1,721,119 research outputs found
Risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a North Italian rural area
No full textTo assess the role of risk factors for chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) by multiple logistic models, the data of the first cross-sectional epidemiological survey in the unpolluted rural area of the Po River Delta were analyzed (n=2382; 20-64 years). Each subject filled out a standardized questionnaire; 94% of the subjects were also able to perform forced expirograms. Dependent variables were chronic respiratory symptoms, asthma, abnormal parameters of flow-volume curve (ABNFVC), and a complex characterized by chronic phlegm and/or any wheeze and/or dyspnea grade 2+ and/or diagnosis of asthma and/or an FEV1/FVC ratio less than 60% (ANYABN). Independent variables were: age, ever cigarette smoking (SMK) and lifetime cigarette consumption expressed as pack-years, childhood respiratory infections (CRI), adolescence-adulthood respiratory infections (ARI), familial history for COPD (FCOPD) or for asthma/allergies (FASTHMA), work exposure to dusts/chemicals (EXPO), low socio-economic conditions (SES). A significant relationship with almost all dependent variables was shown by pack-years, ARI and age in both sexes. In males, FCOPD was related to chronic mucus hypersecretion and to ABNFVC, FASTHMA was associated with wheeze and ANYABN. EXPO was related to dyspnea and asthmatic symptoms in both sexes and also to bronchitic symptoms in males. CRI was a significant contributor for asthma symptoms in males, for ANYABN in females. SES had no significant association. In conclusion, our findings show that, beside lifetime cigarette smoking, other host - or environment - related conditions are important risk factors for COPD, suggesting the need for a more thorough strategy for prevention. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers
A computer-based method for on-line acquisition and analysis of bronchial challenge test
No full textWe developed a computer program for the optimization and management of data collection in order to compute the change of forced expiratory volume in the first second (delta FEV1), provocative doses and to plot the dose-response curve for bronchial challenge test. Doses of methacholine are entered via the keyboard and forced vital capacity (FVC) with the highest FEV1 value obtained in each step is selected. When the imposed threshold of response has been reached, doses of administered methacholine and corresponding spirometric parameters are displayed and printed. Dose-response relationships are analysed: the increase of delta FEV1 for each unit of metacholine is computed in the interval between the two doses where delta FEV1 reached one of the imposed values (i.e. 15% or 20% or 30%). Finally spirometric values, dose-response curve and provocative doses are shown in a print-out. Computer values of provocative doses are higher than those obtained manually. This difference may be ascribed to the incorrect manual linear extrapolation. In conclusion the computer program is able to reduce consistently the time spent to analyze data from bronchial challenge test and allows a more precise determination of provocative doses by avoiding also inter-intra individual errors
Quadri di deposizione di 99m Tc minimicrosfere in relazione alla sede della broncostrizione, prima e dopo terapia
No full textRhinitis is an independent risk factor for developing cough apart from colds among adults
No full textBackground: In cross-sectional clinical studies, rhinitis has been shown to be strongly associated with co-existing chronic cough. However, to date, this association has been poorly delineated from a prospective and epidemiological standpoint. Methods: We used data from the 'Pisa Prospective Study', a population-based longitudinal cohort study composed of a baseline and a follow-up survey taken approximately 5 years apart from each other. Information on cough, rhinitis, and other risk factors was collected by standardized questionnaire. Cough apart from colds was denned as either 'chronic' (most days for at least 3 months for at least two consecutive years) or 'occasional' (if the three above temporal conditions were not met). 'Any' cough was denned as the presence of either occasional or chronic cough. Results: Complete information was available for 1670 subjects who were ≥15 years old and had no positive history of cough apart from colds at the baseline survey. Among them, 299 (18%) had rhinitis at baseline. By the follow-up survey, 16% of the subjects with rhinitis had developed any cough apart from colds, as compared with only 10% of the subjects without rhinitis (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, P < 0.005). After adjustment for age, gender, asthma status, smoking, and occupational exposure, rhinitis remained significantly associated with an increased risk both for any cough (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6) and for occasional and chronic cough separately (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5, and OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6, respectively). Conclusions: Rhinitis is a significant and independent risk factor for developing cough among adults. Further research is needed to assess potential implications in terms of prevention. Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005
