To see whether D-Dimer levels can identifying patients at high risk of venous thrombotic events and establish the best benefit/risk-of-bleeding ratio. Current guidelines do not recommend routine prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, but the risk increases about 6.5-fold because of this treatment. D-dimer was measured at baseline in 124 cancer patients scheduled for their first chemotherapy. VTE events, including symptomatic episodes of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism or both, were recorded during the first 6 months of therapy, and asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis was revealed by compression ultrasonography at baseline and after 90 and 180 days. During follow-up, there were 11 episodes of VTE (8.9%). Mean D-dimer values were higher in patients with VTE (2195 ± 1382 vs. 695 ± 1039 ng/ml, (P < 0.001). On grouping D-dimer values in tertiles, only 2.4% (confidence interval, 0.9–5.7%) in the first (650 ng/dl) (P = 0.003). The VTE-free interval was significantly shorter in the third tertile than in the first (P = 0.0218, log–rank test; relative risk for third vs. first tertile, 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–81.3; P = 0.0033). Multivariate analysis found that only baseline D-dimer concentrations were correlated with the subsequent development of VTE. Baseline D-dimer values in cancer patients scheduled for chemotherapy might be used to select those at low risk of VTE, most likely to be safe without prophylaxis.

Background: Specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with house dust mite (HDM) preparation has recently been shown to improve eczema in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). So far, there is less data regarding efficacy and safety of specific sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with AD.Study aim: To evaluate in an open non-controlled, non-randomized pilot trial the effect of SLIT with HDM allergen extracts preparation (SLITone, ALK Abellò Italy) on SCORAD in adult patients with mild–moderate AD.Patients and methods: 86 Subjects (53 females and 33 males) between 3 and 60 years of age with AD and IgE-proved (Class > 2) HDM sensitization were enrolled after their informed consent in the trial. Exclusion criteria were severe asthma and treatment with systemic or high potent topical corticosteroids or immunosuppressant agents. Patients were treated with SLIT (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae extracts: SLITone, ALK-Abellò) for at least 12 months. SCORAD was evaluate...