PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Grigoletto

Publications and source records attributed to F Grigoletto.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Prevalence of Parkinson's disease and other types of parkinsonism: a door-to-door survey in three Sicilian municipalities. The Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

We investigated the prevalence of Parkinson's disease and other types of parkinsonism in a Sicilian population using a door-to-door two-phase approach. This design called for the administration of a brief screening instrument to all subjects who, on November 1, 1987, were residents of Terrasini (Palermo Province), Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province), and Riposto (Catania Province), Sicily (N = 24,496). Study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria extensively investigated those subjects who screened positive. We found 63 subjects affected by Parkinson's disease, 21 with secondary parkinsonism, and seven with unspecified parkinsonism. The crude prevalence per 100,000 population was 371.5 for all types of parkinsonism and 257.2 for Parkinson's disease; for both entities, prevalence increased steeply with age and showed an inconsistent sex pattern. Our prevalence figures for Parkinson's disease are higher than those previously reported in Italy or elsewhere, which may be due, in part, to more complete case-ascertainment.

Female↗

The epidemiology and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the Veneto region of north east Italy. Veneto Group for Diabetic Retinopathy.

The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship to a number of risk factors were examined in a population-based study in the Veneto region of North East Italy. Of 1321 diabetic patients selected, 98% attended for examination. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 26.2% (24.4% background and 1.8% proliferative). The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly related (p less than 0.01) to the duration of diabetes (17.3% for less than 5 years; 60.8% for greater than 20 years). Proliferative retinopathy was much more prevalent after 20 years of diabetes. After 10 years most proliferative retinopathy was found in Type 1 diabetic patients, but before 10 years from diagnosis it was most prevalent in Type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly related (p less than 0.001) to the type of diabetes and was found predominantly in Type 1 (46.2%) and insulin-treated Type 2 (45.9%) subjects and to a lesser degree in non-insulin-treated patients (24.6%). The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly related to both fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels (p less than 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p less than 0.05), and systolic (p less than 0.001) and diastolic (p less than 0.01) blood pressure. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of total or proliferative retinopathy between males and females. No significant relationships were found with family history of diabetes, alcohol intake, smoking habits, cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum uric acid.

Blood Glucose↗

Door-to-door prevalence survey of neurological diseases in a Sicilian population. Background and methods. The Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

In three municipalities of Sicily, a prevalence survey of major neurological diseases was conducted door-to-door using screening and examination to find cases. This was the first large-scale neuroepidemiologic survey of that type undertaken in Italy: 24,496 persons were screened yielding 1,538 positives, of whom 1,408 were examined directly by neurologists and 110 were evaluated on the basis of existing medical documentation. In the article, we provide (1) a description of the population investigated and the survey methods employed; (2) details of the cooperation and the attrition experienced in the survey; and (3) age and sex tallies for the study population, including some on education level and occupation.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence survey of major neurological disorders in Sicily. Results of a pilot study.

A pilot study on the prevalence of neurological disorders in Sicily was carried out with a protocol never previously used in Italy. A screening questionnaire was administered to 1,601 subjects of a community, designed to identify patients with cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, extrapyramidal syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, migraine and intracranial neoplasms. Of 262 subjects who were identified as likely to be suffering from neurological illness, 248 (94.6%) were examined by a neurologist. Of these, 8.9% were found to be normal, 46.8% were suffering from non-neurological diseases, 44.3% had one or more neurological diseases (prevalence of 6.8%). This pilot study proved to be a good starting-point for a future major survey.

Adolescent↗

Neuroepidemiological survey on Sicilian population. A feasibility study.

This research was designed as a pilot study in order to determine the feasibility and the reliability of a major door-to-door neuroepidemiological survey to be performed in the near future in 3 Sicilian towns with a total population of 30,000 inhabitants. 1,601 subjects were investigated by means of a questionnaire for the prevalence of stroke, epilepsy, parkinsonian syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, intracranial neoplasm and migraine. This preliminary study proved to be a good starting point, but some difficulties were identified in the questionnaire, in data collecting instruments and in diagnostic criteria.

