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1. Impact of age on the selection of nuclear cardiology stress protocols: The INCAPS (IAEA nuclear cardiology protocols) study

Author

Al-Mallah, Mh, Pascual, Tnb, Mercuri, M, Vitola, Jv, Karthikeyan, G, Better, N, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Eistein, Aj, Bouyoucef, Se, Allam, Ah, Vangu, M, Rehani, Mm, Kashyap, R, Lele, V, Magboo, Vpc, Mahmarian, Jj, Mut, F, Alexánderson, E, Allam, A, Bom, H, Flotats, A, Jerome, S, Kaufmann, Pa, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, J, Shaw, Lj, Underwood, Sr, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, Ss, Makhdomi, Kb, El Mustapha, Gie, El Ouchdi, N, Qaïs, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, Rm, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, Ma, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, Gg, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, Jm, Cheon, Gj, Cho, I, Dogan, As, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, H-J, Kalawat, T, Kang, Wj, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, Pg, Lee, J, Lee, Ww, Lim, I, Macaisa, Cmm, Malhotra, G, Mittal, Br, Mohammad, Mh, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, Id, Nariman, D, Nayak, Un, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, Jm, Ozturk, E, Park, Jm, Park, S, Patel, Cd, Phuong, Hk, Quinon, Ap, Rajini, Tr, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, Hb, Shinto, As, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, Mh, Sudhakar, P, Syed, Gms, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, Dn, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, Ks, Yao, Z, Yingsa-Nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, Kt, Zafrir, N, Adrian, Sc, Agostini, D, Aguadé, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, Mt, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, Dc, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, De Faria, Db, Florimonte, L, Francini, Alberto, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, Del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, Mj, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jȩdrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, Yh, Lázár, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lindner, O, Lipp, Rw, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchía, Cg, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, Sa, Romeo, Annunziata, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, Bg, Santos, Ai, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, Rp, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, Lr, Starck, S-A., Vajauskas, D, Veselý, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, I. M., Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Agüro, Rn, Alvarado, N, Barral, Cm, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Batista Cuellar, Jf, Cabral Chang, T-M, Cabrera Rodríguez, Lo, Canessa, J, Castro Mora, G, Claudia, Ac, Clavelo, Gf, Cruz, Af, Faccio, Ff, Fernández, Km, Gomez Garibo, Jr, Gonzalez, U, González, Pe, Guzzo, Ma, Jofre, J, Kapitán, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, Jl, Massardo, Tv, Medeiros Colaco, I, Mesquita, Ct, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, Lm, Puente, A, Rochela Vazquez, Lm, Serna Macias, Ja, Silva Pino, Ag, Tártari Huber, Fz, Tovar, Ap, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, Rj, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, Ga, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, Fp, Etherton, E, Fanning, Rj, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, C-L, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, Wh, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, Am, Smith, J, Szulc, Mc, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, Gd, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, De, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, De Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, Mcgrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, and Weale, J

Subjects
Ionizing radiation, Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Cross-sectional study, Cardiology, Guidelines, 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology, Radiation Dosage, Effective dose (radiation), NO, Cohort Studies, 03 medical and health sciences, Myocardial perfusion imaging, Age, 0302 clinical medicine, Internal medicine, Humans, Medicine, 030212 general & internal medicine, Tomography, Age Factors, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Middle Aged, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Positron-Emission Tomography, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Radiation Exposure, Retrospective Studies, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon, Nuclear Energy, medicine.diagnostic_test, business.industry, Retrospective cohort study, Radiation exposure, Cohort, Emission-Computed, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, business, Single-Photon, Cohort study
Abstract

There is growing concern about radiation exposure from nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), particularly among younger patients who are more prone to develop untoward effects of ionizing radiation, and hence US and European professional society guidelines recommend age as a consideration in weighing radiation risk from MPI. We aimed to determine how patient radiation doses from MPI vary across age groups in a large contemporary international cohort.Data were collected as part of a global cross-sectional study of centers performing MPI coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Sites provided information on each MPI study completed during a single week in March-April 2013. We compared across age groups laboratory adherence to pre-specified radiation-related best practices, radiation effective dose (ED; a whole-body measure reflecting the amount of radiation to each organ and its relative sensitivity to radiation's deleterious effects), and the proportion of patients with ED ≤ 9 mSv, a target level specified in guidelines.Among 7911 patients undergoing MPI in 308 laboratories in 65 countries, mean ED was 10.0 ± 4.5 mSv with slightly higher exposure among younger age groups (trend p value 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of patients with ED ≤ 9 mSv across age groups, or in adherence to best practices based on the median age of patients in a laboratory.In contemporary nuclear cardiology practice, the age of the patient appears not to impact protocol selection and radiation dose, contrary to professional society guidelines.

Published
2018
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2. Nuclear Cardiology Practices and Radiation Exposure in the Oceania Region: results From the IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study (INCAPS)

Author

Biswas, S, Better, N, Pascual, TNB, Mercuri, M, Vitola, JV, Karthikeyan, G, Westcott, J, Alexanderson, E, Allam, AH, Al-Mallah, MH, Bom, HHS, Bouyoucef, SE, Flotats, A, Jerome, S, Kaufman, PA, Lele, V, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, JJ, Shaw, LJ, Underwood, SR, Rehani, M, Kashyap, R, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Einstein, AJ, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Kelley, B, Bonomini, C, McGrath, C, Atkins, E, Craig, E, Murdoch, E, Souvannavong, F, Larcos, G, Taylor, G, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Bevan, J, Christiansen, J, Hassall, J, Weale, J, Hartcher, K, Smidt, K, Taubman, K, Tse, K, Clark, L, Scarlett, L, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Hampson, R, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Kelly, S, O'Malley, S, Ramsay, S, Unger, S, de Kort, T, Hanley, T, Kidd, T, Macdonald, W, Magboo, VPC, Mut, F, Meeks, JB, Rehani, MM, Allam, A, Bom, H, Kaufmann, PA, Mahmarian, J, Vitola, J, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, SS, Makhdomi, KB, El Mustapha, GIE, El Ouchdi, N, Qais, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, RM, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, MA, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, GG, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, JM, Cheon, GJ, Cho, I, Dogan, AS, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, HJ, Kalawat, T, Kang, WJ, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, PG, Lee, J, Lee, WW, Lim, I, Macaisa, CMM, Malhotra, G, Mittal, BR, Mohammad, MH, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, ID, Nariman, D, Nayak, UN, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, JM, Ozturk, E, Park, JM, Park, S, Patel, CD, Phuong, HK, Quinon, AP, Rajini, TR, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, HB, Shinto, AS, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, MH, Sudhakar, P, Syed, GMS, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, DN, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, KS, Yao, Z, Yingsa-Nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, KT, Zafrir, N, Adrian, SC, Agostini, D, Aguade, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, MT, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, DC, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, de Faria, DB, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, MJ, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jedrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, YH, Lazar, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lindner, O, Lipp, RW, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchia, CG, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, SA, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, BG, Santos, AI, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, RP, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, LR, Starck, SA, Vajauskas, D, Vesely, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, IM, Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Aguro, RN, Alvarado, N, Barral, CM, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Cuellar, JFB, Chang, TMC, Rodriguez, LOC, Canessa, J, Mora, GC, Claudia, AC, Clavelo, GF, Cruz, AF, Faccio, FF, Fernandez, KM, Garibo, JRG, Gonzalez, U, Gonzalez, P, Guzzo, MA, Jofre, J, Kapitan, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, JL, Massardo, TV, Colaco, IM, Mesquita, CT, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, LM, Puente, A, Vazquez, LMR, Macias, JAS, Pino, AGS, Huber, FZT, Tovar, AP, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, RJ, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, GA, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, FP, Etherton, E, Fanning, RJ, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, CL, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, WH, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, AM, Smith, J, Szulc, M, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, GD, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, DE, Dixon, H, and INCAPS Investigators Grp

Subjects
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Oceania, 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology, Radiation Dosage, Effective dose (radiation), Sievert, 030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging, NO, 03 medical and health sciences, Myocardial perfusion imaging, Radiation exposure, Aged, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Radiation Exposure, 0302 clinical medicine, Internal medicine, medicine, medicine.diagnostic_test, business.industry, Radiation dose, Cardiology, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, business
Abstract

