PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Biggeri

Publications and source records attributed to A Biggeri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Mutations of the APC gene in human sporadic colorectal cancers.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the APC gene are reported to occur frequently in sporadic colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas. We studied APC gene mutations in cases of human sporadic colorectal cancer in order to evaluate their correlation with pathologic characteristics and clinical prognosis. METHODS: Most of the mutations of the APC gene (95%) are nonsense or frame shift mutations, encoding for truncated APC proteins. For this reason, mutation detection of the APC gene was performed using the in vitro synthesized protein (IVSP) assay, analysing the region between nucleotide 2058 and nucleotide 5079 of the gene, containing the mutation cluster region. RESULTS: Out of 58 cases of colorectal cancer, 29 presented a mutated form of APC (mutation frequency 50%). We did not find a statistically significant correlation between APC gene mutation and age, sex, localization of the primary tumour, grading, Crohn-like lymphoid reaction or presence of residual adenoma. Tumours with low invasivity (Dukes' stages A and B) were less frequently mutated (12/27, 44.5%) than tumours of Dukes' stage C (15 out of 21, 71.4%), which developed macroscopically secondary metastasis with variable latency after surgery. Highly invasive tumours with synchronous metastases (Dukes' stage D) had, instead, a low frequency of APC mutations (20%, 2/10) (P = 0.02, compared with Dukes' stages A, B and C). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that more aggressive Dukes' stage D tumours develop metastasis by means of an unknown mechanism, independent of APC mutation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Increasing trend of type I diabetes in children and young adults in the province of Turin (Italy). Analysis of age, period and birth cohort effects from 1984 to 1996.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to determine if the incidence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus increased over time and if the time trend is attributable to linear trend, calendar period or birth cohort effects. METHODS: This study was based on a cohort of subjects aged 0-29 years from 1984 to 1996, who resided in the province of Turin, Italy. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the effect of sex, age, calendar time and cohorts on incidence rates. RESULTS: The mean incidence rate in the age group of 0 to 29 years was 7.78 of 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval: 7.26-8.32), with a lower risk in women than in men [rate ratio (RR): 0.76 (0.67-0.88)]. We found a trend of incidence increasing over time (annual increase of risk 2.25 % a year, 95 % CI 0.44-4.10). In Poisson regression analysis we found that the best model was the one with sex, age and a linear term attributable to either calendar period or cohort effects. The linear term corresponds to a RR of 1.12 (1.02-1.22,p = 0.015) for each 5-year age span. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: We found that the time trend in this Mediterranean area was similar in magnitude to that reported in northern European countries. The increase was linear in pattern, each birth cohort and each calendar period showing a higher risk than the preceeding one with some evidence of two steep increases in the incidence of Type I diabetes centered on the years 1964 and 1984. We found that the incidence of diabetes increased in the 0 to 14 age group and also in the older age group of 15 to 29 years and that the age-period models were not statistically significantly better than the age-cohort models.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Cohort study of metastatic melanoma patients in the Dermatology Institute of Florence 1990/1997.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are treatments currently employed in advanced melanoma, but responses obtained are poor, and metastatic melanoma patients with visceral localization rarely survive for more than 6 months. Thus, different therapeutic regimens are used in metastatic melanoma and no standardized therapy exists so far. METHODS: We report a retrospective survival study involving 80 patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated either with chemotherapy [dacarbazine (DTIC) alone or DTIC in monotherapeutic or polychemotherapeutic regimen] or immunochemotherapy [interferon (IFN)-alpha at low doses added to chemotherapy]. Survival of patients was statistically evaluated in an actuarial curve taking into account as predictive variables sex, age, marital status, site of primary tumour, histological type, Clark level, sites of metastases, and the different therapeutic regimens (i.e. DTIC alone, DTIC plus IFN-alpha, or others, with or without IFN-alpha). RESULTS: Site of primary melanoma, histological type, Clark level and therapy regimen appeared to exhibit a prognostic significance in survival; when a multivariate analysis was performed to obtain a mutual adjustment of survival values for each variable, only the therapeutic regimen was found to be significant as an independent prognostic variable. Patients treated with immunochemotherapy, i.e. DTIC plus IFN-alpha, showed a probability of dying of 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.2-0.8) compared with patients treated with DTIC alone. CONCLUSIONS: In our study immunochemotherapy, comprised of DTIC plus IFN-alpha at low doses, was associated with a significantly longer survival of patients, in comparison with chemotherapy comprised of only DTIC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Increased risk of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura after residential or domestic exposure to asbestos: a case-control study in Casale Monferrato, Italy.

