Publications by authors named "Martocchia A"

Background: The mechanisms at the basis of depression are still matter of debate, but several studies in the literature suggest common pathways with dementia (genetic predispositions, metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms, neuropathological changes) and other geriatric syndromes.

Aims: To evaluate the role of cortisol (as marker of the HPA, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity) in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms (by the means of the AGICO, AGIng and COrtisol, study), in relationship to the presence of the major geriatric syndromes.

Methods: The AGICO study enrolled patients from ten Geriatric Units in Italy.

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The use of point-of-care ultrasound is rapidly increasing in medical practice. This study aims to evaluate the left ventricle systolic function by the bedside focus cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS). We consecutively enrolled n.

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Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII and characterized by spontaneous hemorrhage in patients with no previous family or personal history of bleeding. We report here a case of AHA that occurred in the Department of Medicina D'Urgenza in Sant'Andrea Hospital in a patient with previous diagnosis of NSLC. The aim of this article is to allow a more comprehensive knowledge of AHA that both for the rarity and the poor literature is underdiagnosed; for all these reasons, it is important that different specialists, like emergency specialists, experts in internal medicine, hematologists, and oncologists, acquire a more complete knowledge of the clinical and laboratory features of this disease, allowing an early diagnosis crucial for the evolution of the coagulopathy.

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The use of portable ultrasound (US) devices is increasing, due to its accessibility, versatility, non-invasiveness, and its significant support in the patient management, extending the traditional physical examination through the POCUS (point-of-care ultrasound). The pocket-size or handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) can easily perform focused exams, not aiming to substitute for the high-end US systems (gold standard), since the HUDs usually have more limited functions. The HUDs are promising tools for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of the COVID-19 infection and its related disorders.

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Background: The use of the ultrasound (US) bedside examination is increasing for the detailed evaluation of the hemodynamic parameters, allowing the physicians to set the appropriate therapeutic strategies with greater precision.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamic parameters (the cardiac output or CO, the central venous pressure or CVP and the systemic vascular resistance or SVR) in the patients with sepsis, by using a bedside US approach.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled n.

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Background: In the aging process, the cumulative exposure to stress with increased cortisol levels is considered to be associated to the senescence itself and its related disorders.

Aims: To evaluate the role of cortisol in elderly subjects, with or without dementia, by the means of the AGICO study.

Methods: The AGICO study enrolled patients from ten Geriatric Units in Italy in 2012-2017 (Study Director Prof Paolo Falaschi, S.

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Objective: This study aims to evaluate the bedside use of the pocket-sized ultrasound (US) device for the detection of the intracavitary effusions.

Methods: We randomly enrolled 40 patients admitted to S. Andrea Hospital of Rome.

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The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection requires major efforts in healthcare systems, due to the high risk of mortality, particularly in subjects with significant comorbidity (≥ 2 pathologies) and polypharmacy (≥ 5 drugs). The treatment of COVID-19 needs a careful evaluation, to reduce the risk of potentially adverse drug reactions. The aim of the study was to examine the use of computerized prescription support in the management and treatment of the COVID-19 infection.

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Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and delirium are common in advanced phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Thirty-eight moderate-severe AD patients were enrolled (n=16 affected by type 2 diabetes). Each patient received a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (including evaluation of BPSD and frailty), and a complete metabolic evaluation (including the measurement of the glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c).

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) is a viral infection which is rapidly spreading on a global scale and causing a severe acute respiratory syndrome that affects today about four and a half million registered cases of people around the world. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an urgent guidance for the doctors who take care of these patients. Recommendations contained in this protocol are based on limited, non-definitive, evidence and experience-based opinions about patients with low and medium intensity of care.

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Background: Polypharmacy exposes patients with comorbidities (particularly elderly patients) to an increased risk of drug-specific adverse events and drug-drug interactions. These adverse events could be avoided with the use of a computerized prescription support system in the primary care setting. The INTERCheck software is a prescription support system developed with the aim of balancing the risks and benefits of polytherapy and examining drug-drug interactions.

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Background: Elderly people are exposed to an increased load of stressful events and neuro-hormonal stimulation is a key finding in metabolic syndrome and its related disorders.

Aims: To determine the role of cortisol in elderly subjects, with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS), by means of a national multicentre observational study, AGICO (AGIng and Cortisol).

Methods: From 2012 to 2017, the AGICO study enrolled n.

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Unlabelled: This study analyses the difference in 25OH-vitamin D values between two groups of patients both affected by severe osteoporosis with fragility fractures, but one group has vertebral fractures and the other one has hip fractures. Patients with hip fractures have vitamin D values lower than patients with vertebral fractures.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 25OHD levels in patients with fragility vertebral fractures (VF) and hip fractures (HF) and make a comparison between the groups.

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Objectives: Bullying is a manifestation of occupational stress and can therefore be considered as a real "organizational pathology." Include the activities of the surgery dedicated to Mobbing, Unit of Occupational Medicine Sant'Andrea Hospital, which began operations in June 2001.

Methods: In over ten years of operation (July 2012), the sample, consisting of 50.

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The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem and it is associated with hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. Autoimmune thyroid diseases are common in HCV infected patients and the standard interferon-based treatment is associated with an increase of the immune-mediated thyroid damage. Recent evidence in the literature analyzed critical points of the mechanisms of thyroid damage, focusing on the balance between the two sides of the interaction: The environment (virus infection with potential cross-reaction) and the host (susceptibility genes with consistent immune response).

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Article Synopsis
  • * Increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis contributes to MetS and is linked to chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and dementia.
  • * A new treatment approach focusing on inhibiting 11β-HSD1 shows promise for addressing HPA hyperactivity, and a national clinical trial (AGICO study) is planned to further investigate the relationship between cortisol, MetS, and aging-related diseases.
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Osteoporotic hip fracture needs a specific approach and treatment, since elderly patients are at high risk for adverse outcomes after surgery. In particular, delirium often occurs in the peri-operative period, and it is associated with death, hospital-acquired complications, persistent cognitive impairments, poor functional recovery after surgery and increased healthcare costs. The pre-operative assessment of the risk factors for delirium improves the preventive measures.

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Hepatic glycogenosis (HG) in type 1 diabetes is a underrecognized complication. Mauriac firstly described the syndrome characterized by hepatomegaly with altered liver enzymes, growth impairment, delay puberty and Cushingoid features, during childhood. HG in adulthood is characterized by the liver disorder (with circulating aminotransferase increase) in the presence of poor glycemic control (elevation of glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c levels).

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The association between diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases is increasing with aging. Several common mechanisms are involved in both these diseases. The endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier, neurons and glia express typical and different receptors of the glucose metabolism (glucose transporters, insulin receptors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors).

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Background And Aims: Increasing evidence in the literature suggests a link between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) system and adult depression, supporting a role in the pathophysiology of the disease and response to therapy. Few studies have reported BDNF serum levels in elderly depressed subjects and their relationship with antidepressant therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate BDNF serum levels in naive elderly depressed patients, before and after antidepressant treatment.

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The stress response during chronic conditions increases vulnerability to diseases through the activation of adaptive systems, in particular, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Dysregulation in HPA activity (central and peripheral) has been reported in chronic diseases, like metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis-related disease, essential hypertension, dementia, depression, particularly during comorbid conditions. Different targets of anti-glucocorticoid treatment have been proposed, acting at supra-hypothalamic, HPA axis, glucocorticoid receptor and post-receptor levels.

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Frailty is an age-related condition, characterized by a decreased homeostatic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressful events, with high risk of adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of the frailty by the means of the MCPS and the Rockwood criteria. We enrolled 98 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, m ± SD, 80.

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