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In these last 25 years, the Neonatal Emergency Transport (NET) service has been widely improved in Italy. To date, all National areas are covered by a NET service; 53 NET centers have been activated in all the Italian territory. Herein, the authors present an observational study to evaluate the rate of infantile mortality after introduction of NET in Sicily, and to study the efficiency of this service in reducing these rates of mortality in vulnerable neonates, transported from primary care birth centers to tertiary facilities to undergo to specialized NICU assistance. All neonates who required an emergency transport by NETS were included. No exclusions criteria were applied. Demographic and regional infantile mortality data, expressed as infant mortality rate, were selected by the official government database (ISTAT- National Statistic Institute—http://www.istat.it). All data were respectively divided into three groups: data concerning transport, clinical condition, and mortality of the transported patients. We transported by NET 325 neonates. The analysis of the infant mortality rate (per 1.000 live births) in Catania from 2016 to 2018 was reduced compared to the same rate calculated before NETS activation (4.41 index before 2016 vs 4.17 index after 2016). These data showed an increase in other provinces (Enna, Caltanissetta, and Agrigento). 61% of neonates showed a respiratory disease. During the study period the proportion of neonates with a Mortality Index for Neonatal Transportation—MINT

Study aim was to determine whether Late Life Depression (LLD) is associated with Mitral Valve Syndrome (MVS) presence, and to assess direct proportionality between MVS and LLD severity. A total of 504 consecutive patients (M=260, F=244; Mean Age 79.74±7.83, range=60-98) were included and divided in 2 groups: 1) 360 patients with LLD and MVS (Group 1), and 2) 144 patients without LLD and with MVS (Group 2). All patients were assessed by Doppler echocardiography, complete standardized Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) [including basal/instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL/IADL), Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale Comorbidity Index (CIRS-CI), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Exton-Smith Scale (ESS), medication use and social aspects], Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Group 1 were more females (p

Congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common major congenital anomaly, is associated with a genetic syndrome (chromosomal anomalies, genomic disorders, or monogenic disease) in 30% of patients. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate if, in the neonatal setting, clinical clues that orient the diagnostic path can be identified. For this purpose, we revised the most frequent dysmorphic features described in newborns with CHD, comparing those associated with monogenic syndromes (MSG) with the ones reported in newborns with genomic disorders. For this systematic review according to PRISMA statement, we used PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus database, and search terms related to CHD and syndrome. We found a wide range of dysmorphisms (ocular region, ears, mouth, and/or palate and phalangeal anomalies) detected in more than half of MSGs were found to be associated with CHDs, but those anomalies are also described in genomic rearrangements syndromes with equal prevalence. These findings confirmed that etiological diagnosis in newborns is challenging, and only the prompt and expert recognition of features suggestive of genetic conditions can improve the selection of appropriate, cost-effective diagnostic tests. However, in general practice, it is crucial to recognize clues that can suggest the presence of a genetic syndrome, and neonatologists often have the unique opportunity to be the first to identify abnormalities in the neonate.