The association of malignant mesothelioma (MM) and nonoccupational asbestos exposure is currently debated. Our study investigates environmental and domestic asbestos exposure in the city where the largest Italian asbestos cement (AC) factory was located. This population-based case-control study included pleural MM (histologically diagnosed) incidents in the area in 1987-1993, matched by age and sex to two controls (four if younger than 60). Diagnoses were confirmed by a panel of five pathologists. We interviewed 102 cases and 273 controls in 1993-1995, out of 116 and 330 eligible subjects. Information was checked and completed on the basis of factory and Town Office files. We adjusted analyses for occupational exposure in the AC industry. In the town there were no other relevant industrial sources of asbestos exposure. Twenty-three cases and 20 controls lived with an AC worker [odds ratio (OR) = 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.8-11.1)]. The risk was higher for the offspring of AC workers (OR = 7.4; 95% CI, 1.9-28.1). Subjects attending grammar school in Casale also showed an increased risk (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.4-7.7). Living in Casale was associated with a very high risk (after selecting out AC workers: OR = 20.6; 95% CI, 6.2-68.6), with spatial trend with increasing distance from the AC factory. The present work confirms the association of environmental asbestos exposure and pleural MM, controlling for other sources of asbestos exposure, and suggests that environmental exposure caused a greater risk than domestic exposure.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Preface.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Accuracy, concordance, and reproducibility of histologic diagnosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: an EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group Study. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of observer variability in the histologic identification of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its discrimination from diseases with similar histologic features. DESIGN: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma specimens and randomly mixed controls were evaluated twice by 3 examiners. SETTINGS: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group. PATIENTS: The study was conducted with histologic specimens from 32 patients with mycosis fungoides (MF). In addition, 13 specimens of spongiotic, lichenoid, or psoriasiform simulators of MF were blindly and randomly mixed with the CTCL specimens as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To evaluate the accuracy and concordance among and individual reproducibility of raters of histologic diagnoses. RESULTS: Overall, the concordance among raters was fair to moderate (range, 0.283-0.562; weighted overall kappa, 0.412). Individual reproducibility of examiners ranged from moderate to almost perfect (range, 0.473-0.896; weighted overall kappa, 0.709) and was not significantly different for the definite lymphoma (range, 0.551-0.921; overall kappa, 0.802) and nonlymphoma (range, 0.368-0.950; overall kappa, 0.793) categories. Accuracy was similarly variable among raters: sensitivity ranged from 49.3% to 78.1% (overall kappa, 0.654), and specificity (control series) ranged from 46.2% to 69.2% (overall kappa, 0.595). Adding the diagnoses of probable lymphoma to those of definite lymphoma, sensitivity ranged between 73.5% and 84.9%. Although for each examiner there was a trend toward a lower sensitivity in the detection of early lesions compared with later lesions, the difference in sensitivity between the 2 groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of concordance and reproducibility found in this investigation were similar to those obtained with comparable studies in the most varied fields of pathology, confirming that the identification of CTCL for our observers did not cause particular problems. Our findings also revealed that pitfalls in CTCL identification are not only limited to early lymphomatous lesions, as commonly postulated.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Clinicopathologic features and FHIT gene expression in sporadic colorectal adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The putative tumour suppressor gene FHIT (fragile histidine triad) spans the common fragile site FRA3B, which is highly susceptible to breaks and deletions induced by genotoxic agents. Tumours associated with exposure to carcinogens, such as colorectal adenocarcinomas, should be particularly susceptible to alterations in the FHIT gene. We studied the frequency of FHIT alterations and their correlations with clinicopathologic features in sporadic colon carcinomas. METHODS: FHIT expression was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 56 primary sporadic colorectal carcinomas. The same tumours and matched normal tissues were also investigated for loss of heterozygosity by using two markers located inside the FHIT gene. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 56 tumours (51.8%) expressed aberrant FHIT transcripts. Four tumours had absence or nearly undetectable levels of the normal-sized FHIT transcript. Sequencing analysis of the altered transcripts showed FHIT mRNA lacking one or more exons, more frequent deletions of exons 4-5-6 or 4-5-6-7-8. At the genomic level 46.4% (13 of 28) of the cases showed alterations involving FHIT locus. We did not find any correlation between FHIT gene alterations and clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Since the FHIT gene is frequently altered, its role in the molecular pathogenesis of sporadic colon carcinoma deserves further investigation.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed2000

