Sport and Hemophilia in Italy: An Obstacle Course

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Eligibility for competitive sport medical certification of children with severe hemophilia: Italian observational study

: Background ad aim of workː the position of Italian law regarding participation of prophylactically treated hemophiliacs to organized sport trainings and competitions remains unclear and this study focuses on the eligibility of pediatric patients in particular. Methodsː 16 patients age 3 to 15 years old, with severe haemophilia and prophylaxis starting age of 20,2 ± 2,2 months were enrolled. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and joint status (Hemophilia Joint Health Score [HJHS] and Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with UltraSound, HEAD-US score) of patients were evaluated at start (T0) and after 12 months (T12) of a HIITS sport activity program. Resultsː All patients qualified for Italian competitive sport medical certification. Their weight and height increased after 12 months, without an increase in BMI (T0= 17,2; T1= 18,7; p>0,05). HJHS score did not change significantly (T0: 1.6 ± 1; T1: 2.1 ± 1.3; p>0.05). All children were right-handed and atrophy for the muscles of the right elbow significantly decreased (no atrophy seen at T0 in 4 of 16 patients and at T1 in 8 of 16 patients; p=0.045). Conclusionsː Hemophilic children, prophylactically treated, are capable to be included in sport groups and physical activity programs

Documento di consenso e raccomandazioni per la prevenzione cardiovascolare in Italia 2018 [Consensus document and recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in Italy - 2018]

Cardiovascular prevention represents a cornerstone of modern strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. It is of key importance to prevent cardiovascular diseases and associated events, not only to reduce morbidity and mortality, but also to increase the years of wellness in the aging population and to make the growing socio-economic burden imposed by cardiovascular events more sustainable.The current approach to prevention is based on an integrated use of effective lifestyle measures and, whenever appropriate, of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs, lipid-lowering agents and antiplatelet drugs.Given that population characteristics, in terms of ethnicity, demography and lifestyle habits, and healthcare system organizations differ among countries, international guidelines are not always applicable to specific countries and, often, are difficult to translate into daily clinical practice.In order to afford the specific features of Italy, 10 Scientific Societies and Research Institutions, mostly involved in preventive strategies, contributed to the present Italian consensus document, which includes brief, practical recommendations to support the preventive actions within the physician community and the general practice setting

Executive Summary of the 2018 Joint Consensus Document on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Italy

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death, disability and hospitalization in Italy. Primary prevention strategies are able to prevent clinically evident CVDs, mostly by early identifying asymptomatic, otherwise healthy individuals at risk of developing CVDs. A more modern approach recommended for effective CVD prevention is based on “4P”, that is: Predictive, Preventive, Personalized and Participative. This executive document reflects the key points of a consensus paper on CV prevention in Italy, realized though the contribution of different Italian Scientific Societies and the National Research Council, and coordinated by the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Prevention (SIPREC), published in 2018. The need for such document relies on the difficulty to apply “sic et simpliciter” European guidelines, to which this document is largely inspired, to national, regional and local realities, in this Mediterranean country, namely Italy. Indeed, our Country has specific features in terms of demography, socio-cultural habits, distribution and prevalence of risk factors, organization, policy and access to National Health Service compared to other European countries