The Burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Medical and Nurse Italian University Student Population: The VANVITELLI-IBS Survey.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among medical and nursing students is a global challenge. Unfortunately, data on the Italian medical and nurse student population are scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of IBS in this setting and to evaluate the demographic, university, Mediterranean diet adherence, and anxiety factors associated with its increased presence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of IBS, anxiety levels, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in medical and nursing university students. METHODS: An anonymous online questionnaire was sent to participants. Several demographic and educational variables were assayed, and the presence of symptoms associated with the definition of IBS (according to Rome IV criteria). In addition, anxiety levels and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 161 students, 21.11% met the Rome IV criteria for IBS. Some subgroups, the out-ofcourse students or no scholarship recipients, were found to have a higher percentage of IBS (p < 0.05). Being out-of-course was shown to be associated with an increased and unreported risk of presenting IBS (OR: 8.403, p < 0.001). Levels of anxiety and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were significantly worse in the IBS group (p < 0.01). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of presenting IBS in our setting (OR 0.258, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our sample of Italian medical and nursing students recorded a non-negligible percentage of IBS. Therefore, screening and awareness campaigns could be suggested.

Anxiety, Depression, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity in Nomophobic Italian Nurses: A Chronic Latent Inflammation?

AIM: To investigate which risk factors are strictly connected to nomophobia in Italian nurses, according to socio-demographic characteristics, Body Mass Index scores, physical activity habits, anxiety, and depression. METHODS: An "ad hoc" online questionnaire has been created and then administered to Italian nurses. Data include sex, age, years of work experience, shift work per day, nursing educational level, Body Mass Index, physical activity, anxiety, depression, and nomophobia conditions. Univariate logistic regression has been performed to explore what potential factors may contribute to the nomophobia condition. RESULTS: A total of 430 nurses agree to participate. No respondents record severe nomophobia levels, as 308 (71.6%) register mild and 58 (13.5%) register moderate levels and 64 (14.9%) report no abnormal condition. Females seem to be more exposed than males to nomophobia (p < 0.001); nurses aged from 31 to 40 years and also with less than 10 years of work experience are more affected comparnig to the other sub groups (p < 0.001). Nurses who practice low physical activity report significant high levels in nomophobia (p < 0.001) and nurses reporting high anxiety levels also suffer from nomophobia (p < 0.001). The trend is inverse by considering depression condition since most of the nurses suffering from mild or moderate nomophobia levels report the absence of depression condition (p < 0.001). No statistical differences have been reported between nomophobia levels and shift work (p = 0.269), nursing educational level (p = 0.242), and BMI levels (p = 0.183). Anxiety and physical activity report strong relationships with nomophobia condition (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nomophobia may affect all individuals, especially young individuals. Although further studies on nurses will be implemented, including the workplace and training environments of nurses by allowing a clearer picture of the levels of "nomophobia" in general, as nomophobic behavior may have negative repercussions both in social and professional spheres.

Autism Spectrum Disorders and inclusion attitudes in the Italian school environments: teachers' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and their necessity to consult a healthcare multidisciplinary team.

BACKGROUND: Schools play a key role in detecting early signs of autism and creating a targeted pathway of study and inclusion. This becomes complicated when faced with unknown situations, such as managing a student with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide study involving teachers (n=235) was conducted from March to August 2021. The survey instrument consisted of a questionnaire administered online through social networks containing socio-demographic data, attitudes, knowledge and inclusion plans from school teachers towards students with ASD. RESULTS: Statistical significant differences were registered for the item no.13: among the main deficits caused by ADS are reduced social cognition, language abnormalities, and impaired sensory functioning. (p=.025); the item no.8 (p=.011): if an intervention works for one child with ASD, it is certain to work on another child with ASD; the item no.3(p=.002): genetic factors play an important role in the causes of ASD. By also considering teacher's attitudes towards ASD according to the presence of a healthcare worker in the school environment, significant differences were registered for the item no.1 (p=.032): the interpretation that the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's syndrome are the same as for high-functioning autism; the item no.6 (p=.025): children with ADS are very similar to each other, and the item no.7(p=.015): early intervention does not lead to additional benefits for children with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of professionals with advanced skills could be a benefit and represent a strong point in the application of measures of prevention and containment of community pathologies.