A multidimensional impairment may influence the clinical outcome of acute diseases in older patients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether a Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) predicts short- and long-term all-cause mortality in older patients hospitalized for transient ischemic attack (TIA). In this prospective study with 1-year follow-up, 654 patients aged 65 and older with a diagnosis of TIA according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM 435.x) were enrolled. A standardized CGA that included information on functional (activities of daily living, ADL, and Instrumental ADL), cognitive status (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), nutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment), risk of pressure sores (Exton-Smith Scale), comorbidities (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), medications and co-habitation status was used to calculate the MPI for mortality using a previously validated algorithm. Higher MPI values were significantly associated with higher 1-month all-cause mortality (incidence rates: MPI-1 low risk = 0.32%, MPI-2 moderate risk = 5.36%, MPI-3 high risk = 10.42%; p < 0.001), 6-month all-cause mortality (MPI-1 = 1.95%, MPI-2 = 9.77%, MPI-3 = 27.22%; p < 0.001) and 12-month all-cause mortality (MPI-1 = 5.19%, MPI-2 = 16.47%, MPI-3 = 44.32%; p < 0.001). Age- and gender-adjusted Cox regression analyses demonstrated that MPI was a significant predictor of all-cause mortality. MPI showed a significant high discriminatory power with an area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.819, 95% CI = 0.749–0.888 for 1-month mortality, 0.799, 95% CI = 0.738–0.861 for 6-month mortality and 0.770, 95% CI = 0.716–0.824 for 12-month mortality. The MPI, calculated from information collected in a standardized CGA, appeared to be effective in estimating short- and long-term all-cause mortality in older patients hospitalized for TIA.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism, body mass index (BMI), and dyslipidemia and how these factors modify overall mortality in a cohort of hospitalized elderly patients.Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), BMI, and APOE genotype were evaluated in 1,012 hospitalized elderly patients, who were stratified into three groups according to their baseline BMI and APOE allele status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether APOE genotype, BMI, and dyslipidemia are associated with mortality, adjusting for potential confounders. Interaction analysis was also performed.Obese patients have significantly higher levels of TC and LDL-C compared to normal-weight and overweight subjects, for both sexes. APOE ε4 carriers have significantly higher levels of TC and LDL-C compared with ε2 and ε3 carrier both in males and females. Interaction analysis showed that women with TC 180 mg/dL, LDL-C 100 mg/dL, normal weight, and ε3 carrier (odds ratio [OR] = 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-8.60) and men with LDL-C 100 mg/dL, HDL-C 40 mg/dL, and ε3 carrier (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.04-3.74) were at highest risk of mortality.In elderly hospitalized patients, obesity and APOE genotype influence the lipid profile and mortality risk. A significant interaction among BMI, dyslipidemia, and APOE genotype was observed that could identify elderly patients with different risks of mortality.

Summary Background : Although administration of gastroprotective drugs may reduce the risk of peptic ulcers associated with the chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, no consensus exists as to whether this co-therapy is effective for short-term prevention, particularly in old age. Aim : To evaluate the risk of peptic ulcer associated with acute and chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin therapy in elderly subjects, and the influence of antisecretory treatment on this risk. Methods : The study included 676 elderly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin users and 2435 non-users who consecutively underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or aspirin as well as antisecretory drugs (H2-blockers and proton-pump inhibitors) was evaluated by a structured interview. Diagnosis of gastric and duodenal ulcer as well as Helicobacter pylori infection were carried out by endoscopy and histological examination of the gastric mucosa. Results : About 47.3% of patients were acute and 52.7% chronic users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin. The risk of peptic ulcer, adjusted for age, gender, H. pylori infection and antisecretory drug use was higher in acute (gastric ulcer: odds ratio, OR =4.47, 95% CI: 3.19–6.26 and duodenal ulcer: OR =2.39, 95% CI: 1.73–3.31) than chronic users (gastric ulcer: OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.97–3.99 and duodenal ulcer: OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.22–2.33). Proton-pump inhibitor treatment was associated with a reduced risk of peptic ulcer in both acute (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.24–2.04) and chronic (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.67) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/aspirin users. Conversely, concomitant treatment with H2-blockers was associated with a significantly higher risk of peptic ulcer both in acute (OR = 10.9, 95% CI: 3.87–30.9) and chronic (OR = 6.26, 95% CI: 2.56–15.3) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/aspirin users than non-users. Proton-pump inhibitor treatment resulted in an absolute risk reduction of peptic ulcer by 36.6% in acute and 34.6% in chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/aspirin users; indeed, the number needed to treat to avoid one peptic ulcer in elderly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/aspirin users was three both in acute and chronic users. Conclusions : These findings suggest that proton-pump inhibitor co-treatment is advisable in symptomatic elderly patients who need to be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or aspirin for a short period of time.