Background There is concern about radiation exposure with radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). This sub-study of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study reports radiation doses from MPI, and use of dose-optimisation protocols in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), and compares them with data from the rest of the world. Methods Data were collected from 7911 MPI studies performed in 308 laboratories worldwide in one week in 2013, including 439 MPI studies from 34 ANZ laboratories. For each laboratory, effective radiation dose (ED) and a quality index (QI) score (out of 8) based on pre-specified "best practices'' was determined. Results In ANZ patients, ED ranged from 0.9-17.9 milliSievert (mSv). Median ED was similar in ANZ compared with the rest of the world (10.0 (IQR: 6.5-11.7) vs. 10.0 (IQR 6.4-12.6, P=0.15), as were mean QI scores (5.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.3, P= 0.84). Use of stress-only imaging (17.6% vs. 31.8% of labs, P= 0.09) and weight-based dosing of technetium-99m (14.7% vs. 30.3%, P= 0.07) was lower in ANZ compared with the rest of the world but this difference was not statistically significant. Median ED was significantly lower in metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan laboratories (10.1 mSv vs. 11.6 mSv, P < 0.01), although mean QI scores were similar (5.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.5 +/- 0.7, P= 0.75). Conclusion Across ANZ, there is variability in ED from MPI, and use of radiation safety practices, particularly between metropolitan and non-metropolitan laboratories. Overall, ANZ laboratories have a similar median ED to laboratories in the rest of the world.

Published
2017

3. Nuclear cardiology practice and associated radiation doses in Europe: results of the IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study (INCAPS) for the 27 European countries

Author

Lindner, O., Pascual, Tn, Mercuri, M, Acampa, W, Burchert, W, Flotats, A, Kaufmann, Pa, Kitsiou, A, Knuuti, J, Underwood, Sr, Vitola, Jv, Mahmarian JJ, Karthikeyan, G, Better, N, Rehani, Mm, Kashyap, R, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Einstein, Aj, INCAPS Investigators Group: Pascual TN, Bouyoucef, Se, Lele, V, Magboo, Vp, Mut, F, Mahmarian, Jj, Meeks, Jb, Alexánderson, E, Allam, A, Al-Mallah, Mh, Bom, H, Jerome, S, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, J, Shaw, Lj, Vitola, J, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, Ss, Makhdomi, Kb, El Mustapha GI, El Ouchdi, N, Qaïs, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, Rm, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, Ma, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, Gg, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, Jm, Cheon, Gj, Cho, I, Dogan, As, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, Hj, Kalawat, T, Kang, Wj, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, Pg, Lee, J, Lee, Ww, Lim, I, Macaisa, Cm, Malhotra, G, Mittal, Br, Mohammad, Mh, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, Id, Nariman, D, Nayak, Un, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, Jm, Ozturk, E, Park, Jm, Park, S, Patel, Cd, Phuong, Hk, Quinon, Ap, Rajini, Tr, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, Hb, Shinto, As, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, Mh, Sudhakar, P, Syed, Gm, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, Dn, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, Ks, Yao, Z, Yingsa-nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, Kt, Zafrir, N, Adrian, Sc, Agostini, D, Aguadé, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, Mt, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, Dc, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, de Faria DB, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, Mj, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jędrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, Yh, Lázár, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lindner, O, Lipp, Rw, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchía, Cg, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, Sa, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, Bg, Santos, Ai, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, Rp, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, Lr, Starck, Så, Vajauskas, D, Veselý, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, Im, Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Agüro, Rn, Alvarado, N, Barral, Cm, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Batista Cuellar JF, Cabral Chang TM, Cabrera Rodríguez LO, Canessa, J, Castro Mora, G, Claudia, Ac, Clavelo, Gf, Cruz Júnior AF, Faccio, Ff, Fernández, Km, Gomez Garibo JR, Gonzalez, U, E P, González, Guzzo, Ma, Jofre, J, Kapitán, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, Jl, V T, Massardo, Medeiros Colaco, I, Mesquita, Ct, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, Lm, Puente, A, Rochela Vazquez LM, Serna Macias JA, Silva Pino AG, Tártari Huber FZ, Tovar, Ap, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, Rj, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, Ga, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, Fp, Etherton, E, Fanning RJ Jr, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, Cl, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, Wh, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, Am, Smith, J, Szulc, M, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, Gd, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, De, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, de Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, Mcgrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, Weale, J., Lindner, Oliver, Pascual, Thomas N. B, Mercuri, Mathew, Acampa, Wanda, Burchert, Wolfgang, Flotats, Albert, Kaufmann, Philipp A, Kitsiou, Anastasia, Knuuti, Juhani, Underwood, S. Richard, Vitola, João V, Mahmarian, John J, Karthikeyan, Ganesan, Better, Nathan, Rehani, Madan M, Kashyap, Ravi, Dondi, Maurizio, Paez, Diana, Einstein, Andrew J., Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), and Columbia University [New York]

Subjects
INCAPS Investigators Group, [SDV.IB.IMA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Bioengineering/Imaging, Computed tomography, Best practice, 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology, Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, 030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging, 0302 clinical medicine, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Medicine, media_common, medicine.diagnostic_test, Radiation dose, Scientific, General Medicine, 3. Good health, Patient management, Europe, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging, Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging, SPECT, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Cardiology, Original Article, Radiology, Societies, Scientific, medicine.medical_specialty, Best practices, 0299 Other Physical Sciences, [SDV.IB.MN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Bioengineering/Nuclear medicine, Radiation Dosage, NO, 03 medical and health sciences, Internal medicine, media_common.cataloged_instance, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Medical physics, European Union, Quality of care, European union, Cardiac Imaging Technique, business.industry, Nuclear cardiology, PET, Cardiac Imaging Techniques, Nuclear Medicine, Positron-Emission Tomography, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, 1103 Clinical Sciences, business, Societies, Medical therapy, [SDV.MHEP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology
Abstract

Purpose Nuclear cardiology is widely used to diagnose coronary artery disease and to guide patient management, but data on current practices, radiation dose-related best practices, and radiation doses are scarce. To address these issues, the IAEA conducted a worldwide study of nuclear cardiology practice. We present the European subanalysis. Methods In March 2013, the IAEA invited laboratories across the world to document all SPECT and PET studies performed in one week. The data included age, gender, weight, radiopharmaceuticals, injected activities, camera type, positioning, hardware and software. Radiation effective dose was calculated for each patient. A quality score was defined for each laboratory as the number followed of eight predefined best practices with a bearing on radiation exposure (range of quality score 0 - 8). The participating European countries were assigned to regions (North, East, South, and West). Comparisons were performed between the four European regions and between Europe and the rest-of-the-world (RoW). Results Data on 2,381 European patients undergoing nuclear cardiology procedures in 102 laboratories in 27 countries were collected. A cardiac SPECT study was performed in 97.9 % of the patients, and a PET study in 2.1 %. The average effective dose of SPECT was 8.0 +/- 3.4 mSv (RoW 11.4 +/- 4.3 mSv; P < 0.001) and of PET was 2.6 +/- 1.5 mSv (RoW 3.8 +/- 2.5 mSv; P < 0.001). The mean effective doses of SPECT and PET differed between European regions (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The mean quality score was 6.2 +/- 1.2, which was higher than the RoW score (5.0 +/- 1.1; P < 0.001). Adherence to best practices did not differ significantly among the European regions (range 6 to 6.4; P = 0.73). Of the best practices, stress-only imaging and weight-adjusted dosing were the least commonly used. Conclusion In Europe, the mean effective dose from nuclear cardiology is lower and the average quality score is higher than in the RoW. There is regional variation in effective dose in relation to the best practice quality score. A possible reason for the differences between Europe and the RoW could be the safety culture fostered by actions under the Euratom directives and the implementation of diagnostic reference levels. Stress-only imaging and weight-adjusted activity might be targets for optimization of European nuclear cardiology practice.

