath condensate and induced sputum when studying the airways of subjects affected by GER. PATIENT S AND METHODS: We enrolled 14 patients affected by mild asthma associated with GER (40 +/-12 years), nine with mild but persistent asthma (39 +/- 13 years), eight with GER (35 +/- 11 years) and 17 healthy subjects (37 +/- 9 years). Sputum cell counts and concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were measured in breath condensate and supernatant. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: GER-related asthma is characterized by an eosinophilic inflammation, as determined by elevated concentrations of IL-4 in breath condensate and sputum supernatant, and by sputum cell analysis. GER alone presents a neutrophilic pattern of inflammation when determined by elevated concentrations of IL-6 in sputum cell analysis. A concomitant increase has been found in 8-isoprostane in GER associated (or not associated) with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that GER is characterized by a neutrophilic airway inflammation and by increased oxidative stress. GER does not however aggravate pre-existing airway inflammation in asthma patients. Determinations of inflammatory and oxidant markers in the breath condensate of subjects with GER reflect these measured in the induced sputum.

Adult↗

Cross-reactivity in cell-mediated and IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to glucocorticoids.

In the last few decades, glucocorticoids have received increasing attention for their capability of provoking systemic hypersensitivity reactions, when administered orally, parenterally, or intralesionally, as well as allergic skin and mucosal symptoms, when applied locally to the skin in patients with contact dermatitis or to the mucosa in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis. However, because of their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, glucocorticoids are often not suspected of such hypersensitivity reactions. In addition, because glucocorticoids retain their anti-inflammatory potential, even if they act as sensitizers, the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions are not always obvious, particularly when they overlap with those caused by the very diseases glucocorticoids are used to treat. Moreover, interpretation of diagnostic tests, specifically that of patch-test reactions, can be difficult. In this review, particular attention is addressed to the problem of allergenic cross-reactivity among topical and systemic glucocorticoids. We also look at the clinical and practical aspects of both cell-mediated and IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to glucocorticoids and their consequences on anti-inflammatory therapeutic choices.

Cross Reactions↗

Airway inflammation in patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterised by repetitive episodes of upper airway occlusion during sleep. OSA has been shown to be associated with a variable degree of nasal inflammation, uvula mucosal congestion and airway hyperreactivity. The upper airway inflammation, whose clinical importance is uncertain, is characterised by leukocytes infiltration and interstitial oedema. In addition, recent data has shown the presence of neutrophilic inflammation in the lower airways. The current opinion is that airway inflammation is caused by the local, repeated mechanical trauma related to the intermittent airway occlusion typical of the disease. Another potential mechanism involves the intermittent nocturnal hypoxemia that through the phenomenon of the ischemia-reperfusion injury may induce the production of oxygen free radicals and therefore cause local and systemic inflammation. Finally, a state of low-grade systemic inflammation may be related to obesity per se with the pro-inflammatory mediators synthesised in the visceral adipose cells. Several authors stress the role of circulating and local inflammatory mediators, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, exhaled nitric oxide, pentane and 8-isoprostane as the determinants of inflammation in OSA.

Breath Tests↗

Influence of subclinical hypothyroidism and T4 treatment on the prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and subclinical hypothyroidism are relatively frequent disorders that may be causally linked. However, discordant results exist on the prevalence and severity of OSA in subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and severity of sleep-disordered breathing in individuals with or without subclinical hypothyroidism, and to investigate the possible effect of levothyroxine treatment on these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight subjects were consecutively enrolled and divided in 3 groups, according to the TSH levels and levothyroxine therapy. The first group (Group A) was represented by 63 subjects with normal TSH and thyroid function. The other two groups included patients affected by subclinical hypothyroidism; one group (Group B) treated with levothyroxine, while the other group (Group C) was never treated with levothyroxine. Anthropometric, respiratory and polysomnographic data were evaluated in all individuals. RESULTS: The percentage of OSA, neck circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were not statistically different among the 3 groups. Respiratory disturbance index (RDI) as well as the percentage of the total number of events (apnoea-hypopnoea) by total sleep time (TST) with <90% oxyhemoglobin saturation (TSTSaO2 <90%) were not different among the groups. When we observed OSA patients, the only significant difference between groups B and C was represented by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: This study shows that subclinical hypothyroidism and treatment with levothyroxine do not influence the prevalence and severity of OSA, while sleep propensity is increased by untreated subclinical hypothyroidism.

