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Biomedical subjects

L De Zanche

Publications and source records attributed to L De Zanche.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Increasing frequency of multiple sclerosis in Padova, Italy: a 30 year epidemiological survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) and their temporal profiles over the last 30 years in the province of Padova (northeast Italy). BACKGROUND: In the early 1970s an epidemiological survey in the province of Padova showed a MS prevalence and incidence of 16/100 000 and 0.9/100 000 population, respectively; these figures are much lower than current estimates in other regions of Italy and Central Europe. METHODS: The population of the study area was approximately 820 000 (422 028 women, 398 290 men) in the 1991 census. All possible sources of case collection were used, but only clinically definite/probable and laboratory-supported definite/probable MS were considered in the analysis of incidence and prevalence trends from 1971 to 1999. RESULTS: On 31 December 1999, the crude prevalence rate was 80.5/100 000 (95% CI 70.3-90.7); prevalence was higher in women (111.1/100 000; 95% CI 99.0-123.1) than in men (49.7/100 000; 95% CI 41.3-58.1). This difference was significant (F/M = 2.43; z = 10.1, P < 0,00001); a rate adjusted for the European population was 81.4/100 000. On 31 December 1980 and on 31 December 1990 the estimated prevalence rates were 18/100 000 and 45.7/100 000, respectively. Thus, a fivefold increase in prevalence was observed from the 1970s. The mean annual incidence was 2.2/100 000 in the period 1980-89, 3.9 in the period 1990-94 and 4.2 in the period 1995 99. Thus, incidence increased more than fourfold from the 1970s through 1994 and remained quite stable in the last several years. Mean age at onset was 31.3 +/- 9.88 years. Mean diagnostic latency decreased significantly from 49.2 +/- 44.5 months in 1985 to 23.0 +/- 30.3 months in 1990, 12.9 +/- 15.61 in 1995 and 5.3 +/- 4.7 in 1999. CONCLUSIONS: The actual prevalence (80.5/100 000) and incidence (4.2/100 000) of MS in the province of Padova agree with the most recent epidemiological estimates/trends observed in other Italian and European areas, except for Sardinia and Scotland. The increase in both incidence and prevalence rates observed in much of this region over the last 30 years parallels the introduction of more sensitive diagnostic techniques and a highly significant decrease in diagnostic latency. These findings probably do not support a real increase in the frequency of MS in northeast Italy because recent estimates of incidence have increased only slightly (3.9 to 4.2, which is < 10% in five years) and increase in the prevalence rate was almost completely due to the accumulation of new incidence cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Focal cerebral ischemia in young adults: a collaborative case-control study. The National Research Council Study Group.

Because there is uncertainty about the role of atherogenic and nonatherogenic risk factors for cerebral ischemia in the young, we carried out a multicenter, hospital-based, case-control study. 333 patients (15-44 years) with focal cerebral ischemia (transient ischemic attack or stroke within 8 weeks of admission) were eligible. 25 patients were excluded, according to the protocol. 308 cases were matched by age and gender to one hospital and one population control. Independent risk was shown by logistic conditional regression for migraine with aura [odds ratio (OR) = 14.8], smoking (OR = 3.7), alcohol (OR = 2.8), serum triglycerides (OR = 1.6), arrhythmias (OR = 9.5), mitral stenosis (OR = 56), coronary heart disease (OR = 4.3) and carotid stenosis or occlusion (OR = 41). Serum HDL-cholesterol had a relative protective effect (OR = 0.8). These data confirm the role of atherosclerosis and cardiac diseases as well as migraine with aura and alcohol consumption in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia in the young. More thorough prevention programs may contribute to earlier detection and control of all of these risk factors, but further investigations in patients with as yet unidentified risk factors are warranted because the above-mentioned factors do not account for the total risk of ischemic stroke in the young.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Mesoglycan in treatment of patients with cerebral ischemia: effects on hemorheologic and hematochemical parameters.

The present study evaluates the hematochemical and hemorheologic effects of mesoglycan, a preparation of natural glycosaminoglycans, administered by the intramuscular route to patients with a recent episode of cerebral ischemia. A total of twenty patients (13 males and 7 females), between the ages of 45 and 75, under observation for a cerebral ischemic episode occurring at least 2 months prior to enrollment, were treated with intramuscular mesoglycan (30 mg, twice daily), for 15 days. Blood samples were taken prior to and at the end of treatment to measure the investigated parameters. Following mesoglycan treatment we observed a statistically significant decrease in fibrinogen plasma concentration, total cholesterol and triglycerides, while HDL cholesterol was found to increase. In addition, erythrocytes filterability improved at the end of treatment. No changes were observed in coagulation parameters such as prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, or antithrombin III. The results of the present study demonstrate that a 15-days treatment of intramuscular mesoglycan in patients recovering from a cerebral ischemic episode produces significant changes in fibrinogen and lipid plasma levels with no apparent anticoagulant effect.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Paraneoplastic syndrome in the course of Hodgkin disease. Case report.

A woman with Hodgkin disease presented a neoplastic syndrome of unusual magnitude affecting both the CNS and PNS. The severity of the clinical pattern contrasted strongly with the paucity of neuropathological findings. The report is followed by a brief discussion of the etiological and clinical problems of paraneoplastic syndromes affecting the nervous system.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Intracranial sarcoma with reactive glioma: a clinicopathological case report.

The clinicopathologic picture of a case of so-called 'sarcoglioma' is reported. This tumor is characterized by a core of sarcomatous tissue, surrounded by an area of gradual transition from reactive to neoplastic glial cells; it occurs in children or in young adults and is very rare in comparison with the secondary sarcoma deriving from the vascular component of a glioblastoma (so-called 'gliosarcoma'). The clinical and laboratory features and the pathology of this case are discussed in detail.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Italian study of cerebral reversible ischemic attacks. II. The hematocrit and hemoglobin distribution and its relationship between clinical pattern and angiographic abnormalities.

A clinical and angiographic study was conducted in 360 patients with previous reversible ischemic attacks (RIAs) in order to verify the influence of hematocrit, hemoglobin and red cell count within the normal range in the clinical picture of cerebral infarction and its relationship with angiographic atherosclerosis. No significantly different distribution of the three parameters considered has been found according to the presence and the degree of atherosclerosis. On the contrary, our data have shown a significant correlation between levels of hematocrit, hemoglobin and red cell count and some clinical aspects of the RIA when angiographic atherosclerosis is present.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Carotid Doppler examination: a correlation with angiography.

The Doppler ultrasound technique is a useful tool for the screening and follow-up of patients with extracranial atheromatous lesions of the carotid tree. Doppler examination was performed on 654 patients and compared with angiographic visualization of a total of 261 carotid arteries in 171 patients. The Doppler diagnostic criteria and their reliability are reported and discussed. This technique is not alternative but complementary to angiography.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve due of an entrapment neuropathy.

The clinical and neurophysiological findings in two cases of spontaneous paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve are reported. The patients are sisters and the dominant hand was affected in both. One patient was submitted to surgical exploration, and 'entrapment neuropathy' was found to be the cause. After neurolysis the patient gained complete recovery. The usefulness of the EMG illustrated and stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Clinical and EMG study of botulism (case report) (author's transl)].

The Authors describe the clinical and electromyographic findings of a case of botulism with complete recovery. Therapy was based on anti-cholynesterasic drugs, on guanidine (at dosage of 30 mg/kg/day) and on antibotulinic serum. The neuromuscular transmission was assessed with the Desmedt's test: during the disease the EMG showed a tipical pattern of facilitation of motor units potentials during stimulation at 30 per second, becoming normal after recovery.

Adult↗