Published
2016
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4. Progress in infection prevention and control in Italy: a nationwide survey

Author

Moro, Ml, Marchi, M, Buttazzi, R, Nascetti, S, Collaborators: Pompa MG, INF OSS Project G. r. o. u. p., Salcuni, P, Scassa, E, Scudieri, M, Cauzillo, G, Locuratolo, F, Barone, R, Pizzuti, R, Sarnelli, B, Simon, G, Turello, D, Trevisan, R, Puro, V, Martini, L, Mandolini, D, Vizio, M, Nannini, M, Pavan, A, Bernieri, F, D'Errico, M, Prospero, E, Zotti, Carla Maria, Dipietrantonj, C, Prato, R, Villone, G, Balducci, Mt, Mura, M, Mura, I, Maniaci, L, Cantaro, Sp, Poli, A, Privitera, G, Porretta, A, Fiorio, M, Montedori, A, Sacco, R, Mastaglia, M, Spolaore, P, Fedeli, U, Santa, Pj, Fabbri, L, and Piccini, G.

Subjects
Microbiology (medical), Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Community service, Nationwide survey, prevention, medicine, Humans, Infection control, survey, Clinical risk management, Healthcare related Infection, Response rate (survey), Cross Infection, Infection Control, business.industry, Public health, Health services research, General Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Italy, Respondent, Health Services Research, business, Demography
Abstract

A national survey was conducted to describe the coverage and characteristics of infection prevention and control (IC) programmes in Italy and to evaluate progress during recent years. All regions, with one small exception, participated and the response rate was 88%. Nearly all 278 respondent public health trusts reported having an IC committee, 80% of the 615 respondent hospitals to have instituted an IC team, and 79% to have an IC nurse. However, when the presence of truly operating IC bodies was considered, the pattern was different: only 27% of IC teams met at least monthly, and variation by region was extremely large [coefficient of variation (CV): 1.06]. The IC programme characteristics with the greatest variation by region included: availability of qualified nurses and IC doctors (CV: 1.55 and 1.39 respectively); integration of IC activities and clinical risk management (CV: 1.05); IC programmes also involving community services (CV: 0.98); training of personnel at induction (CV: 0.82); and availability of written policies for the control of multidrug-resistant organisms (CV: 1.08). A relevant and statistically significant North-South gradient showed Southern Regions averaging 23 points less than Northern Regions on the IC score. Compared with a similar survey conducted in 2000, the distribution of several activities by region had improved significantly. Despite the noteworthy improvement observed over time, the situation in Italy is still unsatisfactory, due to significant variation in the development of IC organisations and initiatives by region and by type of hospital.

Published
2011
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5. Opportunities for improvement on current nuclear cardiology practices and radiation exposure in Latin America: Findings from the 65-country IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols cross-sectional Study (INCAPS)

Author

Vitola, Jv, Mut, F, Alexanderson, E, Pascual, Tnb, Mercuri, M, Karthikeyan, G, Better, N, Rehani, Mm, Kashyap, R, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Einstein, Aj, Bouyoucef, Se, Allam, Ah, Vangu, M, Magboo, Vpc, Mahmarian, Jj, Allam, A, Bom, H, Flotats, A, Jerome, S, Kaufmann, Pa, Lele, V, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, J, Shaw, Lj, Underwood, Sr, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, Ss, Makhdomi, Kb, El Mustapha, Gie, El Ouchdi, N, Qaïs, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, Rm, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, Ma, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, Gg, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, Jm, Cheon, Gj, Cho, I, Dogan, As, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, H-J, Kalawat, T, Kang, Wj, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, Pg, Lee, J, Lee, Ww, Lim, I, Macaisa, Cmm, Malhotra, G, Mittal, Br, Mohammad, Mh, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, Id, Nariman, D, Nayak, Un, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, Jm, Ozturk, E, Park, Jm, Park, S, Patel, Cd, Phuong, Hk, Quinon, Ap, Rajini, Tr, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, Hb, Shinto, As, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, Mh, Sudhakar, P, Syed, Gms, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, Dn, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, Ks, Yao, Z, Yingsa-Nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, Kt, Zafrir, N, Adrian, Sc, Agostini, D, Aguadé, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, Mt, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, Dc, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, De Faria, Db, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, Del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, Mj, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jȩdrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, Yh, Lázár, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lindner, O, Lipp, Rw, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchía, Cg, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, Sa, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, Bg, Santos, Ai, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, Rp, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, Lr, Starck, S-A, Vajauskas, D, Veselý, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, I. M., Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Agüro, Rn, Alvarado, N, Barral, Cm, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Batista Cuellar, Jf, Cabral Chang, T-M, Cabrera Rodríguez, Lo, Canessa, J, Castro Mora, G, Claudia, Ac, Clavelo, Gf, Cruz, Af, Faccio, Ff, Fernández, Km, Gomez Garibo, Jr, Gonzalez, U, González, Pe, Guzzo, Ma, Jofre, J, Kapitán, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, Jl, Massardo, Tv, Medeiros Colaco, I, Mesquita, Ct, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, Lm, Puente, A, Rochela Vazquez, Lm, Serna Macias, Ja, Silva Pino, Ag, Tártari Huber, Fz, Tovar, Ap, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, Rj, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, Ga, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, Fp, Etherton, E, Fanning, Rj, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, C-L, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, Wh, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, Am, Smith, J, Szulc, Mc, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, Gd, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, De, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, De Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, Mcgrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, and Weale, J

Subjects
best practices, Latin America, Nuclear cardiology, PET, radiation dose, SPECT, Cardiology, Guideline Adherence, Health Care Surveys, Humans, Internationality, Middle Aged, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Quality Assurance, Health Care, Quality Improvement, Radiation Exposure, Radiation Protection, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Utilization Review, medicine.medical_specialty, Latin Americans, Cross-sectional study, Practice Patterns, 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology, Effective dose (radiation), 030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging, NO, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Internal medicine, medicine, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Medical physics, Tomography, Physicians', Guideline adherence, business.industry, Radiation dose, Coronary heart disease, Radiation exposure, Health Care, Emission-Computed, Radiation protection, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, business, Quality Assurance
Abstract

Comparison of Latin American (LA) nuclear cardiology (NC) practice with that in the rest of the world (RoW) will identify areas for improvement and lead to educational activities to reduce radiation exposure from NC. INCAPS collected data on all SPECT and PET procedures performed during a single week in March-April 2013 in 36 laboratories in 10 LA countries (n = 1139), and 272 laboratories in 55 countries in RoW (n = 6772). Eight “best practices” were identified a priori and a radiation-related Quality Index (QI) was devised indicating the number used. Mean radiation effective dose (ED) in LA was higher than in RoW (11.8 vs 9.1 mSv, p

Published
2015

6. Current worldwide nuclear cardiology practices and radiation exposure: results from the 65 country IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Cross-Sectional Study (INCAPS)

Author

Einstein, Aj, Pascual, Tn, Mercuri, M, Karthikeyan, G, Vitola, Jv, Mahmarian, Jj, Better, N, Bouyoucef, Se, Hee-Seung Bom, H, Lele, V, Magboo, Vp, Alexánderson, E, Allam, Ah, Al-Mallah, Mh, Flotats, A, Jerome, S, Kaufmann, Pa, Luxenburg, O, Shaw, Lj, Underwood, Sr, Rehani, Mm, Kashyap, R, Paez, D, Dondi, M, INCAPS Investigators Group: Einstein AJ, Alexanderson, E, Allam, A, Bom, H, Mahmarian, J, Vitola, J, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, Ss, Makhdomi, Kb, El Mustapha GI, El Ouchdi, N, Qaïs, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, Rm, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, Ma, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, Gg, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, Jm, Cheon, Gj, Cho, I, Dogan, As, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, Hj, Kalawat, T, Kang, Wj, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, Pg, Lee, J, Lee, Ww, Lim, I, Macaisa, Cm, Malhotra, G, Mittal, Br, Mohammad, Mh, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, Id, Nariman, D, Nayak, Un, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, Jm, Ozturk, E, Park, Jm, Park, S, Patel, Cd, Phuong, Hk, Quinon, Ap, Rajini, Tr, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, Hb, Shinto, As, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, Mh, Sudhakar, P, Syed, Gm, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, Dn, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, Ks, Yao, Z, Yingsa-nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, Kt, Zafrir, N, Adrian, Sc, Agostini, D, Aguadé, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, Mt, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, Dc, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, de Faria DB, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, Mj, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jędrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, Yh, Lázár, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lindner, O, Lipp, Rw, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Meeks, Jb, Mendiguchía, Cg, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, Sa, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, Bg, Santos, Ai, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, Rp, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, Lr, Starck, Så, Vajauskas, D, Veselý, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, Im, Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Agüro, Rn, Alvarado, N, Barral, Cm, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Batista Cuellar JF, Cabral Chang TM, Cabrera Rodríguez LO, Canessa, J, Castro Mora, G, Claudia, Ac, Clavelo, Gf, Cruz Júnior AF, Faccio, Ff, Fernández, Km, Gomez Garibo JR, Gonzalez, U, E P, González, Guzzo, Ma, Jofre, J, Kapitán, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, Jl, V T, Massardo, Medeiros Colaco, I, Mesquita, Ct, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, Lm, Puente, A, Rochela Vazquez LM, Serna Macias JA, Silva Pino AG, Tártari Huber FZ, Tovar, Ap, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, Rj, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, Ga, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, Fp, Etherton, E, Fanning RJ Jr, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, Cl, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, Wh, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, Am, Smith, J, Szulc, M, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, Gd, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, De, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, de Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, Mcgrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, and Weale, J.

