Effectiveness of robotic rehabilitation for gait and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

This review investigated the effectiveness of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) in improving gait and balance performance in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Databases and registers were searched from inception to December 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed the effects of RAGT on gait speed, function, balance, fatigue, and adverse events. Three reviewers screened studies for eligibility and extracted key information such as participants and intervention characteristics, as well as outcomes of interest.

Increased nocturnal urinary cortisol levels in the elderly patients with depression, coexisting major geriatric syndromes and combined pathogenetic mechanisms.

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.

Safety and Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Multicentre Retrospective Study on Echocardiographic Parameters and Biomarkers of Heart Congestion.

: Dapagliflozin has shown efficacy in clinical trials in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, real-world data on its use and outcomes in routine clinical practice are limited. We aimed to evaluate the utilisation and safety profile of dapagliflozin in a real-world population of HFrEF patients within the Marche region.

Blood circulating bacterial DNA in hospitalized old COVID-19 patients.

Background: Coronavirus disease COVID-19 is a heterogeneous condition caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Generally, it is characterized by interstitial pneumonia that can lead to impaired gas-exchange, acute respiratory failure, and death, although a complex disorder of multi-organ dysfunction has also been described. The pathogenesis is complex, and a variable combination of factors has been described in critically ill patients.

Geriatric anesthesia: Demographics, epidemiology, state of the art at international level, educational needs, and future perspectives.

Population aging has induced in the last year a corresponding aging inside the surgical population, currently accounting for 45%.50% of the total surgical population in the majority of the advanced countries. This has induced a number of new challenges in the daily anesthesia practice, ranging from the need of implementing specific education in the field of geriatric medicine, organizational adjustments aimed to adapt our preoperative evaluation methodology to the needs older patients present, and a careful redesign of the whole perioperative course for these patients.

Effect of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation on Inflammatory Status and Mortality of Older COVID-19 Patients.

Herpesviridae reactivation such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been described in severe COVID-19 (COronaVIrusDisease-2019). This study aimed to understand if CMV reactivation in older COVID-19 patients is associated with increased inflammation and in-hospital mortality. In an observational single-center cohort study, 156 geriatric COVID-19 patients were screened for CMV reactivation by RT-PCR.

Monitoring cognitive and psychological alterations in COVID-19 patients: A longitudinal neuropsychological study.

Background: SARS-COV-2 infection has been associated to long-lasting neuropsychiatric sequelae, including cognitive deficits, that persist after one year. However, longitudinal monitoring has been scarcely performed. Here, in a sample of COVID-19 patients, we monitor cognitive, psychological and quality of life-related profiles up to 22 months from resolution of respiratory disease.

The increased cortisol levels with preserved rhythmicity in aging and its relationship with dementia and metabolic syndrome.

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.

Sarcopenia in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective study exploring prevalence, associated factors and diagnostic approach.

Background: Sarcopenia gained importance in the evaluation of patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), since it may impact negatively on clinical outcomes.

Aim: Aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia, defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) 2019 definition, and to evaluate the prevalence of the single criteria that define the EWGSOP2 definition (muscle strength, muscle quantity and physical performance), in a cohort of consecutive patients with IPF prospectively followed up in 9 hospitals in Northern Italy between December 2018 and May 2021.

Methods: Enrolled patients underwent an extensive pulmonary and nutritional assessment, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, dynamometry and 4-m gait speed test, both at IPF diagnosis and at 6-month follow-up.

Routine laboratory parameters, including complete blood count, predict COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in geriatric patients.

To reduce the mortality of COVID-19 older patients, clear criteria to predict in-hospital mortality are urgently needed. Here, we aimed to evaluate the performance of selected routine laboratory biomarkers in improving the prediction of in-hospital mortality in 641 consecutive COVID-19 geriatric patients (mean age 86.6 ± 6.

Nutritional assessment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective multicentre study.

Background: Nutritional status impacts quality of life and prognosis of patients with respiratory diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there is a lack of studies performing an extensive nutritional assessment of IPF patients. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and to identify nutritional phenotypes in a cohort of IPF patients at diagnosis.

Circulating miR-320b and miR-483-5p levels are associated with COVID-19 in-hospital mortality.

The stratification of mortality risk in COVID-19 patients remains extremely challenging for physicians, especially in older patients. Innovative minimally invasive molecular biomarkers are needed to improve the prediction of mortality risk and better customize patient management. In this study, aimed at identifying circulating miRNAs associated with the risk of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality, we analyzed serum samples of 12 COVID-19 patients by small RNA-seq and validated the findings in an independent cohort of 116 COVID-19 patients by qRT-PCR.

