Assessing the risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetes: a prediction algorithm to sustain the evaluation of NT-proBNP in primary care.

Purpose: Heart failure (HF) is a disease that leads to approximately 300,000 fatalities annually in Europe and 250,000 deaths each year in the United States. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant risk factor for HF, and testing for N-terminal (NT)-pro hormone BNP (NT-proBNP) can aid in early detection of HF in T2DM patients. We therefore developed and validated the HFriskT2DM-HScore, an algorithm to predict the risk of HF in T2DM patients, so guiding NT-proBNP investigation in a primary care setting.

Frailty, comorbidity, and multimorbidity and their relation with medications adherence in primary care older adults.

Purpose: To assess and compare, through a retrospective cohort study, the relationships between frailty, comorbidity, multimorbidity, and levels of adherence to lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs), antihypertensives and antidepressants.

Methods: In a primary care database, we selected a cohort of patients aged 60 or older on December 31, 2022. The date of the first prescription of the aforementioned medications was the study index date.

The assessment of psychosocial distress in hospitalized cancer patients during radio-oncological treatment: a monocentric experience study.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of psychosocial distress among hospitalized patients undergoing radiotherapy to identify opportunities for interventions to enhance patient well-being.

Methods: Between January 2021 and May 2023, 137 hospitalized patients received radiotherapy treatment at the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Fondazione A. Gemelli IRCCS were recruited.

Resilience and spiritual well-being as resources for coping with radiotherapy and surviving in patients with glioblastoma.

Objectives: The primary aims of this multicenter, prospective observational study were to investigate spiritual well-being, resilience, and psychosocial distress in an Italian sample of glioblastoma patients undergoing radiochemotherapy. The secondary aim was to explore the influence of demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics on survival.

Methods: The assessment was conducted only once, within the first week of radiochemotherapy treatment.

Psychological Sequelae of Dog Bites in Children: A Review.

Background/objectives: Although rare in the Western world, dog bites may be lethal or lead to physically severe outcomes. However, little attention is given to their psychological consequences. We aimed to review their psychological consequences in children 1-14 years of age, focusing on the prevalence and nature of psychological disorders, evaluating the impact on future mental health of children and their families, and assessing the effectiveness of preventive interventions and measures.

Pertussis Notification Rate and Tdpa Vaccine/Booster Coverage in Adults: An Opportunity for an Epidemiological Observatory in Primary Care.

: In recent years, Europe has experienced a significant increase in pertussis cases. One reason behind this rise is the decline in diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTap) booster coverage among adults. Currently, Italy lacks a reliable monitoring system to track pertussis infections and vaccine coverage among adults.

Shooting for the STARS: Implementing an Evidence-Based Program to Meet the End of Treatment Needs of Childhood Cancer Survivors and Their Families.

The end of treatment (EOT) is a significant time point along the childhood cancer treatment-survivorship continuum, and is recognized as a time when childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and their families experience significant vulnerability and stress. There is a call by families and healthcare professionals alike for standardized, comprehensive EOT services to successfully navigate through this transition period and better cope with posttreatment medical, physical, and social-emotional issues. A multidisciplinary team of pediatric oncology health care professionals developed and implemented a two-session psychoeducational program to address these EOT needs.

Allies not enemies-creating a more empathetic and uplifting patient experience through technology and art.

Objective: To understand whether art and technology (mainly conversational agents) may help oncology patients to experience a more humanized journey.

Methods: This narrative review encompasses a comprehensive examination of the existing literature in this field by a multicenter, multidisciplinary, and multiprofessional team aiming to analyze the current developments and potential future directions of using art and technology for patient engagement.

Results: We identified three major themes of patient engagement with art and three major themes of patient engagement with technologies.

Perception and knowledge of general practitioners on COPD management according to the GOLD23 document and reimbursement criteria for drugs prescription: an e-Delphi study.

Background: COPD management and therapy have been periodically revised to support a more patient-specific approach. Several concerns remain in primary care, such as the proper choice of initial treatment, medication adherence, and missing values for spirometry investigations. These concerns may be exacerbated by inconsistencies between the GOLD23 report and reimbursement criteria, as per the Italian NOTA99, especially for what concerns the assessment of disease severity and related treatment choice.

Epidemiology and clinical correlates of hidradenitis suppurativa in primary care in Italy.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a persistent skin disorder that is characterized by painful lesions or pus-filled lumps, mostly occurring in areas where the skin flexes. It is a disfiguring condition that significantly reduces the quality of life of those affected. Developing new, effective treatments for HS is crucial, but it is important that it be recognized and diagnosed early, especially in primary care settings.

Supporting vaccine (co)-administration decisions: Development and validation of a tool for assessing the risk of severe outcomes due to lower respiratory tract infections.

Objective: To develop and validate a score to predict the 90-day risk of hospitalization/death in patients with low respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) with the aim to support clinical decision making on vaccine (co)-administration.

Methods: We formed a cohort of patients aged 18 years or older being diagnosed with LRTIs in the period between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2022. Each patient was followed until occurrence of respiratory-related hospitalization/death up to the end of the study period (December 31, 2022).

