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1.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 22(1): 1184, 2022 Sep 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36131286

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of cancer patients is dramatically increasing. We aimed at quantifying the oncology workload generated by each new cancer patient in the two years following first consultation. METHODS: In this record-based retrospective study, we retrieved data of all newly diagnosed patients treated at the Oncology Department of Udine Academic Hospital between 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2017. We calculated mean number and standard deviation of the activity type generated by each new cancer patient during the following 2 years. RESULTS: Seven thousand four hundred fifty-two cancer patients generated a total of 85,338 clinical episodes. The two-years mean number of oncology episodes generated was 11.31 (i.e., for every 1,000 new cancer patients, 11,310 oncology activities are generated overall in the following two-year lapse). Patients with advanced disease generated the highest workload (24.3; SD 18.8) with a statistically significant difference compared to adjuvant and follow-up patients (p < 0.001). The workload generated in the period 0-6 and 0-12 months was significantly higher than in the following months (p < 0.001) and it was also higher for patients initially designated to treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study reporting on the mean oncology workload generated during the 2 years following first consultation. Workload is the highest for patient with advanced disease, especially in the first months and in patients in active treatment. A detailed analysis of workloads in oncology is feasible and could be crucial for planning a sustainable framework for cancer care in the next future.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Workload , Humans , Medical Oncology , Neoplasms/therapy , Referral and Consultation , Retrospective Studies
2.
Ann Ig ; 34(3): 279-285, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34623370

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To address vaccine hesitancy and to build public trust, many factors need to be considered in the process of planning consistent public health interventions. After uncertain vaccinations of the Codroipo case, hesitant parents were surveyed about own beliefs and trusted sources of information. METHODS: A semi-structured phone survey was conducted between December 2017 and February 2018, collecting also age and educational level of respondents. RESULTS: The most trusted sources of information of the 258 surveyed parents were pediatricians (27.2%), general practitioners (25.4%) and institutional channels (12.1%). Highly educated parents trusted self-study of the scientific literature and expressed doubts about vaccine effectiveness more than others (p=0.0018). CONCLUSION: Despite the underlying improper vaccination issue undermined public trust, healthcare professionals and institutional channels maintained their role as trusted sources of information. Educational patterns emerged among doubtful parents should be considered by public health policies to effectively tackle vaccine hesitancy.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Trust , Vaccination
3.
Ann Ig ; 33(6): 555-563, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33565565

ABSTRACT

Study design: Prospective observational study. Background: Despite dysphagia large prevalence and the growing ageing phenomenon occurring in European countries, aspiration events among inpatients are often underestimated, given their frequent spontaneous resolution or silent contribution to aspiration syndromes. Our main objective was to evaluate the incidence of aspiration events among medical inpatients and to identify risk factors influencing the outcome of the event. Methods: Data about aspiration events - day, hour, type and outcome of the event occurred - along with underlying patient clinical conditions at the admission were collected. Between May 2015 and September 2016, data about aspiration event occurred among medical inpatients were collected in three large Italian hospitals. Results: Patients affected by aspiration events were 135 on 102,619 cumulative days of hospitalization; they were mostly females (53%) with an average age of 82. The total incidence of aspiration events was of 1.4 every 1,000 days of hospitalization (C.I. 95%: 1.2-1.7) and the most frequent manifestation was cough (61.6%). The addition of drugs or an infection diagnosis during the 24 hours preceding the event acted as risk factors for those events that needed additional interventions during the hospitalization (OR 3.1 e OR 1.9 respectively), while the elimination of one or more prescribed drugs seemed to lead to aspiration events without impact on the hospitalization. Conclusions: Results showed a large incidence of aspiration events within medical wards, many of them influencing patient outcomes. Healthcare professionals' attention concerning aspiration events should be fostered during the first hours and days of hospitalization.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Pneumonia , Aged, 80 and over , Deglutition Disorders/epidemiology , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Female , Hospitalization , Hospitals , Humans , Inpatients , Male
4.
Public Health ; 186: 125-126, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32818725
5.
Ann Ig ; 32(4): 344-356, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32744293

