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Spirometry: A practical lifespan predictor of global health and chronic respiratory and non-respiratory diseases
We propose that spirometry, a practical and validated marker of respiratory function, is also an overlooked marker of global human health throughout a person’s life span, from infancy to old age, because it not only relates to respiratory diseases, but it also identifies individuals at risk of suffering other prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Accordingly, we propose that spirometry be performed in infancy, adolescence, early and late adulthood.The use of β-blockers in patients with heart failure and comorbidities: Doubts, certainties and unsolved issues
β-blockers represent a mainstay in the pharmacological approach to patients affected by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, underuse of this class of drugs is still reported, especially in the presence of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities, even if they are not contraindications for prescription of a β-blocker. The prognostic benefit of β-blockers is relevant in the presence of comorbidities, and achievement of the maximum tolerated dose is an important goal to increase their favorable prognostic role.Sustainable and personalized nutrition: From earth health to public health
In the difficult times amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the whole world has become more conscious of the importance of primary and secondary prevention. COVID-19 is already having a triple hit on health, education and income, but at the same time this scourge offers tremendous opportunities for reaching the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. In the frame of the pandemic, the planet gave us the strongest warning that the mankind must change in order to prevent the ongoing worldwide degradation of the ecosystem.Sweet taste and obesity
Obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and currently represents a global health challenge[1]. While it is associated with complex pathophysiology, increased availability of highly palatable foods and beverages, namely those rich in sugar or fat, is thought to be a major determinant of increasing rates of obesity worldwide[2]. Indeed, individuals with obesity have been shown to have altered sensitivity to food reward[3], which is thought to be related to changes in reward-related brain neurocircuitry, namely decreased striatal availability of dopamine D2 receptors (D2R)[3].How does SARS-CoV-2 targets the elderly patients? A review on potential mechanisms increasing disease severity
On November 18th 2020, there have been over 55 million confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing COVID-19, with up to 1.3 million deaths worldwide. In the Netherlands alone, there are up to 8,600 registered deaths, a number that is still on the rise. The risk of hospitalization and death increases with age,1-3 illustrated by a case fatality rate increase from a 2.3% in the general population, to 14.8% in patients over 80 years old.4 A contact survey study from Wuhan and Shanghai found the highest susceptibility to infection in individuals older than 65 year.Understanding the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations on patient health and quality of life
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the third leading cause of mortality in 2016 and was responsible for an estimated 3 million deaths worldwide that year, representing a vast global problem [1]. COPD exacerbations are responsible for the majority of the substantial burden that COPD places on healthcare systems [2,3]. In the USA, the annual cost of COPD management has been shown to increase proportionally with the number of COPD exacerbations, with COPD-related costs, including pharmacy claims for COPD treatments, more than six times higher in patients experiencing frequent (≥2/year) exacerbations ($4361) compared with those who had none ($644) [4].
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