The Heterogeneity Hidden in Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Co-Existing Asthma in Adults: A Population-Based Survey.

Background: It has been suggested that there is some overlap between allergic rhinitis (AR), sinusitis and polyposis, but this has not been fully documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these co-existing diseases and their impact on bronchial asthma in the general population of Italy.

Methods: Within the frame of the multicentre Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study, a postal screening questionnaire including questions about self-reported symptoms of asthma, AR, AR with sinusitis without nasal polyps (AR + SsNP) and AR with sinusitis with nasal polyps (AR + SwNP) was administered.

Lung function changes from childhood to adolescence: a seven-year follow-up study.

Background: As part of an investigation into the respiratory health in children conducted in Torino, northwestern Italy, our aim was to assess development in lung function from childhood to adolescence, and to assess changes or persistence of asthma symptoms on the change of lung function parameters. Furthermore, the observed lung function data were compared with the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference values.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study, which lasted 7 years, composed by first survey of 4-5 year-old children in 2003 and a follow-up in 2010.

Yield of tuberculosis contact investigation in a low-incidence country.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) contact tracing is a valid public health measure to control the spread of TB infection in low-burden settings. The aim of this study was to assess the yield of the Piedmont TB contact investigation program and to evaluate the role of its main determinants.

Methods: The Piedmont TB notification systems were used to identify index TB cases.

Effect of arterial hypertension on chronic urticaria duration.

Background: Reliable clinical or laboratory markers of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) duration are not available. Angioedema, autologous serum skin test (ASST) results, and antithyroid antibodies have been inconsistently associated with longer urticaria duration.

Objective: To investigate the association of clinical and laboratory parameters with CIU duration, including systemic hypertension, because activation of the coagulation cascade pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of CIU.

Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptoms in adults.

Background: Professional use of hypochlorite (bleach) has been associated with respiratory symptoms. Bleach is capable of inactivating allergens, and there are indications that its domestic use may reduce the risk of allergies in children.

Objective: To study the associations between household use of bleach and atopic sensitization, allergic diseases, and respiratory health status in adults.

Exhaled nitric oxide measurements: correction equation to compare hand-held device to stationary analyzer.

Introduction: Exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) is a reliable non-invasive marker of airway inflammation. In 2003 FE(NO) chemiluminescence analyzer (NIOX; Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden) was approved by U.S.

Reference values of total serum IgE and their significance in the diagnosis of allergy in young European adults.

Allergic sensitization mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the basis of allergic diseases, and elevated total IgE, in spite of some well-known limitations, is frequently included as a diagnostic criterion for allergic diseases. The reference value of total IgE (IgE-t) in the literature (1.5-144 kU/l) was established almost 2 decades ago.

Risk of tuberculin conversion among healthcare workers and the adoption of preventive measures.

Background: In industrialised countries, occupational tuberculosis among healthcare workers (HCWs) is re-emerging as an important public health issue. To prevent and control tuberculosis transmission, several institutions have issued and implemented recommendations and practice guidelines.

Objectives: To estimate the annual rate of tuberculosis infection (ARTI; per 100 person-years) among HCWs in Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region of Italy, to identify factors associated with variations in the ARTI and to evaluate the efficacy of the regional guidelines to prevent and control tuberculosis.

Incidence of asthma and mortality in a cohort of young adults: a 7-year prospective study.

Background: Few longitudinal data exist on the incidence of asthma in young adults and on the overall mortality risk due to asthma. A 7-year follow-up prospective study was performed to assess the incidence of asthma and mortality from all causes in a cohort of young adults.

Methods: The life status of a cohort of 6031 subjects, aged 20-44 years, who replied to a respiratory screening questionnaire between 1991 and 1992, was ascertained in 1999.

The control of asthma in Italy. A multicentre descriptive study on young adults with doctor diagnosed current asthma.

Background: Few data are available on the management of asthma in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of asthma control in Italian patients, a decade after the publication of the international guidelines.

Materials And Methods: Within the framework of a multicentre, population-based study on people aged 20-44 years, 18 873 subjects replied to a postal screening questionnaire (response rate = 72.