Flavia Balena

Dr. Flavia Balena


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 May 2023 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Davide Fiore BavaroDavide Fiore Bavaro
Davide Fiore Bavaro
LDLucia Diella
Lucia Diella
ABAlessandra Belati
Alessandra Belati
GMGiuliana Metrangolo
Giuliana Metrangolo
LSLaura De Santis
Laura De Santis
ASAnnalisa Saracino
Annalisa Saracino
Introduction: Remdesivir (REM) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) could alleviate severe COVID-19 in at-risk outpatients. However, data on their use in hospitalized patients, particularly in elderly or immunocompromised hosts, are lacking. Methods: All consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at our unit from 1 July 2021 to 15 March 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The primary outcome was the progression to severe COVID-19 (P/F < 200). Descriptive statistics, a Cox univariate–multivariate model, and an inverse probability treatment-weighted (IPTW) analysis were performed. Results: Overall, 331 subjects were included; their median (q1–q3) age was 71 (51–80) years, and they were males in 52% of the cases. Of them, 78 (23%) developed severe COVID-19. All-cause in-hospital mortality was 14%; it was higher in those with disease progression (36% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). REM and mAbs resulted in a 7% (95%CI = 3–11%) and 14% (95%CI = 3–25%) reduction in the risk of severe COVID-19, respectively, after adjusting the analysis with the IPTW. In addition, by evaluating only immunocompromised hosts, the combination of REM and mAbs was associated with a significantly lower incidence of severe COVID-19 (aHR = 0.06, 95%CI = 0.02–0.77) when compared with monotherapy. Conclusions: REM and mAbs may reduce the risk of COVID-19 progression in hospitalized patients. Importantly, in immunocompromised hosts, the combination of mAbs and REM may be beneficial.

2 September 2024 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NGNicolò De Gennaro
Nicolò De Gennaro
MPmariacristina poliseno
mariacristina poliseno
ADAngelo Dargenio
Angelo Dargenio
FBFlavia Balena
Flavia Balena
DFDeborah Fiordelisi
Deborah Fiordelisi
ASAnnalisa Saracino
Annalisa Saracino
Background: Limited evidence is available about sleep quality changes associated with the use of Cabotegravir (CAB), a new, long-acting (LA) antiretroviral (ARV) drug belonging to the class of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs). Methods: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was calculated in 53 people living with HIV (PLWH) under the care of the outpatient services of two Italian Infectious Diseases Centers in Apuliabefore (M0) and seven months after (M7) the switch to LA CAB. Global scores and relative subitems were compared using paired sample tests. The same analysis was repeated in subgroups of PLWH switching from INSTIs-, Dolutegravir-(DTG), and Bictegravir (BIC)-based regimens. Results: A significant reduction was reported in global mean (±StandardDeviation, SD) PSQI at M7 compared to M0 (4 (±3) vs. 3 (±2), p = 0.01), particularly in the areas of sleep latency and sleep disturbances. The improvement was also significant in PLWH already on INSTIs- (from median 3 to 2 points, p = 0.02) and DTG-based (from median 4 to 2, p = 0.01) ARV regimens, but not among those who switched from BIC-based regimens. Conclusions: PLWH reported improved sleep quality after switching from ARV treatment to LA CAB. Further studies are needed to give deeper insights into this phenomenon.

1 July 2020 in Journal of Medical Virology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
FBFlavia Balena
Flavia Balena
Davide Fiore BavaroDavide Fiore Bavaro
Davide Fiore Bavaro
AVAnna Volpe
Anna Volpe
ALAntonella Lagioia
Antonella Lagioia
GAGioacchino Angarano
Gioacchino Angarano
ASAnnalisa Saracino
Annalisa Saracino