Biomedical subjects

E Bidoli

Publications and source records attributed to E Bidoli.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Meal frequency and risk of colorectal cancer.

The relation between meal frequency and the risk of colorectal cancer was investigated in a case-control study conducted in North Italy on 889 cases of colon cancer, 581 cases of rectal cancer, and 2475 controls admitted to hospital for acute, nonneoplastic, or digestive disorders. As compared to individuals who reported 2 or fewer meals per day, the multivariate colon cancer odds ratios were 1.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.5-2.1] for 3, and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1-3.3) for 4 meals or more. Corresponding rectal cancer odds ratios were 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.7) for 3, and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1-3.5) for 4 meals or more. The direct trends in risk of colorectal cancer with frequency of eating were not substantially modified by allowance for various dietary and nondietary potential confounding factors, including an approximate measure of total energy intake, and did not show significant effect modification across strata of age, sex, education, and other major risk covariates. A role of meal frequency in the etiology of colorectal cancer is biologically plausible, since when a meal is eaten, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile acids. Thus, eating patterns can influence the enterohepatic circulation and, consequently, the exposure time of intestinal mucosa to bile acids.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Food consumption and cancer of the colon and rectum in north-eastern Italy.

The relation between dietary factors and the risk of colorectal cancer was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Pordenone province, North-eastern Italy, on 123 cases of colon cancer, 125 of rectal cancer and 699 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic or digestive disorders. Consistent positive associations were observed with more frequent consumption of bread (odds ratio, OR = 2.1 for colon and 2.2 for rectum for highest vs. lowest tertile), polenta (OR = 2.1 for colon, 1.9 for rectum), cheese (OR = 1.7 for colon, 1.8 for rectum) and eggs (2.5 for colon, 1.9 for rectum), whereas reduced ORs were observed in subjects reporting more frequent consumption of tomatoes (OR = 0.5 for colon and 0.4 for rectum). High consumption of margarine exerted a significant protection against cancer of the colon whereas high consumption of carrot spinach, whole-grain bread and pasta (favorably) and red meat (unfavorably) affected rectal cancer risk in particular. Thus the present study gives support for a protective effect associated with a fiber-rich or vegetable-rich diet, while it indicates that frequent consumption of refined starchy foods, eggs and fat-rich foods such as cheese and red meat is a risk factor for colo-rectal cancer.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

Characteristics of alcoholics attending "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs in northeastern Italy.

A study on the characteristics of alcoholics attending the "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs, a community and family-oriented programme against alcoholism, has been conducted in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Northeastern Italy. A total of 598 individuals (93% of those contacted) completed the questionnaire, 431 (72%) were males and 167 (28%) were females. With respect to marital status, never married men and widows seemed to be at high risk of alcoholism. Total alcohol consumption in males significantly exceeded that in females (X2(1) trend 18.86 p < 0.001) and this excess mainly seemed to be primarily associated with wine (X2(1) trend 32.81 p < 0.001). Younger individuals (< 50 yrs) tended to begin drinking earlier and to report higher intake from alcoholic beverages other than wine as compared to older individuals (< 50 yrs) (X2(1) trend = 25.25 p < 0.001). A high percentage of males (30%) reported heavier alcohol intake in their father as compared to themselves while only 12 of females reported heavier intake in their mother as compared to themselves. Health complaints seemed to be the chief reason which prompted individuals, particularly above age 50, to attend "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs but awareness of alcohol-related health problems played a substantial role, as shown by the very common overestimation of alcohol as the primary cause of death in Italy by the individuals attending the club.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Cutaneous melanoma and sunburns in childhood in a southern European population.

A population-based case-control study of 260 patients (74 males and 186 females, mean age = 56) with cutaneous malignant melanoma and 416 controls (211 males and 205 females, mean age = 55) was conducted in Turin, north-west Italy, to examine the relation between timing of sunburns and sun exposure and melanoma risk within a southern European population, which is still relatively little investigated. Particularly elevated risk was associated with history of sunburns in childhood [odds ratio 5.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-9.5], and such risk elevation persisted after allowance for other major melanoma risk covariates. Conversely, risk increase from history of severe sunburns lifelong was lower (odds ratio = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.4) and was eliminated by allowance for type of skin reaction to sun exposure and history of sunburns in childhood. A significant increase in the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma was also associated with number of weeks spent on holiday at the beach not only as an adult, but also as a child.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Occupation and risk of Hodgkin's disease in north-east Italy.