Subjects
Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Best practices, Cross-sectional study, Cardiology, Global Health, Radiation Dosage, Effective dose (radiation), NO, Myocardial perfusion imaging, Clinical Protocols, Internal medicine, medicine, Humans, Tomography, Nuclear cardiology, PET, Quality of care, Radiation dose, SPECT, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Guideline Adherence, Middle Aged, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Positron-Emission Tomography, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Professional Practice, Quality of Health Care, Radiation Exposure, Regression Analysis, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, medicine.diagnostic_test, business.industry, Radiation exposure, Positron emission tomography, Mauriceau–Smellie–Veit maneuver, Observational study, Emission-Computed, business, Single-Photon
Abstract

Aims To characterize patient radiation doses from nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and the use of radiation-optimizing ‘best practices’ worldwide, and to evaluate the relationship between laboratory use of best practices and patient radiation dose. Methods and results We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of protocols used for all 7911 MPI studies performed in 308 nuclear cardiology laboratories in 65 countries for a single week in March–April 2013. Eight ‘best practices’ relating to radiation exposure were identified a priori by an expert committee, and a radiation-related quality index (QI) devised indicating the number of best practices used by a laboratory. Patient radiation effective dose (ED) ranged between 0.8 and 35.6 mSv (median 10.0 mSv). Average laboratory ED ranged from 2.2 to 24.4 mSv (median 10.4 mSv); only 91 (30%) laboratories achieved the median ED ≤ 9 mSv recommended by guidelines. Laboratory QIs ranged from 2 to 8 (median 5). Both ED and QI differed significantly between laboratories, countries, and world regions. The lowest median ED (8.0 mSv), in Europe, coincided with high best-practice adherence (mean laboratory QI 6.2). The highest doses (median 12.1 mSv) and low QI (4.9) occurred in Latin America. In hierarchical regression modelling, patients undergoing MPI at laboratories following more ‘best practices’ had lower EDs. Conclusion Marked worldwide variation exists in radiation safety practices pertaining to MPI, with targeted EDs currently achieved in a minority of laboratories. The significant relationship between best-practice implementation and lower doses indicates numerous opportunities to reduce radiation exposure from MPI globally.

Published
2015

7. Nuclear cardiology practice and associated radiation doses in Europe: results of the IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study (INCAPS) for the 27 European countries

