Highly specialized Breast Centers did not experience delay of care during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: the Senonetwork experience

The study aims to evaluate the performance of selected, high-volume, highly specialized, Italian Breast Centers at the time of COVID-19 pandemic (year 2020), compared to pre-pandemic time (year 2019), highlighting differences in terms of clinical presentation of breast cancer (BC) and therapeutic strategies

Digital Literacy and young children: towards better understandings of the benefits and challenges of digital technologies in homes and early years settings. : Policy briefing of DigiLitEY COST Action IS1410 and the Digital Childhoods SIG of the European Early Childhood Research Association.

Non peer reviewe

Digital Literacy and young children: towards better understandings of the benefits and challenges of digital technologies in homes and early years settings

This policy brief is based on an extensive body of research across Europe and elsewhere conducted by leading researchers in the field across more than 30 countries. We have studied the use of digital technologies by children under 8 years old in a variety of settings using an extensive range of research methods

Association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with exposures in the workplace. We aimed to assess the association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 28 823 adults (≥40 years) in 34 countries. We considered 11 occupations and grouped them by likelihood of exposure to organic dusts, inorganic dusts and fumes. The association of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, dyspnoea, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC with occupation was assessed, per study site, using multivariable regression. These estimates were then meta-analysed. Sensitivity analyses explored differences between sexes and gross national income. Results Overall, working in settings with potentially high exposure to dusts or fumes was associated with respiratory symptoms but not lung function differences. The most common occupation was farming. Compared to people not working in any of the 11 considered occupations, those who were farmers for ≥20 years were more likely to have chronic cough (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19–1.94), wheeze (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.63) and dyspnoea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.53–2.20), but not lower FVC (β=0.02 L, 95% CI −0.02–0.06 L) or lower FEV1/FVC (β=0.04%, 95% CI −0.49–0.58%). Some findings differed by sex and gross national income. Conclusion At a population level, the occupational exposures considered in this study do not appear to be major determinants of differences in lung function, although they are associated with more respiratory symptoms. Because not all work settings were included in this study, respiratory surveillance should still be encouraged among high-risk dusty and fume job workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

Cohort Profile: Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study was established to assess the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction, a key characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its risk factors in adults (≥40 years) from general populations across the world. The baseline study was conducted between 2003 and 2016, in 41 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Oceania, and collected high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry from 28 828 participants. The follow-up study was conducted between 2019 and 2021, in 18 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. At baseline, there were in these sites 12 502 participants with high-quality spirometry. A total of 6452 were followed up, with 5936 completing the study core questionnaire. Of these, 4044 also provided high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. On both occasions, the core questionnaire covered information on respiratory symptoms, doctor diagnoses, health care use, medication use and ealth status, as well as potential risk factors. Information on occupation, environmental exposures and diet was also collected

“Senza Pelle”: emozioni in formazione

Comunicazione in qualità di relatric

Follow-up of elderly patients with urogenital cancers : evaluation of geriatric care needs and related actions

OBJECTIVES: To investigate a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) with subsequent investigation of healthcare patterns in older patients with urological cancers undergoing initial surgery or radiotherapy, to verify the usefulness of the incorporation of geriatric principles in future care plans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. From November 2011 to March 2015, CGA was offered to all patients aged 70+ years treated with radiotherapy or surgery at seven tertiary centers. Patients were classified as fit, vulnerable, or frail according to Balducci's definition. CGA and follow-up data were collected by two trained evaluators at 6 and 12months. The information collected was not available to the caring physicians during follow-up. RESULTS: CGA was performed in 453 patients with prostate cancer (295), bladder cancer (126), or kidney cancer (32). 40% of patients with prostate cancer were fit, 47% vulnerable, and 13% frail. The corresponding values for renal cancer were 25%, 40%, and 34%, and for bladder cancer, 21%, 42%, and 37%. During follow-up, 60% of patients with cardiac diseases, 42% of those with diabetes/other metabolic disorders, 35% of those with hypertension, and 35% of those with respiratory diseases were followed by a specialist (for these severe/extremely severe comorbidities). Of 16 patients with ADL impairment and 63 with IADL impairment, only 4 (25%) and 6 (10%), respectively, were referred to a rehabilitation service. Only one case was referred to a geriatrician. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate clinical care patterns are advisable to improve quality of survivorship in older patients with urological cancers