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Biomedical subjects

E Granieri

Publications and source records attributed to E Granieri.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

A neurophysiological study on the P300 component of event-related potentials in Hakim-Adams syndrome.

We have explored the variability of P300 event-related potentials in patients affected by Hakim-Adams syndrome, with raised or intermittent intracranial pressure, treated with surgical cerebrospinal fluid shunting. The clinical utility of P300 is confirmed in the light of the improvement of neurophysiological data after the surgical procedure, parallel with amelioration of neuropsychological performances.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Retinal periphlebitis in multiple sclerosis: a marker of disease activity?

This study was performed in order to verify the prevalence of retinal periphlebitis and other ocular changes in a well-defined population of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and to correlate the presence of these features with some clinical variables which characterize the disease. 110 MS-affected subjects were submitted to a standard ophthalmologic examination including a biomicroscopical evaluation of the fundus oculi. The prevalence of retinal sheathing in MS patients was found to be nearly 36%. It is significantly higher in patients evaluated in an active phase of the disease than in those examined in a stationary phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Mortality study on multiple sclerosis in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy, 1968 through 1989.

A mortality study on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was carried out in the province of Ferrara, Northern Italy, over the years from 1968 to 1989 (mean population 382,379 inhabitants) to outline the temporal trend of the disease in the residing population that can be regarded as a representative sample of the caucasians of Northern Italy. Given the difficulties in performing retrospective incidence studies over long time periods, the mortality rate was used as an indirect indicator of MS occurrence. Through a review of mortality tabulations with 340-345 ICD code and an intensive survey of all the MS cases, with successive check of the deceased ones at the general register offices of the study area communes, 56 MS patients who had lived and died in the province of Ferrara in the period 1968-1989 were selected with an average crude death rate of 0.67 per 100,000 per year (95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.87), 0.55 per 100,000 if adjusted to the Italian population. The death rate was stable over the considered time period with only a slight but insignificant increase in the last years of the survey. No differences were found among the rates from the 5 Local Health Units (USLs) in which the study territory is subdivided. The highest age-specific death rates were in the fifth and sixth decade of life and the average duration was 21.17 +/- 11.05 years. The results are consistent with a relatively stable MS risk in the population of the province of Ferrara and a homogeneous occurrence of the disease in the study territory.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with neurological disorders.

Six patients are described who developed a wide variety of neurological manifestations heralding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which included epileptic seizures, stroke, peripheral polyradiculoneuropathy similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelopathy and multifocal disorders with remitting course mimicking multiple sclerosis. The peculiarity of these cases was that the neurological disorders remained the only manifestations of SLE for many years and the nervous system appeared to be the main target even after the development of systemic SLE. In five patients the prognosis was favourable and corticosteroid treatment led to prolonged remission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

T-cell phenotypic profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients.

Thirty-nine patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) entered the study. Of 28 subjects with a relapsing-remitting course, 19 were classified in acute relapse, 9 in remission; 11 patients had a progressive course without remissions. Furthermore, 6 subjects with inflammatory neurological disease (IND), and 10 with non-inflammatory and non-neoplastic neurological disease (NIND) were investigated. We simultaneously studied cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) T-, B- and NK-cell subsets, as defined by following monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD3, -CD4, -CD8, -CD19, -CD16, -HLA-DR and -IL-2-R. We found a significant increase of CD4+ T-cells compared with controls in CSF, with respect to PB, of MS patients, particularly in acute relapse. An increase of HLA-DR+ cell percentages in the CSF than in the PB in all MS groups, especially in attacks of MS but also in remission, was also observed, with a positive correlation between CD4+ T-cell and DR+ cell percentages both in the CSF as well as in the PB of relapsing MS patients. These findings, together with the increase of IL-2-R+ cells in the PB, particularly in relapsing MS, give further support for the presence of a systemic T-cell activation in MS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Parkinson's disease in Ferrara, Italy, 1967 through 1987.