Possible harm from glucocorticoid drugs misuse in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a narrative review of the evidence.

Since the publication of the RECOVERY trial, the use of glucocorticoid drugs (GC) has spread for the treatment of severe COVID-19 worldwide. However, the benefit of dexamethasone was largest in patients who received mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen therapy, while no benefit was found among patients without hypoxemia. In addition, a positive outcome was found in patients who received dexamethasone after several days of symptoms, while possible harm could exist if administered early.

Long-term changes in pulmonary function among patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess respiratory function at the time of clinical recovery, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: Our case series consisted of 13 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results: Baseline pulmonary function tests were 55.

Prognostic relevance of normocytic anemia in elderly patients affected by cardiovascular disease.

Background: Anemia associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a common condition in older persons. Prevalence and prognostic role of anemia were extensively studied in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) or congestive heart failure (CHF) whereas limited data were available on patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was conducted to assess the clinical prevalence and prognostic relevance of anemia in elderly patients affected by AF and other CVDs.

Prognostic Interplay of Functional Status and Multimorbidity Among Older Patients Discharged From Hospital.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic weight of multimorbidity and functional impairment over long-term mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.

Design: A prospective multicenter observational study.

Setting And Participants: Our series consisted of 1967 adults aged ≥65 years consecutively admitted to acute care wards in Italy, in the context of the Report-AGE project.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: an integrated approach beyond antibiotics.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease (PD) is an emerging condition with heterogeneous manifestations from both the microbiological and the clinical point of view. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are available but there are still unmet patients' and physicians' needs, including therapy-related adverse events, symptom control, management of comorbidities, risk of re-exposure to the pathogen and unfavourable outcomes. In the present review, we provide currently available evidence for an integrated approach to NTM-PD beyond antibiotic therapy.

Causes of syncopal recurrences in patients treated with permanent pacing for bradyarrhythmic syncope: Findings from the SYNCOPACED registry.

Background: Few studies have examined the causes of syncope/collapse recurrences in patients with a previously implanted pacemaker for bradyarrhythmic syncope.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the causes of syncope/collapse recurrences after pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmic syncope in a large patient population.

Methods: The SYNCOpal recurrences in patients treated with permanent PACing for bradyarrhythmic syncope (SYNCOPACED) registry was a prospective multicenter observational registry enrolling 1364 consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmic syncope.

Determinants of healing among patients with coronavirus disease 2019: the results of the SARS-RAS study of the Italian Society of Hypertension.

Objective: The burst of COVID-19 epidemics in Italy prompted the Italian Society of Hypertension to start an observational study to explore the characteristics of the hospitalized victims of the disease. The current analysis aimed to investigate the predictors of healing among Italian COVID-19 patients. We also assessed the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers on the outcome.

Gender differences in predictors of intensive care units admission among COVID-19 patients: The results of the SARS-RAS study of the Italian Society of Hypertension.

Background: The global rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission during the COVID-19 pandemic varies within countries and is among the main challenges for health care systems worldwide. Conflicting results have been reported about the response to coronavirus infection and COVID-19 outcomes in men and women. Understanding predictors of intensive care unit admission might be of help for future planning and management of the disease.

Physical performance measures and hospital outcomes among Italian older adults: results from the CRIME project.

Background: Older adults are a complex population, at risk of adverse events during and after hospital stay.

Aim: To investigate the association of walking speed (WS) and grip strength (GS) with adverse outcomes, during and after hospitalization, among older individuals admitted to acute care wards.

Methods: Multicentre observational study including 1123 adults aged ≥ 65 years admitted to acute wards in Italy.

Correction to: Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME): recommendations from an Italian intersociety consensus.

The article Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME).

Pulmonary function in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess respiratory function at the time of clinical recovery and 6 weeks after discharge in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: Our case series consisted of 13 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results: At the time of clinical recovery, FEV1 (2.

Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME): recommendations from an Italian intersociety consensus.

Background: Surgical outcomes in geriatric patients may be complicated by factors such as multiple comorbidities, low functional performance, frailty, reduced homeostatic capacity, and cognitive impairment. An integrated multidisciplinary approach to management is, therefore, essential in this population, but at present, the use of such an approach is uncommon. The Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME) project has been established to address this issue.