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Biomedical subjects

M Muratore

Publications and source records attributed to M Muratore.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Incidence and costs of hip fractures compared to acute myocardial infarction in the Italian population: a 4-year survey.

INTRODUCTION: Few data are available about the incidence and costs of hip fractures in Italy. We aimed to determine the impact of hip fractures vs. acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We studied the national hospitalization database to calculate their incidence and costs in adults aged >or=45 between 1999 and 2002. RESULTS: In 2002, there were 86,719 hip fractures with a 10.0% increase over 4 years. We observed a predominance of women (77.1%) and a strong age effect: 92.7% of patients were >or=65 years old and 80% of fractures occurred in women aged >or=75, showing a clear relationship with the incidence of osteoporosis. Hospitalizations due to AMI after 45 years of age in 1999 were only 9% higher than those for hip fracture, although this difference increased over the 4 examined years up to 24%. Considering the DRGs costs, hip fractures resulted in being more expensive than AMI overall and concerning elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in the Italian population aged >or=45, hospitalizations following hip fracture and AMI between 1999 and 2002 were comparable, while hip fractures' direct costs were higher and grew faster than costs for AMI. Hip fractures in Italy are a serious medical problem and a leading health-cost driver.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Superiority of alfacalcidol compared to vitamin D plus calcium in lumbar bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

In a randomized multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study a comparison of the efficacy and safety of 1 microg alfacalcidol to 880 IU vitamin D plus calcium carbonate (1 g calcium) once daily per os was performed on 148 postmenopausal osteoporotic Caucasian patients with normal vitamin D serum levels for 18 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline, 12 and 18 months. Safety parameters were followed during the entire study period. Sixty-nine (90.8%) in the alfacalcidol group and 67 (93.1%) in the vitamin D group were included in the ITT analysis. Lumbar BMD in the alfacalcidol group increased by 0.017 g/cm2 (2.33%) and 0.021 g/cm2 (2.87%) from baseline (P<0.001) at 12 and 18 months, respectively, whereas in the vitamin D plus calcium group the increase was 0.005 g/cm2 (0.70%) from baseline (N.S.) at both 12 and 18 months. The higher changes from baseline in the alfacalcidol group, as compared to the changes in the vitamin D plus calcium group at both 12 and 18 months, were found to be statistically significant (P=0.018, 0.005). A small increase of mean femoral BMD was achieved in both groups (N.S.). Adverse events were similar in both groups. No significant differences were noted between the groups in serum calcium. In conclusion, alfacalcidol was found to be superior in significantly increasing lumbar BMD as compared to vitamin D plus calcium while safety characteristics were found to be similar in both treatments.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effect of raloxifene and clodronate on bone density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

The aim of the present study was to determine the safety and efficacy of combined therapy with raloxifene (RLX) and clodronate (CLD) in postmenopausal women. We enrolled 45 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The patients were randomly assigned to two different therapeutic groups: RLX 60 mg/day (n = 23) and RLX 60 mg/day plus CLD 100 mg intramuscularly (i.m.) once every 10 days (n = 22); 1 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D3 were also given daily to both groups. Lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed at baseline and after 12 months of therapy using the dual X-ray absorptiometry technique (Norland XR36). We measured the bone turnover markers NTx and CTx, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin at baseline and after 12 months of therapy. Our data demonstrate that 1 year of combined RLX+CLD therapy induced a higher increase in lumbar BMD than treatment with RLX alone as well as a major decrease in bone resorption markers, suggesting an additive effect of CLD on bone mass and inhibition of bone turnover. Furthermore, after 1 year of therapy levels of bone formation markers (osteocalcin and BAP) had increased in both groups, but the increase in osteocalcin and BAP was significantly higher in the RLX+CLD treated group, suggesting that, in addition to its inhibitory effects on resorption, CLD might also have stimulatory effects on mature osteoblast activity.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2000

Prevention with clodronate of osteoporosis secondary to inhaled corticosteroid treatment in patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis.

Steroid therapy is the third most common cause of osteoporosis, after loss of gonad function and senescence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective action of clodronate on bone mass loss induced by steroid therapy. Sixty patients with bronchial asthma receiving either fluticasone (250 mg x 4/day) or beclomethasone (250 mg x 4/day) inhaled corticosteroid treatment were enrolled. Half the patients received combination treatment with clodronate (100 mg i.m./14 days), for a total period of 12 months. All patients were evaluated at baseline and at the end of treatment for bone mineral density (BMD) and calcium/phosphor metabolism parameters (kalemia, kaluria, phosphoremia, phosphaturia, alkaline phosphatase and hydroxyprolinuria over a 24-h period). The results of this preliminary study confirm the protective influence of clodronate on bone mass loss, as documented by the increment in mean values in BMD reported at the end of treatment compared with baseline values.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1981

[Duodenal absorption of calcium in rats treated with 25 OHD3, diphosphonates and synthetic anabolics].

In this study the authors developed new technics of study of duodenal absorption of calcium in rats: atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and dialysis to equilibrium. We considered that the main factors necessary for evaluation of duodenal absorption of calcium are the serum calcium, the calcium and alkaline phosphatase present in the duodenal cells and the calcium-binding proteins. The authors demonstrate that these factors are highest in rats treated with 25 OHD3 and norandrostenolone decanoate, than in control rats. In rats treated with diphosphonate, on the contrary, they obtained a reduction in the values of calcium and alkaline phosphatase contained in the duodenal cells.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1980

[Sharp's syndrome. Clinical, immunological and nosographic aspects].

