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Biomedical subjects

M Carreras

Publications and source records attributed to M Carreras.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The combined use of instrumental and laboratory examinations in multiple sclerosis: is the diagnostic facilitation real?].

Spatial-temporal dissemination of neurological signs is an essential criterion for establishing a definite diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Unfortunately, we often observe patients who present a history consistent with MS but without objectivity indicating the presence of at least two or more distinct lesions of Central Nervous System (CNS). In recent years, many Authors have emphasized the use of Multimodal Evoked Responses (MER), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis for the research of Oligoclonal Bands (OB), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as highly sensitive techniques for demonstrating the spreading of the lesions. This study, carried out to evaluate whether the combined use of these three methods would increase the diagnostic MS sensitivity, comprises 62 patients classified in Definite (n = 24). Probable (n = 18) and Possible (n = 20) MS according to the clinical criteria of McAlpine. All our cases fulfilled a complete ER evaluation (VER, SER, BAER), a paired CSF and serum Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and a cerebral MRI. Moreover, IgG Index was also estimated. CSF IEF was the most sensitive test in Definite (91.7%) and Possible (80.0%) MS, nearly followed by MRI (87.5% and 45.0% respectively). VER (87.5% and 60.0%) and SER (87.5% and 65.0%). On the contrary, MRI showed the higher sensitivity in Probable MS (94.4%). The course of the disease influenced only SER and VER in all diagnostic group, while the duration correlated positively with BAER and VER. Only VER and BAER, finally, supplied additional information about the not revealed clinically or by MRI CNS disorders. Thus, our data further emphasize the value of combining these laboratory tests for establishing an early and more accurate diagnosis of MS.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Huntington chorea in the province of Ferrara from 1971 to 1987. Descriptive study].

In the context of a multidisciplinary study program whose purpose is to investigate the genetic aspects of Huntington's Chorea (HC), the authors conducted an epidemiological descriptive research extended to the population residing in the province of Ferrara in a time period including the years from 1971 to 1987. On December 31st, 1987 we estimated a prevalence rate of 1.89 cases of HC per 100,000 inhabitants; in the years 1971-1987 the incidence rate was of 0.11 per 100,000/year and the mortality rate of 0.06 per 100,000/year. In the last years considered for the study, the incidence and the prevalence showed a relative increase indicating that HC still exists in the ferrarese population, despite a greater public awareness. With the aim to organize preventive actions and to reach the preclinical diagnosis of the disease we singled out 83 subjects at risk the study area.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiology of epilepsy in the U.S.L. 34, Copparo, Emilia-Romagna].

Incidence and prevalence investigations on childhood epilepsy, throughout the world, have suggested wide variations in the frequency of convulsive disorders. Also the few studies presently available from Italy mirror such a disagreement. However, these studies cannot be completely comparable owing to a marked methodological dishomogeneity in definition of epilepsy, classification of seizures, and ascertainment, collection, and selection of the cases. Therefore, to verify the true frequency of childhood epilepsy in our country, we performed an epidemiologic study of convulsive disorders in 0-14 age children of the U.S.L. 34 (Copparo, Northern Italy). The prevalence per 1.000 children on October 24, 1981 was 6.14 (6.4 if standardized to the Italian population). The average annual incidence for the period 1964 through 1980 was 95.1 per 100,000 (98.9 if standardized). These results, similar to those found in other Western countries, support the view that the frequency of childhood epilepsy in Italy as a whole is higher than that indicated by previously published Italian studies and furthermore suggest that epilepsy is evenly distributed in Europe and the United States. Antecedents which could be considered potential causes of seizures were found in 40.2% and 43.6% of the incidence and prevalence cases, respectively; for both groups, perinatal brain injuries were the most frequent event. These results point out the urgency of planning precautionary measures in Italy to improve prenatal and perinatal medical care.

Adolescent↗