Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is significantly associated with atopy in asthmatic patients.

Background: Although the etiology and disease mechanisms of asthma and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are distinct, several reports indicate that asthma is common in AATD patients, however the relationships between asthma and AATD are poorly described in the literature.Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate in a cohort of outpatients affected by mild to moderate asthma the clinical features that may differentiate asthmatic patients with and without mutation on SERPINA1 gene.Methods: Seven hundred thirty-five asthmatic outpatients underwent quantitative analysis of the serum level of alpha-1antitrypsin. According to the literature only sixty-seven out of seven hundred thirty-five asthmatic patients were submitted to genetic analysis to identify AATD and non-AATD subjects. Fifty-eight patients were studied. Clinical and functional data, including lung function, atopy and bronchial hyperactivity, were recorded.Results: The fifty-eight asthmatic patients were divided in AATD patients (n = 22) and non AATD patients (n = 36), according to genotype. The presence of atopy was significantly higher in patients with AATD than in those without AATD (91% vs. 64%; p = 0.031). AATD patients reported allergic manifestations more than non AATD patients (77% vs. 47%; p = 0.030).Conclusion: Our study shows that the presence of atopy in asthmatic patients with AATD is significantly higher than in asthmatic patients without gene mutation. In addition, a higher percentage of AATD patients self-reported allergic manifestations. No significant differences in respiratory symptoms, physical examination, disease severity or inflammation markers were found between AATD patients and non AATD patients.

[Epidemiological study of a primary fibromyalgia in pediatric age]. / Studio epidemiologico sulla fibromialgia primaria in età pediatrica.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present epidemiological research was to select paediatric subjects who were suspicious of Primary Fibromyalgia (PF) and estimate its incidence in the students of the schools of Castiglione delle Stiviere (Mantova). METHODS: The students had to answer Campbell's questionnaire which was varied and simplified in order to make it comprehensive to everybody even if the key answers were unchanged. The questionnaire was distributed in primary schools (3dr up to 5th class), secondary schools and high schools and its compilation was carried out with a doctor's help. The authors collected and examined 2408 forms. After this evaluation 66 subjects, corresponding to 2.74%, had been considered suspected of PF and had been called to our Paediatric Department to continue the study. In the second phase of the research these 66 students have been submitted to a deep anamnesis, a careful clinical evaluation, a test of tender-points with a digital pressure algometer and some laboratory tests to exclude other rheumatic diseases. The map of the American College of Rheumatology adapted by Wolfe et al. (1990) was used to evaluate tender-points. RESULTS: After this phase 29 students (1.20%) proved to be affected by primary fibromyalgia.

[Gastric endoscopic assessment after treatment with orally administered ketoprofen lysine salt (80 mg granular sachet). Controlled study vs placebo]. / Valutazione endoscopica gastrica dopo trattamento con ketoprofene sale di lisina 80 mg granulato in bustine per uso orale. Studio controllato vs placebo.

In this study, a new oral granular formulation of ketoprofen lysine salt, a non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from propionic acid, and placebo, were compared for their local effect on the gastric mucosa of healthy, human volunteers. The study was carried out with a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, design. 10 healthy volunteers were administered one sachet containing 80 mg of ketoprofen lysine salt and 10 volunteers with placebo. The subjects were gastroscoped at baseline and following 10 days drug administration; tolerability was assessed by analysis of the hematology and biochemistry laboratory results, the adverse reaction reports and by the Investigator's and subject's global assessment at the final visit. No symptoms of gastric intolerance were referred in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found between treatments in laboratory results and in final post-treatment tolerability evaluation (Mann-Whitney's test U, Phi and Cramer tests).