Epidemiological surveys on Parkinson's disease that have been carried out in different parts of the world have suggested that the disease is uniformly distributed in white populations. The position with regard to the Mediterranean peoples is still controversial, because of the large variation of the frequencies observed in the different areas that have been investigated. We therefore studied the frequency of Parkinson's disease in the Local Health Service of Ferrara, northeastern Italy (mean population, 187,000). Based on 394 patients, the mean incidence per year for the period from 1967 through 1987 was 10.01/100,000. The incidence rate of Parkinson's disease among cases with early onset was found to be statistically higher in rural areas as compared with urban ones (6.32/100,000 vs 3.11/100,000). Moreover, the study revealed a significantly higher incidence rate among agricultural workers (20.6/100,000). These results would seem to give further support to the hypothesis of a possible causal role of environmental factors that are mainly linked to agriculture, most likely due to the continual exposure to toxic agents in this area. However, further studies, which are not exclusively epidemiological, are necessary before any conclusions may be drawn, because many confounding variables may account for the results from surveys of this type.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparative study on the prevalence of myasthenia gravis in the provinces of Bologna and Ferrara, Italy.

This cooperative study was performed in the provinces of Bologna and Ferrara to estimate the prevalence rate of Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Two independent groups used the same case collection method and diagnostic criteria. The study was performed from January 1, 1987 to March 1, 1988. Cases were collected through: 1) review of clinical files from neurology clinics in Bologna and Ferrara, and from the main North-Italian centers for MG (neurology clinics of Milan and Turin; thoracic surgery unit, Turin); 2) thoracic surgery and intensive care units in Bologna and Ferrara; 3) physicians prescribing anticholinesterase drugs. Prevalence rates of generalized MG per million population were 60.9 in the city and 41.0 in the remaining province for Bologna and 118.9 in the city and 87.9 in the remaining province for Ferrara. The difference in prevalence rates between the two areas was statistically significant. Our survey shows that prevalence studies on MG may be biased by factors that cannot be controlled and that most previous studies have probably underestimated the prevalence of MG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Incidence of the Guillain-Barré syndrome in Ferrara, northern Italy, 1981-1987.

The few incidence estimates on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Italy indicate rates lower than the values provided by other previous non-Italian population-based studies. The latter range from 0.6 to 1.9 cases per 100,000 population per year. To verify whether Italy may be considered a low-risk area for GBS we studied the incidence of the disease in Local Health Unit No. 31 (USL 31) of Ferrara, Northern Italy (mean population 180,701 inhabitants) for the years 1981-1987. The annual incidence rates were stable during this period with an average incidence of 1.26 cases per 100,000 population per year. No significant difference was found for urban or rural residence and there was no significant seasonal clustering. In 37.5% of the series an antecedent infection was recorded within 4 weeks before GBS onset. The survey seems to support the hypothesis of a homogeneous distribution of GBS in space and time and does not support the notion that GBS is less common in Italy than elsewhere.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Ganglioside therapy and Guillain-Barré syndrome. A historical cohort study in Ferrara, Italy, fails to demonstrate an association.

We investigated an alleged association between ganglioside therapy and the risk of developing the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in a historical cohort study. Using official medical records of the Local Health Unit No. 31 of Ferrara Province, northern Italy, we linked data on sales of gangliosides with information regarding hospital admissions and discharge diagnoses between January 1, 1988, and May 31, 1990. The number of incidence cases of GBS observed within 30 days of gangliosides administration in a cohort of 13,373 treated subjects (0.0 cases) was not significantly different from that expected in the general population (0.014). Our study suggests that patients receiving gangliosides are not at increased risk of developing GBS. However, because of sample size limitations, these findings should be confirmed in a larger cohort study.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1990

Nutrition and the older adult.

The surge in interest in aging research has led to a growing awareness of the importance of adequate nutritional status in the elderly. This paper highlights the current state of our knowledge of nutrition in the older adult with regard to age-related alterations in nutritional status, the effects of altered nutritional status on the general well-being of the elderly, and the contributions of alcohol and drugs to altered nutritional status. Nutritional assessment techniques used for the elderly and directions for future research are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiologic approach to Huntington's disease in northern Italy (Ferrara area).