The relationship between occupation and exposure to several occupational agents and Hodgkin's disease (HD) was investigated in a case-control study of 152 cases and 613 controls with acute diseases admitted to all hospitals in Pordenone province, north-east Italy. Among cases, there was a significant excess of individuals occupied in agriculture (odds ratio, OR for greater than 10 years = 2.2, 95% confidence interval, CI:1.3-3.7), who were exposed to livestock and meat processing (OR = 3.4, 95% CI:1.7-6.6), herbicides and pesticides (OR = 3.2, 95% CI:1.6-6.5). When the relationship between agriculture and specific exposures was assessed, it appeared that contact with some still unidentified animal-related agent involved in livestock farming and meat processing may be at least as important in determining HD risk as exposure to herbicides and pesticides and, probably, more important than occupation in agriculture per se.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Nutrition and cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx in north-east Italy.

The relation between dietary indicators and the risk of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Pordenone province, north-east Italy, on 302 cases (266 males and 36 females) and 699 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic and non-digestive disorders. Positive associations were observed, after allowing for occupation, smoking and drinking habits, with more frequent consumption of pasta or rice, polenta, cheese, eggs and pulses (odds ratios - ORs = 1.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.9 and 2.0 for highest vs. lowest tertile), whereas reduced ORs emerged in subjects reporting more frequent consumption of carrots, fresh tomatoes and green peppers (ORs = 0.6, 0.5 and 0.5, respectively). Higher frequency of daily meals was also associated with a significantly elevated OR (1.7 for greater than or equal to 4 vs. less than or equal to 2 meals). The role of various indicator foods must be assessed in the context of the very high levels of alcohol consumption in the study area (greater than or equal to 8 alcoholic drinks/day in 2/3 cancer cases).

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Colorectal cancer in northeast Italy: reproductive, menstrual and female hormone-related factors.

The role of reproductive and menstrual factors and a few medical conditions linked to female hormones in the aetiology of colorectal cancer was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Pordenone province in northeastern Italy, on 89 women with colorectal cancer and 148 controls admitted to hospital for a wide spectrum of acute, non-digestive nor neoplastic disorders. After adjustment for age and social class, parous women, as compared to nulliparous ones, were significantly protected against colorectal cancer (odds ratio, OR = 0.4, [95% confidence interval, CI:0.2-0.8]) and the risk appeared to decrease with successive pregnancies up to five or more (0.2, [0.04-0.6]). Compared to women who had their first birth at age 24 or less, the OR for those who had it at 30 or older was 2.0, but the inverse trend in risk was not significant. However, among parous women only, age at first birth, but not parity, seemed to retain a certain influence. Late age at menopause seemed to decrease colorectal cancer risk (OR for menopause at age greater than or equal to 50 vs. less than 45 = 0.4, [0.2-1.0] chi 2(1) (trend) = 3.66). Conversely, age at last birth, number of abortions, years between marriage and first birth, age at menarche, pattern of menstrual cycle and occurrence of a few medical conditions potentially linked to female hormones were similarly reported by cases and controls. Due to the very limited number of oral contraceptive (OC) users (9 controls but only 1 case), and the lack of oestrogen replacement therapy users, the influence of exogenous female hormones on colorectal cancer could not be analysed meaningfully.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1991

Alcohol and breast cancer in an area with high alcohol consumption.

The association between alcohol drinking and breast cancer risk was investigated in 132 breast cancer cases and 499 controls with acute conditions unrelated to alcohol or any of the suspected risk factors for breast cancer, in an area which shows among the highest levels of alcohol consumption and prevalence of alcohol-related diseases in Europe (i.e. Pordenone Province, Northeastern part of Italy). Compared with non-drinkers, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) for ever drinkers was 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.8-2.6). The risks for wine (the almost exclusive source of alcohol in the present investigation) were 1.2 for up to 1 drink, 1.4 for up to two drinks, 1.9 for up to 3 and 1.6 for over 3 drinks per day. Time-related factors (i.e. drinking habit duration and age at start of drinking) did not seem to be risk indicators.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Smoking and drinking in relation to cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus in northern Italy.

A hospital-based case-control study of upper aerodigestive tract tumors was conducted between June 1986 and June 1989 in Northern Italy. One hundred fifty-seven male cases of oral cavity cancer, 134 of pharyngeal cancer, 162 of laryngeal cancer, and 288 of esophageal cancer, and 1272 male inpatients with acute conditions unrelated to tobacco and alcohol were interviewed. Odds ratios for current smokers of cigarettes were 11.1 for oral cavity, 12.9 for pharynx, 4.6 for larynx, and 3.8 for esophagus. For all 4 sites, the risk increased with increasing number of cigarettes and duration of smoking habits and, with the exception of esophageal cancer, decreased with increasing age at the start of and years since quitting smoking. Smokers of pipes and cigars showed a more elevated risk of cancer of the oral cavity and esophagus than did cigarette smokers. Significantly increased risks emerged also in heavy drinkers (odds ratio greater than 60 versus greater than or equal to 19 drinks/week = 3.4, 3.6, 2.1, and 6.0 for oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, respectively), deriving predominantly from wine consumption.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Maize and risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus in northeastern Italy.