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Local guidelines and recommendations to treat common infectious diseases are a cornerstone of most Antimicrobial Stewardship programs. The evaluation of the adherence to guidelines is an effective quality measure of the programs themselves; the proposed evaluation model aimed at examining antibiotic treatment for pneumonia. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective pre-post intervention study was conducted in a North-Eastern Italian Academic Hospital. METHODS: 231 patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia and 95 with Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia were divided into pre- and post-intervention groups (188 and 138, respectively). A course and a pocket summary of Pneumonia Regional Recommendations were the stewardship activities adopted. The compliance degree of prescriptions with Regional Recommendations was tested for drug(s), dosage and duration of treatment in both groups for Community-Acquired and Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia and a comparison with International guidelines was performed. RESULTS: A significant improvement in the compliance with Regional Recommendations for the variable drug emerged for Community-Acquired (38.8% vs 52.2%), but not for Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia; no significant variation in compliance was registered for dosage and duration of treatment. The significant decrease in consumption of levofloxacin showed the positive impact of the Regional Antimicrobial Stewardship programs. A high level of adherence to International Guidelines for the variable drug for Community-Acquired Pneumonia was found in both groups (75.5% and 77.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted that room for improvement in antibiotic prescription in Community-Acquired and Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia currently remains. New strategies for a better use of the adopted tools and definition of new antimicrobial stewardship initiatives are needed to improve compliance to Regional Recommendations.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy , Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia/drug therapy , Pneumonia/drug therapy , Academic Medical Centers , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antimicrobial Stewardship , Female , Guideline Adherence , Humans , Italy , Levofloxacin/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective Studies
7.
Public Health ; 181: 80-85, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31958673

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In the Italian region Friuli Venezia Giulia, public screening is offered for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Participation of the target population is lower than 70%. Our aim was to investigate reasons for non-participation. STUDY DESIGN: This is a qualitative survey. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted in 2018 on a random sample of persons not adhering in 2017. Only one question about the reason for non-participation was asked. The answers were transcribed verbatim with no personal identifiers and no additional information. The transcribed anonymous answers were then read and classified into mutually exclusive macrocategories and subcategories. RESULTS: A total of 4456 non-adhering persons were surveyed. Personal practical issues were the most common type of barrier reported in all three screening programs, followed by personal beliefs. Program-related issues were more common in cervical cancer screening than in the others. Almost half of the women not participating in the public breast cancer screening and 40% of those not adhering to the public cervical cancer screening had mammography or Pap test out of the public program. CONCLUSIONS: In this region, practitioners should work to overcome practical barriers and discuss personal beliefs. Surveys of non-participants in other geographic areas would be important to adequately inform local policymaking.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mass Screening/methods , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Adult , Aged , Attitude of Health Personnel , Early Detection of Cancer , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Mammography/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Papanicolaou Test/statistics & numerical data , Qualitative Research , Vaginal Smears
8.
Clin Exp Dermatol ; 38(6): 633-7, 2013 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23763515

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pivotal cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and upregulation of VEGF by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inflammatory factors causes marked alterations in the cutaneous microcirculation. Etanercept is a fully soluble TNF receptor fusion protein that primarily binds soluble TNF-α, thus blocking its pro-angiogenic function. AIM: To assess the modifications in the superficial capillary bed in psoriatic plaques during treatment with etanercept. METHODS: The study enrolled 22 patients (13 men, 9 women; age range 31-74 years) with plaque psoriasis resistant to conventional therapy. The patients were stated on etanercept 50 mg/week, which was continued for 24 weeks. At the beginning of the study (baseline), and at weeks 6, 12, 18 and 24, in vivo videocapillaroscopy analysis of a selected plaque was performed. Levels of erythema, scaling and infiltration were assessed using a four-point plaque severity score, with an overall score obtained by the sum of these three scores. The Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index (PASI) was also determined. RESULTS: Etanercept produced a significant reduction in PASI, plaque severity score and diameter of the basket-weave area at every time point. Four patients had complete remission, although none of the patients regained a normal capillaroscopic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other conventional therapies, etanercept is able to improve PASI, plaque severity score and basket-weave area diameter, but it is unable to induce normalization of the microcirculation in psoriatic plaques.


Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Immunoglobulin G/therapeutic use , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacology , Capillaries/drug effects , Etanercept , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/pharmacology , Male , Microcirculation/drug effects , Microscopic Angioscopy/methods , Middle Aged , Psoriasis/pathology , Severity of Illness Index
9.
Int J Hyg Environ Health ; 216(4): 486-93, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23523155

ABSTRACT

The relative effects of prenatal and postnatal low-level mercury exposure and fish intake on child neurodevelopment are still controversial. Limited evidence is available from Mediterranean populations. In this prospective study, we measured the Verbal and Performance IQ in Italian children at school-age who were resident in an area declared as a National contaminated site because of mercury pollution, taking into account the possible beneficial effect of fish consumption and potential confounders. A mother-child cohort made up of 242 children was established at birth in Northeastern Italy in 2001. Their mothers were interviewed approximately 2 months after delivery to determine type, quantity, and origin of fish consumed during pregnancy and about a number of mother, child and family characteristics. Total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) were assessed in maternal hair and breast milk and in the child's hair. When children reached 7-9 years of age, 154 (63.6%) parents gave consent to participate in a follow-up evaluation. On that occasion, a child's hair sample was collected to determine the current concentration of THg, mothers were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire, and children underwent neuropsychological testing. Verbal IQ, performance IQ and full scale IQ were measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III) administered by psychologists at school or local health centers. Demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle information, medical information of the child's family and the child's dietary habits were collected using a questionnaire filled in by mothers. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between prenatal THg exposure through fish consumption of mothers in pregnancy and children's IQ after adjustment for possible confounders such as fish consumption of mothers in pregnancy, child's fish consumption at follow-up, child's birthweight, maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy, house size and property place of residence during pregnancy and gender. THg in the child's hair at 7 years of age was fairly correlated with THg in maternal hair at delivery (rs=0.35; p<0.0001) and was strongly correlated with child's seafood consumption (rs=0.50, p<0.0001). No differences in maternal THg levels were found when comparing children with low or extremely low or high or extremely high scores vs others, considering separately full scale, verbal, and performance IQs. Children born from mothers with hair THg levels greater than or equal to 2000ng/g had full scale, verbal and performance IQs which were 4-5 points lower than children born from women with lower THg levels, but these differences were not statistically significant. Fresh fish intake of mothers in pregnancy was slightly positively associated with full scale and performance but not so with verbal IQs. Canned fish showed to be negatively associated with all the outcome variables. Unexpectedly, children born to mothers from one town showed IQ scores significantly lower than the other children; however, none of the many variables considered in these analyses could explain this result. The relatively low Hg levels found in the biological samples did not provide evidence of high and extensive Hg exposure in this population. Although THg levels in maternal and child's biological samples are correlated with fish consumption, the effects of THg and fish on neurological outcomes go in opposite directions. These results do not allow to develop recommendations regarding fish consumption in pregnancy but suggest that keeping THg hair levels<2000ng/g might be desirable.


Subject(s)
Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Food Contamination , Maternal-Fetal Exchange , Mercury/analysis , Methylmercury Compounds/analysis , Adult , Animals , Child , Cohort Studies , Female , Fishes , Hair/chemistry , Hazardous Waste Sites , Humans , Intelligence Tests , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Milk, Human/chemistry , Neuropsychological Tests , Pregnancy , Seafood
11.
Br J Dermatol ; 165(6): 1303-7, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21790516

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) are present at birth. Some naevi, tardive congenital naevi (TCN), become clinically apparent only after birth, during the first years of life. The number of naevi continues to increase due to the appearance of acquired melanocytic naevi (AMN). When AMN begin to appear has not been well defined. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical and dermoscopic features of the melanocytic naevi present in 2-year-old children and to search for and highlight any differences between CMN present at birth (BPN) and naevi appearing after birth during the first 2 years of life (FLN). METHODS: A nonrandomized observational study was performed. A total of 133 melanocytic naevi in 103 children aged 21-26 months were analysed by clinical and dermoscopic examination. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 76% of children had one naevus, 20% had two naevi, 3% had three naevi and 1% had four naevi. Of the naevi, 76 were BPN and 57 were FLN. The naevi with the largest diameters were significantly associated with BPN (P = 0·025). Polycyclic edges (P = 0·0378) were observed with a higher frequency in BPN than in FLN. The predominant dermoscopic patterns were globular (BPN 51%; FLN 58%) and reticular (BPN 28%; FLN 14%). CONCLUSIONS: The number of naevi present in the first 2 years of life is small, and over half have already appeared at birth. They are distributed widely over the skin. BPN are larger than FLN, but most naevi are small. There was no significant difference in the dermoscopic features between the 133 BPN and FLN. The predominant patterns were globular and reticular. We could not identify defined criteria that allowed us to diagnose CMN with certainty and distinguish them from TCN and AMN.