Deposition patterns of 99m Tc minimicrospheres (99m Tc--HAMM) and site of airway obstruction, before and after therapy
No full textJ. Nucl. Med. All. Sci
Prevalence of airways obstruction in a general population: European Respiratory Society vs American Thoracic Society definition
No full textStudy objectives: To evaluate the distribution of airways obstruction in a general population sample. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiologic survey of a general population sample living in Po Delta area (North Italy). Data on respiratory symptoms, diseases, and risk factors were collected through standardized interviewer-administered questionnaires. Lung function tests were performed, with criteria for defining airways obstruction based on the 1995 European Respiratory Society (ERS) statement (FEV1/vital capacity ratio < 88% predicted and < 89% predicted in men and women, respectively), 'clinical' criteria (FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%), and the 1986 American Thoracic Society (ATS) statement (FEV1/FVC ratio < 75%). Results: A total of 1,727 subjects aged > 25 years investigated from 1988 to 1991 were included. Prevalence rates of airways obstruction for subjects 25 to 45 years old and subjects ≥ 46 years old were as follows: ERS, 10.8% and 12.2%; clinical, 9.9% and 28.8%; and ATS, 27% and 57%, respectively. When considering only moderate/severe obstruction, the rates were as follows: ERS, 0.4% and 3.6%; clinical, 0.3% and 4.4%; and ATS, 0.5% and 5.2%, respectively. The trend was confirmed after stratifying for smoking habit and the presence/absence of respiratory symptoms/diseases. The highest specificity and predictive value for any respiratory symptom/disease was shown by the ERS, and the lowest was shown by the ATS criterion, while the reverse was true for sensitivity; overall accuracy was slightly lower for the ATS criterion. Multiple logistic regression models indicated a higher number of significant associations with known risk factors for airways obstruction according to clinical and ATS criteria than ERS criterion. Conclusions: The prevalence of COPD in a general population depends very much on the criterion used for definition of airways obstruction. Further research is needed to reach a standardized and epidemiologically consistent criterion for airways obstruction
Equazioni di riferimento per la capacità inspiratoria (IC) derivate da un campione di popolazione generale italiana
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An 8-year follow-up of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity in a general population sample of northern italy
No full textStudy objective: Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is frequently assessed as part of a thorough pulmonary function assessment in patients with pulmonary or cardiopulmonary diseases. However, little information regarding the longitudinal trends of DLCO is available. In this study, we examined the temporal trends in DLCO to determine the effects of smoking and changes in smoking habits. Design: A longitudinal study was recently conducted in the Po River Delta area of northern Italy, in which DLCO measurements were taken approximately 8 years apart in the same subjects; this offered the unique opportunity to assess the temporal changes in DLCO. The longitudinal DLCO data were analyzed independently in two age groups (20 to 40 years, and ≥ 40 years) using a repeated-measures analysis. Results: Included were 928 subjects > 20 years old who had DLCO assessments both at baseline and follow-up. Male subjects had higher mean levels of DLCO than female subjects in the older age group (≥ 40 years). Continuous smokers had significantly lower DLCO levels than "never-smokers," but their changes in DLCO during follow-up were the same. This suggests that the lung damage due to smoking had occurred prior to DLCO testing. We also found that the annual decline in DLCO accelerated with age in adults ≥ 40 years old. Conclusions: We conclude that in adults ≥ 40 years of age from the general population, DLCO accelerates downwards regardless of gender, smoking, and initial FEV1 level
Impact of clinical risk and prehospital delay on 1 year outcome in STEMI patients treated with reperfusion therapy in a context of interhospital network
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