The relationship between maize consumption and risk of cancer of the upper digestive tract was investigated in 107 patients with oral cancer, 107 with pharyngeal cancer, 68 with esophageal cancer, and 505 hospital controls who permanently resided in Pordenone Province in the northeastern part of Italy. The analysis was restricted to males. The population of this province has a high incidence of these neoplasms and shows particularly elevated levels of alcohol and tobacco use, in addition to high maize consumption. Highly significant associations with frequent intake of maize emerged for oral cancer, pharyngeal cancer, and esophageal cancer (odds ratios = 3.3, 3.2, and 2.8, respectively). The risk elevation could not be explained in terms of differences in education, occupation, tobacco use, or consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The unfavorable effect of maize on risk of cancer of the upper digestive tract, however, was evident only in those individuals who reported heavy drinking (i.e., greater than or equal to 42 alcoholic drinks/wk). The present findings are likely to be related to the fact that maize can cause deficiencies of various micronutrients (chiefly, niacin and riboflavin) and agree with previous observations from Africa, the People's Republic of China, the United States, and Italy.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Diet and epithelial cancer of the thyroid gland.

Enhanced secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) has been linked with increased risk of thyroid carcinoma. Diet can increase TSH secretion in various ways: 1) low iodine intake, 2) high goitrogen intake, especially in subjects living in iodine-deficiency areas and 3) direct stimulation of anterior pituitary gland. Excessive iodine intake, however, has also been shown to increase risk of goitre and, perhaps, also thyroid carcinoma. Epidemiological evidence on the role of diet in the etiology of thyroid carcinoma is reviewed here. Ad hoc studies in affluent countries are few and often conflicting. A case-control study conducted in the North of Italy suggests that perhaps dietary aspects other than iodine or goitrogens (i.e. fresh fruit and vegetables and animal fat) may be involved.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Survival analysis of 378 surgically treated cases of laryngeal carcinoma in south Sardinia.

The effect of various patient and tumor characteristics were evaluated in 378 laryngeal carcinomas treated only surgically between November 1974 and December 1987 at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of Cagliari Medical University in South Sardinia. The overall three-year survival rate was 68%, the five-year survival rate was 61% (approximate 95% confidence interval (CI), 54-68%), and then a plateau seemed to emerge, with the ten-year survival rate being 51%. Tumor ulceration exerted a strong influence on survival: patients with ulcerated tumors had a twofold (95% CI, 1.4-2.9%) higher death rates. Conversely, the influence of tumor site and type of operation was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. A median delay in diagnosis of 4 months was found, with 30% of patients reporting an interval longer than 6 months between first symptoms and referral to a physician; overall, however, the influence of delay in diagnosis on survival rate was not significant. Dysphonia seemed to be the symptom less promptly recognized by the patient.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

A case-control study of risk factor for renal cell cancer in northern Italy.

A hospital-based case-control study of renal cell cancer was conducted in northern Italy between 1986 and 1989, with 240 cases of renal cell cancer (150 males and 90 females), and 665 controls (445 males and 220 females) chosen on the basis of age, sex, and area of residence. No associations were found between renal cell cancer and: body mass index (BMI); number of cigarettes smoked; age at starting to smoke; years of smoking; consumption of wine, beer, spirits, coffee, decaffeinated coffee; tea; intake of animal protein, fruits, and vegetables; various reproductive factors; hormonal use; sexual habits; sexually transmitted diseases; or selected occupational exposures. The odds ratio (OR) was above unity in smokers (OR = 1.34 for greater than or equal to 15 cigarettes/day), but the trends in risk with dose or duration were not statistically significant. Significant positive associations were found between renal cell cancer and sources of fat intake, especially margarine (OR for highest vs lowest intake = 1.71), and oils (OR = 1.89) whereas carrot intake showed a negative association (OR = 0.62). Also, a history of nephrolithiasis and multiple episodes of cystitis showed weak positive associations (OR = 2.00, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) 1.07-3.73; and OR = 1.60, 95 percent CI 0.95-2.70, respectively).

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Type of cigarettes and cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract.