Author

Lindner, O, Pascual, TNB, Mercuri, M, Acampa, W, Burchert, W, Flotats, A, Kaufmann, PA, Kitsiou, A, Knuuti, J, Underwood, SR, Vitola, JV, Mahmarian, JJ, Karthikeyan, G, Better, N, Rehani, MM, Kashyap, R, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Einstein, AJ, Bouyoucef, SE, Lele, V, Magboo, VPC, Mut, F, Meeks, JB, Alexanderson, E, Allam, A, Al-Mallah, MH, Bom, H, Jerome, S, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, J, Shaw, LJ, Vitola, J, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, SS, Makhdomi, KB, El Mustapha, GIE, El Ouchdi, N, Qais, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, RM, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, MA, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, GG, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, JM, Cheon, GJ, Cho, I, Dogan, AS, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, H-J, Kalawat, T, Kang, WJ, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, PG, Lee, J, Lee, WW, Lim, I, Macaisa, CMM, Malhotra, G, Mittal, BR, Mohammad, MH, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, ID, Nariman, D, Nayak, UN, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, JM, Ozturk, E, Park, JM, Park, S, Patel, CD, Phuong, HK, Quinon, AP, Rajini, TR, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, HB, Shinto, AS, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, MH, Sudhakar, P, Syed, GMS, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, DN, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, KS, Yao, Z, Yingsa-nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, KT, Zafrir, N, Adrian, SC, Agostini, D, Aguade, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, MT, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, DC, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, de Faria, DB, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, MJ, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jedrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, YH, Lazar, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lipp, RW, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchia, CG, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, SA, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, BG, Santos, AI, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, RP, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, LR, Starck, S-A, Vajauskas, D, Vesely, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, IM, Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Aguro, RN, Alvarado, N, Barral, CM, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Cuellar, JFB, Chang, TMC, Rodriguez, LOC, Canessa, J, Mora, GC, Claudia, AC, Clavelo, GF, Junior, AFC, Faccio, FF, Fernandez, KM, Garibo, JRG, Gonzalez, U, Gonzalez, PE, Guzzo, MA, Jofre, J, Kapitan, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, JL, Massardo, TV, Colaco, IM, Mesquita, CT, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, LM, Puente, A, Vazquez, LMR, Macias, JAS, Pino, AGS, Huber, FZT, Tovar, AP, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, RJ, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, GA, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, FP, Etherton, E, Fanning, RJ, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, C-L, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, WH, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, AM, Smith, J, Szulc, M, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, GD, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, DE, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, de Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, McGrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, Weale, J, Lindner, O, Pascual, TNB, Mercuri, M, Acampa, W, Burchert, W, Flotats, A, Kaufmann, PA, Kitsiou, A, Knuuti, J, Underwood, SR, Vitola, JV, Mahmarian, JJ, Karthikeyan, G, Better, N, Rehani, MM, Kashyap, R, Dondi, M, Paez, D, Einstein, AJ, Bouyoucef, SE, Lele, V, Magboo, VPC, Mut, F, Meeks, JB, Alexanderson, E, Allam, A, Al-Mallah, MH, Bom, H, Jerome, S, Luxenburg, O, Mahmarian, J, Shaw, LJ, Vitola, J, Amouri, W, Essabbah, H, Gassama, SS, Makhdomi, KB, El Mustapha, GIE, El Ouchdi, N, Qais, N, Soni, N, Vangu, W, Abazid, RM, Adams, B, Agarwal, V, Alfeeli, MA, Alnafisi, N, Bernabe, L, Bural, GG, Chaiwatanarat, T, Chandraguptha, JM, Cheon, GJ, Cho, I, Dogan, AS, Eftekhari, M, Frenkel, A, Garty, I, George, S, Geramifar, P, Golan, H, Habib, S, Hussain, R, Im, H, Jeon, H-J, Kalawat, T, Kang, WJ, Keng, F, Klaipetch, A, Kumar, PG, Lee, J, Lee, WW, Lim, I, Macaisa, CMM, Malhotra, G, Mittal, BR, Mohammad, MH, Mohan, P, Mulyanto, ID, Nariman, D, Nayak, UN, Niaz, K, Nikolov, G, Obaldo, JM, Ozturk, E, Park, JM, Park, S, Patel, CD, Phuong, HK, Quinon, AP, Rajini, TR, Saengsuda, Y, Santiago, J, Sayman, HB, Shinto, AS, Sivasubramaniyan, V, Son, MH, Sudhakar, P, Syed, GMS, Tamaki, N, Thamnirat, K, Thientunyakit, T, Thongmak, S, Velasco, DN, Verma, A, Vutrapongwatana, U, Wang, Y, Won, KS, Yao, Z, Yingsa-nga, T, Yudistiro, R, Yue, KT, Zafrir, N, Adrian, SC, Agostini, D, Aguade, S, Armitage, G, Backlund, M, Backman, M, Baker, M, Balducci, MT, Bavelaar, C, Berovic, M, Bertagna, F, Beuchel, R, Biggi, A, Bisi, G, Bonini, R, Bradley, A, Brudin, L, Bruno, I, Busnardo, E, Casoni, R, Choudhri, A, Cittanti, C, Clauss, R, Costa, DC, Costa, M, Dixon, K, Dziuk, M, Egelic, N, Eriksson, I, Fagioli, G, de Faria, DB, Florimonte, L, Francini, A, French, M, Gallagher, E, Garai, I, Geatti, O, Genovesi, D, Gianolli, L, Gimelli, A, del Giudice, E, Halliwell, S, Hansson, MJ, Harrison, C, Homans, F, Horton, F, Jedrzejuk, D, Jogi, J, Johansen, A, Johansson, H, Kalnina, M, Kaminek, M, Kiss, A, Kobylecka, M, Kostkiewicz, M, Kropp, J, Kullenberg, R, Lahoutte, T, Lang, O, Larsson, YH, Lazar, M, Leccisotti, L, Leners, N, Lipp, RW, Maenhout, A, Maffioli, L, Marcassa, C, Martins, B, Marzullo, P, Medolago, G, Mendiguchia, CG, Mirzaei, S, Mori, M, Nardi, B, Nazarenko, S, Nikoletic, K, Oleksa, R, Parviainen, T, Patrina, J, Peace, R, Pirich, C, Piwowarska-Bilska, H, Popa, S, Prakash, V, Pubul, V, Puklavec, L, Rac, S, Ratniece, M, Rogan, SA, Romeo, A, Rossi, M, Ruiz, D, Sabharwal, N, Salobir, BG, Santos, AI, Saranovic, S, Sarkozi, A, Schneider, RP, Sciagra, R, Scotti, S, Servini, Z, Setti, LR, Starck, S-A, Vajauskas, D, Vesely, J, Vieni, A, Vignati, A, Vito, IM, Weiss, K, Wild, D, Zdraveska-Kochovska, M, Aguro, RN, Alvarado, N, Barral, CM, Beretta, M, Berrocal, I, Cuellar, JFB, Chang, TMC, Rodriguez, LOC, Canessa, J, Mora, GC, Claudia, AC, Clavelo, GF, Junior, AFC, Faccio, FF, Fernandez, KM, Garibo, JRG, Gonzalez, U, Gonzalez, PE, Guzzo, MA, Jofre, J, Kapitan, M, Kempfer, G, Lopez, JL, Massardo, TV, Colaco, IM, Mesquita, CT, Montecinos, M, Neubauer, S, Pabon, LM, Puente, A, Vazquez, LMR, Macias, JAS, Pino, AGS, Huber, FZT, Tovar, AP, Vargas, L, Wiefels, C, Aljizeeri, A, Alvarez, RJ, Barger, D, Beardwood, W, Behrens, J, Brann, L, Brown, D, Carr, H, Churchwell, K, Comingore, GA, Corbett, J, Costello, M, Cruz, F, Depinet, T, Dorbala, S, Earles, M, Esteves, FP, Etherton, E, Fanning, RJ, Fornace, J, Franks, L, Gewirtz, H, Gulanchyn, K, Hannah, C-L, Hays, J, Hendrickson, J, Hester, J, Holmes, K, Johnson, A, Jopek, C, Lewin, H, Lyons, J, Manley, C, Meden, J, Moore, S, Moore, WH, Murthy, V, Nace, R, Neely, D, Nelson, L, Niedermaier, O, Rice, D, Rigs, R, Schiffer, K, Schockling, E, Schultz, T, Schumacker, T, Sheesley, B, Sheikh, A, Siegel, B, Slim, AM, Smith, J, Szulc, M, Tanskersley, N, Tilkemeier, P, Valdez, GD, Vrooman, R, Wawrowicz, D, Winchester, DE, Alcheikh, A, Allen, B, Atkins, E, Bevan, J, Bonomini, C, Christiansen, J, Clack, L, Craig, E, Dixson, H, Duncan, I, Fredericks, S, Gales, S, Hampson, R, Hanley, T, Hartcher, K, Hassall, J, Kelley, B, Kelly, S, Kidd, T, de Kort, T, Larcos, G, Macdonald, W, McGrath, C, Murdoch, E, O'Malley, S, O'Rourke, M, Pack, M, Pearce, R, Praehofer, R, Ramsay, S, Scarlett, L, Smidt, K, Souvannavong, F, Taubman, K, Taylor, G, Tse, K, Unger, S, and Weale, J

Abstract

PURPOSE: Nuclear cardiology is widely used to diagnose coronary artery disease and to guide patient management, but data on current practices, radiation dose-related best practices, and radiation doses are scarce. To address these issues, the IAEA conducted a worldwide study of nuclear cardiology practice. We present the European subanalysis. METHODS: In March 2013, the IAEA invited laboratories across the world to document all SPECT and PET studies performed in one week. The data included age, gender, weight, radiopharmaceuticals, injected activities, camera type, positioning, hardware and software. Radiation effective dose was calculated for each patient. A quality score was defined for each laboratory as the number followed of eight predefined best practices with a bearing on radiation exposure (range of quality score 0 - 8). The participating European countries were assigned to regions (North, East, South, and West). Comparisons were performed between the four European regions and between Europe and the rest-of-the-world (RoW). RESULTS: Data on 2,381 European patients undergoing nuclear cardiology procedures in 102 laboratories in 27 countries were collected. A cardiac SPECT study was performed in 97.9 % of the patients, and a PET study in 2.1 %. The average effective dose of SPECT was 8.0 ± 3.4 mSv (RoW 11.4 ± 4.3 mSv; P < 0.001) and of PET was 2.6 ± 1.5 mSv (RoW 3.8 ± 2.5 mSv; P < 0.001). The mean effective doses of SPECT and PET differed between European regions (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The mean quality score was 6.2 ± 1.2, which was higher than the RoW score (5.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.001). Adherence to best practices did not differ significantly among the European regions (range 6 to 6.4; P = 0.73). Of the best practices, stress-only imaging and weight-adjusted dosing were the least commonly used. CONCLUSION: In Europe, the mean effective dose from nuclear cardiology is lower and the average quality score is higher than in the RoW. There is regional

Published
2016

9. Strategies for cardiovascular prevention in children [Strategie differenziate nelle popolazioni target: I bambini]

Author

Spinelli, A, Nardone, P, Lamberti, A, Baglio, G, Gruppo OKkio alla SALUTE 2008, Andreozzi, S, Binkin, N, Bucciarelli, M, Cattaneo, C, Fontana, G, Meucci, S, Perra, A, Galeone, D, Silani, Mt, Mastantuono, E, Teti, S, Censi, L, D'Addesa, D, D'Amicis, A, Ciglia, A, Di Giacomo, M, Cauzillo, G, Sorrentino, G, Fersini, G, La Rocca, M, Perri, G, De Lorenzo, G, Angelini, P, Di Martino, E, Carletti, C, Rincorosi, R, Cairella, G, Castronuovo, E, Pascali, F, Oreste, P, Giostra, G, Tagliavento, G, Selvaggi, Tm, Caputo, M, Anelli, S, Pomo, V, Arras, P, Cattina, G, Cernigliaro, A, Rizzo, S, Giacchi, MARIANO VINCENZO, Lazzeri, Giacomo, Cristofori, M, Giaimo, M, Covarino, Am, D'Alessandro, G, Riccardo, G, Tamang, Me, Piffer, S, Baldi, A, Balducci, Mt, Bilei, S, Callipari, O, De Luca, A, Di Fabio, M, Marrone, A, Mazzarella, G, Silvestri, A, Caroli, M, Cavallo, F, Silvestri, Ar, Spenelli, A, and Spizzichino, L.

