[HPV prophylactic vaccine coverage in France: Results of a survey among high school and university students in Marseilles' area]. / Évaluation de la couverture vaccinale du vaccin anti-hpv : résultats d'une enquête auprès des lycéennes et étudiantes de la région PACA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess HPV prophylactic vaccine coverage among French high school and university students as well as their level of education about this vaccine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was conducted among 2500 high school and university students from the area of Marseilles, France, from December 2009 to April 2010. RESULTS: A total of 2018 questionnaires were collected (80.7% participation rate). Mean age of participants was 20 years (range, 15-45 years). Only 671 (35.4%) participants reported having been vaccinated against HPV, of whom 510 (73.4%) had completed the three injections scheme. Practice of cytological cervical cancer screening was not significantly influenced by vaccination status. Thus, 578 (45.2%) participants who had not been vaccinated already had had a cervical cytology performed, versus 295 (43.3%) vaccinated ones (P=0.445). Among those not being vaccinated, 671 (49.8%) fulfilled criteria for a catch-up vaccination, of whom only 325 (48.4%) agreed for such a catch-up. Main reasons given for refusal for a catch-up vaccination were the lack of information about HPV vaccine and fear of side effects. In total, 1722 (90%) considered themselves as educated about the HPV vaccine. Source of education was attributed to doctors and media by 54.4% and 53.7% of participants, respectively. Educational role attributed to school and university was poor (3.4%). CONCLUSION: Despite apparent satisfactory level of education, HPV prophylactic vaccine coverage among high school and university students appears to be insufficient.

Efficacy of an activated charcoal-simethicone combination in dyspeptic syndrome: results of a randomized prospective study in general practice.

AIM: The aim of this prospective, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial combination of simethicone and activated charcoal (Carbosylane) on dyspeptic symptoms in patients consulting a general practitioner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients were studied. Treatment duration was 3 months, followed by a 2 months follow-up period. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, the percentage of patients with a reduction of at least two points on the symptom intensity scale was significantly higher with Carbosylane than with a placebo (P=0.043). Compared with placebo, the intensity of three symptoms (abdominal fullness, bloating and the sensation of slow digestion) was significantly decreased after 90 days of Carbosylane (P<0.05). At the end of the post-treatment follow-up, the percentages of patients with moderate or severe global complaints were 6.78% and 21.43% in the Carbosylane and placebo groups, respectively (P<0.03). CONCLUSION: Among patients consulting a general practitioner for dyspeptic syndrome, 3 months of treatment with Carbosylane resulted in significant symptomatic improvement. The improvement was still evident 2 months after the end of treatment.

Caries prevalence and fluoride use in low SES children in Clermont-Ferrand (France).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between dental caries experience and preventive behaviours of children residing in a deprived area in Clermont-Ferrand (France). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: All 4-5 yr-olds attending nine schools in deprived areas of the city were invited to participate and 81% (n=282) consented and were examined. Dental caries was recorded at the dentine threshold. Parents completed a questionnaire concerning family demographics and the child's use of fluoride. Non-parametric tests and logistic regression assessed the relative importance of SES and fluoride variables on dental status (dt>1). RESULTS: Fifty four (19%) of the examined children were living in families with an immigrant background, 33% were fully covered by the national health insurance programme for deprived families. Caries experience was high; mean dft was 1.94 (3.31) and 30% of the children had >1 carious teeth. Thirty percent of the families reported using fluoridated salt. Tooth brushing once daily was reported for 39% and twice daily for 26%. Parents declared supervising tooth brushing for 60%. Two thirds of the children, according to their parents, used fluoride supplement between birth and two years. Supervised tooth brushing was significantly correlated with lower mean dt scores. Systemic fluoride use was poorly related to dental caries Immigrant background, family size, type of health insurance and mother's unemployment were significantly correlated with caries prevalence. In multivariate analysis, immigrant status, supervised tooth brushing and parental knowledge about fluoride in toothpastes were significant caries predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of low SES children did not practice effective caries prevention; few reported twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Caries experience was very high and much was untreated. Immigrant status, supervised tooth brushing and parental knowledge about fluoride in toothpastes were significant caries predictors.

Desloratadine 5 mg once daily improves the quality of life of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is known to debilitate a person's quality of life via sleep disruption, itching lesions, fatigue, social isolation, energy loss and emotional/sexual difficulties. Once-daily desloratadine significantly improved the signs and symptoms of CIU. OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of desloratadine 5 mg once daily on the quality of life of patients suffering of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Study population One-hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with CIU present for at least 6 weeks prior to inclusion and with a current flare of at least 3 weeks, were included in the study in 24 Belgian centres. RESULTS: The mean dermatology life quality index (DLQI) significantly decreased from baseline to day 7 and further to day 42. Sixty per cent and 77% of patients had a clinically significant change (i.e. a decrease of at least 2 points) at day 7 or day 42, respectively, as compared with that of day 0. Change in pruritus and size of the hives significantly correlated with the change in the score of the quality of life. One-third of patients experienced complete relief whereas in 1 of 10 patients no effect was experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Desloratadine significantly improves the quality of life of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria as reflected by the dermatology life quality index (DLQI).

Evaluation of an in-office allergy screening test in nonatopic dogs having various intestinal parasites.

An in-office allergy screening kit was evaluated in 10 dogs that had no clinical signs of atopy but had various intestinal parasites. All 10 dogs had a positive reaction to the dust mite Dermatophagoïdes farinae, and four dogs had positive reactions to at least one other group of allergens. The kit as presently marketed gives numerous false positive results in parasitized nonatopic dogs.