Effects of black tea, green tea and wine extracts on intestinal carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in F344 rats.

We investigated whether polyphenolic extracts from black tea, green tea or red wine affect azoxymethane (AOM)-induced intestinal carcinogenesis. Male F344 rats were treated 10 times (1 week apart) with AOM (7.4 mg/kg, s.c.) and then allocated into groups receiving black tea, green tea or red wine extracts mixed in the diet at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 16 weeks. In the rats treated with black tea or wine extracts, there were significantly fewer colorectal tumours than in controls (the mean +/- SE number of tumours/rat was 2.54 +/- 1.6 in controls, 1.54 +/- 1.4 in the black tea group, 3.2 +/- 1.9 in the green tea group and 1.63 +/- 1.6 in the wine extract group). Significantly fewer rats in the black tea and wine extract groups had adenomas than in controls (86%, 59%, 90% and 50% of rats in the control, black tea, green tea and wine extract groups, respectively, had adenomas). The tumours from the black tea group and, to a lesser extent, those from the wine group, had a significantly greater apoptotic index than tumours in controls (mean +/- SE apoptotic index: 2.92 +/- 0.25, 4.13 +/- 0.46, 2.88 +/- 0.30 and 3.72 +/- 0.46 in controls, black tea, green tea or wine extract groups, respectively). In contrast, the apoptotic index of the normal mucosa did not vary among groups. These data indicate that black tea and wine extracts, but not green tea extracts, can protect against AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis by a mechanism probably involving increased apoptosis in tumours.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy of histologic criteria for diagnosing early mycosis fungoides: an EORTC cutaneous lymphoma study group investigation. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

The correct classification of lymphoproliferative disorders provides valuable information regarding subsequent clinical evolution of the disease. The ability of pathologists to distinguish such lesions is generally low, especially when dealing with minimal lymphoid infiltrates. To improve the efficacy of histopathology in the diagnosis of early lesions of mycosis fungoides (MF), we reviewed 24 skin biopsies from 18 patients with patch stage lesions of MF early in the course of their disease and 13 slides of lichenoid, spongiotic, or psoriasiform simulators of MF as a control series. A series of cytoarchitectural features was assessed, and differences in the distribution of histopathologic parameters between the two groups (early MF lesions and MF simulators) were evaluated by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. For these parameters, sensitivity and specificity also were calculated. A multivariate log-linear analysis was performed to estimate which of the morphologic parameters yielded independent diagnostic information. We found that the most important feature for the diagnosis of lymphoma was the presence of lymphocytes with extremely convoluted, medium-large (7-9 microm in diameter) nuclei (medium-large cerebriform cells), singly or clustered in the epidermis and in small sheets in the dermis. Additional significant histologic features were epidermotropism as single cells lined up along the basal keratinocytes of the dermal-epidermal junction, absence of significant papillary dermis fibrosis, and absence of significant numbers of dermal blastlike cells. We conclude that the efficacy of single histopathologic features in the diagnosis of early MF is generally poor. Only the presence of medium-large cerebriform cells in the epidermis or in clusters in the dermis proved to be a highly reliable feature. However, the histopathologic diagnosis of early MF lesions and their discrimination from inflammatory simulators can be achieved using the constellation of cytoarchitectural parameters proposed.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of correlated data in human biomonitoring studies. The case of high sister chromatid exchange frequency cells.