Published
2010

11. Prevention and contrast of child abuse and neglect in the practice of European paediatricians: a multi-national pilot study

Author

Angel Carrasco-Sanz, Giorgina Kuli-Lito, Luigi Nigri, Donjeta Bali, Mehmet Vural, Ida Giardino, Julije Meštrović, Tudor Lucian Pop, Maria Teresa Balducci, Pietro Ferrara, Laszlo Losonczi, Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani, Doina Anca Plesca, Giovanni Corsello, Paola Nigri, Leyla Namazova-Baranova, Eli Somekh, and Nigri P, Corsello G, Nigri L, Bali D, Kuli-Lito G, Plesca D, Pop TL, Carrasco-Sanz A, Namazova-Baranova L, Mestrovic J, Vural M, Giardino I, Losonczi L, Somekh E, Balducci MT, Pettoello-Mantovani M, Ferrara P.

Subjects
Male, Child abuse, medicine.medical_specialty, Violence, media_common.quotation_subject, education, Pilot Projects, Pediatrics, Abuse, RJ1-570, Neglect, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Surveys and Questionnaires, 030225 pediatrics, Perception, Maltreatment, medicine, Humans, Child Abuse, Pediatricians, 030212 general & internal medicine, Child, Physician's Role, Curriculum, media_common, Multiple choice, business.industry, Research, Public health, Child Health, General Medicine, EXPOSE, Europe, Cross-Sectional Studies, Private practice, Family medicine, Female, business
Abstract

BackgroundChild abuse and neglect, or maltreatment, is a serious public health problem, which may cause long-term effects on children’s health and wellbeing and expose them to further adulthood vulnerabilities. Studies on child maltreatment performed in Europe are scarce, and the number of participants enrolled relatively small. The aim of this multi-national European pilot study, was to evaluate the level of understanding and perception of the concepts of child abuse and neglect by European paediatricians working in different medical settings, and the attitude toward these forms of maltreatment in their practice.MethodsThe study was performed by a cross-sectional, descriptive, online survey, made available online to European paediatricians members of 50 national paediatric, who belonged to four different medical settings: hospital, family care, university centres and private practice.The questionnaire, designed as a multiple choice questions survey, with a single answer option consisted of 22 questions/statements. Frequency analyses were applied. Most of the data were described using univariate analysis and Chi-squared tests were used to compare the respondents and answers and a significance level ofp ≤ 0.05 applied.ResultsFindings show that European paediatricians consider the training on child maltreatment currently provided by medical school curricula and paediatric residency courses to be largely insufficient and continuing education courses were considered of great importance to cover educational gaps. Physical violence was recognized by paediatricians mostly during occasional visits with a significant correlation between detecting abuse during an occasional visit and being a primary care paediatrician. Results also showed a reluctance by paediatricians to report cases of maltreatment to the competent judicial authorities.ConclusionsData of this study may provide useful contribution to the current limited knowledge about the familiarity of European paediatricians with child maltreatment and their skills to recognize, manage and contrast abusive childhood experiences in their practice. Finally, they could provide local legislators and health authorities with information useful to further improve public health approaches and rules able to effectively address shared risk and protective factors, which could prevent child abuse and neglect from ever occurring.

Published
2021
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12. Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate and Glucose Levels as Predictors of Symptomatic Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Author

Messina R, de Gennaro L, De Robertis M, Pop R, Chibbaro S, Severac F, Blagia M, Balducci MT, Bozzi MT, and Signorelli F

Subjects
Humans, Prospective Studies, Lactic Acid, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring adverse effects, Blood Glucose, Cerebral Infarction complications, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage complications, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage surgery, Brain Ischemia complications, Vasospasm, Intracranial complications
Abstract

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a complex neurovascular syndrome with profound systemic effects associated with high rates of disability and mortality. Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), which encompasses all neurobiological events occurring in the subacute-late stage after aSAH, has a complex pathogenesis and can occur in the absence of instrumental vasospasm. Our aim was to assess the correlation between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate and glucose levels measured on the second or third day after aSAH with clinical deterioration caused by DCI and with 3-month functional outcome., Methods: This prospective study included all aSAH patients admitted between January 2020 and December 2021 who underwent external ventricular drain placement and CSF lactate and glucose measurement., Results: Among 133 aSAH patients, 48 had an external ventricular drain placed and early CSF lactate and glucose assessment. Independent predictors of symptomatic DCI were World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade IV-V (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 25.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9-649.2, P = 0.012), elevated CSF glucose (aOR 28.8, 95% CI 3.3-775.2, P = 0.010), and elevated CSF lactate (aOR 14.7, 95% CI 1.9-205.7, P = 0.018). The only independent predictor of 3-month functional outcome was occurrence of symptomatic DCI (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.0-0.2, P = 0.01)., Conclusions: Elevated CSF lactate and glucose levels in the first 3 days following aSAH were independent predictors of subsequent DCI-related neurological impairment; the presence of instrumental vasospasm was not significantly correlated with DCI after multivariate adjustment. CSF lactate and glucose monitoring may represent a point-of-care test, which could potentially improve prediction of subacute neurological worsening and guide therapeutic choices. Further research with larger prospective cohorts is warranted., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Published
2023
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13. Prevalence of interstitial pneumonia suggestive of COVID-19 at 18 F-FDG PET/CT in oncological asymptomatic patients in a high prevalence country during pandemic period: a national multi-centric retrospective study.

Author

Albano D, Bertagna F, Alongi P, Baldari S, Baldoncini A, Bartolomei M, Boccaletto F, Boero M, Borsatti E, Bruno A, Burroni L, Capoccetti F, Castellani M, Cervino AR, Chierichetti F, Ciarmiello A, Corso A, Cuocolo A, De Rimini ML, Deandreis D, Dottorini ME, Esposito F, Farsad M, Gasparini M, Grana CM, Gregianin M, Guerra L, Loreti F, Lupi A, Martino G, Milan E, Modoni S, Morbelli S, Muni A, Nicolai E, Palumbo B, Papa S, Papaleo A, Pellerito R, Poti C, Romano P, Rossetti C, Rossini P, Rubini G, Ruffini L, Sacchetti G, Savelli G, Schiavariello S, Sciagrà R, Sciuto R, Seregni E, Sestini S, Sicolo M, Spanu A, Storto G, Balducci MT, Trifirò G, Versari A, Vignati A, Volterrani D, Calcagni ML, Marzola MC, Garufo A, Evangelista L, Maroldi R, Schillaci O, and Giubbini R

Subjects
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Humans, Italy, Pandemics, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Lung Diseases, Interstitial diagnostic imaging, Lung Diseases, Interstitial epidemiology
Abstract

Purpose: To assess the presence and pattern of incidental interstitial lung alterations suspicious of COVID-19 on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) ([ 18 F]FDG PET/CT) in asymptomatic oncological patients during the period of active COVID-19 in a country with high prevalence of the virus., Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective observational study involving 59 Italian centers. We retrospectively reviewed the prevalence of interstitial pneumonia detected during the COVID period (between March 16 and 27, 2020) and compared to a pre-COVID period (January-February 2020) and a control time (in 2019). The diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia was done considering lung alterations of CT of PET., Results: Overall, [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT was performed on 4008 patients in the COVID period, 19,267 in the pre-COVID period, and 5513 in the control period. The rate of interstitial pneumonia suspicious for COVID-19 was significantly higher during the COVID period (7.1%) compared with that found in the pre-COVID (5.35%) and control periods (5.15%) (p < 0.001). Instead, no significant difference among pre-COVID and control periods was present. The prevalence of interstitial pneumonia detected at PET/CT was directly associated with geographic virus diffusion, with the higher rate in Northern Italy. Among 284 interstitial pneumonia detected during COVID period, 169 (59%) were FDG-avid (average SUVmax of 4.1)., Conclusions: A significant increase of interstitial pneumonia incidentally detected with [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT has been demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of interstitial pneumonia were FDG-avid. Our results underlined the importance of paying attention to incidental CT findings of pneumonia detected at PET/CT, and these reports might help to recognize early COVID-19 cases guiding the subsequent management.

Published
2021
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14. Prevention and contrast of child abuse and neglect in the practice of European paediatricians: a multi-national pilot study.

