1,721,131 research outputs found
Comparative effectiveness of adjuvanted versus high-dose seasonal influenza vaccines for older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textObjectives: MF59-adjuvanted standard-dose and nonadjuvanted high-dose seasonal influenza vaccines have been developed to protect the elderly at high risk of severe complications. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence on the comparative efficacy/effectiveness of these two vaccines. Methods: A systematic literature review of experimental and observational studies were conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. When possible, the extracted effect sizes were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Ten studies were identified. Of these, no head-to-head randomized controlled trials were identified. All available studies had retrospective cohort design and large sample sizes, were conducted in the United States between the 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 seasons, and were at moderate risk of bias. Relative effectiveness estimates were limited to nonlaboratory-confirmed clinical end points, such as medical encounters including hospitalizations. Although most pooled relative effectiveness estimates were close to null, few statistically significant pooled effect sizes were small in magnitude, moved in opposite directions, and depended on the study sponsor and specificity of influenza-related outcomes. Conclusion: At present, MF59-adjuvanted standard-dose and nonadjuvanted high-dose vaccines appear to have similar effectiveness in preventing seasonal influenza in the elderly, and no conclusive recommendations on the preference of one vaccine over another could be drawn
Health Technology Assessment: strumento della Clinical Governance in ambito di Sanità Pubblica
No full textPrevalence, socio-economic predictors and health correlates of food insecurity among Italian children- findings from a cross-sectional study
No full textConsidering food insecurity is a problem, even in developed countries, and the evidence gap regarding this issue in Italy, we
aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity in a sample of Italian children and examine socio-economic and health
correlates. This cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatric practices. Parents answered to the 18-items of the
Household Food Security Module, 8 of which concern children. Paediatricians answered a questionnaire on children’s health.
Socio-economic and health correlates of food insecurity in children were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic
regression. Among 573 households with children, 15·4% were food insecure, while 9·1% of children were food insecure. Socioeconomic
factors associated to food insecurity were living in south Italy, households with three or more children, lower
household yearly income, worse economic situation description and younger parents. Food insecure children were less likely
to have a normal relational [ aOR 0.31 (CI 0.11-0.85)] and physical development [aOR 0.32(CI 0.15-0.65) and had more school
difficulties [aOR 3.1(CI 1.33-7.24)] compared to their food secure peers. Food insecure children had higher odds of a deterioration
in their health since birth and of a worse perceived health status, as reported by their parents. Considering the results in this
sample and the lack of research regarding this issues in Italy and Europemore broadly, we call for consistent, nationalmonitoring
to determine the magnitude of the problem of food insecurity in households with children in Italy and to examine the socioeconomic
variables and health implications in different contexts
COVID-19 Vaccination Actual Uptake and Potential Inequalities Due to Socio-Demographic Characteristics: A Population-Based Study in the Umbria Region, Italy
No full textSocio-demographic factors are responsible for health inequalities also in vaccination. The aim of this study was to evaluate their role at the population level through a population-based study performed on the whole population entitled to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the Umbria Region, Italy, and registered to the Regional Healthcare Service as of 28 February 2021. Socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination status in terms of uptake of at least one dose of any available vaccine, completion of the primary vaccination cycle and uptake of the booster doses as of 28 February 2022 were collected from the Umbria regional database. The percentage of eligible population who did not initiate the COVID-19 vaccination, complete the full vaccination cycle and get the booster dose was 11.8%, 1.2% and 21.5%, respectively. A younger age, being a non-Italian citizen, and not holding an exemption for chronic disease/disability and a GP/FP were associated with all the endpoints. Females, as compared to males, were more likely to not initiate the vaccination but less likely to not receive the booster dose. On the contrary, the findings did not show a significant association between the deprivation index and the vaccine uptake. The findings, beyond confirming current knowledge at the population level, provide new inputs for better tailoring vaccination campaigns
The impact of Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine on the epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis infection in Italy: a time trend analysis of 1994-2012 series
No full textStrategies to achieve HPV-related disease control in Italy: Results from an integrative approach
No full textBackground: achieving Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-related diseases control is an important challenge in public health. In Italy HPV vaccination uptake does not rise a sufficient level. The aim of this project is to identify strategies to promote HPV vaccination in Italy. Methods: an integrated approach consisting of a systematic review and a two-step panel consultation was used to identify strategies to increase vaccination uptake among adolescents, population target of the national vaccination program, and to promote vaccination in additional targets. Overall, ten experts in the fields of Gynecology, Public Health, General Practice and Pediatrics were involved along with Patients representatives. Recommendations were elaborated according to a set of criteria drawn from the Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework. Results: the systematic review led to the identification of three categories of strategies: reminds, education and multicomponent approaches respectively. A strong recommendation was formulated to use reminds tailored to vaccine recipients or their parents, and a moderate recommendation to use reminds directed to health professionals. A moderate recommendation was developed on the implementation of multicomponent interventions. A strong recommendation was yielded with respect to the promotion of HPV vaccination among women already treated for HPV-related diseases, fertile women not previously vaccinated and 25 year-old women undergoing cervical cancer screening. Lastly, a strong recommendation was formulated for catch-up initiatives targeted to women and men turning 18 years of age. Conclusion: this project led to the identification of several valuable strategies to improve HPV vaccination and strengthen HPV-related diseases control at national level
Does the use of dietary supplements enhance athletes’ sport performances? A systematic review and a meta-analysis
No full textBACKGROUND: The consumption of dietary supplements has increased in recent years. Despite their widespread use, there is confusion about effects on sport performances. The aim of this study was to investigate association between use of supplements and enhance of athletes’ sports performance. METHODS: A review and a meta-analysis of studies conducted on Dietary Supplements and Sports between 2003 and 2013 were performed. Enhancement on sport performances was considered as outcome. The following aspects related to enhancement were considered: ergogenic effect (EE), time to exhaustion (TTE), muscular endurance (ME), post-exercise recovery (PER) and body mass (BM). With respect to meta-analysis, data on level of post Exercise Glucose (GpE [mg/dL]) and level of post exercise Lactate (LpE [mmol/L]) were considered as indicators of TTE, PER and EE. Similarly, Change in Body Mass (CBM) [kg] was used as indicator of BM. RESULTS: The most investigated dietary supplements were: Creatine, Carbohydrates, Beta-alanine, Proteins. The qualitative analysis evaluating the effect of supplements on sports listed by the International Olympic Committee has achieved interesting results: supplements didn’t show statistically significant effects when compared to placebo in more than 48% of papers. For the quantitative analysis, 15 studies were considered. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant effect of Beta-alanine, Creatine and Carbohydrates on LpE and GpE. Furthermore, a nonsignificant increase in BM was observed in athletes undergoing Creatine compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: Considering the increasing attention to this topic, it would be interesting to investigate the existing awareness about effectiveness and possible risks of supplements
From nicotine dependence to genetic determinants of smoking
No full textThe goal of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the world of tobacco smoking, the role of nicotine in inducing a nicotine addiction, as well as to be confident with some tools in measuring nicotine dependence and motivation to quit. Moreover, it will serve to give an update overview about genetic risk factors for smoking behavior going in depth with molecular and biological aspects and to describe the role of genetic determinants in initiation and cessation of cigarette smoking
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