Epidemiology and geographical variation of myasthenia gravis in the province of Pavia, Italy.

Background And Aims: Previous studies have reported a prevalence estimate of myasthenia gravis (MG) from 7.7 to 11.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe.

Type or extension of intestinal metaplasia and immature/atypical "indefinite-for-dysplasia" lesions as predictors of gastric neoplasia.

At present, no information exists on the neoplastic potential of the immature hyperproliferative and atypical lesions of the gastric mucosa, which have been recently labeled "indefinite for dysplasia." In addition, uncertainties still exist concerning the risk contribution of intestinal metaplasia (IM) type and extension, as well as Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, 471 dyspeptic patients showing IM 10% or higher (median, 40; 25th-75th percentile, 20-60) in antral, angulus, or corpus endoscopic biopsies were submitted to repeated examinations (median, 3; 2-5) over 52 (26-85) months of follow-up, during which 44 neoplastic cases were recorded.

Disability and mortality in a cohort of multiple sclerosis patients: a reappraisal.

The aim of the study was to evaluate how the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) had changed over a 15-year period. We compared disability and mortality in a cohort of 83 MS patients hospitalised in the Neurological Institute of Pavia, northern Italy, from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1991, with a similar cohort of 52 patients analysed in the past. After the follow-up, an unfavourable course (death or relevant disability) was observed in 41% of the patients in the new cohort, compared to 63.

[Total and cause-specific mortality trends are analyzed in Pavia Province from 1991 to 2000].

Age-standardized mean two-years mortality rates are compared with those ones of Lombardy region in 1991-1998 period. A decreasing trend of total mortality (-19%) consistent with the regional rates was noticed and a tendency to convergence at the end of the observation period. The reduction is more evident for cardiovascular diseases (-25.

Accuracy of death certificates for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis varies significantly from north to south of Italy: implications for mortality studies.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of death certificates (DCs) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in different parts of Italy. Studies based on DC diagnosis for ALS have shown a reduced mortality comparing northern with southern Italy. These data are in contrast with results from other surveys on the incidence of ALS performed in Italy and other countries.