Subject(s)
Nevus, Pigmented/congenital , Skin Neoplasms/congenital , Age of Onset , Child, Preschool , Dermoscopy , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , Nevus, Pigmented/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology
12.
Ann Ig ; 22(5): 401-18, 2010.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21384687

ABSTRACT

In case-crossover studies, useful for assessing the effect of acute transient exposures, each case acts as his/her own control, therefore, interpersonal confounding is controlled for by study. We used such design for studying the effect of the acute consumption of alcohol and meals, and of sleep and work hours on the risk of road traffic crashes. Subjects, enrolled at the Emergency Room (ER) of Udine from 12/3/2007 to 11/3/2008, were a sample of the drivers who arrived alive at the ER after a crash. They were interviewed by trained interviewers, who systematically covered predefined shifts, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on the subjects, vehicles, and crashes, and contained a hourly diary of the exposure to driving, sleeping, working in the 48 hours before the crash and to alcohol and meals 24 hours before the crash. The statistical analysis was based on the matched pair interval approach. The exposures in the hours immediately before the crash (case window) were compared with those in previous hours (control window). Different window durations were chosen for different exposures. The relative risk (RR) of having a crash and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with conditional logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders such as day of the week and time. We observed a statistically significant two-fold increase in the RR for drivers who had consumed alcohol (even small amounts) and a four-fold increase for those who had worked > 12 ore. The RR was increased by 10 times for drivers who had been awake for at least 16 hours. Meals were not associated with the risk of crash; the findings regarding sleep amount were controversial. In conclusion, the study confirms an increased risk of road crashes after consuming alcohol, even for amounts below the legal limit, and suggests that extended work hours and prolonged wakefulness may increase the risk of crashes.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Eating , Adult , Cross-Over Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Sleep Deprivation , Workload
13.
Cephalalgia ; 30(4): 389-98, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19673912

ABSTRACT

Between January 2007 and March 2008, we prospectively studied all patients operated on for intracranial tumours in our Department of Neurosurgery. Preoperatively, all patients were interviewed by a neurologist to collect headache characteristics. Measurements of tumour and oedema volume were made using dedicated software for magnetic resonance imaging studies. Tumour histopathology was established by histological examination postoperatively. If headache improved postoperatively, a diagnosis of 'headache attributed to intracranial neoplasm' was made, according to the 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of headache with potential risk factors. We studied 206 subjects. The prevalence of tumour headache was 47.6%. Intracranial tumour headache was non-specific and in most cases could not be classified by current ICHD-II diagnostic criteria for primary headache syndromes. Its prevalence varied depending on volume, location and type of tumour, as well as on the patient's previous headache history.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/epidemiology , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Headache/epidemiology , Headache/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Female , Headache/classification , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Young Adult
14.
Clin Exp Dermatol ; 34(8): 915-9, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19486040

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In patients with psoriasis, videocapillaroscopy has been used to visualize the typical modifications in the microcirculatory architecture. AIM: To evaluate the modifications of the superficial capillary bed in a psoriatic plaque and healthy perilesional skin during treatment with a topical steroid. METHODS: In total, 24 patients affected with psoriasis vulgaris were enrolled. Each patient was instructed to apply mometasone furoate cream 0.1% once daily to a selected psoriatic lesion for 12 weeks. At baseline (T0) and after 4 (T1), 8 (T2) and 12 (T3) weeks, clinical and capillaroscopic examination was made of the psoriatic plaque and the surrounding skin. RESULTS: At the end of the study, the diameters of dilated and convoluted capillaries in the psoriatic plaque were significantly reduced (baseline, 69.2 microm; after 12 weeks, 29.3 microm; P < 0.0001) in all subjects. A marked clinical improvement was also noted (plaque score: baseline, 7.4; after 12 weeks, 0.5; P < 0.0001). The perilesional skin also showed improvement in capillaroscopic alterations, even if the drug had not been applied to those areas. Of the 24 patients, 12 were clinically healed at the end of the treatment period, although the capillaroscopic picture returned to normal in only 2 of them. CONCLUSIONS: Mometasone furoate cream proved to be effective in reducing the clinical and capillaroscopic alterations of the psoriatic plaque, but there was no association between clinical improvement and microcirculatory alterations noted. The action of mometasone furoate action on the microcirculation was not limited only to the area of application, but also extended to the surrounding areas.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Capillaries/drug effects , Microcirculation/drug effects , Pregnadienediols/administration & dosage , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Administration, Topical , Adult , Aged , Capillaries/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Microcirculation/physiology , Microscopic Angioscopy/methods , Middle Aged , Mometasone Furoate , Psoriasis/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
15.
Ann Oncol ; 20(2): 265-71, 2009 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18765464