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes is a well established technique that aims to evaluate human exposure to toxic agents. The individual mean value of SCE per cell had been the only recommended index to measure the extent of this cytogenetic damage until the early 1980's, when the concept of high frequency cells (HFC) was introduced to increase the sensitivity of the assay. All statistical analyses proposed thus far to handle these data are based on measures which refer to the individual mean values and not to the single cell. Although this approach allows the use of simple statistical methods, part of the information provided by the distribution of SCE per single cell within the individual is lost. Using the appropriate methods developed for the analysis of correlated data, it is possible to exploit all the available information. In particular, the use of random-effects models seems to be very promising for the analysis of clustered binary data such as HFC. Logistic normal random-effects models, which allow modelling of the correlation among cells within individuals, have been applied to data from a large study population to highlight the advantages of using this methodology in human biomonitoring studies. The inclusion of random-effects terms in a regression model could explain a significant amount of variability, and accordingly change point and/or interval estimates of the corresponding coefficients. Examples of coefficients that change across different regression models and their interpretation are discussed in detail. One model that seems particularly appropriate is the random intercepts and random slopes model.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cutaneous melanoma histologically associated with a nevus and melanoma de novo have a different profile of risk: results from a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Histopathologic association between melanocytic nevus and melanoma has been reported in approximately 10% to more than 50% of melanoma cases. Whether melanomas in contiguity with a nevus have a different natural history and pathogenesis from melanomas without a nevus is still to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to clarify whether melanocytic nevus-associated melanomas (MN[+]) have a different risk factor profile from cases without histopathologic evidence of melanocytic nevus association (MN[-]). METHODS: The study population consisted of 131 invasive melanoma cases with a thickness of 4.00 mm or less and 174 control cases without melanomas. The whole series was evaluated for the following risk factors: phenotypic traits; the number of common, atypical, and congenital nevus-like nevi; and freckling and history of sunburns. Melanoma cases were revised for the presence of associated melanocytic nevi. The analysis of risk factors was performed by a case-control approach comparing cases, classified by histologic association with nevus, to the group of controls. Possible differences in risk factor distribution between MN(+) cases and MN(-) cases were evaluated with a polychotomous logistic regression model and a likelihood ratio test for heterogeneity. RESULTS: Histopathologic association between melanocytic nevus and melanoma was found in 27 cases (20.6%). Phenotypic traits were shown to be more powerful predictors of risk for MN(-) than for MN(+) cases (blond/red hair; odds ratio, 7.4 and 1.2, respectively; likelihood ratio test for heterogeneity, 4.13; P < .05). Conversely, history of frequent sunburn was a risk factor only in MN(+) cases (more than 5 sunburns; odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-33.7), but not in MN(-) cases (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-4.0; likelihood ratio test for heterogeneity, 4.2; P < .05). Where melanocytic nevi are concerned, an increased number of common nevi was a predictor of melanoma risk in both MN(+) and MN(-) cases, but with a different magnitude of risk, higher for MN(+) cases (number of common nevi, 10-30; odds ratio, 14.4 and 4.7, respectively; likelihood ratio test for heterogeneity, 3.7; P = .055). CONCLUSION: This study showed that, although MN(+) and MN(-) melanomas share many risk factors, there is a different strength of association between the 2 groups. The effect of a history of sunburn as a predictor of risk was found only for nevus-associated melanomas, suggesting a possible role of sunburns in the neoplastic transformation of nevi.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Differences in parental- and self-report of asthma, rhinitis and eczema among Italian adolescents. SIDRIA collaborative group. Studi Italiani sui Disordini Respiratori dell' Infanzia e l'Ambiente.

