Biomedical subjects

S Franceschi

Publications and source records attributed to S Franceschi.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Validation of a food-frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes in cancer studies in Italy. Results for specific nutrients.

The validity of a 77-item food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for a multicenter case-control study on diet and cancer in Italy was assessed. Trained interviewers administered the same FFQ to 452 volunteers from three Italian provinces (Pordenone, Genoa, and Forli) completed in two different seasons, at an interval of 3 to 10 months. For 395 (130 males, 265 females; median age = 52 years; range = 35 to 69 years) volunteers, two 7-day dietary (7-DD) records were available. Average intake obtained by means of the FFQ was overestimated by approximately 18% in comparison with the corresponding values based on the two 7-DD records (reference method). Pearson partial correlation coefficients, adjusted for total energy intake between the nutrient intakes assessed by the FFQ and reference method, ranged from 0.19 for vegetable fat to 0.64 for sugar (median value r = 0.46). The unadjusted deattenuated coefficients, which took into account the interindividual variability of consumption, estimated by means of the two 7-DD records, ranged from 0.29 for vegetable fat to 0.72 for starch (median value r = 0.54). The proportion of subjects correctly classified within the lowest two quintiles ranged between 59% for vegetable fat and vitamin E, and 96% for alcohol, and those correctly classified within the highest two quintiles ranged between 44% for vegetable fat and 94% for alcohol. The average proportion of subjects correctly classified within one quintile was 73%. These data indicate that this FFQ provides valid estimates of intakes for major nutrients, comparable to those reported from other studies in North America and other European countries.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Trends in survival from cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in Scotland: a clue as to why the disease is becoming more common?

Data were examined to determine trends in survival from cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in Scotland between 1968 and 1987, and to analyse survival rates and the previously noted increases in the incidence of such cancers according to the level of social deprivation. Incidence data on oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer and survival rates following diagnosis were obtained from the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency for the National Health Service in Scotland, covering the period 1968-92. It was found that survival rates for cancers of the tongue, mouth and pharynx diagnosed among persons less than 65 years of age decreased between 1968-72 and 1983-87. Five year relative survival rates fell from 47% to 39% over this period, while the equivalent rates among persons older than 65 years have shown a modest improvement from 34% to 38%. When considered by level of social deprivation, survival is lower among persons from the most deprived areas, and it is among such persons that the recent increases in occurrence of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx have primarily occurred. The poorer survival among those from more socially deprived areas, and the evidence that the largest increase in incidence has occurred in such areas may to some extent explain the non-favourable trends in mortality. More importantly it emphasises the potential benefits of targeting such a population for oral health information. An educational campaign should include both information on the risk factors for developing oral cancer, and also the importance of seeking an early professional consultation in the case of symptoms.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy and the risk of colorectal cancer.

The relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs), menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of colorectal cancer was investigated in a case-control study conducted in northern Italy between 1985 and 1992 on 709 women with incident colorectal cancer and 992 controls admitted to hospital for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic, non-digestive tract, non-hormone-related disorders. A reduced risk of colorectal cancer was observed in women who had ever used OCs [multivariate odds ratio (OR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36-0.92]. The OR was 0.52 (95% CI 0.27-1.02) for use over 2 years. For women ever using HRT, the multivariate OR was 0.40 (95% CI 0.25-0.66). The risk was inversely related to duration of use, with ORs of 0.46 for 2 years or less and 0.25 for more than 2 years of use. No consistent pattern of trends was observed with time since first or last use. This study provides further evidence that OC and HRT do not increase, and possibly decrease, the risk of colorectal cancer. These results, if confirmed, would have important implications for the ultimate risk-benefit assessment of female hormone preparations.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The multicentre south European study 'Helios'. I: Skin characteristics and sunburns in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

