The Particular Story of Italians' Relation with Alcohol: Trends in Individuals' Consumption by Age and Beverage Type

SARS-CoV-2 Infection among the Dental Staff from Lombardy Region, Italy

Dentists have been supposed to be among the healthcare workers at greatest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, scant data are available on the issue. The aim of this study is to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and determinants in a sample of dentists, dental hygienists, and other personnel employed among the dental staff in Lombardy region. We used an accurate rapid diagnostic test kit detecting immunoglobulins (Ig) in 504 adults. Of the 499 participants who obtained a valid antibody test, 54 (10.8%) had a SARS-CoV-2 positive test (0.4% IgM+, 1.8% both IgM+ and IgG+, and 8.6% IgG+). A statistically significant association with infection was found for geographic area (compared to Milan, adjusted odds ratio was 2.79, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.01–7.68 for eastern and 2.82, 95% CI: 1.34–5.94, for southern Lombardy). The clinical staff did not result positive to SARS-CoV-2 more frequently than the administrative staff. This is the first study using antibody test in the dental staff personnel. It shows that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lombardy region was around 10%, in line with estimates on other healthcare professionals. Despite the close physical contact with the patient, dentists have been able to scrupulously manage and effectively use protective devices.

Low back pain among Italian runners: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Low Back Pain (LBP) is commonly reported as a very frequent disorder in sports, but its prevalence in runners remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of LBP in a wide sample of Italian runners.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey.

SETTING

A national survey, according to the CHERRIES and STROBE guidelines, was performed in 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

2539 Italian runners.

METHODS

A sample of Italian runners registered with national running associations was recruited. The survey was conducted using an online survey development platform. The questionnaire was self-reported and included 38 questions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used to analyze results. Relationships between demographics, daily habits and running characteristics and the responses given was calculated with Cramer's V. Only correlation values higher >0.60 were deemed of interest.

RESULTS

2539 questionnaires (63.5%) were valid for analysis. In total, 22.6% of runners reported having experienced LBP in the past year. Most participants (77.0%) reporting episodes of LBP believed it was not caused by running. No significant correlations (Cramer's V < 0.60) were found between LBP and demographics, training characteristics or lifestyle habits.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LBP among Italian runners was 22,57%. LBP was not associated with training, equipment or lifestyle.

Age-independent increasing prevalence of Human Papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal carcinomas in North-East Italy

HPV-driven oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs) show geographical variations with increasing temporal trends in several areas. We investigated their frequency and clinical outcomes within a prospective multicenter cohort study in North-East Italy. A tumor was defined as HPV-driven by using at least two different biomarkers, usually HPV-DNA positivity and p16^INK4A overexpression. Different survival outcomes were compared among patients with HPV-driven and non-HPV-driven tumors. Overall, 42/130 (32.3%) patients with newly diagnosed OPC during the period 2000–2018 resulted HPV-driven; HPV16 was involved in 37 cases (88%), HPV33 in 3 cases (7%), HPV58 and HPV18 in 1 case each. Over time, HPV-driven cases raised from 16.7% (6/36) during 2000–2006 to 46.1% (24/52) during 2013–2018 (p < 0.001). The increase in HPV-driven OPCs was more marked in females than males (p = 0.010), and the frequency of HPV-driven cases was similar in the different age groups. In comparison to cases with non-HPV-driven tumors, a significantly (p < 0.001) better progression-free and overall survival were recorded among patients affected by HPV-driven OPC. The prevalence of HPV-driven OPC cases has been significantly increasing during the last two decades also in North-East Italy and was associated with favorable outcome. OPCs driven by non-HPV16 oncogenic types were restricted to patients older than 68-yrs.

Trends and Correlates of High-Risk Alcohol Consumption and Types of Alcoholic Beverages in Middle-Aged Korean Adults: Results From the HEXA-G Study

Background

We aimed to report the prevalence and correlates of high-risk alcohol consumption and types of alcoholic beverages.

