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Biomedical subjects

G Traversa

Publications and source records attributed to G Traversa.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Survey on antibiotic prescriptions in general medicine].

The objectives of the survey are to describe the use of antibiotics in general practice, in order to identify inappropriate use and to estimate the exposure to different antibiotic categories in the population. The data refer to the overall drug prescriptions issued in general practice during 1991 in Rome. Four million of antibiotic prescriptions were issued, corresponding to 9% of the overall drug prescriptions and to 11% of the drug expenditure in Rome. When considering all anti-infective drugs (antibiotics plus antivirals and immunostimulating agents) the prescriptions and the expenditure increase up to 13% and 18% respectively. Three therapeutic categories (penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides) represent more than 50% of the antibiotic prescriptions. Among the general population, 34% received at least one anti-infective drug and each patient received on average 2.7 prescriptions during the year. More than 20% of the prescriptions refers to antibiotic categories (such as aminoglycosides and chloramphenicols) which are not considered as a first choice in general practice. The analysis shows that a considerable proportion of antibiotic prescriptions refers to therapeutic categories with negative benefit/risk profile. More appropriate use of antibiotics might reduce both adverse events and drug expenditure.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Antipsychotic drug prescription in general practice in Italy.

Prescribing patterns of neuroleptic drugs in a population of about 3,700,000 inhabitants were analysed using all individual prescriptions delivered by the Italian National Health Service during 4 years (1986-1989). Data contained in a regional prescription database were analysed using an outpatient drug monitoring system (VIDEOFAR). The proportion of subjects receiving neuroleptics was about 1.3% of the entire population. During 1989, 20.2% of 52,716 observed subjects received multiple neuroleptic therapy. Haloperidol, the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic, was dispensed to 21.3% of the individuals as the only neuroleptic treatment. Consumption sharply increased with age and about 60% of patients receiving a prescription were women. Nonetheless, among the heavy users in the younger ages, the male-to-female ratio is significantly greater than one. Although the principal indications for neuroleptics are subacute or chronic clinical conditions, a surprisingly high proportion of subjects (ranging from 48% to 76% depending on the type of neuroleptic) received only one single prescription during 1989.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Drug utilization studies within the VIDEOFAR project.

The epidemiological use of drug prescription data is getting increasing attention in Italy. All Italian citizens are included in the National Health Service (NHS) which reimburses almost every drug prescription. The potential information content of such systems have to be evaluated within a technological context which will allow, for medium term, drug prescription data collection for all of the individuals served by the NHS. The VIDEOFAR project did explore the possible use of drug prescription data for descriptive epidemiological studies, in the evaluation of General Practitioners activity and as a tool for Post-Marketing Drug Surveillance. Some examples are presented in this paper using data derived from Latium Region.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗
PubMed1990

The nature content and interpractice variation of general practice: a regional study in Italy.

The activity of 34 general practitioners (GP) working in solo practices in six Local Health Units were assessed, as a preliminary step of a main study, to evaluate and possibly improve the quality of GP professional performance using peer review and feed-back information. A wide interpractice variation was observed in patient visit and patient visiting rates, drug and test prescribing, in- and out-patient referrals, as well as in the composition of the practice case-mix. The extent of interpractice variation for relevant actions in the process of care was unchanged after adjusting for case-mix, suggesting that case-mix differences have little effect in explaining differences among physicians' overall pattern of care and health care resource consumptions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple sclerosis and vaccination against hepatitis B: analysis of risk benefit profile.

BACKGROUND: Since 1994, the hypothesis of a potential causal relationship between vaccination against hepatitis B and multiple sclerosis (and other demyelinating diseases) was brought to the attention of the French health authority, and to public debate. In Italy, since 1991, vaccination against hepatitis B has been mandatory for newborns and 12-year-old children, and also recommended for high-risk groups. AIM: To re-evaluate the risk/benefit profile of the Italian strategy of hepatitis B vaccination. SUBJECTS: The study population is a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 newborns. METHODS: We present a simulation of the hepatitis B cases that could be prevented with the vaccination and of the potential excess of multiple sclerosis cases which would occur, assuming different odds ratios of multiple sclerosis among vaccinees, and by effecting the vaccination at different ages. RESULTS: In the cohort, we would expect 1,099 hepatitis B cases, that would be prevented with vaccination. Assuming that the highest odds ratio of 1.7 reported is true, the excess of "life-time" multiple sclerosis incidence would be 0.3% for 12-year-old subjects, and 2.9% for adults. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these data, our opinion is that the hepatitis B vaccination strategy presently adopted in Italy for newborns, teen-agers and high risk groups should not be modified.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The issue of authorship and proliferation of scientific research].

In conducting scientific research, certain ethical standards must be applied, not only in the actual performance of the research, in particular the choice of appropriate methodology, but also in writing about science. Authorship is an important aspect of ethical standards in scientific writing. In this article, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the most universally recognised guidelines for scientific authorship (i.e., those of the Vancouver Convention), in an attempt to contribute to resolving the recent debate on their presumed inapplicability. In addition to possible solutions to this problem, we provide indications regarding the closely related problem of the proliferation of scientific publications, which affects publication bias and contributes to the confusion surrounding the Impact Factor. Regardless of the specific solution adopted, it must be stressed that writing about science is an ethical decision.

Authorship↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of the facial nerve in parotid surgery].

The Authors, basing on cadaveric dissections and 40 parotidectomies performed, accurately describe relations between facial nerve and surrounding tissues in its extracranial tract, with particular reference to parotid surgery. They underline Schwalbe's apophysis as the sole safe and constant anatomic landmark in the dissection of the facial nerve trunk.

Facial Nerve↗