The aim of this study was to investigate constitutional and environmental determinants of non-melanocytic skin cancer among different populations from south Europe. Between 1989 and 1993 we interviewed incident cases and a random population sample of controls from five centres where a cancer registry was operating, whereas we selected a sample of hospital-based cases and controls from three other centres. Controls were stratified according to the age and sex distribution of cases. In all, 1549 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 228 of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 1795 controls were interviewed. Both cancers affected primarily sun-exposed sites such as face, head and neck, but the prevalence of BCC on the trunk was higher than for SCC. Pigmentary traits such as hair and eye colour as well as tendency to sunburn were strong and independent indicators of risk for both BCC and SCC. In SCC, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 1.6 for fair hair colour to 12.5 for red hair. Light-blonde hair entailed a risk of about 2 for BCC. Pale eye colour was associated with a risk of 1.8 for SCC and 1.4 for BCC. Subjects who always burn and never tan showed an adjusted OR of 2.7 for BCC and 2.0 for SCC. A history of sunburns and a young age at first sunburn were associated with an increased risk for BCC only (OR 1.7). Pigmentary traits and sun sensitivity of the skin confirmed their role as risk indicators. The effect of sunburns, as an indicator of both exposure and sun sensitivity of the skin, is less clear. Nevertheless, its association with BCC suggests, by analogy with melanoma, a relationship with intense sun exposure. Conversely, SCC would require prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

The multicentre south European study 'Helios'. II: Different sun exposure patterns in the aetiology of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

The role of sun exposure in development of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas among different populations from south Europe was investigated. Between 1989 and 1993 we interviewed incident cases and a random population sample of controls from five centres where a cancer registry was operating, whereas we selected a sample of hospital-based cases and controls from the other three centres. We gathered information on life-long exposure to sunlight during different activities. Results are analysed for 1549 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases and 228 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases compared with 1795 controls. We observed a statistically significant increase of risk of SCC with increasing sun exposure beyond a threshold of 70,000 cumulated hours of exposure in a lifetime. Sun exposures during work and holidays were, however, inversely correlated. Odds ratios (ORs) of SCC were up to eight or nine times the reference for the highest exposures (200,000 cumulated hours or more). BCC exhibited a 2-fold increase of risk for lower exposure (8000-10,000 cumulated hours in a lifetime) with a plateau and a slight decrease of risk for the highest exposures (100,000 cumulated hours or more). Outdoor work showed a significantly increased risk of SCC (OR 1.6 for more than 54,000 cumulated hours of exposure in a lifetime), whereas recreational activities such as sun exposure during holidays at the beach (OR 1.6 for more than 2600 cumulated hours of exposure in a lifetime) or during water sports (OR 1.6 for more than 2600 cumulated hours of exposure in a lifetime) were associated with an increased risk of BCC. Risk patterns were different in poor or good tanners with a significant risk trend for good tanners, whereas poor tanners were on a plateau of increased risk at any level of exposure. Solar radiation is associated with a risk of BCC even for relatively short periods of exposure such as during holidays and sports, whereas SCC develops later if exposure continues. The skin's ability to tan modulates the risk of BCC; subjects who tan poorly have a steady risk increase, whereas people who tan easily develop cancer only after prolonged exposures.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Incidence of invasive cancers following carcinoma in situ of the cervix.

Women with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the cervix uteri, notified to the population-based Cancer Registry of the Swiss Canton of Vaud between 1974 and 1993, were actively followed up to 31 December 1993 for the occurrence of subsequent invasive neoplasms. Among 2190 incident cases of CIS, followed for a total of 22,225 person-years, 95 metachronous cancers were observed vs 77.9 expected, corresponding to a significant standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.2. Ten cases of invasive cervical cancer were observed vs 3.0 expected (SIR = 3.4, P < 0.01), the excess being larger in the first 10 years since CIS diagnosis. A total of 11 cases of four major tobacco-related sites (lung, mouth or pharynx, oesophagus and urinary bladder) were observed vs 5.1 expected, corresponding to a significant SIR of 2.2. The excess was observed > or = 10 years after CIS diagnosis. There was also an excess of non-melanomatous skin cancers (29 observed, 16.9 expected, SIR = 1.7; P < 0.01), but not of skin melanoma and of any of the other neoplasms considered, including breast and corpus uteri. This population-based study, therefore, finds an excess of invasive cervical cancer in the short term after CIS diagnosis, and a medium- to long-term excess risk of tobacco-related and non-melanomatous skin neoplasms. These findings are discussed in terms of increased surveillance and case ascertainment after CIS, and of potential shared risk factors (tobacco and/or viral infections).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Survival of classic Kaposi's sarcoma and risk of second cancer.