LE cells, ds-DNA antibodies (radioimmunoassay), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and anti-ENA antibodies have been sought in 150 clinical cases observed over a 5-year period in the Rheumatology Division of Bari University. For the latter, three parallel techniques were adopted on each serum, each completed by RNA-sensitivity assay for the demonstration of anti-RNP, i.e. IFI, passive haemoagglutination (PHA) and controimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). The series included systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE), 30 cases; rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 30 cases; progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), 12 cases; unclassified connective tissue disease (UCTD), 8 cases; mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), 7 cases; Sjögren's syndrome (SS), 4 cases; dermatomyositis (DM), 3 cases; overlap syndromes (PSS-SLE, SS-SLE), 2 cases; rheumatological and internal miscellanea, 54 cases, LE cells and ds-DNA antibodies were found exclusively in SLE; the anti-ENA were found in various groups of diseases, while the anti-RNP were only demonstrated in the 7 MCTD and in some SLE. Of the three techniques for demonstrating anti-ENA, the PHA proved most sensitive and CIE most specific, whereas IFI was considered most suitable for clinical screening. The clinical aspects of the 7 MCTD faithfully followed the disease picture described by Sharp, but some overlap-syndromes and the unclassified connective tissue diseases did not present anti-RNP. It is also pointed out that nephropathy is not rare in MCTD and that the clinical course of the disease is not always benign. To conclude, it is considered that MCTD merits nosographic autonomy, but further investigations are recommended for more exact nosographical typing of connective tissue diseases.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1980

A double-blind, crossover comparison between indoprofen and aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty in-patients with rheumatoid arthritis took part in a double-blind, crossover clinical trial to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of 400 mg indoprofen with 1000 mg aspirin each given 3-times a day for 1 week, with an interval of 2 days during which patients received an indistinguishable placebo. At the start and at the end of each treatment period several subjective and objective indices were measured. Both indoprofen and aspirin to remable improvement in patient conditions, with no significant differences between drugs in overall pain, number of swollen joints, grip strength and functional index. Indoprofen, however, was significantly superior to aspirin with regard to the number of painful joints (p < 0.01), duration of morning stiffness (p < 0.05) and articular index (p < 0.05). Moreover, both patients' and investigators' opinion of overall response favoured indoprofen. Small but significant decreases were recorded in ertythrocyte sedimentation rate and seromucoid levels in both treatment periods. Adverse reactions, mainly as gastric pyrosis and/or gastralgia, occurred in 6 patients while on aspirin, in 2 while on indoprofen, and in a further 2 while on both drugs. No statistically significant changes were observed in safety laboratory tests.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sodium gold thiosulfate therapy: an open, viewed, multicenter trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients followed for two years].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if parenteral gold-therapy with Sodium gold thiosulfate is effective and safe for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis we began an open, multicenter trial. METHODS: 126 rheumatoid arthritis patients were treated with Sodium gold thiosulfate for two years. Efficacy, quality of life, progression of joint damage, inflammatory parameters and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Gold salts reduced joint inflammation and improved subjective and objective symptoms, quality of life and activity of illness within 6 months. Side effects appeared in 13,8% of all cases and regressed, promptly, when gold therapy stopped. The poor efficacy caused the interruption and the change from the gold therapy to others disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMRDs) in 17,8 % of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up showed Sodium gold thiosulfate was effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis and the survival in therapy was of 77,8% to one year and of 68,4% to two years.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Osteoporosis and diabetes].

Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis are chronic diseases with an elevated and growing incidence in the elderly. Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated an elevated risk of hip, humerus and foot fractures in elder diabetic subjects. While type 1 diabetes is generally associated with a mild reduction in bone mineral density (BMD), type 2 diabetes, more prevalent in old subjects, is frequently linked to a normal or high BMD. Studies on experimental models of diabetes have suggested an altered bone structure that may help to explain the elevated risk of fractures observed in these animals and may as well help to explain the paradox of an incremented risk of fractures in type 2 diabetic elderly in the presence of normal or elevated BMD. In addition, diabetic elderly have an increased risk of falls, consequent at least in part to a poor vision, peripheral neuropathy, and weaken muscular performance. Diabetes may affect bone tissue by different mechanisms including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, deposit of advanced glycosilation end products in collagen fibre, reduced circulating levels of IGF-1, hypercalciuria, renal function impairment, microangiopathy and chronic inflammation. A better understanding of these mechanisms may help implement the prevention of fractures in the growing population of mature diabetics.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational injuries with biological risk].

The aim of the present study was to identify the way the occupational injuries with biological risk can happen in order to find the right measures of prevention and protection and to periodically verify their efficacy. The study started in January 1996 and ended in December 2001 and included 2750 subjects working in the sanitary field. A module (module A), was created to collect all the accident data. For every occupational injury with biological risk, a specific procedure is activated, including: Emergency Room, Sanitary Direction, Infective Diseases Division, Competent Physician. The injuries were classified, according to: sex, age, work qualify, division, object causing injury, modality, anatomical location, type of injury, working turn, and time phase. Most of the division underlined a higher risk the procedures that expose the subjects to accidental punctures with infected needle, such as injection therapy, blood tests, butterfly insertion and removal, etc. Old and bad attitudes, such as needle recapping are still used, even if the law is clear. None occupational injury showed serum conversion. It could be a consequence of the post exposition prophylaxis performed by the infectivologists and of the HBV prophylaxis.

Accidents, Occupational↗