Epidemiological and clinical information on respiratory and allergic disorders in adolescents has been collected from the adolescents themselves or from their parents, but little is known about the differences between these two sources of information. This study compared the responses to 10 identically worded questions from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire on asthma, rhinitis and eczema between written self- and parent-completed questionnaires in a large sample of 21,068 adolescent Italians aged 13-14 yrs. The effects of sex, latitude of residence, urbanization, socioeconomic status, previous diagnosis of asthma, family history of allergic diseases and adolescent's smoking habits on the prevalence estimates obtained with the two questionnaires were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was significantly higher in self-reported for all questions except for lifetime eczema, which was higher in parental report. Agreement between the two sources of information was poor, although it was slightly better for questions relative to clinical diagnosis of asthma, hay fever or eczema than for related symptoms, and for respiratory with respect to cutaneous disorders. When compared with self-reported, parent-reported was consistently higher in males and was more affected by socioeconomic level and by a diagnosis of asthma or family history of allergic diseases, whereas self-reported was more sensitive to the effect of the adolescent's smoking habits. It is concluded that, in adolescents, parent- and self-reported respiratory and allergic symptoms differ significantly and are differently affected by several constitutional and environmental factors. Obtaining direct information from adolescents may be essential for a correct evaluation of respiratory symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Risk factors for early, persistent, and late-onset wheezing in young children. SIDRIA Collaborative Group.

Wheezing in childhood is not a single disorder and different wheezing-associated respiratory illnesses have been recently described. We investigated the association between wheezing conditions and familial, pre-, peri-, and postnatal risk factors. We studied 16,333 children, 6 to 7 yr old, enrolled in a population-based study. Standardized questionnaires were filled in by parents. A total of 1,221 children had transient early wheezing, 671 had persistent wheezing, 918 had late-onset wheezing, and 13,523 never had wheezing or asthma (control group). Maternal asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease were significantly (p < 0.0001) more associated with persistent wheezing than with transient early and late-onset wheezing. The same pattern was observed for exposure to maternal smoke during pregnancy. Having a mother > 35 yr old was protective against transient early wheezing (odds ratio [OR]: 0.68, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 0.53 to 0.86). Breast feeding >/= 6 mo was slightly protective against transient early wheezing (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.97), whereas it was a moderate risk factor for late-onset wheezing (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.50). On the contrary, having siblings and attending a day care center were both risk factors for transient early wheezing (OR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.21 to 1.64] and 1.70 [95% CI: 1.48 to 1.96], respectively) and protective factors against wheezing of late onset (OR: 0.83 [95% CI: 0.70 to 0.97] and 0.72 [95% CI: 0.59 to 0.88]). There was a stronger (p < 0.0001) positive association between personal history of eczema or allergic rhinitis and persistent and late-onset wheezing than transient early wheezing. Our findings suggest a different contribution of risk factors to wheezing conditions in childhood.

Asthma↗
PubMed1999

Estimating sensitivity and specificity when repeated tests are performed on the same subject.

BACKGROUND: When diagnostic tests are repeated on the same subject, a correlation between test results is expected. This must be taken into account when computing interval estimates. METHODS: The application of regression techniques for correlated data to a logistic model is proposed in order to obtain correct point and interval estimates. RESULTS: The use of different study designs and models of analysis (marginal and 'random effects') is discussed. The advantages of studies using multiple tests, possible sources of bias (including those specific to multiple testing) and methods of correction are also discussed. An example considering Doppler flow velocimetry in pregnancy is presented.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Multivariate analysis of outcome of mental health care using graphical chain models. The South-Verona Outcome Project 1.

