Incidence rates of in-hospital carpal tunnel syndrome in the general population and possible associations with marital status.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a socially relevant condition associated with biomechanical risk factors. We evaluated age-sex-specific incidence rates of in-hospital cases of CTS in central/northern Italy and explored relations with marital status.

Methods: Seven regions were considered (overall population, 14.

[Socio-economic status and family profile indicators: methodological issues in studying the burden of caregiving for terminally ill cancer patients].

Introduction: The quality of care received by terminally ill cancer patients depends heavily on socio-economic conditions and family resources, especially because of the current increase in home care assistance.

Objective: To validate the demographic information on educational level which is recorded in the registries of residents in Italian towns; to compare simple indicators of socio-economic status and family profiles with composite indicators in their ability to predict the economic and social impact of the disease.

Design: A two-level probabilistic sample of cancer deaths from the Italian Survey on Dying Of Cancer.

Dying of cancer in Italy: impact on family and caregiver. The Italian Survey of Dying of Cancer.

Objective: To describe the effect of terminal cancer on the patient's family, finances and daily life.

Methods: A cluster sample of 2000 adults (> or = 18 years old) who had died from cancer, and who were representative of Italy, was studied. 1900 caregivers were identified and 68% responded to a post-bereavement survey.

[Epidemiology of falls among the elderly].

Introduction: Falls among the elderly have important physical and psychological consequences. Interventions of proven effectiveness exist at individual and population level for their prevention. Studies conducted in other countries have estimated the prevalence and identified the health and environmental risk factors associated with falls, while in Italy, the information available is limited to elderly living in protected residences.