[Thunderstorm and asthma outbreaks during pollen season]

An increasing body of evidence shows the occurrence of asthma epidemics, sometimes also severe, during thunderstorms in the pollen season in various geographical zones. The main hypothesis explaining association between thunderstorms and asthma claims that thunderstorms can concentrate pollen grains at ground level; these grains may then release allergenic particles of respirable size in the atmosphere after their rupture by osmotic shock. During the first 20-30 minutes of a thunderstorm, patients suffering from pollen allergy may inhale a high concentration of the allergenic material dispersed into the atmosphere, which can, in turn, induce asthmatic reactions, often severe. Subjects without asthma symptoms but affected by seasonal rhinitis can also experience an asthma attack. All subjects affected by pollen allergy should be alerted to the danger of being outdoors during a thunderstorm in the pollen season, as such events may be an important cause of severe bronchial obstruction. Considering this background, it is useful to predict thunderstorms during pollen season and, thus, to prevent thunderstorm-related clinical event. However, it is also important to focus on therapy, and it is not sufficient that subjects at risk of asthma follow a correct therapy with bronchodilators, but they also need to inhale corticosteroids, using both in case of emergency

The impact of cold on the respiratory tract and its consequences to respiratory health

Abstract The increasing use, and sometimes the abuse, particularly in industrialized countries of air conditioning at home, in car, hotel and shopping centres has highlighted new emerging public health issues, resulting from exposure of the airways to cool air or, more properly, resulting from sudden temperature changes. This is part of a wider problem, relating to air quality in indoor environment, such as homes or offices, where people spend more than 90% of their time. In particular, if indoor exposure occurs quickly and without any gradual adaptation to a temperature 2°–3° lower than the external temperature and especially with a 5° difference (avoiding indoor temperature below 24°) and an humidity between 40 and 60%, there is a risk of negative consequences on the respiratory tract and the patient risks to be in a clinical condition characterized by an exacerbation of the respiratory symptoms of his chronic respiratory disease (asthma and COPD) within a few hours or days. Surprisingly, these effects of cold climate remain out of the focus of the media unless spells of unusually cold weather sweep through a local area or unstable weather conditions associated with extremely cold periods of increasing frequency and duration. Moreover, the energy consumed by air conditioning induces an increase of CO2 in atmosphere with increase of global warming. There is a need to better define the consequences of repeated exposure to cold air and the mechanisms by which such exposure could modify airway function and affect the outcomes of patients with pre-existing airway disease. This could help to promote adequate policy and public health actions to face the incoming challenges induced by climate change and global warming

Asthma-related deaths

Despite major advances in the treatment of asthma and the development of several asthma guidelines, people still die of asthma currently. According to WHO estimates, approximately 250,000 people die prematurely each year from asthma. Trends of asthma mortality rates vary very widely across countries, age and ethnic groups. Several risk factors have been associated with asthma mortality, including a history of near-fatal asthma requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, hospitalization or emergency care visit for asthma in the past year, currently using or having recently stopped using oral corticosteroids (a marker of event severity), not currently using inhaled corticosteroids, a history of psychiatric disease or psychosocial problems, poor adherence with asthma medications and/or poor adherence with (or lack of) a written asthma action plan, food allergy in a patient with asthma. Preventable factors have been identified in the majority of asthma deaths. Inadequate education of patients on recognising risk and the appropriate action needed when asthma control is poor, deficiencies in the accuracy and timing of asthma diagnosis, inadequate classification of severity and treatment, seem to play a part in the majority of asthma deaths. Improvements in management, epitomized by the use of guided self-management systems of care may be the key goals in reducing asthma mortality worldwide

Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain is a stronger predictor of depression than other diabetic complications and comorbidities.

Aims: To investigate the independent effect on depression of painless diabetic polyneuropathy, painful diabetic polyneuropathy, and general and diabetes-related comorbidities. Methods: In 181 patients, the presence of painless diabetic polyneuropathy, painful diabetic polyneuropathy, comorbidities and depression was assessed using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument Questionnaire, the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score, nerve conduction studies, the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions, the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results: In all, 46 patients met the criteria of confirmed painless diabetic polyneuropathy and 25 of painful diabetic polyneuropathy. Beck Depression Inventory-II scores indicative of mild-moderate-severe depression were reached in 36 patients (19.7%). In a multiple logistic regression analysis (including age, sex, body mass index, being unemployed, duration, haemoglobin A1c, insulin treatment, systolic blood pressure, nephropathy, retinopathy, Charlson Comorbidity Index and painful diabetic polyneuropathy), female sex (odds ratio: 5.9, p = 0.005) and painful diabetic polyneuropathy (odds ratio: 4.6, p = 0.038) were the only independent predictors of depression. Multiple regression analysis, including Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions and Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score instead of painful diabetic polyneuropathy, showed that Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions, in addition to female sex, was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms severity (p =0.005). Conclusion: Painful diabetic polyneuropathy is a greater determinant of depression than other diabetes-related complications and comorbidities. Painful symptoms enhance depression severity more than objective insensitivity

Climate Change, Migration, and Allergic Respiratory Diseases: An Update for the Allergist

Local climate changes can impact on a number of factors, including air pollution, that have been shown to influence both the development and attacks of allergic respiratory diseases, and they thus represent an important consideration for the allergist. Migration involves exposure to a new set of pollutants and allergens and changes in housing conditions, diet and accessibility to medical services, all of which are likely to affect migrants' health. This review provides an update on climate change, migration, and allergy and discusses factors for consideration when making recommendations for local allergy service provision, and for assessing an individual patient's environmental exposures

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA. focus on coronary microvascular dysfunction and genetic susceptibility

Among the most common causes of death worldwide, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is recognized to rank first. Even if atherosclerotic disease of the epicardial arteries is known as the leading cause of IHD, the presence of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is increasingly recognized. Notwithstanding the increasing interest, MINOCA remains a puzzling clinical entity that can be classified by distinguishing different underlying mechanisms, which can be divided into atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic. In particular, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), classifiable in non-atherosclerotic mechanisms, is a leading factor for the pathophysiology and prognosis of patients with MINOCA. Genetic susceptibility may have a role in primum movens in CMD. However, few results have been obtained for understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying CMD. Future studies are essential in order to find a deeper understanding of the role of multiple genetic variants in the genesis of microcirculation dysfunction. Progress in research would allow early identification of high-risk patients and the development of pharmacological, patient-tailored strategies. The aim of this review is to revise the pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms of MINOCA, focusing on CMD and actual knowledge about genetic predisposition to it

Google Trends terms reporting rhinitis and related topics differ in European countries

Google Trends (GT) searches trends of specific queries in Google and reflects the real-life epidemiology of allergic rhinitis. We compared Google Trends terms related to allergy and rhinitis in all European Union countries, Norway and Switzerland from 1 January 2011 to 20 December 2016. The aim was to assesswhether the same terms could be used to report the seasonal variations of allergic diseases. Using the Google Trend 5-year graph, an annual and clear seasonality of queries was found in all countries apart from Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. Different terms were found to demonstrate seasonality depending on the country - namely 'hay fever', 'allergy' and 'pollen' - showing cultural differences. A single set of terms cannot be used across all European countries, but allergy seasonality can be compared across Europe providing the above three terms are used. Using longitudinal data in different countries and multiple terms, we identified an awareness-related spike of searches (December 2016)

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe