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F Meneghini

Publications and source records attributed to F Meneghini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy in three Sicilian municipalities.

A door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy was conducted in 3 Sicilian municipalities, as of November 1, 1987. In phase 1, the screening by questionnaire of 24,496 eligible subjects (participation = 92%) identified 544 suspected to have epilepsy. In phase 2, neurological evaluation of the 544 subjects yielded 111 with epilepsy. Of the 111 subjects, 103 (93%) had been previously diagnosed, 68 (61%) were taking antiepileptic medication, and 81 (73%) had active epilepsy. Referring to the 81 subjects with active epilepsy, the seizure type was generalized in 60 (74%), partial in 19 (23%) and undetermined in 2 (3%). The prevalence of active epilepsy (per 1,000 population) was 3.3 overall, 3.5 for men and 3.2 for women. The age-specific patterns for active epilepsy differed by sex, with higher figures for men at younger ages (5-19 years) and older ages (50-99 years). The age-specific prevalence figures for active epilepsy were lower than those from previous Italian surveys.

Adolescent↗

Parkinson disease survival: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the survival of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is shorter than that of the general population. DESIGN: Survival was investigated in a cohort of patients with PD previously identified during a population-based prevalence study (prevalence day, November 1, 1987, reference follow-up date, October 31, 1995). The survival of patients with PD was compared with that of a control sample randomly selected from the same population (2 controls for each case, matched for age, sex, and study municipality). The causes of death in the 2 groups were also compared. Both univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to investigate the association with disease-related variables. SETTING: A door-to-door 2-phase prevalence survey performed in 3 Sicilian municipalities. PATIENTS: Fifty-nine patients with PD and 118 controls. RESULTS: Patients with PD showed a high risk of death (relative risk, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-3.39). Greater age at November 1, 1987, high Hoehn-Yahr score, and lack of levodopa therapy were associated with a lower survival on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between shorter survival among patients with PD and greater age on November 1, 1987. One-way analysis of variance indicated a different effect of levodopa therapy according to age. Multivariate analysis did not confirm this finding. Pneumonia was the cause of death most frequently associated with PD. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that patients with PD have a shorter survival time than the general population.

Age Distribution↗

Stroke incidence and survival in three Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

We investigated the incidence of first-ever stroke in three Sicilian municipalities over the years 1984-1987. Case ascertainment involved two approaches: a door-to-door two-phase prevalence survey and a study of death certificates. Only first-ever strokes occurring within the study time interval were included, and diagnoses were based on specified criteria. We found 138 subjects who had experienced a first stroke over 73 488 person-years; the average incidence rate (new cases per 1000 population per year) was 1.9 overall, 1.7 in men, and 2.1 in women. Incidence increased steeply with age and was similar in men and women. Incidence was similar in the three study municipalities. The overall case-fatality rate was 35% at 30 days and 22% at one week. Survival after stroke was similar in men and women but better in younger compared to older stroke patients. Comparisons with previous studies suggest the absence of major geographic variations in stroke incidence within Italy.

Adult↗

[Acute gastroduodenal lesions and stress].

Haemorrhagic gastroduodenitis together with complicated peptic ulcer, are--after trauma--the most common causes of urgent admission in hospital for young people. In the present paper the Authors deal with the role of emotional disturbances, generated by environmental stress, in the pathogenesis of many gastrointestinal diseases in the young. They observed a rise in the incidence of gastroduodenal pathology (especially of the erosive-haemorrhagic form) in young males during military service. So they hypothesized that such high incidence of acute GDD during military service, could be attributed to abrupt changes in lifestyle, generating a significant environmental stress. The results of a clinical study on 65 young conscripts out of 483 who underwent EGDS for acute digestive symptoms also tested for psychological evaluation to stress response, are reported. In the 60.7% of all patients, MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) test showed pathological alterations. Correlating the pathological findings with MMPI results, the Authors found that the 25% of patients suffering from oesophagitis, the 36.3% of those with peptic ulcers, the 68% of aspecific gastroduodenitis and the 75% of erosive-haemorrhagic gastroduodenitis, had psychological disturbances. The study shows that GDD in the young is a very frequent pathology, which may be triggered off by abrupt changes in life style, especially in those patients who are unable to react positively to changes in the outer world. GD pathology arises most frequently during the first five months of military service, especially within the third and the fourth month. The Authors conclude that a correct management of GDD in the young needs a versatile approach based on EGDS to establish the correct diagnosis, and on psychopathological investigations.

Adolescent↗

Occupation, education, and Parkinson's disease: a case-control study in an Italian population.

