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Objective: This review aims to present existing evidence on the impact of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione class anti-diabetic drug, on asthma control and lung function, providing a comprehensive understanding of its potential as a treatment for asthma. Data Sources: The review draws upon data from preclinical animal studies and clinical trials investigating the effects of pioglitazone on asthma, focusing on its role in reducing airway inflammation, hyperreactivity, and remodeling, and its impact on pulmonary function. Study Selections: Relevant studies were selected based on their examination of pioglitazone's therapeutic effects in asthma, including both animal models and clinical trials involving human asthma patients. Results: Animal studies have suggested that pioglitazone could alleviate inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, and airway remodeling, thereby improving pulmonary function in asthma. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits, with minimal improvements observed in asthma control and lung function, and the presence of notable side effects. Conclusion: Despite promising preclinical data, the efficacy of pioglitazone in treating human asthma remains unproven, with safety concerns and limited clinical benefits observed in trials. Further research is needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of pioglitazone in asthma treatment and to explore its impact on other inflammatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the airways, significantly impacts both respiratory function and quality of life. Recent studies have highlighted the psychological dimensions of chronic diseases like asthma. Despite growing evidence linking asthma with various psychopathological conditions, comprehensive data remains scarce. Aim: This study aims to explore the psychopathological status of asthma patients and identify demographic and clinical factors associated with higher levels of psychopathological symptoms. Methods: Data were collected from 42 asthma patients attending the Asthma Outpatient Clinic at the University of Thessaly, Greece. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire on demographics and clinical parameters, along with the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) to assess psychological symptoms. Results: The sample included patients with varying asthma severity: 38% with severe asthma and 62% with mild-moderate asthma, with a mean age of 60.8 ± 15.6 years. Results indicated that 23.8% exhibited somatization symptoms, 23.8% showed compulsive behaviors, 33.8% reported interpersonal sensitivity, and 38.1% experienced depression and 38.1% aggressiveness. Additionally, 45.2% struggled with fearful anxiety, 4.8% showed paranoid ideation, and 11.9% had traits of psychoticism. Women had significantly higher psychopathology scores than men. Factors such as longer disease duration, uncontrolled asthma, severe asthma, and comorbid conditions like atopy and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were linked to higher psychopathological scores. Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of psychopathological symptoms among asthma patients. Female gender, prolonged asthma duration, persistent symptoms, comorbid diseases (GERD, atopy) and greater disease severity were significantly associated with higher psychopathology, underscoring the need for integrated mental health care in asthma management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies indicate a significant relationship between malnutrition, frailty, and pleural effusion (PE), highlighting the critical role of muscle mass in patient outcomes. This review investigates the association between sarcopenia—characterized by a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function—and PE, marked by fluid accumulation in the pleural space. The findings reveal that sarcopenia is prevalent in patients with PE and is linked to increased postoperative complications and mortality rates. In liver transplantation, esophagectomy, and lung cancer surgeries, sarcopenia exacerbates the risk of adverse outcomes. Notably, preoperative muscle mass assessment serves as a predictive tool for identifying patients at higher risk of complications. This review underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for sarcopenia to improve clinical outcomes in PE patients. The therapeutic approach should include comprehensive nutritional evaluations and targeted muscle-strengthening interventions. By addressing sarcopenia, healthcare providers can significantly reduce PE-related complications, enhance patient recovery, and improve survival rates. This review provides a foundation for future research to develop effective strategies for the management and treatment of sarcopenia in the context of PEs, aiming to optimize patient care and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]