Adult↗

Gender difference in sleep profile of severely obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

OBJECTIVES: Few papers addressed the gender difference in the polisomnographic features of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this paper we investigated the sleep architecture and the nocturnal respiratory pattern in a group of severely obese women with OSA compared with a group of men with OSA matched by age and weight. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary-care setting. SUBJECTS, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric parameters, respiratory function data and a full night polisomnography were evaluated in a group of 45 obese subjects, 20 females and 25 males, with a previous diagnosis of OSA. RESULTS: The group of the severely obese women with OSA presented greater disturbances of the sleep architecture than the group of the men does (wake time after sleep onset 92.6+/-52.4 vs 58.2+/-45.2 min, P<0.05; total wake time 104.8+/-51.4 vs 67.8+/-47.4, P<0.05; number of awakenings 15.5+/-3.6 vs 10.2+/-6.215, P<0.001; OSA that occurred almost exclusively during REM sleep (REM OSA) 35% vs 4%, P<0.05) and a reduced sleep efficiency (69.6+/-15.9 vs 80.3+/-14.0%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Severely obese women with OSA, even with milder OSA, present greater disturbances of the sleep architecture with a more severe sleep disruption and more frequently REM OSA in comparison with men matched by age and weight.

Adult↗

Early and late failure of noninvasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent encouraging results, the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), complicated by acute respiratory failure (ARF), is not always successful. Failure of NIV may require an immediate intubation after a few hours (usually 1-3) of ventilation ('early failure') or may result in clinical deterioration (one or more days later) after an initial improvement of blood gas tension and general conditions ('late failure'). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 122 patients affected by COPD complicated by ARF, and treated with NIV. The schedule of NIV provided sessions of 2-6 h twice daily. RESULTS: Ninety-nine (81%) patients showed a progressive improvement of the clinical parameters and were discharged. Among the remaining 23 patients, 13 had an early failure and 10 had a late failure. In the 'success' group and 'late failure' groups we found after an increase of pH 2 h of NIV (from 7.31 +/- 0.05 to 7.38 +/- 0.04 P < 0.001 and from 7.29 +/- 0.03 to 7.36 +/- 0.02 P < 0.001, respectively) and a decrease of PaCO2 (from 80.93 +/- 9.79 to 66.48 +/- 5.95 P < 0.001 and from 85.96 +/- 10.77 to 76.41 +/- 11.02 P < 0.001, respectively). After 2 h of NIV in the 'late failure' group there were no significant changes in terms of pH (from 7.20 +/- 0.10 to 7.28 +/- 0.06) nor PaCO2 (from 92.86 +/- 35.49 to 93.68 +/- 23.68). The 'early failure' group had different characteristics and, owing to more severe conditions, the value of pH, of Glasgow Coma Score, and Apache II Score were the best predictors of the failure; while, among the complications on admission, metabolic alterations were the only independently significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that NIV may be useful to avoid intubation in approximately 80% of patients with COPD complicated by moderate-severe hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Acute Disease↗

Exhaled nitric oxide from lung periphery is increased in COPD.