Author

Nigri P, Corsello G, Nigri L, Bali D, Kuli-Lito G, Plesca D, Pop TL, Carrasco-Sanz A, Namazova-Baranova L, Mestrovic J, Vural M, Giardino I, Losonczi L, Somekh E, Balducci MT, Pettoello-Mantovani M, and Ferrara P

Subjects
Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Europe, Female, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Surveys and Questionnaires, Child Abuse prevention & control, Child Health, Pediatricians, Physician's Role
Abstract

Background: Child abuse and neglect, or maltreatment, is a serious public health problem, which may cause long-term effects on children's health and wellbeing and expose them to further adulthood vulnerabilities. Studies on child maltreatment performed in Europe are scarce, and the number of participants enrolled relatively small. The aim of this multi-national European pilot study, was to evaluate the level of understanding and perception of the concepts of child abuse and neglect by European paediatricians working in different medical settings, and the attitude toward these forms of maltreatment in their practice., Methods: The study was performed by a cross-sectional, descriptive, online survey, made available online to European paediatricians members of 50 national paediatric, who belonged to four different medical settings: hospital, family care, university centres and private practice. The questionnaire, designed as a multiple choice questions survey, with a single answer option consisted of 22 questions/statements. Frequency analyses were applied. Most of the data were described using univariate analysis and Chi-squared tests were used to compare the respondents and answers and a significance level of p ≤ 0.05 applied., Results: Findings show that European paediatricians consider the training on child maltreatment currently provided by medical school curricula and paediatric residency courses to be largely insufficient and continuing education courses were considered of great importance to cover educational gaps. Physical violence was recognized by paediatricians mostly during occasional visits with a significant correlation between detecting abuse during an occasional visit and being a primary care paediatrician. Results also showed a reluctance by paediatricians to report cases of maltreatment to the competent judicial authorities., Conclusions: Data of this study may provide useful contribution to the current limited knowledge about the familiarity of European paediatricians with child maltreatment and their skills to recognize, manage and contrast abusive childhood experiences in their practice. Finally, they could provide local legislators and health authorities with information useful to further improve public health approaches and rules able to effectively address shared risk and protective factors, which could prevent child abuse and neglect from ever occurring.

Published
2021
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15. [The health determinants in young children: testing a new surveillance system in Italy].

Author

Pizzi E, Spinelli A, Battilomo S, Azzarito C, Balducci MT, Bettinelli ME, Campostrini S, Germinario C, Mazzarella G, Mignuoli AD, Morbidoni M, Porchia S, Simeoni L, and Speri L

Subjects
Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Italy, Child Health, Population Surveillance
Abstract

In recent years, the scientific community has stressed the need to invest in the first 1,000 days of life - the time spanning between conception and the 2nd birthday - because it is during this period that the foundations of health are laid and whose effects will be present throughout the life and may influence the next generation. Taking this into account, in 2013 the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM) of the Italian Ministry of Health promoted and financed a project to test a surveillance system of the main determinants of health concerning the child between the conception period and the 2nd years of life which are included in the National Programme "GenitoriPiù": folic acid before and during pregnancy, abstention from tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy and lactation, breastfeeding, infant sleep position, vaccination attitude, and early reading. The Project, started in January 2014 and ended in August 2016, has piloted the design, testing, and evaluation of the surveillance system with the view to national extension and the repeatability over time. The surveillance system has been designed to collect data through a questionnaire compiled by mothers in vaccination centres, in order to produce indicators which will enable territorial and intertemporal comparisons to be made. The project has shown the feasibility of this system, identifying favourable conditions and possible difficulties, and its ability to collect important information on children's health.

Published
2019
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16. Obesity can influence children's and adolescents' airway hyperresponsiveness differently.

Author

Sposato B, Scalese M, Migliorini MG, Riccardi MP, Balducci MT, Petruzzelli L, and Scala R

Abstract

Background: Literature is still arguing about a possible relationship between airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and body mass index (BMI). This study aimed at evaluating the influence of BMI on AHR and pulmonary function in children and adolescents that performed a methacholine test for suggestive asthma symptoms., Methods: 799 consecutive children/adolescents (535 M; mean age: 15 ± 3 yrs; median FEV1% predicted: 101.94% [93.46-111.95] and FEV1/FVC predicted: 91.07 [86.17-95.38]), were considered and divided into underweight, normal, overweight and obese. Different AHR levels were considered as moderate/severe (PD20 ≤ 400 μg) and borderline (PD20 > 400 μg)., Results: 536 children/adolescents resulted hyperreactive with a median PD20 of 366 μg [IQR:168-1010.5]; 317 patients were affected by moderate/severe AHR, whereas 219 showed borderline hyperresponsiveness. Obese subjects aged > 13 years showed a lower (p = 0.026) median PD20 (187μg [IQR:110-519]) compared to overweight (377 μg [IQR:204-774]) and normal-weight individuals' values (370.5 μg [IQR:189-877]). On the contrary, median PD20 observed in obese children aged ≤ 13 years (761 μg [IQR:731-1212]) was higher (p = 0.052) compared to normal-weight children's PD20 (193 μg [IQR:81-542]) and to obese adolescents' values (aged > 13 years) (p = 0.019). Obesity was a significant AHR risk factor (OR:2.853[1.037-7.855]; p = 0.042) in moderate/severe AHR adolescents. Females showed a higher AHR risk (OR:1.696[1.046-2.751] p = 0.032) compared to males. A significant relationship was found between BMI and functional parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) only in hyperreactive females., Conclusions: Obesity seems to influence AHR negatively in female but not in male adolescents and children. In fact, AHR is higher in obese teenagers, in particular in those with moderate/severe hyperresponsiveness, and may be mediated by obesity-associated changes in baseline lung function.

Published
2013
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17. BMI can influence adult males' and females' airway hyperresponsiveness differently.

Author

Sposato B, Scalese M, Scichilone N, Pammolli A, Balducci MT, Migliorini MG, and Scala R

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data indicate that obesity is a risk factor for asthma, but scientific literature is still debating the association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)., Methods: This study aimed at evaluating the influence of BMI on AHR, in outpatients with symptoms suggestive of asthma.4,217 consecutive adult subjects (2,439 M; mean age: 38.2±14.9 yrs; median FEV1 % predicted: 100 [IQR:91.88-107.97] and FEV1/FVC % predicted: 85.77% [IQR:81.1-90.05]), performed a methacholine challenge test for suspected asthma. Subjects with PD20 < 200 or 200 < PD20 < 800 or PD20 > 800 were considered affected by severe, moderate or mild AHR, respectively., Results: A total of 2,520 subjects (60% of all cases) had a PD20 < 3,200 μg, with a median PD20 of 366 μg [IQR:168-1010.5]; 759, 997 and 764 patients were affected by mild, moderate and severe AHR, respectively. BMI was not associated with increasing AHR in males. On the contrary, obese females were at risk for AHR only when those with moderate AHR were considered (OR: 1.772 [1.250-2.512], p = 0.001). A significant reduction of FEV1/FVC for unit of BMI increase was found in moderate AHR, both in males (β = -0.255; p =0.023) and in females (β = -0.451; p =0.017)., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that obesity influences AHR only in females with a moderate AHR level. This influence may be mediated by obesity-associated changes in baseline lung function.

Published
2012
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18. [The role of Proxelan in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. Results of a randomized trial].

