ACROMORFO study: gait analysis in a cohort of acromegalic patients.

Purpose: In acromegaly, skeletal complications resulted to be associated with low quality of life (QoL) and high risk of falls. The aim of the present study was to perform a quantitative assessment of movement through gait analysis technique in patients with acromegaly.

Study Population: Thirty-three acromegalic patients [9 with active disease (AD), 14 with controlled disease (CD) and 10 with disease remission (RD)] and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled for the study.

Psychological complications in patients with acromegaly: relationships with sex, arthropathy, and quality of life.

Purpose: Current treatment of acromegaly restores a normal life expectancy in most cases. So, the study of persistent complications affecting patients' quality of life (QoL) is of paramount importance, especially motor disability and depression. In a large cohort of acromegalic patients we aimed at establishing the prevalence of depression, to look for clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with it, and to investigate the respective roles (and interactions) of depression and arthropathy in influencing QoL.

Directly acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus: mechanisms of action and impact of resistant associated variants.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug development has resulted in interferon-free (IFN) regimens of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The new therapies are highly effective achieving 90-95% of sustained virologic response (SVR) rates among all genotypes with minimal treatment-related side effects. They opened a new scenario in HCV treatment representing a treatment option for patients who were ineligible to IFN-based regimens as those with decompensated liver disease, autoimmune disorders and psychiatric disturbs.