Single constant flow exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) cannot distinguish between the sources of NO. The present study measured eNO at multiple expired flows (MEFeNO) to partition NO into alveolar (Calv,NO) and bronchial (Jaw,NO) fractions to investigate peripheral lung contribution to eNO in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). MEFeNO were made in 81 subjects including 18 nonsmokers, 16 smokers and 47 COPD patients of different severity by the classification of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD): 0 (n = 14), 1 (n = 7), 2 (n = 11), 3 (n = 8) and 4 (n = 7). COPD severity was correlated with an increased Calv,NO regardless of the patient's smoking habit or current treatment. The levels of Calv,NO (in ppb) were 1.4+/-0.09 in nonsmokers, 2.1+/-0.1 in smokers categorised as GOLD stage 0 (smokers-GOLD0), 3.3+/-0.18 in GOLD1-2 and 3.4+/-0.1 in GOLD3-4. Jaw,NO levels (pL x s(-1)) were higher in nonsmokers than smokers-GOLD0 (716.2+/-33.3 versus 464.7+/-41.8), GOLD3-4 (609.4+/-71). Diffusion of NO in the airways (Daw,NO pL x ppb(-1) s(-1)) was higher (p<0.05) in GOLD3-4 than in nonsmokers (15+/-1.2 versus 11+/-0.5) and smokers-GOLD0 (11.6+/-0.5). MEFeNO measurements were reproducible, free from day-to-day and diurnal variation and were not affected by bronchodilators. In conclusion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with elevated alveolar nitric oxide. Measurements of nitric oxide at multiple expired flows may be useful in monitoring inflammation and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the response to anti-inflammatory treatment.

Adult↗

A chart of failure risk for noninvasive ventilation in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Knowing the likelihood of failure of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could indicate the best choice between NPPV and endotracheal intubation instituted earlier. For this purpose, two risk charts were designed (at admission and after 2 h of NPPV) that included all relevant measurable clinical prognostic indicators derived from a population representing the patients seen routinely in clinical practice. Risk stratification of NPPV failure was assessed in 1,033 consecutive patients admitted to experienced hospital units, including two intensive care units, six respiratory intermediate care units, and five general wards. NPPV was successful in 797 patients. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Score <11, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II > or =29, respiratory rate > or =30 breaths x min(-1) and pH at admission <7.25 have a predicted risk of failure >70%. A pH <7.25 after 2 h greatly increases the risk (>90%). The risk charts were validated on an independent group of 145 consecutive COPD patients treated with NPPV due to an acute ventilatory failure episode. To identify patients with a probability of failure >50%, the sensitivity and specificity were 33% and 96.7% on admission and 52.9% and 94.1% after 2 h of NPPV, respectively. The prediction chart, based on data from the current study, can function as a simple tool to predict the risk of failure of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and thus improve clinical management of patients tailoring medical intervention.

APACHE↗

Use of exhaled breath condensate in the study of airway inflammation after hypertonic saline solution challenge.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Hypertonic saline solution inhalation is suspected to produce airway inflammation. DESIGN: The aim of this study was to verify this hypothesis by measuring inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collected before and after sputum induction with hypertonic and isotonic saline solution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 10 patients with asthma, 10 patients with COPD, and 7 healthy subjects with no history of lung disease. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured in EBC by a specific enzyme immunoassay kit. Exhaled pH was measured after deaeration/decarbonation by bubbling with argon (350 mL/min) for 10 min by means of a pH meter. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Exhaled IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations were greater and pH was decreased compared to baseline after hypertonic saline solution inhalation in each group of subjects studied. No changes were observed following isotonic saline solution inhalation. Concentrations of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and pH in EBC correlated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hypertonic saline solution inhalation could cause a low-grade inflammation in airways, and levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and pH in EBC may be a useful noninvasive way to assess and monitor airway inflammation.

Aged↗

Exhaled Interleukine-6 and 8-isoprostane in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect of carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (SCMC-Lys).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an airways inflammation and by an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of our study was to assess the inflammation and the oxidative stress in airways of COPD patients with acute exacerbation of disease and in stability. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of 6 months treatment with carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (SCMC-Lys) in COPD. We studied 30 mild acute COPD, 10 mild stable COPD and 15 healthy subjects. 8-isoprostane and Interleukine-6 were measured in their breath condensate through immunoassay. Significantly higher concentrations of exhaled 8-isoprostane and Interleukine-6 were found in acute COPD patients compared to stable COPD and healthy controls (21.8+/-5.1 vs. 13.2+/-2.0 vs. 4.7+/-1.8 pg/ml and 7.4+/-0.9 vs. 5.8+/-0.2 vs. 2.7+/-0.6 pg/ml, p<0.0001). COPD patients treated with SCMC-Lys showed a marked reduction of exhaled 8-isoprostane and Interleukine-6 (8.9+/-1.5 and 4.6+/-0.8 pg/ml, p<0.0001). These findings suggest that there is an increase of 8-isoprostane and Interleukine-6 concentrations in the breath condensate of COPD patients compared to healthy controls especially during acute exacerbations of the disease. Moreover, we showed an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of short-term administration of SCMC-Lys in COPD, suggesting the importance of a further placebo-controlled study that should evaluate the effects of this drug.