Methods

The baseline data of the Health Examinees-Gem (HEXA-G) study participants, including 43,927 men and 85,897 women enrolled from 2005 through 2013, were used for analysis. Joinpoint regression was performed to estimate trends in the age-standardized prevalence of alcohol consumption. Associations of demographic and behavioral factors, perceived health-related effects, social relationships, and the diagnostic history of diseases with alcohol consumption were assessed using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of alcohol consumption remained higher in men during the study period and increased in women. The amount of alcohol consumed has increased in women, especially that from beer and makgeolli, a traditional Korean fermented rice wine. Older participants were less likely to be high-risk drinkers (men and women who drink more than 40 or 20 g/day of alcohol, respectively) and drink Soju, a distilled liquor, and beer, and more likely to drink makgeolli. Educational level was negatively associated with high-risk drinking. However, it was positively associated with the consumption of strong spirits and wine. Smoking was associated with high-risk drinking and the consumption of soju and strong spirits. Engaging in regular exercise and having stress were associated with drinking all types of beverages except for soju.

Conclusions

Sex-specific trends in alcohol consumption were influenced by demographic, behavioral, and perceived health-related factors. The findings will help improve the understanding of alcohol-related problems and provide evidence for establishing country-specific policies and campaigns in Korea.

Time trends in first hospitalization for heart failure in a community-based population

BACKGROUND

This study aims to assess time trends in first hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in a community-based population over the period from 1977 to 2014.

METHODS

Population-based cohort study using resources from the "Martignacco project" started in 1977 and promoted by the WHO. Three thousand and sixty-six subjects were involved in the project with follow-up through December 2014. Estimates were made for age-specific incidence rates for the first hospitalization for HF by birth cohort, calendar period, and gender. To disentangle the effects of age, calendar period, and birth cohort on the overall temporal trend in HF, we performed an age-period-cohort (APC) analysis.

RESULTS

An incident hospitalization for HF was reported for 427 subjects. In the APC model, a cohort effect with a turning point in 1930 was observed. After 1930, a sharp decrease in the rate ratios (RRs) occurred in among both genders. The estimated RR in the 1940 birth cohort decreased to 0.43, (95% CI 0.19-0.92), in men and to 0.45, (95% CI 0.16-1.26), in women. A residual effect of calendar period on RR was observed with a plateau in 1995 for women and in 2000 for men, followed by a decline.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings showed that HF hospitalization incidence has declined over the period considered in subjects over 65 years living in a geographically defined community in Northeast Italy. Moreover, the age of birth, calendar period of diagnosis, and birth cohort play an important role in the incidence of the first hospitalization for HF.

Adolescents drink less: How, who and why? A review of the recent research literature

ISSUES

Today's teenagers have been described as a sober generation and we asked: 'What is known about the recent decline in youth drinking?'

APPROACH

A literature review (2005-2017).

KEY FINDINGS

Research from wealthier parts of the world provides solid evidence of less alcohol use by youth since the millennium shift. Some studies show that this is reflected at all levels of consumption, but there are also indications that the heaviest drinkers have not reduced their drinking. The decrease is predominately seen in underage youth, and has been larger for boys than for girls in several countries. Teenagers across social strata drink less, but some disadvantaged subgroups have not followed the downward trend. Underage drinkers have apparently not become a more deviant group as the prevalence of drinking has dropped, indicating no hardening of the group. The major gap in the literature pertains to the issue of underlying driving forces. We found no evidence in support of the widespread assumption that the digital revolution has been of importance. A decline in parenting practices that are conductive to underage drinking has occurred in several countries, but studies examining whether these changes have contributed to less alcohol use by youth are almost non-existent.

IMPLICATIONS

To inform alcohol policy and prevention, it is imperative to find out why teenage drinking has decreased in a fairly consistent way across numerous countries.

CONCLUSION

Future research into the issue of falling prevalence rates of youth drinking should focus on possible explanatory factors at the population level rather than at the individual level.

Italian Credit Mobility Students Significantly Increase Their Alcohol Intake, Risky Drinking and Related Consequences During the Study Abroad Experience

AIMS

To examine changes in alcohol intake and consequences in Italian students studying abroad.

METHODS

Italian exchange students planning to study abroad were invited to report on their drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences before and after their time abroad.

RESULTS

After excluding those who abstained throughout, data on 121 students were analysed and showed that they tended to consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related negative consequences compared to their pre-departure levels.

CONCLUSION

The added alcohol risk of study abroad for Italian students merits consideration of possible opportunities for intervention.