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Anna Annunziata,1 Antonietta Coppola,1 Paolo Andreozzi,2 Maurizia Lanza,1 Francesca Simioli,1 Novella Carannante,3 Camilla Di Somma,1 Pierpaolo Di Micco,4 Giuseppe Fiorentino1 1Department of Critic Area, I Unit COVID, Monaldi-Cotugno Hospital, Naples, Italy; 2Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Unit, Marcianise Hospital, Asl Caserta, Caserta, Italy; 3First Division Infectious Disease, Cotugno Hospital, Naples, Italy; 4UOC Internal Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Naples, ItalyCorrespondence: Antonietta Coppola Email antonietta.coppola84@gmail.comAbstract: Gastrointestinal involvement in SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) can occur and evolve fatally. Reports are emerging that SARS-CoV-2 virus attacks the pancreatic cells, causing the boost of amylase and lipase serum activity and rarely frank pancreatitis. We retrospectively assessed all the patients admitted to the respiratory sub-intensive care and evaluated pancreatitis cases and their course. In our study, we included all patients admitted to our respiratory sub-intensive care unit from 1st to 30th November. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and a CT finding of interstitial pneumonia associated with signs of respiratory failure. We observed the course and evaluated who developed acute pancreatitis according to standard definitions. In this study, etiology of acute pancreatitis was defined on the basis of risk factors (ie, biliary pancreatitis was defined in presence of common bile duct stone or sludge at CT or MR). According to the Revised Atlanta Classification, we diagnosed and classified the patients and evaluated the radiological severity according to the Balthazar index and a computed tomography severity index. We found that 19% (15 of 78 patients) met the criteria for acute pancreatitis. The mortality rate among patients with pancreatitis was 20%. Interestingly, in our population, cholelithiasis’ imaging findings were found in only 7% of the patients, whereas no patient-reported alcohol consum

Giuseppe Fiorentino,1 Anna Annunziata,1 Anna Michela Gaeta,2 Maurizia Lanza,1 Antonio Esquinas3 1Division of Respiratory Physiopathology, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy; 2Respiratory Department, Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria Universitary Hospital, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain; 3Intensive Care Unit, Morales Meseguer Hospital, Murcia, Spain Abstract: Respiratory failure is a recognized late complication of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is related to the neurological progression of the diseases with the impairment of the respiratory musculature. Survival and quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients is improved by using noninvasive mechanical ventilation. The rate of long-term mechanical ventilation is different within and between countries. Cultural factors, socioeconomic conditions, and physician attitude often influence the decision to start noninvasive ventilation. Technical elements, like the choice of the correct interface, solid caregivers support, and the communication between the patient and the physician are essential for achieving therapeutic goals, especially in the case of continuous treatment. Keywords: noninvasive ventilation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respiratory failure, quality of life, adherence, interface, mouthpiece ventilation