Adult↗

Preference for fixed or automatic CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare compliance to treatment with fixed CPAP and with autoCPAP, subjective preference for type of CPAP treatment, and factors associated to preference for autoCPAP in patients with OSAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two subjects were studied in a randomized, single blind cross-over fashion. They were treated for one month by fixed CPAP (Elite Sullivan V, ResMed, Sydney, Australia) and one month by autoCPAP (Autoset T, ResMed, Sydney, Australia). RESULTS: Four subjects who stated a preference for fixed CPAP and four who expressed no preference were pooled together; fourteen preferred autoCPAP. Compliance to treatment using the two machines did not differ in the first group (3.8 (1.9) vs. 3.8 (1.5)h/day, fixed vs autoCPAP), but was higher with autoCPAP in the second group (4.8 (1.8) vs 5.5 (1.5)h/day, P<0.05). Baseline apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was high in both groups, but was higher in the second group P<0.02. First treatment was always fixed CPAP in patients who preferred fixed CPAP, while it was either in the other subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance to autoCPAP differs among OSAS patients. As long as factors predicting higher compliance to autoCPAP are not found, a trial with autoCPAP in patients poorly compliant to fixed CPAP may be warranted.

Body Mass Index↗

High prevalence of previously unknown subclinical hypothyroidism in obese patients referred to a sleep clinic for sleep disordered breathing.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of previously unknown hypothyroidism in adult male and female patients with a wide range of body mass index (BMI) values, referred to a Sleep Clinic because of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin (fT4), as well as forced vital capacity (FVC), PaO2, PaCO2, the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), loud snoring, and the percentage of total sleep time (TST) with <90% oxyhemoglobin saturation (TST(saO2<90%)) were measured in 78 overweight and obese adult subjects with no previous diagnosis of hypothyroidism (age: 18-72 years). The prevalence of previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism in the population as a whole was 11.5%. BMI, TSH and ESS were significantly higher in the hypothyroid than the euthyroid subjects, but there was no significant between-group difference in RDI, TST(saO2<90%) or the other investigated variables, including the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Among the hypothyroid individuals, BMI, neck circumference, ESS, RDI and TST(Sao2<90%) were significantly higher in those with than in those without OSA. Furthermore, there was a clear trend towards a lower FVC% and higher snoring score in the OSA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism than that commonly reported in overweight and obese individuals referred to a Sleep Clinic for polysomnography because of SDB, thus suggesting that thyroid function should be evaluated in all obese patients suffering from SDB despite economic concerns.

Adolescent↗

Supplementary oxygen in healthy subjects and those with COPD increases oxidative stress and airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Hyperoxia increases oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species and may therefore enhance inflammation in the lungs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether short term supplementary oxygen (28%) increases oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways by measuring 8-isoprostane and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate. METHODS: Twenty three healthy subjects (12 men, mean (SD) age 48 (7) years) and 23 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 15 men, mean (SD) age 56 (5) years) were studied. 8-isoprostane and IL-6 concentrations were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of 8-isoprostane and IL-6 were found in all subjects after breathing 28% oxygen for 1 hour. In healthy subjects the concentrations of 8-isoprostane and IL-6 were 10.9 (2.9) pg/ml and 4.9 (0.8) pg/ml, respectively, compared with baseline concentrations of 6.1 (1.3) pg/ml and 2.9 (0.6) pg/ml, and in patients with COPD the concentrations were 27.9 (3.1) pg/ml and 8.3 (1.2) pg/ml), respectively, compared with baseline concentrations of 18.9 (3.6) pg/ml and 6.3 (0.6) pg/ml. By contrast, breathing air through the same face mask for 1 hour had no significant effects on 8-isoprostane or IL-6 concentrations in normal subjects or those with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short term supplementary oxygen may enhance oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways. Whether this happens with long term oxygen therapy needs to be determined.