As part of a multidisciplinary study program, an epidemiological descriptive survey was carried out in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy. The temporal trend of Huntington chorea (HC) in the last century (1871-1987) was determined in the study area, and the patients and subjects at risk were identified with the aim of creating genetic advisory councils offering preventive interventions to eliminate the disease. The final study population consisted of 10 unrelated families with HC and 47 HC cases who lived in the province of Ferrara in the survey period. The estimate of the prevalence rate varied over the time period considered between 3.09 and 0.36 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The temporal trend was characterized by increasing and decreasing phases, reflecting the incidence (varying between 0.20 and 0.00 annual cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and mortality (varying between 0.21 and 0.00 annual deaths per 100,000 inhabitants) rates. This trend shows that the frequency of HC in the study area was not stable. It was characterized by a cyclic course with a period of about 50 years. In the recent decades of the study, the incidence and the prevalence rates showed a relative increase. Thus, HC persists in the Ferrara population despite a greater public awareness and the recent lower birth rate. A new peak of prevalence is likely in the near future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in Italy. A descriptive survey in the U.S.L. of Cento, province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna.

In order to verify the epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in northern-Italy, we carried out a descriptive study in the Local Health Service No. 30 of Cento, Emilia-Romagna. Based on 73 accepted cases, the prevalence rate on December 31, 1987, was 190.3 per 100,000 population. No significant difference was reported between the two sexes. The highest rates were observed in the age groups over 60 years. Our data indicate that the risk of Parkinson's disease in northern-Italy is similar to that observed in other Caucasian populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Primary CNS lymphoma in AIDS. A clinical and pathological case report.

A case is reported of a primary central nervous system lymphoma in a heterosexual patient affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Because of the rarity and the aggressive diagnostic procedures, pre-mortem diagnosis is seldom established. This radiosensitive tumor, however, often contains monoclonal immunoglobulin productive cells and shows, at CT-scan, a multicentric arrangement. On this basis, a careful analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid and CT-scan may offer a possible mean of earlier diagnosis and improve the survival of these patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in the province of Ferrara, Italy.

The only prevalence rate of myasthenia gravis (MG) so far estimated in Italy by an epidemiological study carried out in Pavia, North Italy, indicates a prevalence quite similar to that observed in other countries. The purpose of the survey was to verify the frequency of the disease in a geographically well-defined and previously surveyed community. On the basis of 39 cases, on 31 December 1987 the prevalence per million was 105.3 (102.3 if standardized for the Italian population). This is the highest prevalence figure yet found, indicating a value similar to that established in Northern Europe. According to Kurtzke this high prevalence rate reflects the high standard of the local public health service, which permitted a more intensive search for affected subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Motor neuron disease in the province of Ferrara, Italy, in 1964-1982.

We carried out an intensive incidence, prevalence, and mortality survey of motor neuron disease (MND) in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy. Based on 72 patients, the mean incidence per year for the period 1964 through 1982 was 0.98 cases per 100,000. On December 31, 1981, the prevalence rate was 3.95 per 100,000. In the 19-year period the average mortality rate was 0.83 per 100,000 per year. The disease was more common in men, in individuals aged 50 to 70 years, and in residents in rural areas engaged in agricultural work. A retrospective case-control study, confirming a significantly higher frequency of MND in farmers and persons living in rural areas, revealed that the disease was more common in the lower social classes to which most unskilled and heavy laborers belong. In addition, a significantly increased risk for MND was found in patients with previous histories of trauma, but confounding variables may account for this association.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the Republic of San Marino.

A prevalence survey on Parkinson's disease (PD) was performed in the Republic of San Marino, which is the smallest independent state in the world, and is located near the Adriatic coast, within Italy. On April 30, 1986, it had a population of 22,322. We found 34 cases of PD (17 men, 17 women). Crude prevalence ratio per 100,000 population was 152 (154 for men, 150 for women) with an age-adjusted ratio of 185 (both sexes). This study shows that the prevalence of PD in the Mediterranean area of South Europe is similar to that in North Europe and the United States.

Age Factors↗