Pulmonary complications are an important yet underappreciated aspect of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). These conditions often manifest with extraintestinal symptoms that can significantly influence the clinical trajectory of the disease. Pulmonary involvement in IBD can range from mild symptoms, such as a persistent cough, to severe conditions, including interstitial lung disease or pulmonary embolism. This systematic review aims to assess the prevalence, clinical presentations, and implications of pulmonary involvement in IBD patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed database up to the 1st of May 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving adult IBD patients with documented pulmonary symptoms, evaluated through clinical, radiological, and histopathological approaches. Of the 463 studies identified, 27 met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 36,264 patients. Pulmonary manifestations were classified into airway diseases and parenchymal involvement. Airway diseases, including bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis, were the most common, followed by parenchymal conditions such as organizing pneumonia and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Smoking was identified as a significant risk factor for pulmonary involvement. Pulmonary involvement in IBD is diverse and often underdiagnosed. Early recognition and management are crucial to improving patient outcomes.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disease, and it leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The clinical manifestations of ADPKD are variable, with extreme differences observable in its progression, even among members of the same family with the same genetic mutation. In an age of new therapeutic options, it is important to identify patients with rapidly progressive evolution and the risk factors involved in the disease’s poor prognosis. As the pathophysiological mechanisms of the formation and growth of renal cysts have been clarified, new treatment options have been proposed to slow the progression to end-stage renal disease. Furthermore, in addition to the conventional factors (PKD1 mutation, hypertension, proteinuria, total kidney volume), increasing numbers of studies have recently identified new serum and urinary biomarkers of the disease’s progression, which are cheaper and more easily to dosing from the early stages of the disease. The present review discusses the utility of new biomarkers in the monitoring of the progress of ADPKD and their roles in new therapeutic approaches.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) remains a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, with diagnostic criteria still evolving. Serum albumin, a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction and protein loss, has been proposed as a severity indicator in PE. This study evaluates the clinical utility of serum albumin levels, particularly values below 2 g/dL, in assessing PE severity and predicting maternal–fetal complications. Methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive study including 59 pregnant women diagnosed with PE. The participants were divided into mild (n = 23) and severe (n = 36) PE groups based on national guidelines. Serum albumin, 24 h proteinuria, renal and hepatic function markers, and fetal outcomes were analyzed. ROC curve analysis was employed to determine albumin’s diagnostic performance. Results: Serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the severe PE group compared to the mild PE group (1.82 ± 0.50 vs. 2.44 ± 0.36 g/dL, p < 0.001). ROC analysis identified a threshold of 2.3 g/dL (sensitivity: 88.9%, specificity: 73.9%) for distinguishing PE severity. A strong association was observed between albumin < 2 g/dL and severe proteinuria (>3 g/24 h), but no significant association emerged with renal or hepatic dysfunction, fetal complications, or birth outcomes. Conclusions: Although serum albumin < 2 g/dL is associated with severe proteinuria, it does not independently correlate with other maternal or fetal complications in PE. These findings suggest that albumin may serve as a complementary, but not a standalone, marker in assessing PE severity.

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are chronic disorders affecting different organs, and evidence has proposed a bidirectional link between them. Fecal calprotectin, which reflects intestinal inflammation and gut barrier injury, is augmented in different neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fecal calprotectin levels in PD increase independently of gastrointestinal inflammation and aging. Methods: Fecal calprotectin values were compared in two groups (PD and IBD) of 30 patients each, taking into consideration variables such as endoscopic aspects and age. Analyses of fecal calprotectin levels in PD patients show an increase with advancing age, which was not observed in the IBD cohort. Results: Most PD patients had fecal calprotectin values exceeding 200 μg/g (mean value 366.25 μg/g), and their levels were comparable to those of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, mean value 537.70 μg/g). In the PD cohort, a weak positive association between calprotectin levels and inflammatory signs was observed, and in the IBD cohort, higher calprotectin levels were strongly associated with more severe endoscopic modifications. Conclusions: This weak but positive correlation with intestinal inflammation in PD patients suggests the involvement of complex mechanisms, other than those related to inflammaging or gut barrier injuries.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently complicated by psychological distress and suboptimal treatment adherence, both of which adversely affect clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between disease severity, emotional well-being, and adherence behavior remains insufficiently characterized. Methods: This multicenter observational study included 285 patients with COPD recruited from two primary care clinics. COPD severity was classified according to GOLD criteria. Psychological well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization–Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and treatment adherence was evaluated using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS). Multidimensional relationships between clinical variables, WHO-5, and MARS were explored using correspondence analysis with symmetrical normalization. Results: Most patients had severe or very severe COPD (GOLD 3–4, 65.6%). WHO-5 scores showed marked heterogeneity across all GOLD stages, with very low values (20–26%) contributing disproportionately to the overall data structure (total contributions up to 0.97), indicating substantial anxiety and depression-related burden. Non-adherent patients represented 28.4% of the cohort but accounted for 71.6% of the inertia in the adherence-related correspondence analysis, forming a distinct psychological and behavioral profile. Mean GOLD stage was comparable between adherent and non-adherent patients (approximately 2.8–3.0). Conclusions: Correspondence analysis demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in WHO-5 and MARS profiles across all GOLD stages. Notably, mean GOLD severity was comparable between adherent and non-adherent patients (approximately 2.8–3.0), indicating that differences in adherence behavior were not primarily driven by spirometric disease severity.

Background and Clinical Significance: Retroperitoneal urinomas are uncommon complications that can arise following trauma, particularly in the context of congenital anomalies such as pyeloureteral duplication. These conditions pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, requiring a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Case Presentation: Here, we report the case of a 22-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with right lumbar and flank pain, nausea, and abrasions following a fall from a height. Initial imaging revealed a right-sided retroperitoneal urinoma and a rare congenital anomaly: complete pyeloureteral duplication with the upper pole draining into the right seminal vesicle. The patient underwent two surgical interventions, including the insertion of a ureteral stent and reimplantation of the ureter using a latero-terminal U trans U technique. Conclusions: This case highlights the complexity of managing traumatic retroperitoneal urinomas associated with congenital anomalies such as complete pyeloureteral duplication. It emphasizes the importance of timely surgical intervention to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.