Current epidemiologic data on the association between occupational exposures and Parkinson's disease (PD) are inconsistent. In a case-control study, we investigated the associations between occupation and PD and between education and PD. The cases (n = 62) were those identified in a prevalence survey (door-to-door, two-phase) of three Sicilian municipalities, as a November 1, 1987. We then randomly selected from the general population two controls for each case, matched for age ( +/- year), sex, and municipality (n = 124). Information on current and past occupations and education for cases and controls was obtained during the survey. Subjects who worked for most of their lives as farmers were not at increased risk of PD (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3-1.3). Neither were subjects who worked for most of their lives in other occupations (e.g., housewives, fishermen, factory workers, salesmen, craftsmen, clerks). PD was not associated with low education. Our findings suggest that farming, as a broad occupational category, does not play a major role in the causation of PD.

Adult↗

Prevalence of epilepsy. A door-to-door survey in the Sicilian community of Riposto.

In a door-to-door survey of common neurological disorders in Sicily (SNES Project), we administered a screening symptoms questionnaire and a brief neurological examination to detect epileptic patients. All of the subjects effectively resident in the community of Riposto on 1 November 1987 (prevalence day) were investigated (n = 9956). The subjects with a positive questionnaire or a previous diagnosis of epilepsy were extensively examined by a neurologist and then definitively classified for epilepsy by a panel of senior neurologists. The crude prevalence of active and non-active epilepsy was 3.21/1000; the prevalence of active epilepsy alone was 2.71/1000. Of the 27 active cases, sixteen were affected by generalized tonic-clonic seizures, four by absences and four by complex partial attacks. All except two were being treated with antiepileptic drugs, most with phenobarbital. Our prevalence rate is lower than that reported by most authors, but similar to the rates in other Sicilian communities.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy in two Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

OBJECTIVES: As part of a door-to-door survey of neurologic diseases, we investigated the prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) in two Sicilian municipalities (N = 14,540, as of November 1, 1987). MATERIAL & METHODS: During phase 1, we administered a brief screening instrument to subjects in the study population. In phase 2, study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria investigated those subjects who screened positive. Our case finding was restricted to subjects who manifested symptoms of LR in the six months preceding the prevalence day. RESULTS: We found 143 subjects affected by LR (112 definite, 31 possible) yielding a crude prevalence of 9.8 cases per 1,000 population. Age-specific prevalence was generally higher in men; it increased to a peak at age 50-59 years and decreased steadily thereafter. At the peak, prevalence was higher in factory workers, housewives, and clerks compared to workers in other occupations. CONCLUSIONS: LR is a common neurologic disease in the general population.

Adult↗

Incidence and lifetime prevalence of Bell's palsy in two Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

INTRODUCTION: In a door-to-door two-phase survey of common neurologic diseases conducted in two Sicilian municipalities, we investigated the incidence and the lifetime prevalence of Bell's palsy (BP). MATERIAL & METHODS: During phase I, we administered a screening instrument for facial palsy to 11,901 adult persons. During phase 2, study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria evaluated those subjects who screened positive. RESULTS: We found 73 subjects who had experienced BP during their life. The lifetime prevalence as of November 1, 1987, was 642.8 cases per 100,000 population age 15 years and above. The prevalence increased with age and was similar in men and women. Eighteen episodes of BP occurred in the three years preceding the prevalence day. The average annual incidence rate was 52.8 new episodes per 100,000 population age 15 years and above. Incidence increased with age. CONCLUSION: Comparison with other incidence studies suggests some geographic variability.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of stroke: a door-to-door survey in three Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuroepidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

As part of a door-to-door survey, we screened for stroke among the inhabitants of three Sicilian municipalities (n = 24,496 as of November 1, 1987). Neurologists then investigated those subjects suspected to have had a stroke. Diagnoses of first-ever strokes were based on specified criteria and were reviewed by an adjudication panel. We found 189 subjects who had experienced at least one completed stroke (180 definite, 9 possible); 15 strokes were hemorrhagic, 71 ischemic, and 103 uncertain. The prevalence (cases/100,000) was 771.6 in the total population and 1,893.6 in those aged 40 years or over. The prevalence increased steeply with age, was higher in men between 60 and 79 years, but was higher in women thereafter. Age-specific figures were similar in the three study municipalities. Although all first-ever strokes had been previously diagnosed, 40% of the subjects had not been hospitalized for this condition.

Adult↗

Attrition and use of proxy respondents and auxiliary information in the Sicilian Neuroepidemiologic Study.