Alcoholic Consumption of Young Italians During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The international health emergency caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which, at the end of 2019, hit the world, forced the governments of all countries to adopt stringent restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus. Several studies have revealed worsening levels of anxiety, depression and perceived stress related to these restrictions and the resulting lifestyle changes. Some studies have also confirmed the presence of a relationship between SARS-CoV-2-related emotional distress and drinking behavior. Indeed, is a wellknown fact that alcohol consumption is one of the behavioral strategies used to reduce negative emotional states. However, it was documented that young people developed different responses to alcohol use during the pandemic than adults. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to investigate the consumption habits of young Italians and how the consumption and purchase of alcoholic beverages have changed following the pandemic. New ways of drinking alcohol were also interesting to observe, such as online. METHODS: Young people between 18 and 35 years old were subjected to an anonymous questionnaire of 22 questions on the adoption of forms of behavior at risk through alcohol consumption, the quantity and occasions of preferential consumption, and on the methods and quantities of alcoholic beverage purchase, before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The subjects who declared themselves "non-drinkers" were not included in the statistical survey. RESULTS: About 33% of the enrolled "drinkers" (268/823), adopted risky forms of alcoholic behavior. Males reported a higher average habit of drinking wine or alcohol (M = 1.9953 ± 1.39743, F = 1.7373 ± 1.36688, p <0.005); an increased frequency of drinking (M = 2.3025 ± 0.80610 F = 2.0494 ± 0.75043 p <0.001); a higher average number of drinks consumed (M = 1.5182 ± 0.85646, F = 1.2618 ± 0.53292, p <0.001) and binge drinking to the greatest extent (M = 1.1933 ± 0.96522 F = 0.8176 ± 0.85446 p <0.001). Education and employment were significantly correlated with the frequency of alcohol consumption (r = 0.107 p <0.005 and r = 0.120 p = 0.001 respectively). Subjects reported buying alcoholic beverages during the pandemic with a frequency of "less than once a month" (N = 291, 35.36%) and mainly in shops (N = 556, 67.56%), while before the pandemic they mainly bought alcohol once a week (N = 431, 52.37%) and predominantly in bars / clubs (N = 619, 75.21%). New ways of drinking alcohol such as online drinking, have not been significantly identified. CONCLUSION: A change in alcohol consumed and alcohol purchased before and during the SARSCoV- 2 pandemic was revealed.

The Lesson from the First Italian Lockdown: Impacts on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Patients with Remission of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, decisions were taken to adopt restrictive legislative measures, such as the first half of the 2020 lockdown. In those months, patients with inflammatory bowel disease experienced social isolation and reduced access to health care. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate, in this condition, the presence of remission subgroups that were most impacted by the lockdown. METHODS: During the first Italian lockdown, we recruited patients with remission of inflammatory bowel disease by administering an online questionnaire including patient demographics, the Beck Anxiety Questionnaire Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, all validated standardized questionnaires for anxiety symptom levels, depression, and sleep quality. RESULTS: Our results showed how female patients (p<0.0001) with Crohn's disease (p<0.001) experienced worse levels of anxiety symptoms. Female patients (p<0.0001) between 50 and 60 years of age (p=0.013) with Crohn's disease (p=0.047) experienced worse levels of depressive symptoms. Females also experienced significantly worse sleep levels (p<0.001). We found a correlation between the number of sleeping hours (p<0.001) and the time taken to fall asleep (p<0.001) and the Beck Anxiety Questionnaire Inventory,which showed a linear worsening of the number of minutes it took to fall asleep, and the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Among patients with remission of inflammatory bowel disease, female patients, patients with Crohn's disease, and people aged between 50 and 70 years should be considered for screening for anxiety and depression disorders and an assessment of sleep quality.

The analysis of alcohol consumption during the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 Italian lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 lockdown resulted in deep changes of lifestyles, promoting in many people the onset of psychological symptoms generally associated with drug and alcohol abuse. The aim of this study was to assess the variation of alcohol drinking habits in a sample of Italian citizens during lockdown and to identify the psychosocial factors surrounding it. METHODS: An online anonymous questionnaire was created and submitted from April 9 to April 28, 2020. Questions were related to personal psychosocial details and alcohol drinking habits during the lockdown, including Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT C) questions. RESULTS: On a total of 1234 surveys the increase of both anxiety and fear was largely detected (63% and 61% respectively). The 18% increased alcohol consumption during the lockdown and it showed a significant correlation with anxiety and fear experienced (both P<0.001). The relative risk for 7 to 9 and more than 10 drinks per day consumption were directly linked to these symptoms (P<0.001). The most involved categories of participants showed this harmful association were self-employed workers and participants who live alone, subject aged 30-50 with high level of instruction or students, and not occupied people in the age range 18-19 (all P<0.001). Additionally, the subset of the study population that showed low alcohol consumption before the lockdown has demonstrated the worsening of alcohol assumption during the quarantine (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Several psychosocial factors are involved in determining the increase of alcohol consumption during lockdown and need the healthcare support to avoid awful impact on human life.