Impact of bariatric surgery on pulmonary function and nitric oxide in asthmatic and non-asthmatic obese patients.

Background: Asthma is an important co-morbidity of obesity. This study evaluated the impact of bariatric surgery on respiratory function in obese patients and compared the outcomes in asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects.

Methods: The study was observational and prospective and included subjects on waiting list for bariatric surgery.

The nocebo effect during oral challenge in subjects with adverse drug reactions.

Background: Nocebo effect is the occurrence of troublesome symptoms after the administration of inert substances. It can be easily studied during blind oral challenges for drug reactions, which always involve the administration ofa placebo.

Methods: We collected data about nocebo effect in outpatients undergoing oral drug challenge.

Are physicians aware of the side effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors?: a questionnaire survey in different medical categories.

Study Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) are considered safe, but they are associated with characteristic side effects, namely cough and angioedema, usually requiring discontinuation. We perceived that referrals for these side effects have become more and more frequent; therefore, we evaluated the degree of knowledge on the safety of ACE-I in different medical categories.

Design: A questionnaire (13 questions) on side effects of ACE-I was posted to physicians.