Biomedical subjects

F Parazzini

Publications and source records attributed to F Parazzini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Alcohol drinking and risk of small for gestational age birth.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if alcohol drinking is a risk factor for small for gestational age (SGA) birth. METHODS: Case-control study. Cases were 555 women (mean age 31 years, range 16-43) who delivered SGA babies at the Clinica Luigi Mangiagalli and the Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic of the University of Verona. The controls were 1966 women (mean age 31 years, range 14-43) who gave birth at term (> or =37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants of normal weight at the hospitals where cases had been identified. RESULTS: No increase in the risk of SGA birth was observed in women drinking one or two drinks/day in pregnancy, but three or more per day increased the risk: odds ratios (OR) were 3.2 (1.7-6.2) for > or =3 drinks during the first trimester, 2.7 (1.4-5.3) during the second and 2.9 (1.5-5.7) during the third. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows an increased risk of SGA births in mothers who drink > or =3 units/day of alcohol in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Coffee drinking and risk of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVES: We analysed the association between coffee drinking before and during the three trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth of babies normal for gestational age (NGA) or small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: Case-control study conducted in University clinics of North Italy. Cases were 502 women who delivered at <37 weeks of gestation. The controls included 1966 women who gave birth at term (>or=37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants on randomly selected days at the hospitals where cases had been identified. RESULTS: There was inverse association for coffee consumption in the third trimester of pregnancy in SGA cases compared to NGA (heterogeneity test between OR: chi1(2)=5.6811 P<0.05). In comparison with not drinkers, all the ORs of overall intake of caffeine were closed near the unity for both SGA and NGA preterm birth. CONCLUSION: Compared with no consumption, a low consumption of coffee during pregnancy may not have significant effects on preterm birth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Age, menopausal status and homocysteine levels in women around menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain data on the relation between age, menopause and homocysteine levels in women around menopause, we collected data for a sample of about 500 women attending a menopause clinic in Milan, Italy. STUDY DESIGN: Eligible for the study were all women aged 45-75 years, never HRT users consecutively observed for the first time at the Menopause Center of the 1st Obstetric Gynecological Clinic of the University of Milan. Fasting blood samples for total homocysteine plasma levels were collected during the visit. Of the 490 study subjects, 107 were pre-menopausal and 383 post-menopausal. RESULTS: In the total series, the mean homocysteine level was 8.3 micromol/L (S.D. 3.7, range 3.2-48.8). The values increased from 7.8 micromol/L in women aged <47 years to 9.0 micromol/L in those aged >59. Among pre-menopausal women the mean homocysteine level was 7.7 micromol/L compared to 8.3 micromol/L in post-menopausal women: this difference disappeared on the adjusted values. In post-menopausal women only, no clear relationship emerged between years since menopause and homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: In our population, age, and not menopausal status, was the main determinant of homocysteine levels in women around menopause.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Maternal coffee drinking in pregnancy and risk of small for gestational age birth.

OBJECTIVE: We have analysed the association between coffee drinking before and during the three trimesters of pregnancy and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) birth. METHODS: Cases were 555 women who delivered SGA births (ie <10th percentile according Italian standard). The controls included 1966 women who gave birth at term (>/=37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants of normal weight. RESULTS: In comparison with nondrinkers, the ORs for SGA birth were 1.3 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.9-1.9) for consumption of four or more cups of coffee/day before pregnancy, and 1.2 (95% CI 0.8-1.8), 1.2 (95% CI 0.8-1.8) and 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.4) for consumption of three or more cups of coffee/day during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings were consistent in women who delivered preterm and at term births and were not affected by potential confounding such as smoking.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Premature ejaculation: prevalence and associated conditions in a sample of 12,558 men attending the andrology prevention week 2001--a study of the Italian Society of Andrology (SIA).

INTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most frequent sexual complaint. AIM: To investigate prevalence of PE and its associated conditions. METHODS: We analyzed information gathered from men attending a free andrologic consultation in 186 Italian medical centers, in the setting of a project focused on andrologic prevention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for PE. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-nine men suffered from lifelong PE; 1,855 had previously normal ejaculation; and 234 had PE not specified. Men with PE were younger than those without, but after adjusting for concomitant erectile dysfunction the risk of PE significantly decreased with aging. Men more educated, or who had experienced a divorce had a slightly increased risk. Also, lifestyle and occupational status affected the risk of PE. Concerning medical history, a decreased risk of PE emerged in men with treated diabetes, and no association was found with hypertension, cardiopathy, hypercholesterolemia, and peripheral or central neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the analysis of a large dataset show that subjects with PE who are seeking treatment either have experienced stress-related problems or have a physical condition predisposing to this dysfunction (genital anomalies, prostate inflammation).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Risk factors for bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse risk factors for bacterial vaginosis (BV). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study on risk factors for BV, in several first-level gynecological centers in Italy. Cases were women aged 18-70 years with confirmed diagnosis of BV (using test for proline iminopeptidase (PIP) activity). Control were the first patients observed in the same center without any symptom suggesting vaginal infection, and a negative PIP activity test. A total of 476 cases and 450 controls entered the study. RESULTS: The number of sexual partners in the month before interview, but not the number of intercourses, was associated with an increased risk of BV. The risk of BV with vaginal douching or tight jeans/trousers once or more a week was 2.0 (95% CI 1.0-3.9) and 1.5 (95% CI 1.0-2.2), respectively, compared to never users. CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with previous data and suggest that daily habits play an important role in risk of BV.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Selected food intake and risk of endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: To offer data on the relationship between diet and risk of pelvic endometriosis, we analysed data collected in the framework of two case-control studies. METHODS: Data from two case-control studies conducted in Northern Italy between 1984 and 1999 were combined. Cases were 504 women aged < 65 years (median age 33 years, range 20-65) with a laparoscopically confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, admitted to a network of obstetrics and gynaecology departments in Milan, Brescia and Pavia. Controls were 504 women (median age 34 years, range 20-61) admitted for acute non-gynaecological, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions. RESULTS: Compared to women in the lowest tertile of intake, a significant reduction in risk emerged for higher intake of green vegetables [odds ratio (OR) = 0.3 for the highest tertile of intake] and fresh fruit (OR = 0.6), whereas an increase in risk was associated with high intake of beef and other red meat (OR = 2.0) and ham (OR = 1.8). Consumption of milk, liver, carrots, cheese, fish and whole-grain foods, as well as coffee and alcohol consumption, were not significantly related to endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a link between diet and risk of endometriosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effect of oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy on homocysteine levels: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this randomized trial was evaluate the effect on homocysteine plasma levels of two different hormone replacement therapy (HRT) formulations in a group of late postmenopausal women. METHODS: Eligible for this study were women: in postmenopause since 5 years or more (confirmed from FSH level > or = 40 mIU/l); with body mass index (BMI) < or = 35; without endocrine, hepatic or renal diseases; not current users of vitamin B or folic acid supplements; not users of any lipid-lowering drugs and sex steroids in the 6 months before trial entry. Group A: oral estradiol valerate 2 mg per day per oral normegestrol acetate 2.5 mg per day (n = 98) for 12 months; Group B: a weekly patch releasing estradiol (50 microg per day) per oral normegestrol acetate 2.5 mg per day (n = 101) for 12 months. RESULTS: The mean values of the homocysteine levels in the group A and B at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months were 7.9 and 9.1, 8.7 and 8.9, 9.3 and 10.2, 9.6 and 10.2, respectively, the differences between the two treatments were not statistically significant (time by treatment interaction, P = 0.32). Otherwise, the changes of homocysteine level at the four visits was statistically significant (P = 0.0001) in both groups. In particular, in the oral treatment group homocysteine levels increased from baseline of 10.5% at 3 months, of 17.2% after 6 months of therapy and of 21.9% at the end of the study; in the transdermal group, after a little decrease at 3 months (1.5%), the increases were of 12.1 and 12.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not show any different effect of oral and transdermal treatment with estradiol plus normegestrol acetate on homocysteine levels. Further it does not support previous suggestion of a lowering effect of HRT on plasma homocysteine.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2004