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Capecitabine is an orally bioavailable prodrug that is converted to 5-fluorouracil through several enzymatic steps, the last of which is mediated by thymidine phosphorylase (TP). TP has been reported to be expressed at higher levels in cancer tissue compared with normal counterpart. The present study aimed at evaluating the potential relationship between TP expression and benefit from capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (BC). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for TP and other biological markers was carried out on paraffin-embedded cancer tissues of 61 patients with BC treated with at least three cycles of capecitabine as single agent for metastatic disease. All patients had received capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) b.i.d. days 1-14 every 21 days. The following variables were analyzed as potential determinants of benefit from capecitabine: TP expression, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status, MIB-1 expression, performance status at the beginning of capecitabine treatment, stage at diagnosis, grade, presence of visceral metastases at the beginning of capecitabine treatment, and previous chemotherapy. RESULTS: Overall, median time to progression (TTP) was 6.5 months (range 1.4-33). On multivariate analysis, ER status [hazard ratio (HR) for progression = 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15-0.64; P = 0.002], presence of visceral metastases at the beginning of capecitabine treatment (HR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.21-4.39; P = 0.01), and capecitabine as first- or second-line treatment (HR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.21-4.32; P = 0.01) independently predicted TTP. TP was highly expressed in 34 of 61 cases (55.7%). In the subgroup of patients with TP-expressing tumor, TTP was significantly longer in patients who received anthracyclines and taxanes before capecitabine (median TTP 7.5 versus 3.3 months, P = 0.01, log-rank test). Similarly, patients with a TP-positive tumor showed a longer TTP if they received taxanes before capecitabine than patients with TP-positive tumor who did not receive this treatment (7.3 versus 3.4 months, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further evidence that TP expression in BC could represent a biomarker of sensitivity to capecitabine treatment. Prospective studies with translational approach are desirable to confirm the predictive and prognostic role of TP.


Subject(s)
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/enzymology , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Fluorouracil/analogs & derivatives , Thymidine Phosphorylase/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Capecitabine , Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use , Disease Progression , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , Female , Fluorouracil/therapeutic use , Follow-Up Studies , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prognosis , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism , Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism , Retrospective Studies , Thymidine Phosphorylase/analysis , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism
16.
J Chemother ; 19(3): 304-8, 2007 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17594926

ABSTRACT

Ninety-six patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and evidence of infection were randomized to receive a 4-week oral course of either prulifloxacin (a new fluoroquinolone) 600 mg or levofloxacin 500 mg once daily. They were evaluated with the Meares-Stamey test and the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) at baseline and one week after therapy completion. Patients with microbiological eradication were evaluated again with the Meares-Stamey test 6 months after therapy completion. The microbiological eradication rate was 72.73% for prulifloxacin and 71.11% for levofloxacin (p=0.86) and the reduction in the NIH-CPSI was 10.75 and 10.73, respectively (p=0.98). Safety was comparable, with 18.18% adverse events for prulifloxacin and 22.22% for levofloxacin (p=0.79). Thus, a 4-week course of prulifloxacin 600 mg once daily is at least as effective and safe as levofloxacin 500 mg once daily in the treatment of CBP.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Dioxolanes/therapeutic use , Fluoroquinolones/therapeutic use , Levofloxacin , Ofloxacin/therapeutic use , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Prostatitis/drug therapy , Quinolones/therapeutic use , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Chronic Disease , Dioxolanes/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Fluoroquinolones/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ofloxacin/adverse effects , Piperazines/adverse effects , Prospective Studies , Prostatitis/microbiology , Quinolones/adverse effects
17.
Minerva Pediatr ; 56(5): 541-6, 2004 Oct.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15459579

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe clinical and epidemiological features of toxic exposures in children under 1 year. METHODS: During 2001 a prospective study on poisoning was carried out in the Pediatric Emergency Departments (ED) of 14 hospitals. Information stored concerned epidemiological and clinical features, evaluation of accidental or deliberate manner of exposure as well as of clinical consequences. Data were compared with those registered in 1-4 year-old patients. RESULTS: During 2001 out of 1,026 children registered, 111 (10.8%) were under 1 year. Exposure occurred exclusively at home and by accident. As compared to 1-4 year-old patients, children exposures were more frequently due to parental errors (38.7% of cases vs 7.3%), and involved plant poisons (22.5% vs 7.3%). In 1/3 of these cases the cause was due to non-toxic exposures, in another 1/3 an early treatment avoided clinical consequences. In the other cases, symptoms were of low to moderate severity, only in 1 case they were serious. No deaths occurred. One out of every 3 children was admitted, the others were sent home directly from ED (23.4%) or after a short observation period (44.1%). CONCLUSION: The increase in poisoning in children under 1 year, as compared to previous multicentre studies, is deserving of concern. In spite of the relatively low severity they are completely preventable. The study shows that information on poisons prevention for parents needs to be improved to prevent exposure of children under 1 year to toxic substances at home.


