BackgroundSeveral clinical studies suggest common underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of COPD and depressive/anxiety disorders. We aim to evaluate psychopathological and physical effects of aerobic exercise, proposed in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation, in a sample of COPD patients, through the correlation of some psychopathological variables and physical/pneumological parameters.MethodsFifty-two consecutive subjects were enrolled. At baseline, the sample was divided into two subgroups consisting of 38 depression-positive and 14 depression-negative subjects according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). After the rehabilitation treatment, we compared psychometric and physical examinations between the two groups.ResultsThe differences after the rehabilitation program in all assessed parameters demonstrated a significant improvement in psychiatric and pneumological conditions. The reduction of BMI was significantly correlated with fat mass but only in the depression-positive patients.ConclusionOur results suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation improves depressive and anxiety symptoms in COPD. This improvement is significantly related to the reduction of fat mass and BMI only in depressed COPD patients, in whom these parameters were related at baseline. These findings suggest that depressed COPD patients could benefit from a rehabilitation program in the context of a multidisciplinary approach.

No abstract

IntroductionAsperger's Syndrome is a neuro-developmental disorder characterised by social impairment and restricted interests, similar to those found in autism, but with cognitive and linguistic skills preserved. As DSM-5 has eliminated Asperger's Syndrome, will the patients be included in ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorders)?ObjectivesThe objective of this study is the revaluation of the diagnosis according to the DSM-5 criteria, in a sample of subjects affected by ASD-Asperger's Syndrome.AimsThe secondary aim is to evaluate adaptive skills in order to estimate the probability of the individual's autonomy.MethodsWe performed an observational study. Twelve subjects with ASD-Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis with an IQ≥75 were included. An interview to evaluate the existence of ASD, according to the DSM-5 criteria and Vineland adaptive behaviour scales (VABS) to evaluate the adaptive skills, were administered during the sample.ResultsThe ASD diagnosis according to DSM-5 is confirmed only in 16.6% of the included subjects. 83.4% were excluded as they did not meet the social communication criteria and the required age for the onset of this specific symptomatology; the VABS subscales of daily skills and socialization are impaired for the entire sample.ConclusionsOur research shows how the DSM-5 criteria, despite being more specific than DSM-IV, might exclude the subjects affected by Asperger's Syndrome from the Autistic spectrum. Their exclusion would involve the loss of access to specialistic interventions and clinical trials aimed at psychopathological and pharmacological depth

IntroductionBeta-thalassemia is a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the beta chain of the haemoglobin molecule. It is widespread in many areas of the world and has a large prevalence among Mediterranean populations[1-2]. Furthermore, many studies recently suggested that a gene situated on chromosome 11, proximal to the genes involved in beta-thalassemia, could induce psychosis in predisposed individuals [3]. Several studies have revealed, through the sequencing of chromosome 11, that a possible genetic susceptibility for schizophrenia could be located on the short arm of this chromosome near the gene involved in beta-thalassemia [4-5-6].AimsIn our case report, we describe a late onset of psychosis disorder in a man suffering from beta-thalassemia.MethodsMr. A. is a 35 years old man with a history of major beta-thalassemia treated with transfusion therapy, he is HCV positive. No family history of psychiatric disorders. He has never suffered from any psychiatric disorder until January 2014, when he revealed a psychotic episode characterized by persecution delusions, religious hallucinations, remarkable aggressiveness and absent insight. He was so administrered with Paliperidone Palmitate 100 mg 1 fl 1.m./month, obtaining clinical remission after 5 months.ConclusionSeveral studies have assessed the prevalence of depression and axiety in patients with beta thalassemia. Rather few studies have been conducted to assess the comorbidity of psychosis among beta-thalassemia. We have described one rare case in literature that highlights this possible genetic link between these two pathologies. Further studies are needed to better clarify this association.

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is considered an autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by a quantitativeand/or qualitative deficit of C1 esterase inhibitor.