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Biomedical subjects

N Fuiano

Publications and source records attributed to N Fuiano.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Allergic rhinitis: A challenge diagnosis].

AIM: The allergic rhinitis represents one of the ten major causes of ambulatory check-up. The incidence is between 10% to 25% in the general population and, in Italy, is approximately present in 10% of children and 20% of adolescents. The diagnosis of this disease is related to family anamnesis and the presence of several signs and typical symptoms. Regarding the tests used to detect this disease, cutaneous specific IgE (skin prick test) is used as cute reactivity expression. Using nasal specific IgE dosage we analyzed patients affected by rhinitis and its relationship between positive test, gender and age, the relationship between positive test and disease and the better response to diagnosis between the 2 tests performed (i.e., skin prick test and nasal specific IgE). METHODS: We analyzed 125 subjects enrolled consecutively, age range 48-216 months (median 144 months) that performed skin prick test and nasal specific IgE. RESULTS: Looking at the overall subjects, 51 subjects were positive to skin prick test and nasal specific IgE, 23 subjects were positive to skin prick test, 31 subjects were positive to nasal specific IgE, 20 subjects were negative to both tests. Regarding the relationship between tests positive and symptoms we did not find any significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that rhinitis diagnosis is quite difficult to perform and the test used to detect this disease needs to be more accurate and precise. Family anamnesis and clinical signs are fundamental in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Age Factors↗

Overweight and hypertension: longitudinal study in school-aged children.

AIM: A continuous increase in overweight has been documented in the paediatric population. The increase occurred in many developed and also developing countries. In the United States prevalence of overweight is 21.5% among African-Americans, 21.8% among Hispanics, and 12.3% among non-Hispanic whites; in Europe, from 10% to 20% in Northern Europe and 20% to as high as 36% in parts of Southern Italy (International Obesity Task Force data). The association between overweight and hypertension in children has been reported. This longitudinal study assessed the prevalence of hypertension and the relationships between gender, overweight, and blood pressure. METHODS: School-based screening was performed in 1.563 children (3-16 years). Age, gender, height, weight and blood pressure were registered every year for 3 subsequent years, in the period 1997-2000. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated and overweight was defined as centile corresponding to BMI = or >25 at 18 years. Blood pressure > 95th centile defined hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated blood pressure at first, second and third screenings was 35.1%, 33.8% and 23.9% in males, and 41%, 40.2% and 31.2% in females. The relative risk was significant for overweight subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm an increasing epidemic of cardiovascular risk in children, as evidenced by an increase in the prevalence of overweight and hypertension. This increase in association with other cardiovascular risk factors that include dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type II diabetes mellitus, suggest the necessity of accurate prevention strategies.

Adolescent↗

[Growth curves in pediatrics. Pilot study in a city of south of Italy].

AIM: In the past years the body composition assessment in pediatric subjects showed great changes due to the different quality of life and different diet habits. Over-weight and obesity increased tremendously not only in the industrialized societies but also in developing countries. Growth curves developed in the 60s need to be revises in the light of these changes and population specific curves are needed to follow a population with different life style and energy intake. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a city of South Italy (San Severo), pediatric subjects in order to create growth curves. METHODS: Between May 1999 and October 2000 we evaluated 2,262 subjects: 1,172 (51.8%) males and 1,090 (48.2%) females, age range 6-11 years (mean 8.48 +/- 2.28 years). Height, weight, thoracic circumference and body mass index (BMI) were measured by the same expert operator. RESULTS: Tables and figures for weight, height, thoracic circumferences and BMI at 3 degrees, 50 degrees, 97 degrees centile for age and gender were presented. A comparison between 50 degrees centile for BMI in males and females were also done showing the different development related to gender. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained underline the importance of an auxologic follow-up of the pediatric subjects in order to evaluate their correct development. The specific growth curves available make it possible to analyze the development of subjects in comparison with the subjects studied for the curves development. Moreover, the importance of the BMI curve and the relationship of the 50 degrees centile in males and females showing the different growth curve related to gender, is underlined.

Age Factors↗

[Value of skin prick test and atopy patch test in mite-induced respiratory allergy and/or atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome].

AIM: The atopy patch test (APT) was introduced to assess sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients with atopic/eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS), but its diagnostic role in subjects with respiratory allergy is scantly investigated. We sought to evaluate the response to APT and to skin prick tests (SPT) with mite extracts in subjects with persistent respiratory symptoms (rhinoconjunctivitis, rhinosinusitis, asthma), with AEDS, and with both the diseases. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients were included in the study, 75 (84.3%) children and 14 (15.7%) adults, 54 (60.7%) males and 35 (39.3%) females (median age 5.4 years). They were divided in 3 groups, respectively formed by 47 (mean age 12.3+/-11.6 years), 15 (mean age 2.2+/-2.5 years), and 27 (mean age 6.2+/-6.3 years) subjects, according to the presence of only respiratory symptoms, only AEDS, or both, and underwent to usual SPT with mite extracts and to APTs done by mite extract in Finn chambers and removed after 48 hours, with readings after 20 minutes and 24 hours. RESULTS: Of the 89 patients, 24 showed a positive SPT and 69 a positive APT; in 17 both SPT and APT were positive, while 13 were negative to the 2 tests. The APT was more frequently positive than SPT not only in the 2 groups with AEDS -- 32/42 (86.5%) vs 8/42 (21.6%) -- but also in the group with only respiratory symptoms -- 37/47 (78.7%) vs 16/47 (34%). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the high value of APT in patients with mite-induced AEDS and suggest that its routine use might improve also the diagnosis of respiratory allergy to house dust mites.

Adult↗