In order to elucidate survival rates and risk of second primary cancer, we assessed 204 patients with histologically confirmed classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) who were identified in 11 Italian population-based cancer registries. One hundred and thirty-nine were men (median age 70 years) and 65 were women (median age 72). One, 5 and 10 year survival rates were 0.92, 0.69 and 0.46 respectively. Median survival was 9.4 years (i.e. not different from the Italian general population of the same sex and age). Survival did not vary according to sex and tumour site (i.e. lower limbs only or other). Eleven second primary cancers, including two lung and two kidney cancers, were reported after KS diagnosis (not different from the expected number).

Age Factors↗

PubMed1996

Anthropometric measures and risk of cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract.

Data from a case-control study on the upper digestive and respiratory tract cancers were analyzed to investigate the relationship with anthropometric measures. The data set included 538 oropharyngeal, 410 esophageal, and 388 laryngeal cancer cases and 2,102 controls in hospital for acute nonneoplastic diseases, unrelated to tobacco or alcohol use, recruited in the same catchment areas as the cases. Lower body weight appeared to be an indicator of oropharyngeal and esophageal cancer and, more moderately, of laryngeal cancer. The multivariate odds ratio (OR) for oropharyngeal cancer was 5.0 for subjects in the lowest compared with the highest quartile of weight. The corresponding ORs were 6.2 for esophageal and 2.2 for laryngeal cancer. When quartiles of body mass index (BMI) were considered, the ORs in the lowest quartile were 4.0 for oropharyngeal, 6.3 for esophageal, and 2.4 for laryngeal cancer. Subjects in the lowest quartile of height had ORs of 2.0 for oropharyngeal, 1.6 for esophageal, and 1.4 for laryngeal cancer. When all the upper digestive and respiratory tract neoplasms were considered together, the OR for subjects with lower BMI who were also current smokers compared with never-smokers with higher BMI was 11.4. The OR was 5.0 for those consuming six or more drinks/day and with low BMI. Although the nature of the association needs to be clarified, these data suggest that leanness may be involved in the process of upper digestive and respiratory tract carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Fertility treatment and risk of breast cancer.

The relationship between fertility treatment and breast cancer was investigated in a multicentric case-control study conducted in Italy on 2569 women with incident, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 2588 control women admitted to hospitals for acute, non-neoplastic, non-hormonal or gynaecological conditions, unrelated to fertility problems. The odds ratio of breast cancer was 1.08 (95% confidence interval 0.8-1.5) in those reporting fertility treatment compared with those who did not receive fertility treatment. Similarly, the odds ratio was 0.60 for women with tubal occlusion, 0.99 for those reporting hormonal imbalances and 1.32 for other/unspecified reasons. There was no consistent pattern of risk according to age at treatment and time since treatment. Women reporting fertility treatment with drug use had an odds ratio of 1.43, while those who did not report drug therapy had an odds ratio of 0.85. None of these odds ratio estimates was significant. Likewise, there was no heterogeneity among strata of parity, menopausal status, education and family history of breast cancer. Thus, our study, while providing reassuring evidence on the relationship between fertility treatment and breast cancer risk, cannot exclude the possibility that the use of specific drugs may be related to breast carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Socioeconomic status, migration and the risk of breast cancer in Italy.