Determinants of erectile dysfunction risk in a large series of Italian men attending andrology clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess determinants of ED in men who asked for a free of charge andrologic consultation during a week focused on andrologic prevention in Italy. METHODS: Men were invited to attend 178 participating andrology centers for a free of charge visit for counselling about urologic or andrologic conditions. Data were recorded with a simple questionnaire used by all centers. RESULTS: 2499 (19.9%) were diagnosed having ED. The frequency of ED increased with age, ranging from 4.6% in men under 25 years, to 37.6% in men over 74. In comparison with men with primary education the OR of ED was 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9) in men with secondary education and 0.7 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) in those with university degree. After adjusting for age, the risk of ED was significantly higher in men consuming more than 3 glasses/day of alcoholic drinking (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), in subjects smoking more than 10 cigarettes/day (OR 1.2, CI 95% 1.1-1.4) and in former smokers (OR 1.2, CI 95% 1.1-1.4). Men performing at least two hours per week of physical activity had a decreased risk of ED (OR 0.8, CI 95% 0.7-0.9). We found an increased risk of ED in men with diabetes (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), hypertension (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), cardiopathy (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8) and hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further data on determinants of ED risk in a large data set and underlines the relationship between ED and cardiovascular diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Family history of cancer and risk of ovarian cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between history of cancer in first-degree relatives and ovarian cancer risk. Between 1992 and 1999, we conducted a case-control study in Italy on 1031 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 2411 women admitted to hospital for acute non-neoplastic conditions. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for age and several potential confounders. Overall, 27 cases and nine controls reported a family history of ovarian cancer (OR = 7.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1-16). The OR was 23 (95% CI 2.6-212) below age 50 years, based on 10 cases and one control only. The risk of ovarian cancer was also increased in women with a family history of cancer of the stomach (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.1), intestine (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.4), lung (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.0-1.8), breast (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.7-3.1), lymphomas (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.1) and all sites (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.4-1.9). Our results confirm the higher ovarian cancer risk in women with a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, and suggest a few associations with other sites.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Moderate alcohol drinking and risk of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: We have analysed the association between alcohol drinking before and during the three trimesters of pregnancy and risk of preterm birth of babies with normal weight for gestational age or with low weight for gestational age (SGA). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: General and university hospitals in Italy. SUBJECTS: Cases were 502 women who delivered preterm births <37 weeks gestation. The controls included 1966 women who gave birth at term (>/=37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants of normal weight (ie between 10th and 90th centile according to the Italian standard) on randomly selected days at the hospitals where cases had been identified. INTERVENTIONS: Interview. RESULTS: No increased risk of preterm birth was observed in women drinking one or two drinks/die in pregnancy, but three or more drinks/die increased the risk (multivariate odds ratios (OR) 2.0 for >/=3 drinks during the first trimester, 1.8 during the second and 1.9 during the third). When the analysis was conducted separately for preterm births with normal weight or SGA, the increased risk was observed in preterm SGA only (multivariate OR for >/=3 drinks/die during the first trimester=3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-11.1); the estimated multivariate OR for >/=3 drinks/die during the first trimester of preterm babies with normal weight for gestational age was only slightly above unity and not statistically significant (multivariate OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.5-3.7). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows an increased risk in mothers who drink >/=3 die units alcohol in pregnancy of preterm births.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Current drug use as risk factor for erectile dysfunction: results from an Italian epidemiological study.

Several drugs have been associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). We analysed the role of pharmacological treatments on the risk of ED using data from a cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors for ED in the general population in Italy. A total of 2450 men aged more than 18 years were randomly identified by 143 general practioners (GP) among their registered patients and invited to a confidential interview by their GP. Patients were asked 'about their ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance'. If they were dissatisfied, they were defined as having ED. Out of the 2450 men identified, 440 (18%) refused to participate. The present analysis therefore includes information on 2010 men. After adjustment for related pathologies, anxiolytics and antidepressants showed insignificantly higher odds ratio (ORs, respectively, 1.7 and 2.1); antipsychotic drug use significantly increased the risk of ED (OR 9.0, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.8-44.4). Diuretics (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.9) and anticholinergic drugs (OR 12.8, 95% CI 2.7-60.1) were associated with ED risk. No association emerged between ED and H2 antagonists, anticholesterolemic or hypoglycemic drugs. In conclusion, after taking account of related pathologies, our results suggest that men treated with antipsychotic, diuretic and anticholinergic drugs are at greater risk of ED.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

PubMed2002

Body size indices at different ages and epithelial ovarian cancer risk.

The relationship between body mass measures at diagnosis and/or at different ages and ovarian cancer risk was investigated using an Italian multicentre case-control study. The study, conducted between 1992 and 1999, included 1031 cases of incident, histologically-confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer and 2411 controls admitted to the same network of hospitals for acute non-neoplastic conditions. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using unconditional multiple logistic regression analyses. Weight and body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) 1 year prior to diagnosis/interview were not associated with ovarian cancer risk. A direct association emerged with waist-to-hip ratio (W/H) (OR=1.45 in the highest category), particularly among women with stage I-II cancers. Cases also had a higher BMI at age 30 years (OR=1.22). Conversely, cases had lower weight gain between age 30 years and the year prior to diagnosis/interview, both for cases with stage I-II and those with stage III-IV cancers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Did men with erectile dysfunction discuss their condition with partner and physicians? A survey of men attending a free call information service.

We present data collected among men attending a free call service on information on erectile dysfunction (ED) activated in Italy during the period 1997-1999. Their attitudes towards discussion with their partner and physician about the condition are considered. Each subject, was asked if he was affected by ED (defined as inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance). In the case of a positive answer, the subject was asked if he had ever discussed his condition with partner or a physician. A total of 12 761 subjects with ED called the service: 7265 (56.9%) reported to have discussed their condition with their partner. The proportion tended to increase with duration of ED, being 47.9% in subjects reporting ED lasting <6 months and 59.9% in those reporting ED lasting >3 y (w(2)(1) trend <0.05). Likewise, the proportion of subjects reporting to have discussed ED with a physician was 50.3% (6416 subjects), being 33.6% in subjects with ED lasting <6 months and 57.9% of those with ED lasting >3 y (w(2)(1) trend, P<0.01).

