Clinical Research Directory

Development of an Italian Questionnaire for Splenectomized Patients Using a Delphi Consensus Method

This study aims to develop an Italian-language questionnaire assessing awareness, knowledge of infectious risk prevention strategies, and vaccination attitudes among splenectomized individuals. The questionnaire will be developed through a structured Delphi consensus process involving a multidisciplinary panel of healthcare professionals experienced in infection prevention and vaccination strategies. Two Delphi rounds will be conducted online to evaluate item relevance and clarity. Items reaching predefined consensus thresholds will be included in the final questionnaire. The resulting tool will support future studies assessing preventive care awareness and vaccination uptake among splenectomized patients.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention in Splenectomized Patients

The absence or dysfunction of the spleen is associated with a substantially increased risk of invasive infections that may rapidly progress to fulminant sepsis, including overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), a medical emergency with high mortality. Although the risk is greatest in the first two years after splenectomy, it persists lifelong. Preventing infections in patients with anatomical or functional asplenia requires an integrated strategy that includes patient education, early recognition of symptoms, behavioral measures, antibiotic prophylaxis when indicated, and vaccination. Post-splenectomy immunization has been shown to reduce OPSI incidence. Regional and international guidelines recommend vaccination against pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcus (B and ACWY), herpes zoster, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella-varicella, and annual influenza. However, adherence to these recommendations is frequently suboptimal, often due to limited awareness among patients and healthcare professionals. This study involves the intra-hospital vaccination team providing structured vaccination consultations to splenectomized patients hospitalized at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS. During ward consultations, patients receive an educational intervention on asplenia-related infectious risks and preventive measures, supported by standardized informational materials. Effectiveness is evaluated using a pre-post questionnaire assessing knowledge and awareness. Patients completing the vaccination pathway at the outpatient clinic also complete a questionnaire assessing their experience with vaccination management in an intra-hospital setting.

Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy for Hypersplenism in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

In this study,the researchers compared the changes in immune function-related indicators in patients with liver cirrhosis following laparoscopic partial splenectomy,to determine whether this surgical intervention can enhance postoperative immune function and thereby improve patient outcomes.

The Effect of Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection on Liver Reserve Function for Cirrhosis Patients

In this study, the investigators compared the improvement of liver reserve function related indicators in patients with liver cirrhosis after laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection. To determine whether surgical treatment can help enhance postoperative liver reserve function and improve patient prognosis.

The Effect of Laparoscopic Splenectomy on Liver Reserve Function for Cirrhosis Patients

In this study, the investigators compared the improvement of liver reserve function related indicators in patients with liver cirrhosis after laparoscopic splenectomy. To determine whether surgical treatment can help enhance postoperative liver reserve function and improve patient prognosis.

The Effect of Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection on the Immune Function for Cirrhosis Patients

In this study, the investigators compared the improvement of immune function related indicators in patients with liver cirrhosis after laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection. To determine whether surgical treatment can help enhance postoperative immune function and improve patient prognosis.

Meningococcal B Vaccine in Patients with Asplenia

Patients without a spleen (asplenia) experience an increased risk for septicaemia from encapsulated bacteria, which is associated with a high mortality rate. Meningococcal bacteria can cause such infections and serogroup B is the dominant meningococcal subtype in Europe. Therefore, vaccination for risk populations like patients without a spleen is a pressing matter. Considering the effectiveness of the meningococcal serogroup B vaccine, data for this high-at-risk population is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the meningococcal B vaccine (BEXSERO®) in patients without a spleen compared to a healthy control group. A total of 40 patients and 40 healthy persons will receive a two-dose schedule of BEXSERO® with a one-month interval between doses. The effectiveness of the vaccine will be determined by measuring antibodies against different meningococcal strains in the blood of the patient. The amount of antibodies one month after second vaccination will be compared between patients and healthy persons. The most reliable assay to determine antibodies against meningococcal strains is the human serum bactericidal assay which will be carried out in a reference laboratory. Other end points are the persistence of antibodies after six months and the cellular immune response. The cellular immune response will be assessed by measuring the proliferation of certain immune cells like lymphocytes and the amount of produced cytokines (signalling proteins) after vaccination. In addition, the safety of the vaccine will be evaluated by documenting all adverse reactions to the vaccine. Overall, this study will be the first to assess the effectiveness of the meningococcal B vaccine in this high-at-risk population and provide data for vaccination guidelines.