Bronchitis↗

Endothelin-1 is increased in the breath condensate of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: One recent line of cancer research is currently directed to the study of growth factors. Of increasing interest is endothelin-1 (ET-1), a mitogenic factor already investigated in several human cancer cell lines, which has been found to participate in the development and progression of tumours. This peptide has an important role also in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where ET-1 expression has been found in 100% of cell lines. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to measure ET-1 concentrations in the airways of patients with NSCLC using a completely non-invasive procedure--the breath condensate--and to verify the involvement of this peptide in the growth of lung tumours. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients (17 men, median age 63 years; range 53-74) with histological evidence of NSCLC and 15 healthy controls (9 men, median age 59 years; range 52-70). ET-1 was measured in the exhaled breath condensate by means of a specific enzyme immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of exhaled ET-1 were found in NSCLC patients (8.3 +/- 0.7 pg/ml) compared to controls (5.2 +/- 0.5 pg/ml, p < 0.0001). A statistically significant difference was observed between patients with distant metastases (stage IV) of NSCLC (8.9 +/- 0.6 pg/ml) and those with locoregional disease (stage I-III) (7.9 +/- 0.5 pg/ml). A significant reduction in ET-1 levels was found in 14 patients after surgical removal of the tumour either associated with or without adjuvant chemotherapy (6.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 7.9 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the measurement of ET-1 in the breath condensate of patients with NSCLC could be proposed as a marker for early detection of NSCLC as well as for monitoring reduction or progression of the neoplasm in the follow-up of treated patients.

Aged↗

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in a sample of obese women: effect of menopause.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Previous studies have investigated the prevalence of OSA among obese people, but a sample of women was rarely studied. OBJECTIVE: To describe the anthropometric and polysomnographic characteristics of a sample of obese women and investigate the effect of menopause on the prevalence of OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a full-night polysomnography we studied a sample of 133 obese women with a body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m2. RESULTS: About 44% of our sample had a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > or = 10. Neck circumference, BMI and age resulted the strongest predictors of RDI value. We also found that the prevalence of OSA was higher among post-menopausal women (67%) in comparison with pre-menopausal women (31%). Moreover, post-menopausal women had larger neck circumference and higher waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR). CONCLUSIONS: Among post-menopausal obese women the prevalence of OSA increases. We suggest that menopause could cause a different body fat distribution with an increase of fat in upper parts of the body and, consequently, with an increase of neck circumference.

Adolescent↗

Diurnal PaCO2 tension in obese women: relationship with sleep disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVE: Several obese subjects show a wide array of respiratory disturbances during sleep due to an increased upper-airway resistance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate diurnal PaCO(2) tension in nonsmoking obese women and the possible relationship of this parameter with the presence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of PaCO(2) tension in obese women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 91 nonsmoking obese women (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2), aged 42.8+/-15.7 y) were recruited and evaluated for general and anthropometric parameters, respiratory function, sleep-related symptoms, and sleep disorders of breathing. RESULTS: A total of 10 subjects (10.9%) had diurnal hypercapnia (PaCO(2)> or =43 mmHg). Age, BMI, neck circumference, apnoea/hypopnoea index, and nocturnal desaturation (expressed as TST(SaO(2<90%)); TST(SaO(2<90%))=percentage of total sleep time with oxyhaemoglobin saturation <90%) were significantly higher in obese patients with diurnal hypercapnia, compared to normocapnic women. Moreover, hypercapnic patients had reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s compared to normocapnic individuals. By using multiple regression analysis, the best fitting model (r=0.62, P<0.001) for predicting diurnal PaCO(2) tension in the study population showed that 24.23% of the variance may be explained by TST(SaO(2<90%)), according to the equation: PaCO(2)=0.09 age+0.07 TST(SaO(2<90%))+33.00. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that severity of SDB is the most important factor in determining diurnal PaCO(2) tension in apparently healthy nonsmoking obese women.

Adult↗