[Analysis of the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection (long-COVID) in Italy during and after the pandemic emergency and response strategy].

Background: the long-COVID condition is gaining increasing relevance in terms of public health, but few studies have evaluated its impact on use of healthcare resources and the organizational responses of healthcare systems. Although many studies have evaluated case studies of individuals with long-COVID, the clinical spectrum of symptoms is still poorly defined due to the heterogeneity of the populations studied, the variability of the definitions used, and the absence of disease markers. In this context, in 2022, a project was designed and implemented in cooperation between the National Centre for Prevention and Control of the Italian Ministry of Health and the Italian National Health Institute (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS).

Insight into potential long COVID effects: Antidepressant use in post SARS-CoV-2 Infection scenarios. A multiregional nested case-control study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the role of vaccination in the onset of neuropsychiatric conditions, evaluated through antidepressant prescriptions. This case-control study evaluated the risk of new antidepressant prescriptions in relation to previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. It was conducted in three Italian Regions on adults who did not receive antidepressant prescriptions in the year preceding the study period.

Cost per care of the first year of direct antiviral agents in the Liguria Region: a multicenter analysis.

Aims: Despite the remarkable efficacy shown in clinical practice, concerns have been raised about the costs associated with direct antiviral agent (DAA) therapy. This article presents the real-life costs for DAA treatment sustained by the Italian National Health Service in the Liguria Region (Northern Italy).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the cost per care sustained for DAA treatment, relating to the period from January 1 to December 31, 2015 in five centers in Liguria was performed.

Influence of EGFR mutational status on metastatic behavior in non squamous non small cell lung cancer.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutated Non Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs) are a molecularly subgroup of patients with peculiar clinic-pathological characteristics. Previous studies have suggested a possible interaction between oncogene status and metastatic behavior in non squamous NSCLCs with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to compare the different metastatic patterns, at baseline and during the course of the disease, in a cohort of 137 Caucasian patients with non-squamous NSCLC according to the EGFR mutational status and survival differences according to the different metastatic behavior.

Efficacy, safety and cost per responder of biologics in the treatment of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents are recommended as second-line therapy for patients with axial spondyloarthropathies. This analysis reviewed data on studies investigating the efficacy and tolerability of anti-TNF agents in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who had failed first-line non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) treatment. Efficacy data from RCTs were used to calculate the number needed to treat (NNT) for individual anti-TNFs and then the cost per responder was determined to provide an indication of the value of each therapy.

Randomized Trial of Low-Dose Morphine Versus Weak Opioids in Moderate Cancer Pain.

Purpose: The WHO guidelines on cancer pain management recommend a sequential three-step analgesic ladder. However, conclusive data are lacking as to whether moderate pain should be treated with either step II weak opioids or low-dose step III strong opioids.

Patients And Methods: In a multicenter, 28-day, open-label randomized controlled study, adults with moderate cancer pain were assigned to receive either a weak opioid or low-dose morphine.

Celecoxib for the prevention of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: results from a matched control study.

Objectives: New targets and approaches are under investigation for the treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Preclinical data suggest cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as a promising target. Celecoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, inhibits tumor development and enhances survival, both in vitro and in vivo models of bladder cancer.

Sequential N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Measurements During Albumin Replacement in Patients With Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock.

Objectives: Myocardial dysfunction is a frequent complication in patients with severe sepsis and can worsen the prognosis. We investigated whether circulating biomarkers related to myocardial function and injury predicted outcome and were associated with albumin replacement.

Design: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial about albumin replacement in severe sepsis or septic shock (the Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis trial).

Patient's adherence on pharmacological therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is different: is combination therapy better than monotherapy?

Background: Recent studies showed that the non-adherence to the pharmacological therapy of patients affected by BPH-associated LUTS increased the risk of clinical progression of BPH. We examined the patients adherence to pharmacological therapy and its clinical consequences in men with BPH-associated LUTS looking at the differences between drug classes comparing mono vs combination therapy.

Methods: A retrospective, population-based cohort study, using prescription administrative database and hospital discharge codes from a total of 1.

Drug adherence and clinical outcomes for patients under pharmacological therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia: population-based cohort study.