Development and validation of a predictive score for diagnosing prostate cancer in primary care.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the fifth cause of death in the male population worldwide. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test demonstrated poor accuracy to assess the presence of PCa. Thus, the PSA testing paradigm should be moved from the systematic screening approach to the early identification of men who are harbouring clinically significant disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease Eligible for SGLT2 Inhibitors Through the Integration of Italian Administrative and Primary Care Data.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be successfully treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is), regardless of diabetes. Fondazione Ricerca e Salute's (ReSD) administrative and Health Search's (HSD) primary care databases were combined in the Database Consortium ReS-HS to quantify and describe patients with CKD potentially eligible for SGLT2-Is and assess costs charged to the Italian National Health Service (SSN). Patients aged ≥18 with CKD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min in 2018, without dialysis and/or renal transplantation, were included.

The use of C-reactive protein testing and antibiotic prescribing in Italy: A population-based study in primary care.

Testing serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can help determine whether there is a need for antibiotics and can limit prescribing of antibiotics for illnesses that are likely viral or non-infectious in origin. Using Health Search, an Italian primary care database, we identified all patients, aged 15 years or older, being registered in the period between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2019 and newly diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) or COPD- or asthma-related exacerbations. From the date of these diagnoses, patients were followed up until occurrence of antibiotic prescription (for these indications) up to 31 December 2019.

Coping with modesty during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a multicentric study.

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumour, representing nearly 30% of all new cases in women. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a crucial role in the management of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to assess modesty in patients undergoing RT for breast cancer and take their suggestions and ideas into consideration to enhance the quality of treatment in this regard.

Development and validation of a prediction score to assess the risk of incurring in COPD-related exacerbations: a population-based study in primary care.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most important cause of death in high-income countries. Inappropriate use of COPD inhaled therapy, including the low adherence (only 10 %-40 % of patients reporting an adequate compliance) may shrink or even nullify the proven benefits of these medications. As such, an accurate prediction algorithm to assess at national level the risk of COPD exacerbation might be relevant for general practictioners (GPs) to improve patient's therapy.

Temporal validation of a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) to assess the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Objective: To assess the temporal validity of a model predicting the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) using Generalized Additive Models (GAM).

Materials: We adopted the Italian Health Search Database (HSD) with which the original algorithm was developed and validated by comparing different machine learnings models.

Methods: We selected all patients aged >=15 being active in HSD in 2019.

Development and validation of a prediction score to assess the risk of depression in primary care.

Background: Major depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder and primary care is a crucial setting for its early recognition. This study aimed to develop and validate the DEP-HScore as a tool to predict depression risk in primary care and increase awareness and investigation of this condition among General Practitioners (GPs).

Methods: The DEP-HScore was developed using data from the Italian Health Search Database (HSD).

A Vulnerability Index to Assess the Risk of SARS-CoV-2-Related Hospitalization/Death: Urgent Need for an Update after Diffusion of Anti-COVID Vaccines.

: There are algorithms to predict the risk of SARS-CoV-2-related complications. Given the spread of anti-COVID vaccination, which sensibly modified the burden of risk of the infection, these tools need to be re-calibrated. Therefore, we updated our vulnerability index, namely, the Health Search (HS)-CoVulnerabiltyIndex (VI)d (HS-CoVId), to predict the risk of SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization/death in the primary care setting.

Psychological Experiences of Parents of Pediatric Cancer Patients during and after COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Family members dealing with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis are now facing even greater vulnerability due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside the already overwhelming trauma, they must also bear the distressing burden of the infection risks. The purpose of this study was to examine and explore the effects in parents of pediatric cancer patients two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to compare these data with the previous data.

The burden of recurrent respiratory tract infections in adult population: a population-based study in primary care.

Background: Viral infections are the main original cause of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs), but their complications and recurrences are due to bacteria as well. While some operational definitions and epidemiology of RRTIs are reported in paediatrics, no similar definitions have been proposed for adults.

Aim: To assess the epidemiology and characteristics of RRTIs in the adult population.

Time-varying association between herpes zoster infection and subsequent occurrence of stroke.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the shape of the time-varying relationship between herpes zoster infection, nominally shingles, and the occurrence of stroke.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Using the Italian Health Search Database, a cohort of patients aged ≥18 years who were registered between 2002 and 2021 was selected.

To retrieve values of albuminuria to define the size of CKD patients eligible to SGLT-2Is: An explorative analysis using a primary care database.

Purpose: To address missingness of albuminuria values, which establish the eligibility to SGLT-2Is for patients with CKD, using the multiple imputation (MI) method.

Methods: We selected patients aged 18 or older and diagnosed with CKD in a primary care database. Those with severe CKD and/or previously treated with SGLT-2Is were excluded.

Time lapses between distribution of influenza vaccines to health authorities and their administration by General Practitioners (GPs) to older adults: a retrospective study over five influenza seasons in Italy.

Background: Delays in influenza vaccine delivery and administration can hinder vaccine coverage and protection. This study examines the differentials in distributing and administering adjuvanted trivalent (aTIV) and quadrivalent influenza vaccines (aQIV) to older adults in Italy's primary care setting and its potential impact on hospitalization risk over 5 epidemic seasons.

Methods: Using a primary care database, individuals aged ≥ 65 years were selected.