Adolescent↗

Italian multicenter case-control study of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer disease: strategies and instruments for data collection.

Instruments and methods used for data collection in the Italian multicenter case-control study of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer disease are illustrated. Details of design of the questionnaire, choice and training of the interviewers, choice of the respondent, and assessment of the quality of data collected are discussed. The text of the questionnaire is included.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Relevance of platelet factor four (PF4) plasma levels in multiple sclerosis.

In order to study the role of platelets in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) we assessed, in a group of patients during a quiescent phase of the disease, the plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor four (PF4) both in absence of treatment and during administration of aspirin (ASA) at the dose of 50 mg/daily. In the MS patients studied, the basal plasma levels of beta-TG and PF4 were significantly higher than in control subjects. The increase in the beta-TG plasma levels occurred independently of the age, sex and severity of the disease, whereas the modification in the PF4 plasma levels was significantly correlated with the severity of the disease. Administration to the patients of ASA, at the dose that does not affect prostacyclin production, determined a decrease of beta-TG in 77% of the patients. Mean PF4 plasma levels remained unchanged. These results suggest that PF4 in the plasma of MS patients may originate not only from the platelets but also from the mast cells following platelet aggregating factor (PAF) stimulation and immunocomplex formation.

Adult↗

Some relevant aspects in conducting cataract prevalence studies.

This paper deals with some crucial issues relevant to cataract prevalence studies. The desirable property of comparability for different studies is illustrated and it is brought to light that prevalence studies can be planned in order to find out possible risk factors when designed in accordance with some criteria.

Age Factors↗

Prevalence of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: a door-to-door survey in a Sicilian municipality.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the limited information on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, we conducted a door-to-door two-phase survey in a Sicilian municipality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We first screened for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy among the inhabitants of the municipality: (N = 7653, as of the prevalence day, November 1, 1987). Study neurologists then investigated those subjects suspected to have had a cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Diagnoses were bases on specified criteria. RESULTS: We found 27 subjects affected by CSR (17 definite, 10 possible). Prevalence (cases per 1000 population) was 3.5 in the total population; it increased to a peak at age 50-59 years, and decreased thereafter. The age-specific prevalence was consistently higher in women. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with other prevalence studies shows similar age-specific patterns, but different magnitudes, which may partly reflect methodologic differences across studies.

Adolescent↗

Influence of different screening procedures on the stroke prevalence estimates: the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Stroke prevalence surveys are more and more needed for health care and facility planning. Prevalence estimates and costs of the definition procedure may vary depending on different screening strategies. We evaluated the impact of these different strategies on the overall diagnostic procedure and on stroke prevalence estimates in the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging. A population sample of 5, 632 individuals aged 65-84 years was screened for stroke by a simple question on previous stroke diagnosis, questions on possible stroke symptoms and a simple neurological examination. Those screened positive by any of these procedures were fully examined by a neurologist for conclusive diagnosis. We determined the positive predictive value of each procedure on the final stroke diagnosis and calculated prevalence as if each procedure had been used separately. Using the three procedures combined, the prevalence rate was 6.0% (95% confidence interval, 5.4-6.7%). If each procedure had been used as the unique screening tool, the rates would have been 5.1% (4.5-5. 7%), 4.1% (3.6-4.7%) and 2.3% (1.9-2.7%), and positive predictive values 66.4, 55.2 and 45.1%, respectively. Different screening procedures can affect stroke prevalence estimates. Compared to more complex screening strategies, the use of a simple question about previous diagnosis as the unique screening tool leads to only a slight underestimation of stroke prevalence and avoids a 66% increase in the number of subjects to be examined in a second-level specialist evaluation, potentially reducing the costs of the overall diagnostic procedure.

Age Factors↗