Variables associated with joint involvement and development of a prediction rule for arthritis in patients with psoriasis. An analysis of the Italian PsoReal database.

Background: Limited data exist to predict the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis (PsO).

Objective: To analyze factors associated with incident PsA in patients with PsO, and to develop a predictive algorithm for progression to arthritis using a full set of variables and a restricted one applicable to administrative data.

Methods: Cohort study within the PsoReal registry in Italy.

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of biologic agents for the management of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis in anti-TNF inadequate responders in Italy: a modelling approach.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cost-effectiveness of different biologic strategies in patients with moderate-to-severe active RA after an insufficient response to anti-TNF agents within the context of the Italian healthcare system.

Methods: Simulation models were developed allowing for potential biologic therapy switch at each 6-month time point in case of an insufficient response to the previous biologic agent. Biologic treatments included etanercept, abatacept, adalimumab, rituximab or infliximab.

The effect of pioglitazone as add-on therapy to metformin or sulphonylurea compared to a fixed-dose combination of metformin and glibenclamide on diabetic dyslipidaemia.

Background And Aims: Diabetic dyslipidaemia contributes to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. This paper examines the effectiveness of adding pioglitazone to metformin or a sulphonylurea (SU) compared with a fixed-dose combination of metformin and glibenclamide on diabetic dyslipidaemia in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods And Results: Patients (n=250) treated with metformin (< or =3g/day) or an SU as monotherapy at a stable dose for > or =3 months were randomised to receive either pioglitazone (15-30 mg/day) in addition to their metformin or SU, or a fixed-dose combination tablet containing metformin (400mg) and glibenclamide (2.

Effects of pioglitazone in combination with metformin or a sulfonylurea compared to a fixed-dose combination of metformin and glibenclamide in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of co-administration of pioglitazone with metformin or a sulfonylurea (SU), with a fixed-dose combination of metformin and glibenclamide on glycemic control and beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Patients (n = 250) treated with metformin (3 months and with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) between 7.5% and 11% inclusive were randomized to receive either pioglitazone (15-30 mg/day) as add-on therapy to metformin or an SU or a fixed-dose combination of metformin (400 mg) and glibenclamide (2.

A multicenter pharmacokinetic study of the B-domain deleted recombinant factor VIII concentrate using different assays and standards.

When the one-stage clotting assay is used in comparison with the chromogenic and immunological assays, plasma levels of factor (F)VIII are underestimated by 40-50% after infusion of B-domain deleted recombinant FVIII (BDD-rFVIII) in patients with hemophilia. A possible way to counteract the underestimation of FVIII levels by the one-stage assay is the adoption of a recombinant FVIII reference standard instead of a plasma standard. To evaluate the usefulness of such a standard [ReFacto Laboratory Standard (RLS)], the pharmacokinetic parameters of a single dose of BDD-rFVIII (25 U kg(-1)) were evaluated in a multicenter study carried out in 18 patients with severe hemophilia A.

Smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements as possible indicators of nighttime sleepiness.

Sleepiness is associated with specific variations of spontaneous oculomotor activity. During nocturnal sleep onset periods and also during the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) a reduction of both rapid eye movements and blinks are recorded. In many operational contexts it might be even more relevant to assess whether and to what extent voluntary visual ocular control is affected by sleepiness due to sleep deprivation and time-of-day effects.

Sleep and alertness during alternating monophasic and polyphasic rest-activity cycles.

People involved in shift work often have to face altered patterns of sleep and wakefulness. This is particularly true for schedules involving night shifts and/or fragmentation of duty periods throughout the 24-hr day. In such conditions, it can be difficult to obtain satisfactory periods of sleep, and sleepiness on duty is a frequent and dangerous occurrence.

Sleepiness, alertness and performance during a laboratory simulation of an acute shift of the wake-sleep cycle.

Monitoring the presence of sleepiness on the job and its effects on performance is of primary importance for improving schedule systems of shiftworkers. Shiftworkers, often involved in night-time operations and irregular work schedules, frequently complain of nocturnal sleepiness especially in conditions of abrupt shift of the wake-sleep cycle. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of a laboratory simulation of acute night-shift changes on sleepiness, vigilance and performance, using Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, Multiple Sleep Latency Test and three pencil and paper tests: Digit Symbol Substitution Test, 'Deux Barrages' Test and a 3-Letter Cancellation Task.

Acutely shifting the sleep-wake cycle: nighttime sleepiness after diurnal administration of temazepam or placebo.

Hypothesis: Sleepiness on the job is a common problem suffered by people involved in night shift work, especially in conditions of abrupt reversal of the sleep-wake cycle, such as emergencies and combat air operations. It is well known that sleepiness can severely affect alertness and performance. One of the most useful countermeasures is to take a prophylactic nap before working at irregular hours.

Performance, ability to stay awake, and tendency to fall asleep during the night after a diurnal sleep with temazepam or placebo.

Sleep loss and increased sleepiness on the job are among the most prevalent problems encountered by people involved in night shift work, especially in cases of abrupt shift of the wake-sleep cycle. In such conditions, detrimental effects on performance are well documented. In these situations, to avoid decrements of performance at night, one possibility is to use hypnotics for improving the quality and quantity of daytime sleep.

Mortality rates for parkinsonism in Italy (1969 to 1987).

Parkinsonism death rates in Italy were analysed for the period 1969-1987. Crude death rates increased markedly in the above period for both sexes. Age-specific rates underwent important changes during these twenty years.

Mortality rates for Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in Italy (1969-1987).

The mortality rates (MRs) for Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonism were analyzed for the period 1969-1987 in Italy, considering the population aged greater than or equal to 25. MRs were then age-adjusted taking the 1981 Italian population as standard. We found an increase in MRs for PD during the period studied.

Relations between on-off phenomena and cognitive functions in Parkinson disease.

10 patients with Parkinson disease on long term levodopa therapy and with fluctuations in motor performance unrelated to drug administration (on-off phenomena) were assessed on the following neuropsychological tests during the on and off phases: tests of attention (Toulouse-Pieron), memory (Digit Span, Rey forms 1 and 2), psychomotor capacity (maze test, single and multiple choice reaction times) and mood (Maudley Adjective Check List). The extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed on the Webster Rating Scale. We found no significant differences in attention, cognitive performance or mood between the on and off phases despite large fluctuations in motor performance.