Two-phase prevalence surveys with screening (phase 1) and examination (phase 2) are useful for some chronic diseases. Attrition, which may bias estimates, occurs in either phase because some eligible subjects die before contact, some refuse to cooperate, some are incapacitated, and some are unreachable. This investigation relates to a survey of neurologic diseases conducted in three municipalities of Sicily (prevalence date, November 1, 1987) and considers the attrition experienced and the use of proxy respondents in phase 1 and auxiliary information in phase 2 to offset, in part, this attrition. Regarding case finding, the salvage effort was more productive for decreased and incapacitated subjects. The age, sex, and household size of the subject were related to phase 1 attrition, but only age was related for all four attrition groups--deceased, refusing, incapacitated, and unreachable subjects. On the basis of information from proxy respondents, the educational levels of refusing and unreachable subjects were compared with those of subjects screened directly. Refusing subjects were less educated, and unreachable subjects were more educated. The proxy respondent performance, as indicated by "don't know" responses, was better with screening items concerning facial paralysis and mouth drooping (and not limb sensory abnormalities or impaired consciousness), better with younger subjects, and worse with refusing or incapacitated subjects.

Adolescent↗

Risk factors for cerebral glioma in adults: a case-control study in an Italian population.

A case-control study on risk factors for cerebral tumors was conducted on an adult Italian population by the four Neurosurgical Departments of the Veneto Region, i.e. Padua, Treviso, Verona and Vicenza. The study recruited 195 cases of histologically-confirmed cerebral glioma. One hospital control was selected for each case. Cases and controls were matched for age, sex, data of hospitalization and residence. Information on both cases and controls was obtained from a relative. Uninvolved interviewers administered a structured questionnaire including items on the subject's education, occupation, lifestyle, medical history, exposure to radiation for diagnosis or therapy, head trauma and blood group and the medical history of family members. The series of cerebral tumors was first considered as an indistinct set: none of the risk factors examined showed a statistically significant association. A positive association was found with blood group A (OR = 6) when low-grade astrocytomas (n = 41) were considered separately. As for the malignant astrocytomas (n = 132), there was a suggestive but not statistically significant association with the presence of CNS tumors among first- and second-degree relatives (OR = 7.0). On the whole, this study yielded no clear and meaningful association for the various risk factors analyzed.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of essential tremor: a door-to-door survey in Terrasini, Sicily. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study Group.

As part of a door-to-door neuroepidemiologic survey, we investigated the frequency and distribution of essential tremor (ET) in a Sicilian municipality. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for tremor to 7,653 persons residing in Terrasini (Palermo province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. The diagnoses, based on specified clinical criteria, were reviewed to increase reliability across neurologists. We found 31 subjects affected by ET (17 men, 14 women); 11 patients (35.5%) reported a familial aggregation. The prevalence of ET as of November 1, 1987, was 405.1 per 100,000 for the total population, and 1,074.9 per 100,000 for those 40 years old or older. The prevalence increased with advancing age for both sexes and was slightly but consistently higher in men. Comparison with other studies suggests striking geographic variation, which may reflect genetic differences.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy with somatic symptoms: a door-to-door survey in two Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

In a door-to-door survey conducted in two municipalities of Sicily, we ascertained the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy. Our case-finding was restricted to subjects with somatic symptoms. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for peripheral neuropathy to 14,540 persons residing in Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province) and Terrasini (Palermo Province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. Diagnoses were based on clinical criteria only, and were reviewed by an adjudication panel. We found 39 persons (27 women, 12 men) affected by diabetic neuropathy. The crude prevalence, as of November 1, 1987, was 268.2 cases per 100,000 population. The prevalence increased with advancing age for both sexes and was consistently higher in women. The most common type was distal symmetric polyneuropathy. The median time between diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and onset of diabetic neuropathy was 8 years, and almost all identified persons with diabetic neuropathy were under treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗

Validating screening instruments for neuroepidemiologic surveys: experience in Sicily. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group.

In a hospital setting in Sicily, we assessed a screening instrument developed for a prevalence survey of parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathies, stroke, and epilepsy. The subjects consisted of (1) hospital patients with any of the above-mentioned diseases, to investigate sensitivity; and (2) hospital visitors free of all these diseases, to investigate specificity. The standard for comparison was a clinical evaluation based on specified criteria. Trained interviewers administered the screening instrument, asking subjects to answer symptom questions and to perform simple physical tasks. For the questions and tasks together, the sensitivity estimates were 100% for parkinsonism (n = 21), 96% for peripheral neuropathies (n = 22), 96% for stroke (n = 22), and 96% for epilepsy (n = 22), while the specificity estimate was 86% (n = 21). Analogous estimates were computed for the set of questions, for the set of tasks, and for each question and task individually. Despite limitations in our approach, we concluded that the screening instrument would be adequate for its intended use.

Adult↗

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↗

Haemangioma of the Zygoma. Report of two cases with a review of the literature.

Zygomatic haemangioma is a rare benign neoplasm occurring most frequently in adult females. The authors, after reviewing the available literature, report two cases which presented with a swelling of the zygoma. Resection of the neoplasm, immediate reconstruction with cranial bone grafts and internal rigid fixation was the treatment of choice. Results two years after surgery are presented.

Adult↗