BACKGROUND: Short-term outcome of mental health care was assessed in a multidimensional perspective using graphical chain models, a new multivariate method that analyses the relationship between variables conditionally, i.e. taking into account the effect of antecedent and intervening variables. METHODS: GAF, BPRS, DAS (at baseline and after 6 months), LQL and VSSS (at follow-up only) were administered to 194 patients attending the South-Verona community-based mental health service. Direct costs in the interval were also calculated. Graphical chain models were used to analyse: (1) the associations between predictors (psychopathology, disability, functioning, assessed at baseline); (2) the effects of predictors on costs; and (3) the effect of predictors and costs on outcomes (psychopathology, disability, functioning, quality of life and service satisfaction) as well as their correlation. RESULTS: Psychopathology, disability and functioning scores at baseline predicted the corresponding scores at 6-month follow-up, with greater improvement in the more severely ill. Higher psychopathology and poorer functioning at baseline predicted higher costs and, in turn, costs predicted poorer functioning at follow-up. Outcome indicators polarized in two groups: psychopathology, disability and functioning, which were highly correlated; and the dyad service satisfaction and quality of life. Service satisfaction was highly related to quality of life and was predicted by low disability and high dysfunctioning. No predictors for quality of life were found. CONCLUSIONS: Graphical chain models were demonstrated to be a useful methodology to analyse process and outcome data. The results of the present study help in formulating specific hypotheses for future studies on outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Sun exposure and large numbers of common and atypical melanocytic naevi: an analytical study in a southern European population.

The study analysed the relationship between high counts of common naevi and numbers of atypical naevi (AN) in sites differing in exposure to the sun. A series of 90 subjects with 100 or more common naevi (cases) and 92 controls was investigated by means of a case-control study. A striking association between high numbers of common naevi and prevalence of AN (whole body) was found. The adjustment for phenotype and phototype did not obscure this association. Similar findings were obtained after exclusion of subjects with familiarity for melanoma. Cases had more AN than controls in all the body sites, except for the buttocks, where sun exposure can be considered minimal or absent: in this site, an excess of common naevi but not of AN was found. The present study suggests that subjects with high common naevi counts show a higher prevalence of AN independently of their complexion, sunburn history and family history of melanoma. Phenotypic expression of AN seems to be enhanced by direct sun exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Road traffic and adverse respiratory effects in children. SIDRIA Collaborative Group.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between traffic indicators in the area of residence and the occurrence of chronic respiratory disorders in children. METHODS: A population based survey was conducted in 10 areas of northern and central Italy (autumn 1994 to winter 1995) in two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years). Information on several respiratory disorders and on traffic near residences was collected with a questionnaire given to children and to their parents. The sample analysed included 39,275 subjects (response rate 94.4%). Outcomes were: (a) early (first 2 years of life) respiratory diseases, and (b) current respiratory disorders (asthma, wheeze, cough, or phlegm in the past year). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusted for several potential confounders, were estimated from logistic regression models. Main results were stratified by level of urbanisation (metropolitan areas, other centres). RESULTS: In the metropolitan areas, high frequency of lorry traffic in the street of residence was associated with significantly increased risks for many adverse respiratory outcomes. Among early respiratory diseases, the strongest associations were found for recurrent bronchitis (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.30), bronchiolitis (1.74, 1.09 to 2.77) and pneumonia (1.84, 1.27 to 2.65), although no association was detected for episodes of wheezing bronchitis. All the current respiratory disorders were positively and consistently associated with frequency of lorry traffic, particularly the most severe bronchitic and wheezing symptoms: persistent phelgm for > 2 months (1.68; 1.14 to 2.48), and severe wheeze limiting speech (1.86; 1.26 to 2.73). No or weaker associations with heavy vehicular traffic were detected in urban and rural areas and no increased risks were found in the whole sample with the reported traffic density in the zone of residence. After extensive evaluations, the potential of reporting bias seems unlikely. CONCLUSION: Exposure to exhausts from heavy vehicular traffic may have several adverse effects on respiratory health of children living in metropolitan areas, increasing the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections early in life and of wheezing and bronchitic symptoms at school age.

Adolescent↗