The relationship between type of cigarettes smoked and the risk of cancer of upper digestive and respiratory sites was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Northern Italy on 291 males with cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, 288 with cancer of the esophagus, 162 with cancer of the larynx, and 1,272 control subjects in hospital for acute conditions unrelated to tobacco or alcohol consumption. Using a distinction based on tar-yield or the brand smoked for the longest time (less than 22 mg, low to medium tar; greater than or equal to 22 mg, high tar), the multivariate relative risks among ever-smokers were 8.5 for low/medium and 16.4 for high tar cigarettes for oral and pharyngeal neoplasms, 3.3 and 7.8 for esophageal, and 4.8 and 7.1 for laryngeal cancers. The differences according to type of cigarettes were similar in proportional terms, and hence larger in absolute terms, when analysis was restricted to current smokers only. Thus, these data provide further quantitative evidence on the importance of type of cigarette smoked on the risk of upper-digestive and respiratory tract cancers and have important public health implications.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Cutaneous malignant melanoma in females: the role of hormonal and reproductive factors.

The role of hormonal and reproductive factors as risks for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) was explored by means of a population-based case-control study conducted in Turin, north-western Italy, on 186 female CMM cases and 205 controls. Past use of oral contraceptives (OC) did not seem to exert any effect on CMM risk odds ratio (OR) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-2.24). No association was found even for the longest duration of use, for superficial spreading melanoma cases and for CMM of lower limbs only. While age at first birth did not affect CMM risk, women who had had three or more children seemed to be significantly protected as compared to nulliparous ones. The association was, however, substantially diminished by adjustment for education and other CMM risk correlates (OR for at least three children versus none = 0.62; 95% Cl: 0.29-1.31).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

The influence of reproductive and hormonal factors on thyroid cancer in women.

We conducted a study on 165 women with thyroid cancer and 214 hospital controls in order to investigate the role of reproductive and hormonal factors in the aetiology of thyroid cancer. Late age at menarche (Relative risk (RR) for menarche at greater than or equal to 14 vs less than or equal to 11 = 2.8), menstrual irregularity (RR = 1.7), late age at first birth (RR for first birth at greater than or equal to 28 vs less than or equal to 21 = 2.4) and at last birth (RR for last birth greater than or equal to 30 vs less than 30 = 2.2) significantly increased the risk of the development of thyroid cancer both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Parity was, in the present study rather inconsistently related to disease status whereas voluntary abortions and miscarriages were completely unrelated. A non significant increasing risk was observed with age at menopause older than 50, and with the use of oral contraceptives in premenopausal women. The mechanism of action of female hormones on the thyroid gland remains largely obscure, but the observation that age at first and, perhaps, subsequent pregnancies may be relevant points to an interplay of reproductive factors (and, possibly, their hormonal correlates) more complex than previously suggested.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1989

The epidemiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the north-east of Italy: a hospital-based case-control study.

We concluded a study on 208 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 401 controls in the North-East of Italy in order to investigate the role of indicators of socio-economic status, personal habits, past history of various disorders and medical treatments potentially affecting the immune system, and occupational exposures in the aetiology of such neoplasia. None of the several investigated characteristics appeared to be a strong determinant, i.e. relative risk, RR greater than 2.0, of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cases and controls appeared to be very similar as regards education, main life-time occupation and alcohol consumption. Positive associations, however, emerged with chronic infectious diseases, mainly tuberculosis and malaria (RR = 1.8, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.1-2.9). Non significantly increased risks were also found for smoking habit (RR ever vs never smokers = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), episodes of herpes zoster infection (RR = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.7-2.6) and occupation in chemical and petrochemical industries (RR = 1.6; 95% CI: 0.9-3.1, and 1.8; 95% CI: 0.9-3.8, respectively). Conversely, farming as well as specific exposure to herbicides and pesticides did not seem to affect the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the present investigation.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1989

Risk factors for thyroid cancer in northern Italy.

We conducted a hospital based case-control study of 245 cases of thyroid cancer (62 males and 183 females) and 411 controls in three areas of Northern Italy. Subjects with thyroid cancer more often had a history of benign thyroid nodules (18 cases versus 0 controls, lower 95% confidence limit = 7.84), goitre (RR = 5.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.13-14.77) and residence in endemic goitre areas (RR for residence longer than 20 years = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.23-4.29). Heavy (greater than 1000 rads) irradiation of the neck was reported only by seven cases (lower 95% confidence limit: 2.45). Among 31 food items considered, a few showed direct association, including starchy foods and various sources of animal fats or proteins, whereas frequent consumption of other foods, including major sources of dietary iodine (such as fish, green vegetables and fruit) gave significant protection. When analysis was restricted to various subgroups of patients (ie, different histological types, sexes and major groups of hospital controls), it yielded similar results.

Adult↗