Author

Galeone G, Spadavecchia R, Balducci MT, and Pagliarulo V

Subjects
Adult, Chronic Disease, Drug Therapy, Combination, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Plant Extracts administration & dosage, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life, Seeds, Suppositories, Treatment Outcome, Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Boswellia, Centella, Cucurbita, Helichrysum, Phytotherapy methods, Plant Extracts therapeutic use, Prostatitis drug therapy
Abstract

Aim: Inflammatory diseases of the prostate are one of the most difficult problems to manage in the fertile male aged between 20 and 50. Antibiotics are the gold standard for the treatment of both bacterial (category II-NIH) and non bacterial prostatitis (category III-NIH). However, antibiotics need to be associated with other therapies focused on reducing symptoms and providing a better quality of life. In the present study we sought to test the effectiveness of antibiotics and the medical device Proxelan suppositories taken together., Methods: Starting in January 2011, we conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 60 subjects with bacterial and non bacterial chronic prostatitis, who were divided into two groups. Subjects allocated in group A received only antibiotics for 28 days; subjects in group B received antibiotics + Proxelan, for 28 days as well. Before randomization all subjects underwent Meares-Stamey test, IPSS and NIH-CPSI questionnairs. All of those were repeated 60 and 120 days after randomization. Microbiological and clinical efficacy were compared using specific statistical analyses., Results: Data were obtained from 29 subjects allocated in group A and 31 in group B. Minor side effects were observed which did not cause study interruption in any case. Of the total population, 68,3% resulted positive to the Meares-Stamey test at study start. Proxelan was not better than antibiotics alone under a microbiological point of view (OR)=0.9; (IR) 0.3-2.8; P=0.46. According to the answers provided at the NIH-CPSI questionnaire, subjects in the group B obtained a better score compared to group A, either after 2 months (OR:2.8; 95%IC 1.2-4.1; P=0.017) and after 4 months (OR:1.67; 95%IC 0.9-2.9; P=0.04). With regards to the IPSS questionnaire, 2 months after treatment start, subjects in the group A had a probability of having urinary symptoms 2 times higher compared to subjects in group B (OR:1.9; 95%IC 1.0-3.5; P=0.028). Although Proxelan seems to improve IPSS also after 4 months, the difference does not reach the level of statistical significance., Conclusion: Compared to antibiotics alone, the combination of antibiotics and Proxelan improve both symptoms associated to chronic prostatitis and urinary symptoms, however microbiological results are not different. Future studies may be required to confirm our results and to explain the mechanism of action of Proxelan.

Published
2012

19. Young-adult carriers of Neisseria meningitidis in Puglia (Italy): will the pattern of circulating meningococci change following the introduction of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccines?

Author

Germinario C, Tafuri S, Napoli C, Montagna MT, Balducci MT, Fortunato F, Martinelli D, and Prato R

Subjects
Adult, Bacterial Typing Techniques, Carrier State microbiology, Female, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Meningococcal Infections microbiology, Meningococcal Vaccines administration & dosage, Middle Aged, Molecular Epidemiology, Multilocus Sequence Typing, Nasopharynx microbiology, Neisseria meningitidis classification, Schools, Medical, Serotyping, Students, Vaccines, Conjugate administration & dosage, Vaccines, Conjugate immunology, Young Adult, Carrier State epidemiology, Meningococcal Infections epidemiology, Meningococcal Vaccines immunology, Neisseria meningitidis isolation & purification
Abstract

Studies of meningococcal carriage are essential in improving knowledge of the epidemiology of meningococcal disease. The aim of this study is to ascertain the carrier rate and the serogroups of Neisseria Meningitidis circulating in a sample of students from the University of Bari. The population consisted of university students from the University of Bari - School of Medicine, who were invited to take a nasopharyngeal swab. The swabs were plated on selective plate medium; cultural and MLST tests were performed. Of 583 university students 12 carriers were identified (2%). 9 isolates proved auto-agglutinable. The other strains belonged to serogroups B, W135 and Y. Auto-agglutinable strains belonged to different clonal complexes, of which ST-53 was the most common. Only one strain, that belonged to ST-23/cluster A3 clonal complex, could cause meningococcal disease. No type C serogroup strain was detected and this could be directly related to immunization policies that provided meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccines for newborns and adolescents. The changing pattern of circulating serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis in healthy carriers could support a new immunization strategy which could provide quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines to pre-adolescents and adults.

Published
2010
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20. High level immunity against poliomyelitis in African and Asian refugees in southern Italy.

Author

Tafuri S, Martinelli D, Melpignano L, Balducci MT, Calvario A, Bozzi A, Prato R, and Germinario C

Subjects
Africa ethnology, Asia ethnology, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Infant, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Poliomyelitis immunology, Poliovirus isolation & purification, Antibodies, Viral blood, Poliomyelitis epidemiology, Poliomyelitis prevention & control, Poliovirus immunology, Refugees
Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of poliomyelitis immunization in refugees residing in the Asylum Seeker Center in Bari. The study was carried out during 2008 and involved 573 refugees. An antibody titer >or=1:8 was found in 99.6% for poliovirus 1, in 99.8% for poliovirus 2, and in 99.5% for poliovirus 3.

Published
2010
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21. Simultaneous administration of vaccines in immunization protocols: an audit in healthcare workers in the Puglia region of Italy.

Author

Tafuri S, Martinelli D, Caputi G, Balducci MT, Germinario C, and Prato R

Subjects
Adult, Female, Health Care Surveys, Humans, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Vaccination adverse effects, Vaccination psychology, Health Personnel, Immunization Schedule, Vaccination methods, Vaccines administration & dosage
Abstract

Through a standardized questionnaire, this study investigated the opinions and attitudes of Vaccine Service staff in the Puglia Region of Italy regarding simultaneous administration of vaccines. Co-administration was practiced by 89.4%, and the staff's positive opinions were that it is important for work organization (80.8%) and as an opportunity to increase vaccine take-up (59.9%). Negative opinions were that it increases the risk of adverse reactions or undesired effects (11.3%) and can engender fear of such reactions in parents (31.1%).

Published
2009
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22. [Epidemiology of femoral neck fractures in Puglia (Italy): an analysis of existing data].

Author

Tafuri S, Martinelli D, Balducci MT, Fortunato F, Prato R, and Germinario C

Subjects
Accidents, Home, Accidents, Occupational, Accidents, Traffic, Age Factors, Aged, Female, Femoral Neck Fractures mortality, Femoral Neck Fractures prevention & control, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Factors, Femoral Neck Fractures epidemiology
Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of femoral neck fractures in Puglia (Italy) by analysing hospital discharge records from 1998 to 2005 and mortality data from 1998 to 2003. In total, 41,354 admissions for femoral neck fractures were recorded, 75% of which in females. The mean age of patients was 78 years (73 in males, 79 in females). Approximately 70% of patients below 50 years of age were male, while above age 50, only 23% of patients were male. Yearly admission rates increased from 1998 to 2005. Mortality records recorded 1,031 deaths due to femoral neck fracture with a decreasing trend in mortality rates in the years considered. Fractures in males were most commonly associated with work related accidents and motor vehicle accidents. In females most fractures were related to home accidents. These results may be used to guide prevention strategies.

Published
2008

24. [Risk factors for mortality during a heat-wave in Bari (Italy), summer 2005.].

Author

Ciancio BC, Di Renzi M, Binkin N, Perra A, Prato R, Bella A, Niutta P, Rossi F, Germinario C, Balducci MT, Caputi G, and Fusco A

Subjects
Case-Control Studies, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Risk Factors, Activities of Daily Living, Hot Temperature
Abstract

Introduction: The Italian Heat Health Watch Warning System (HHWWS) was set up following the over 3000 excess deaths which occurred in Italy during the heat wave of 2003, In June 2005 the warning system issued a heat warning in various Italian cities., Methods: A case control study was performed in one of these cities (Bari) in order to identify individual and environmental risk factors as well as preventive strategies for reducing mortality during future heat waves. Cases were defined as subjects aged <65 years who had died during the heat wave and whose death certificate listed one of the following as the cause of death: heat, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders, neurocognitive disorders, dehydration or fever/infection not otherwise specified. For each case, three age-matched controls were randomly selected among individuals followed by the same general practitioner as the case. All variables significantly associated with mortality (<0.1) in the univariate analysis were entered into a conditional logistic regression model and the population attributable fraction (PAF) was calculated for significant variables (at p<0.05)., Results: Twenty cases and sixty controls were included in the study. In 17 cases (89%) death had occurred at home and 11(55%) of these were cardiovascular- related deaths. At the multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with mortality risk during the heat wave were: having a functioning air conditioner at home [OR:0.09(95% CI 0.01-1.00)], having an Activities of Daily Living score <2 [OR:21.0(95%CI 1.81-242.47)] and having been hospitalized the year preceding death [OR:18.1(95%CI 2.04-160.51)]., Conclusions: Public health interventions during heat waves should include the provision of access to an air conditioned environment. Subjects with impaired health (especially if recently hospitalized) and with significant limitations in their activities of daily living are probably at higher risk during heat waves.

Published
2007

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