Background— Multidimensional impairment of older patients may influence the clinical outcome of diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment predicts short-term mortality in older patients with heart failure. Methods and Results— In this prospective study with a 1-month follow-up, 376 patients aged 65 and older with a diagnosis of heart failure were enrolled. A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment that included information on functional (activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living), cognitive (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), and nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment), as well as on risk of pressure sore (Exton-Smith Scale), comorbidities (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale Index), medications, and social support network, was used to calculate the MPI for mortality using a previously validated algorithm. The New York Heart Association, the Enhanced Feedback for Effective Cardiac Treatment, and the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry regression model scores were also calculated. Higher MPI values were significantly associated with higher 30-day mortality, both in men (MPI-1, 2.8%; MPI-2, 15.3%; MPI-3, 47.4%; P =0.000) and women (MPI-1, 0%; MPI-2, 6.5%; MPI-3, 14.6%; P =0.011). The discrimination of the MPI was also good, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (men: 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.90; women: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.89) greater than receiver operating characteristic areas of New York Heart Association (men: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.69; P =0.015; women: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.75; P =0.064), Enhanced Feedback for Effective Cardiac Treatment (men: 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.79; P =0.045; women: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.87; P =0.443), and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry scores (men: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.78; P =0.023; women: 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.83, P =0.171). Conclusions— The MPI, calculated from information collected in a standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment, is useful to estimate the risk of 1-month mortality in older patients with heart failure.

Background and aims: It is not known whether old age influences the clinical outcome of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients admitted to acute internal medicine wards. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of age on the prevalence and clinical features of DVT in patients admitted to acute medical wards in a general hospital. Methods: All patients with a discharge diagnosis of DVT during a 4-year period from 1999 to 2002 were identified. Age, gender, main and secondary diagnoses, diagnostic procedures, and length of stay (LOS) were recorded. The severity index was calculated by the All Patients Refined-Diagnostic Related Groups (APR-DRG) grouper and graded as mild, moderate, severe or extreme. Results: 310 patients with DVT were identified: 163 males and 147 females. Mean age was 62±16 years, with a range of 17–94 years. 174 patients (56%) were over 65 years old (mean age= 74.2±6.2, range 65–94 years) and 136 (44%) were young or adults (mean age= 48.3±12.9, range 17–64 years). The overall prevalence of DVT was 1.51%, with no differences between males and females (1.46 vs 1.56%, p=NS). In elderly subjects, the prevalence of DVT was significantly higher than in young or adult patients (1.7 vs 1.2%, p=0.005) and was more frequently associated with pulmonary embolism (12 vs 7%, p

Introduction. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection on the risk of low-dose aspirin-related gastroduodenal damage and on the efficacy of the prevention therapy in elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin is still controversial. Aim. To evaluate in symptomatic elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin: (1) the association between H. pylori infection and the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal lesions; and (2) the effect of H. pylori infection on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in the prevention of aspirin-related gastroduodenal lesions. Patients and methods. Two hundred and forty-five symptomatic elderly who were taking aspirin 75–300 mg daily, at least during the last 3 months, were evaluated by endoscopy. A structured interview was carried out to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms and the use of proton pump inhibitors. H. pylori infection was diagnosed according to histology and the rapid urease test on gastric biopsies. Results. One hundred and twelve patients were H. pylori -positive and 133 patients were H. pylori -negative. A significantly higher prevalence of peptic ulcers was observed in H. pylori -positive than in H. pylori -negative subjects (36.6% versus 15.8%, P = 0.0002). The use of proton pump inhibitors was associated with a significant decreased risk of peptic ulcer both in H. pylori -positive (absolute risk reduction, ARR = −36.2, 95% confidence interval: −51.2 to −21.3, P H. pylori -negative patients (ARR = −12.6, 95% confidence interval: −23.9 to −1.2, P = 0.03). However, the number of patients who needed to be treated in order to gain a reduction of one peptic ulcer (number needed to treat, NnT) was lower in H. pylori -positive than in H. pylori -negative patients (NnT = 3 versus 8). Conclusions. In symptomatic elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin, H. pylori infection may influence the prevalence of peptic ulcers and the cost-effectiveness of the proton pump inhibitor prevention therapy.