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Adherence to HIV treatment: results from a 1-year follow-up study.

We evaluated adherence to HIV treatments every 4 months during one year in 63 HIV-infected subjects using combination therapies including a protease inhibitor. A total of 18 subjects reported a high level of adherence, 14 in two evaluations, and eight a low level of adherence in all the three evaluations. The remaining 23 subjects (36.5%) reported different levels of adherence to treatment in the three evaluations. These findings suggest that the level of adherence to treatment changes markedly for each patient over time.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Developmental assessment of preterm and term children at 18 months: reproducibility and validity of a postal questionnaire to parents.

AIM: To examine the degree of agreement between the paediatrician's assessment and parental reporting of infants' development using a postal questionnaire. METHODS: The developmental status of 241 infants in the charge of 9 community paediatricians or discharged from one Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was assessed by their parents 18 mo after delivery, using a postal questionnaire regarding child's height, weight. respiratory, hearing and vision problems, and items taken mainly from the Griffiths' Developmental Scales. At this age, infants were seen by the community or NICU paediatricians, for a complete physical and neurodevelopmental examination. RESULTS: The mean agreement on items regarding developmental areas between parents and paediatricians was 93.0%. In general, parents and professionals agreed on items describing gross motor behaviour (k from 0.39 to 0.83) and disagreed on individual questions describing language/relational behaviour (k from 0 to 0.38). A 97.9% level of agreement was found for hearing status (k = 0), and 96.2% for assessment of vision (k = 0.29), whereas the level of agreement ranged from 43.2% to 86.2% (k from 0 to 0.15) for the three questions describing respiratory problems. The mean weight and height assessments by paediatricians and parents of infants at 18 mo of age were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Further improvement of the questionnaire is needed, but our findings suggest that this methodology can be considered for use in comparing large cohorts of infants included in randomized clinical trials.

Child Development↗

PubMed2001

Response and toxicity to topotecan in sensitive ovarian cancer cases with small residual disease after first-line treatment with carboplatinum and paclitaxel.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this open uncontrolled study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of topotecan in ovarian cancer cases with microscopic small residual disease to a first-line treatment, given as sequential treatment, including carboplatinum and paclitaxel. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were laparotomically or laparoscopically documented microscopic or macroscopic (<2 cm) residual disease after first-line chemotherapy including carboplatinum plus paclitaxel in patients with histologically documented epithelial ovarian cancer FIGO stage III or IV at first diagnosis. All patients had a response >50% after first-line treatment. Eligible patients received 1.25 mg/m(2)/day of topotecan intravenously as a 30-min infusion for 5 consecutive days every 21 days for four cycles. A total of 38 women entered the study. Surgical "third-look" laparotomy or laparoscopy was performed in patients without clinical/instrumental evidence of progressive disease within 1 month from the last topotecan administration. RESULTS: A complete response was observed in 10 cases (28.6%, 95% confidence interval, based on the Poisson's approximation, 15.6-59. 5), a partial response in 1 (2.5%), progressive disease in 11 (31. 4%) and no change/stable disease in 13. The median duration of response was 8 months (range 5-20). The overall 1-year survival after treatment was 82.8% (SE 6.4). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that sequential therapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel followed by topotecan, all given at standard doses, is feasible and provides favorable response rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Time since last birth and the risk of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: While parity is a protective factor in ovarian cancer, the role of time factors of pregnancy and birth is still controversial. We considered therefore the role of birth timing in the risk in ovarian cancer from a large case-control study. METHODS: Cases were 971 women (age range 22-74 years, median age 54) with histologically confirmed, incident epithelial ovarian cancer, interviewed between 1983 and 1991 in a network of hospitals in Milan, Italy. Controls were 2758 women (age range 23-74 years, median age 52) admitted to the same hospitals where cases were identified for acute, nonneoplastic conditions. RESULTS: In comparison with nulliparous women, the multivariate odds ratios (OR) were 0.8 for women reporting one or two and 0.6 for those with three or more births. No clear association emerged between time since last birth and ovarian cancer. Compared to women who had last given birth since > or =20 years, a moderately increased risk of ovarian cancer was observed in the first 10 years after last birth, with an OR of 1.7 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.0-2.9). When we considered only multiparous women and included in the multivariate analysis allowance for age at first birth, the OR decreased to 1.2 (95% CI 0.6-2.4). No consistent pattern of trends was observed > or =10 years since last pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the protective effect of parity on ovarian carcinogenesis, but shows no consistent pattern of risk across time since last birth.

Adult↗