BACKGROUND: High socioeconomic status and migration to a higher risk area have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. To evaluate the occurrence of breast cancer in women of different social class and residential history, we conducted a multicentre case-control study in Italy. METHODS: A total of 2569 cases of incident breast cancer were ascertained in northern, central and southern Italy. The controls were 2588 women admitted for a wide spectrum of acute conditions to the same hospitals where cases had been hospitalized. The effect of socioeconomic variables was evaluated with multiple logistic regression after stratification and adjustment for age, origin, centre, and selected reproductive and dietary factors. RESULTS: Compared to housewives, managers and professionals had a 1.7-fold increased risk, whereas the relative risk was 0.7 and 0.6 respectively in helpers and manual workers. The risk of breast cancer also increased with increasing social level of the husbands's occupation and subjects's number of years of schooling. Women who originated in central and southern Italy, and migrated to northern Italy after age 24, but not those who migrated at a younger age, had a relative risk of 0.6 and 0.7 respectively, compared to lifelong residents in northern Italy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that correlates of sociocultural level and place of origin exert an influence on breast cancer risk which is not accounted for completely by known risk factors (i.e. reproductive and menstrual characteristics and recent dietary habits). Such influence may thus occur early in life.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1996

Validity and reproducibility of alcohol consumption in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The reproducibility and validity of alcohol consumption has not been adequately studied, particularly in mediterranean countries, where alcohol drinking is a widespread habit, especially during meals. METHODS: We compared alcohol consumption measured by two interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) with average intake derived from two 7-day dietary (7-DD) records (the reference method) on 395 volunteers. Different types of alcoholic beverages were considered separately in order to verify the ability of the questionnaire to assess detailed patterns of alcohol intake. RESULTS: A satisfactory level of reproducibility and validity of the pattern of alcohol consumption across different levels and types of alcoholic beverage intake was observed. The reproducibility of wine and total alcohol intake showed correlation coefficients > 0.75 in both sexes. The validity was somewhat higher for wine (around 0.70) than for other alcoholic beverages and total alcohol intake. This is probably accounted for by the more regular pattern of wine consumption during the year as compared to other alcoholic beverages (beer, grappa, etc) which are more strongly influenced by seasonal and daily variations. However, about 30% of abstainers according to FFQ were drinkers by the reference method. The opposite was observed in only 4% of subjects. CONCLUSION: The FFQ is a reliable and valid instrument for collecting alcohol intake in regular drinkers. Lower validity in irregular drinkers may be due to seasonal variation and/or inadequacy of the FFQ to capture irregular patterns of consumption and/or inadequacy of the average of two 7-DD as a reference method. Furthermore, a considerable degree of misclassification was observed between non-drinkers and moderate drinkers.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The influence of body size, smoking, and diet on bone density in pre- and postmenopausal women.

We studied the determinants of low bone mineral density, using data from a population-based screening program of osteoporosis carried out among 1,373 women (age 40-64 years) in the province of Pordenone, Italy, by means of dual photon absorptiometry of the lumbar spine. Menopause had a major effect on bone mineral density. Age had little influence before menopause. In multivariate linear regression analyses, weight was the strongest predictor of bone mineral density in pre- as well as postmenopausal women. After the inclusion in a single model of a term for current weight, weight at ages 12 and 30 years explained some additional variance, whereas high waist-to-hip ratio (an indicator of central adiposity) had no influence. Smoking 15 or more cigarettes per day entailed a small increased risk of osteoporosis, but this effect, independent of weight, appeared to be restricted to premenopausal women. No food or micronutrient that we examined was predictive of bone mineral density, nor was coffee or alcoholic beverage intake.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1996

Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in children and adolescents with AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of, and the characteristics associated with, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in children (0-12 years) and adolescents (13-19 years) at AIDS diagnosis, in Europe and in the United States (US). DESIGN: Comparison of the proportions of KS and NHL at AIDS diagnosis, according to various characteristics, by means of the European Non-Aggregate AIDS Data Set (4400 children and 764 adolescents) and the US AIDS Public Information Data Set (4710 children and 1064 adolescents) updated to June 1993. METHODS: Comparison of data was made using odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Between 0 and 19 years, the proportion of KS at AIDS diagnosis (0.5% in Europe and 0.9% in the US) increased with age, particularly in Europe, and was higher in males than in females. It decreased with time in the US but not in Europe. In the US, black children showed a nearly threefold excess of KS as compared with white children. Adolescents who reported homosexual intercourse with other males had significantly elevated risks of KS, both in Europe (OR, 6.3) and in the US (OR, 21.1). NHL was diagnosed in 0.9% of children in Europe and in 1.5% in the US. The proportion of NHL significantly increased with age (3.1% among adolescents in Europe and 3.0% in the US), and was higher in males than in females. In the US, NHL tended to decline in proportion with all AIDS cases over time and showed a nearly twofold higher frequency in white children. No association emerged between NHL and HIV transmission category. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with incidence rates in the general paediatric population, but at variance with AIDS in adults, NHL turned out to be more common than KS in children and adolescents with AIDS. A strong excess of KS was already present in adolescents who reported homosexual intercourse.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1996

Cigarette smoking and the risk of breast cancer.

The relation between cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk was investigated in a multicentric case-control study conducted in Italy on 2,569 women with incident, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 2,588 control women admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic, non-hormonal, non-gynaecological or smoking-related conditions. Compared with women who had never smoked, current smokers had a multivariate odds ratio (OR) of 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-1.0] and former smokers an OR of 1.14 (5% CI 0.9-1.4), while the OR for ever vs never smokers was 0.93 (95% CI 0.8-1.1). The ORs were 1.02 for < 5 cigarettes per day, 0.99 for 5-14 cigarettes per day, 0.78 for 15-24 cigarettes per day and 1.18 for > or = 25 cigarettes per day. No consistent pattern of risk was observed according to duration of smoking, age at starting and time since starting smoking. Compared with never smokers, former smokers had ORs of 1.45 for < 3 years since stopping smoking, 1.79 for 3-6 years, 1.16 for 7-15 years and 0.74 for > or = 16 years. No heterogeneity emerged across strata of selected covariates. Thus, this study, one of the largest conducted in Europe to date, does not support the presence of any association of practical importance between cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Comparative descriptive epidemiology of oral and oesophageal cancers in Europe.

The two main determinants of oral and oesophageal cancer in Europe are alcohol and tobacco, and the two cancer sites show several similarities in their descriptive epidemiology. This study compares mortality from cancers of the oral cavity and oesophagus in European countries to evaluate similarities and differences. From official death certification numbers and population estimates, we obtained age-standardized rates for all ages and truncated (35-64 years). In most countries, rates for men tended to increase between 1955-59 and 1990-92 for both sites, although the increases were more marked for oral cancer. In the UK and Ireland, however, oral cancer decreased and oesophageal cancer increased, while in Finland and Iceland mortality for both sites decreased. The most striking increases were in Hungary, where the truncated rate in most recent calendar periods reached the highest levels in Europe. In France, rates for both cancers were extremely high: oral cancer increased from 1955-59 to the early 1980s, but started to decline afterwards. Mortality rates were much lower for women than men, and the correlation between the two sites was less marked. An age, period and cohort model, applied to the rates for men in selected European countries, suggested strong cohort effects for both cancers, generally more marked for oral cancer, with substantial increases in the cohorts born after 1920. The mortality rates of cancers of the oral cavity and oesophagus show several analogies, as expected from their relation to tobacco and alcohol; but some discrepancies suggest that other, less well-identified, factors may also influence their rates and trends in Europe.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Tobacco and other risk factors for oesophageal cancer in alcohol non-drinkers.