Background: Little is known about drug adherence in men treated for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the causes of LUTS.

Objective: To examine adherence to pharmacological therapy and its clinical value in men with LUTS.

Identification of subgroups of early breast cancer patients at high risk of nonadherence to adjuvant hormone therapy: results of an Italian survey.

Background: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (HT) is suboptimal among breast cancer patients. A high rate of nonadherence might explain differences in survival between clinical trial and clinical practice. Tailored interventions aimed at improving adherence can only be implemented if subgroups of patients at higher risk of poor adherence are identified.

Circulating presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype) as a marker of host response in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: data from the multicenter, randomized ALBIOS trial.

Purpose: Presepsin is a soluble fragment of the cluster-of-differentiation marker protein 14 (CD14) involved in pathogen recognition by innate immunity. We evaluated the relation between its circulating concentration, host response, appropriateness of antibiotic therapy, and mortality in patients with severe sepsis.

Methods: Plasma presepsin was measured 1, 2, and 7 days after enrollment of 997 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in the multicenter Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) trial.

Albumin replacement in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Background: Although previous studies have suggested the potential advantages of albumin administration in patients with severe sepsis, its efficacy has not been fully established.

Methods: In this multicenter, open-label trial, we randomly assigned 1818 patients with severe sepsis, in 100 intensive care units (ICUs), to receive either 20% albumin and crystalloid solution or crystalloid solution alone. In the albumin group, the target serum albumin concentration was 30 g per liter or more until discharge from the ICU or 28 days after randomization.

Clinical effects and economical impact of dutasteride and finasteride therapy in Italian men with LUTS.

Objectives: To investigate differences in the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)- related hospitalization, for surgical and non-surgical reasons, and of new prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis between patients under dutasteride or finasteride treatment.

Material And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from record-linkage of administrative databases. Men aged ≥ 40 years old who had received a prescription for at least 10 boxes/year (index years: 2004-06) were included.

Presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype) and procalcitonin levels for mortality prediction in sepsis: data from the Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis trial.

Introduction: Sepsis, a leading cause of death in critically ill patients, is the result of complex interactions between the infecting microorganisms and the host responses that influence clinical outcomes. We evaluated the prognostic value of presepsin (sCD14-ST), a novel biomarker of bacterial infection, and compared it with procalcitonin (PCT).

Methods: This is a retrospective, case-control study of a multicenter, randomized clinical trial enrolling patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in ICUs in Italy.

Actual medical management of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia: temporal trends of prescription and hospitalization rates over 5 years in a large population of Italian men.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to estimate the trends in drug prescriptions and the hospitalization rates for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) in real-life clinical practice, using information deriving from administrative databases of the Italian health care system.

Methods: Prescription data on approximately 1,500,000 men over 40 were examined, and prescribed boxes of alpha-blockers (ABs) and/or 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) were calculated for 5 consecutive years, from 2004 to 2008. Annual use prevalence and incidence rates for each drug class and for the combination therapy (CT) were calculated according to age for the entire study period.

Analysis of oncological outcomes and renal function after laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) partial nephrectomy: a multi-institutional outcome analysis.

Objective: To report on a large multi-institutional series of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) partial nephrectomy (PN) and analyse renal function and short-term oncological outcomes.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of LESS-PN performed between November 2007 and March 2012 at 11 participating institutions. Demographic data and data on the main peri-operative outcomes and complications were gathered and analysed.

Is pain reporting to health care professionals age-related? A cross sectional multicenter study in a hospital setting.

Background: Failure to report pain by older patients is usually considered a major obstacle to receive adequate pain management.

Objectives: To compare the frequency of reporting pain to health care professionals (HCPs) among older (≥ 65 yrs) and younger adults (< 65 yrs) and to evaluate whether age and setting of care influence pain reporting to HCPs.

Results: Overall, 3285 patients (54.

Laparoendoscopic single-site partial nephrectomy: a multi-institutional outcome analysis.

Background: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has been developed in an attempt to further reduce the surgical trauma associated with conventional laparoscopy. Partial nephrectomy (PN) represents a challenging indication for LESS.

Objective: To report a large multi-institutional series of LESS-PN and to analyze the predictors of outcomes after LESS-PN.