An elevated body mass index increases lung volume but reduces airflow in Italian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and obesity are important and growing health issues worldwide. Obesity is considered a risk factor for asthma, due to the induction of changes in airway mechanics and altered airway inflammation. METHODS: We cross-sectionally investigated the effect of increased weight on pulmonary function in a large population sample of healthy children, aged 10-17 yrs living in Palermo, Italy. Explanatory effect of weight on lung function variables were evaluated by multiple linear regression models, taking into account height, gender, and age-class. RESULTS: Among the 2,393 subjects, FVC and FEV1 were positively correlated to weight. Multiple regression models showed that the weight beta coefficient for FEV1 was significantly lower with respect to that for FVC (0.005 and 0.009 l/kg, respectively), indicating a different magnitude in explanatory effect of weight on FVC and FEV1. Both FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%/FVC ratios were negatively correlated to weight, while FEF25-75% was not significantly correlated. Similar results were obtained also when 807 symptomatic subjects were introduced in the model through a sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: In healthy children, the disproportionate increase of FEV1 and FVC with weight produces airflow decrease and consequently apparent poorer lung function independently from respiratory disease status.

Unexpectedly high frequency of genital involvement in women with clinical and histological features of oral lichen planus.

The main aims of this cross-sectional study were: (i) to assess the frequency of genital (vulval) lichen planus (VLP) and vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) in women affected with oral lichen planus (OLP), regardless of the genital symptoms reported; and (ii) to verify whether any demographic, clinical, or histological features of OLP are associated with a higher risk of vulvo-vaginal involvement. Fifty-five women, presenting OLP, consecutively underwent gynaecological examination and, if they demonstrated positive clinical signs of VLP, underwent biopsy. After a drop-out of 14 subjects, 31/41 (75.6%) were found to have signs of genital involvement, of which 13/31 (44.0%) were asymptomatic. Following genital biopsy, 27/31 (87.1%) had histologically confirmed VLP or VLS. Following both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, no significant association was found between gynaecological concomitance and demographic, clinical, histological features of OLP. This unpredictably common genital involvement in females with OLP emphasizes the importance of routinely performing both oral and gynaecological examinations, to facilitate an early and correct therapeutic approach.

Assessment of the frequency of additional cancers in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: Solid second primary cancers (SPC) have become an issue of extensive research. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) and the absolute excess risk (AER) of SPC in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). METHODS: We investigated the incidence of additional cancers in 129 patients consecutively diagnosed with SMZL in three Italian haematological centres, asking the cooperating doctors for additional information on initial and subsequent therapies and on the onset and type of second cancers. RESULTS: Twelve SPC were recorded (9.3%); the 3- and 5-yr cumulative incidence rates were 5.5% and 18.3% respectively, with an SIR of 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.56; P < 0.05; AER = 145.81]. Of 12 SPC observed, four were urinary tract neoplasms (SIR, 3.70; 95% CI: 1.01-9.48; P < 0.05; AER = 70.06), four were lung cancers (SIR, 9.16; 95% CI: 1.41-13.25; P < 0.05; AER = 85.50) and the other four were hepatic carcinoma, endometrial cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings evidence a high frequency of additional cancers in patients with SMZL and suggest that the incidence rate of SPC is significantly different from that expected in the general population. The frequency of cases with urinary tract and lung malignancies in our series is higher than expected. Although confirmatory data are needed, it is our opinion that SMZL patients are at risk of second cancer and should be carefully investigated on diagnosis and monitored during the follow-up.