Background and aims: Although the administration of gastroprotective drugs may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin during chronic treatment, no consensus exists as to whether such co-therapy is effective in short-term prevention, particularly in old age. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of bleeding associated with acute and chronic NSAID or aspirin therapy in elderly subjects, and the influence of gastroprotective treatment on such a risk. Methods: The study included 467 elderly NSAID or aspirin users and 1784 non-users, who consecutively underwent upper GI endoscopy. The use of NSAIDs and/or aspirin as well as gastroprotective drugs (misoprostol, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors) was evaluated during a structured interview. Upper GI tract bleeding was diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and endoscopic signs of recent hemorrhage. Results: 54.2% of patients were acute and 45.8% chronic users of NSAIDs or aspirin. The risk of bleeding was higher in acute [odds ratio (OR) 4.14, 95% CI 2.97-5.78] than chronic users (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.1-2.67). The risk of bleeding, adjusted for age, gender, Helicobacter (H) pylori infection, and gastroprotective drug use were 7.87 (CI 4.90-12.60) in acute users and 3.97 (95% CI 2.27-6.96) in chronic users of NSAIDs and/or aspirin. The risk of bleeding was significantly associated with acute but not chronic use of regular-dose aspirin (OR 5.53, 95% CI 2.29-13.3), diclofenac (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.21-8.93), ketorolac (OR 4.81, 95% CI 2.13-10.9), naproxen (OR 14.9, 95% CI 4.23-52.4) or nimesulide (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.2-13.8). Piroxicam increased the risk of bleeding in both acute (OR 5.36, 95% CI 1.94-14.8) and chronic therapy (OR 5.53, 95% CI 1.23-24.9). In acute users, concomitant therapy with proton pump inhibitors reduced the risk of bleeding compared with non-users (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.19-5.65), whereas co-treatment with H2-blockers was associated with a significantly higher risk of bleeding than in non-users (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.28-9.02). Chronic users of NSAIDs or aspirin co-treated with proton pump inhibitors had a lower risk of bleeding (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.21-6.07) than those treated with misoprostol (OR 1.91, 95% CI 0.33-10.9) or H2 blockers (OR 2.26, 95% CI 0.81-6.36). Conclusions: The risk of upper GI bleeding is significantly higher in elderly acute vs chronic users of NSAIDs or regular-dose aspirin. In acute NSAID or aspirin users, co-treatment with proton pump inhibitors, but not with H2-blockers, may reduce the risk of bleeding compared with non-users.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is significantly related to adverse clinical outcomes in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events. In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), data on LVH, that is, prevalence and determinants, are inconsistent mainly because of different definitions and heterogeneity of study populations. We determined echocardiographic-based LVH prevalence and clinical factors independently associated with its development in a prospective cohort of patients with non-valvular (NV) AF. From the "Atrial Fibrillation Registry for Ankle-brachial Index Prevalence Assessment: Collaborative Italian Study" (ARAPACIS) population, 1,184 patients with NVAF (mean age 72 ± 11 years; 56% men) with complete data to define LVH were selected. ARAPACIS is a multicenter, observational, prospective, longitudinal on-going study designed to estimate prevalence of peripheral artery disease in patients with NVAF. We found a high prevalence of LVH (52%) in patients with NVAF. Compared to those without LVH, patients with AF with LVH were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and previous myocardial infarction (MI). A higher prevalence of ankle-brachial index ≤0.90 was seen in patients with LVH (22 vs 17%, p = 0.0392). Patients with LVH were at significantly higher thromboembolic risk, with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 seen in 93% of LVH and in 73% of patients without LVH (p