Information on the aetiology of oesophageal cancer in alcohol non-drinkers will help us to understand and quantitate risk factors for the disease in the absence of alcohol. Out of a total of 316 cases with histologically confirmed incident cancers of the oesophagus, 40 (22 men and 18 women) who described themselves as alcohol non-drinkers were considered. These patients were compared with 151 alcohol non-drinkers (79 men and 72 women) admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic, non-alcohol-, non-smoking-related conditions. The major risk factor for cancer of the oesophagus in non-drinkers was current elevated cigarette smoking: compared with never smokers, the odds ratio (OR) for all current smokers was 3.4 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-8.1]. The OR was 0.8 (95% CI 0.2-3.4) for ex-smokers, 1.3 (95% CI 0.4-4.2) for current smokers of fewer than 20 cigarettes per day and 7.5 (95% CI 2.7-20.4) for current smokers of more than 20 cigarettes per day. Risk also increased with duration of smoking (OR 4.9 for more than 30 years smoking), and in smokers starting the habit when aged 25 or younger (OR 3.9). Few years of education and gastrectomy were also associated with elevated risk, while a high fruit intake was associated with reduced risk (OR 0.6 and 0.4, respectively, for 7-13 and > 13 portions per week compared with < 7). When the combined effect of smoking and fruit intake on the risk of oesophageal cancer was considered, compared with non-smokers eating more than 7 fruit portions per week, the OR for current smokers eating 7 or less fruit portions per week was 7.3. Thus, even in the absence of alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking and a diet poor in fruit are important avoidable risk factors for oesophageal cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Breast size and breast cancer risk.

The relationship between brassière size, as an indicator of breast size, and breast cancer risk was considered in a case--control study conducted between 1991 and 1994 in six Italian centres. Cases were 2,557 women, below age 75, with histologically confirmed breast cancer, and controls were 2,566 women admitted to hospital for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic, non-hormone-related diseases. Odds ratio (ORs) of breast cancer and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from multiple logistic regression equations including terms for study centre and age, as well as main breast cancer risk factors. A slight inverse relationship was observed between breast size and the risk of breast cancer, with an OR of 1.37 (95% CI 1.05-1.80) for the smallest brassière size compared with the largest; the increase in risk disappeared after adjustment for main recognized breast cancer risk factors, with an OR of 1.16 (95% CI 0.87-1.54) for brassière size < or = 1 compared with > or = 5. No significant heterogeneity in risk of breast cancer with breast size was found in strata of age at diagnosis, parity, age at first birth, age at menopause, family history of breast cancer, benign breast disease, ever use of oral contraceptives and/or hormone replacement therapy. Thus, this study, based on large number of caucasian women, provides conclusive evidence of a lack of appreciable association between breast size and breast cancer risk in this Italian population.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Menopause, menstrual and reproductive history, and bone density in northern Italy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between menstrual and reproductive factors and the risk of low bone mineral density (BMD). DESIGN: This was a population based screening programme carried out between 1991 and 1993 among 1373 perimenopausal women in northern Italy by means of dual photon absorptiometry at the lumbar spine. MAIN RESULTS: BMD was strongly related to the age at menopause. In comparison with women reporting menopause below 45 years of age, the odds ratios (OR) of being in the lowest compared with the highest BMD tertile were 0.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3,1.5) and 0.3 (95% CI 0.1,0.8), respectively, in those with menopause at age 45-49 and above 50 years: the trend in risk was significant. Likewise, the risk of being in the lowest tertile increased with years since the menopause. Compared with women who reported they had undergone the menopause less than two years before interview, the OR of being in the lowest BMD tertile were 2.1 (95% CI 1.1,4.3), 2.3 (95% CI 1.1, 5.0), and 5.7 (95% CI 2.5,12.9) respectively in women who reported menopause 2-5, 6-9, and > or = 10 years earlier. The protective effect on bone density of late age at menopause was observed in different strata of years since menopause. Likewise, the increasing risk of a low BMD with increasing years since the menopause was evident in strata of different age at menopause. No relationships were observed between BMD and the age at menarche, characteristics of menstrual cycles, and the duration of menses. Likewise, no association emerged between reproductive history, including parity and age at first pregnancy, and BMD. CONCLUSIONS: In this Italian population the risk of being in the lowest BMD tertile decreased with increasing age at menopause and increased with years since menopause. No relationships emerged between BMD and other menstrual characteristics or reproductive factors.

Adult↗