Subject(s)
Poisoning/epidemiology , Accidents, Home , Age Factors , Chi-Square Distribution , Child, Preschool , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Poisoning/diagnosis , Poisoning/prevention & control , Poisoning/therapy , Prospective Studies
18.
Acta Paediatr ; 92(8): 958-64, 2003 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12948073

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the use of automotive restraint systems among children in Northeast of Italy and to describe parental knowledge and reasons for either use or non-use. METHODS: This population survey included subjects recruited at three Vaccination Services serving approximately 24000 children aged 0-12 y. From March 8, 2002 to June 7, 2002 parents of children being vaccinated were asked to complete a self-administered structured questionnaire. A total of 1093 questionnaires were collected. Data were analysed using contingency tables, chi2 tests, and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Although 98% of children were restrained when riding in a car, less than 90% were using the restraint system appropriate to their body size, and 38% of parents were making some errors in the way they transported their children. Parents of children > or = 3 y of age were significantly more likely to make errors. Less than half of the respondents had ever received any information on child restraint systems and it was found that being given information significantly reduced the likelihood of parents making errors when transporting children. CONCLUSION: Many children ride unrestrained or inappropriately restrained in cars. Parents should be provided with information on child restraint systems in order to decrease the frequency of incorrect child transportation. Special attention should be devoted to the parents of children > or = 3 y of age.


Subject(s)
Infant Equipment , Seat Belts , Age Factors , Automobiles , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Surveys and Questionnaires , Transportation
19.
Inj Prev ; 8(4): 306-12, 2002 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12460968

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The highest proportions of fatal occupational electrocutions have occurred among those employed in the electrical trades and in the construction and manufacturing industries. METHODS: Data from 1992 through 1999 were obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. RESULTS: Occupational electrocution deaths occurred almost entirely among males, with the highest rates among those aged 20-34 and among whites and American Indians. They were highest during the summer months, in the South, and in establishments employing 10 or fewer workers. The highest rates occurred in the construction, mining, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries and among trades associated with these industries. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocution continues to be a significant cause of occupational death. Workers need to be provided with safety training and employers, particularly smaller employers, persuaded of the need for safety training.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/mortality , Electric Injuries/mortality , Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Data Collection , Electric Injuries/ethnology , Electric Injuries/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Health , United States/epidemiology
20.
Pediatrics ; 107(2): E23, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11158497

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between sleep and wakefulness duration and childhood unintentional injury. Study Design. Case-crossover study. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two injured children who presented at the Children's Emergency Center of Udine, Italy, or their parents were interviewed after a structured questionnaire. Information was collected concerning sociodemographic variables, participant's habits, and injury characteristics, including a brief description of the accident dynamics. Sleep or wakefulness status of the child was assessed retrospectively for each of the 48 hours before injury. For each child, we compared the 24 hours immediately before the injury (hours 1-24; case period) with hours 25 to 48 (control period). Nonparametric tests were conducted to compare the difference of sleep duration between case and control periods. In addition, we conducted intrapersonal conditional logistic regression analyses and estimated relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Overall, more children had longer hours of sleep during the control period than during the case period. However, this difference was significant for boys only. A direct association between injury risk and sleeping <10 hours was found among boys (RR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.07-5.09) but not among girls (RR: 1.00; 95% CI:.29-3.45). This association was particularly strong among boys attending nursery school. We also found a direct association between injury occurring between 4 PM and midnight, and being awake for at least 8 hours before injury occurred (both sexes, RR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.13-14.17). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that inadequate sleep duration and lack of daytime naps are transient exposures that may increase the risk of injury among children. These results suggest new prospects for injury prevention in childhood. children, injury, sleep, case-crossover, epidemiology.


Subject(s)
Accidents/statistics & numerical data , Sleep , Wounds and Injuries/etiology , Adolescent , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Risk , Sex Factors , Time Factors , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology
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