Follow-up of early breast cancer in a public health system: A 2024 AIGOM consensus project.

Breast cancer stands as the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the primary cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, including Italy. With the increasing number of survivors, many are enrolled in regular follow-up programs. However, adherence to recommendations from scientific societies (such as ASCO, ESMO, AIOM) for breast cancer follow-up management varies in daily clinical practice across different cancer centers, potentially resulting in unequal management and escalating costs.

Overordering of tumor marker for outpatients revealed by performance indicators and the impact of a health policy intervention: An observational study using administrative records.

Purpose: The overuse of laboratory tests contributes to impair health systems effectiveness, tumor markers (TMs) being a paradigmatic example. In the present study we applied indicators of TMs appropriateness developed from administrative datasets to appraise regionwide overordering in the clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: TMs ordered to outpatients in the Veneto Region over 6 years were obtained from the eletronic Outpatients' Records of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures.

Performance assessment across different care settings of a heart failure hospitalisation risk-score for type 2 diabetes using administrative claims.

Predicting the risk of cardiovascular complications, in particular heart failure hospitalisation (HHF), can improve the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Most predictive models proposed so far rely on clinical data not available at the higher Institutional level. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the risk of HHF in people with T2D using administrative claims data only, which are more easily obtainable and could allow public health systems to identify high-risk individuals.

General population screening for atrial fibrillation with an automated rhythm-detection blood pressure device.

Background: Screening strategies to diagnose previously undetected atrial fibrillation (AF), especially silent AF (SAF), in at-risk populations may help reduce the number of strokes. We prospectively assessed the incidence rate of AF, including SAF, using an automated AF-detection capable sphygmomanometer in the General Practitioner (GP) setting.

Methods: This was a population-based prospective study of unselected general population of ≥65 years without prior AF.

The burden of frailty in older people visiting GPs in Veneto and Sicily, Italy.

In Italy, little is known about the territorial distribution of the frailty status. To compare frailty- and multimorbidity-prevalence in the elderly population of two Italian regions. This study examined randomized samples of elderly (both community dwelling and institutionalized) assisted by general practitioners.

Gender differences in determinants of iron-deficiency anemia: a population-based study conducted in four European countries.

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) was the main condition contributing to higher rates of years lived with disabilities in women in 2016. To date, few studies have investigated gender differences in determinants of IDA in Europe. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the determinants of IDA among females and males in four European countries.

Prevalence of frailty in older people in Veneto (Italy).

Both frailty and multimorbidity are strong predictors of clinical endpoints for older people. In Italy, the interventions targeting chronicity are mainly based on the treatment of diseases: sufficient epidemiological literature is available about these strategies. Less is known about the territorial distribution of the frailty status.

End-of-Life Place of Care, Health Care Settings, and Health Care Transitions Among Cancer Patients: Impact of an Integrated Cancer Palliative Care Plan.

Context: Frequent end-of-life health care setting transitions can lead to an increased risk of fragmented care and exposure to unnecessary treatments.

Objectives: We assessed the relationship between the presence and the intensity of an Integrated Cancer Palliative Care (ICPC) plan and the occurrence of multiple transitions during the last month of life.

Methods: Decedents of cancer aged 18-85 years residents in two regions of Italy were investigated accessing their integrated administrative data (death certificates, hospital discharges, hospice, and home care records).

Intensity of Integrated Primary and Specialist Home-Based Palliative Care for Chronic Diseases in Northeast Italy and Its Impact on End-of-Life Hospital Access.

Background: Hospital admissions at the end of life (EOL) represent an established indicator of poor quality of care.

Objective: To examine the impact of intensity of integrated primary and specialist home-based palliative care for chronic diseases (HPCCD) plans of care on EOL hospital access.

Methods: Retrospective population-based study using linked mortality, hospitalization, and home care data.

Caring for cancer survivors: perspectives of oncologists, general practitioners and patients in Italy.

Aim: The present survey investigates the views of medical oncologists, general practitioners (GPs) and patients about the various surveillance strategies.

Methods: An online survey was conducted in Italy on a population of 329 medical oncologists, 380 GPs and 350 patients.

Results: Most of GPs (n = 291; 76%) claim that follow-up should be provided by the collaboration between GPs and medical oncologists.

Epidemiology of iron deficiency anaemia in four European countries: a population-based study in primary care.

Objectives: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a global public health concern, being responsible for about 800 000 deaths per year worldwide. To date, few studies have investigated the epidemiology of IDA in Europe. This study therefore aimed to assess the incidence rate and determinants of IDA in four European countries.

Clinical and organizational issues in the management of surviving breast and colorectal cancer patients: attitudes and feelings of medical oncologists.

Background: The fast growing demand and the shortage of resources are pushing toward more efficient models of survivorship care delivery. The Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM) established an interdisciplinary working group with the purpose of promoting organizational improvements at the national level. A survey aimed at assessing attitudes and feelings of oncologists was considered preliminary to further initiatives.

Burden on family carers and care-related financial strain at the end of life: a cross-national population-based study.

Background: The rising number of deaths from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses is accompanied by a growing number of family carers who provide long-lasting care, including end-of-life care. This population-based epidemiological study aimed to describe and compare in four European countries the prevalence of and factors associated with physical or emotional overburden and difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life.

Methods: A cross-national retrospective study was conducted via nationwide representative sentinel networks of general practitioners (GPs).

Survey of Italian general practitioners: knowledge, opinions, and activities of palliative care.

Context: General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the end-of-life care of patients; however, currently in Italy, there are no national population-based studies available of the knowledge and activities of GPs in palliative care.

Objectives: This survey aimed to investigate the knowledge, opinions, and activities of Italian GPs regarding palliative care.

Methods: A telephone survey of 1690 GPs was performed.

The care for chronic heart failure by general practitioners. Results from a clinical audit in Italy.

Background: In Italian primary care, chronic heart failure (CHF) patients are mainly managed by general practitioners (GPs). However, there are few studies analysing CHF management challenges in primary care and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Objectives: To describe CHF care as implemented by GPs in the Veneto Region and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Opportunistic prostate-specific antigen screening in Italy: 6 years of monitoring from the Italian general practice database.

The practice of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has been increasing in Italy despite uncertain scientific evidence and contrary recommendations from most scientific societies. In 2002, a survey of PSA screening diffusion among general practices was performed, looking for screening frequency and age pattern of screened individuals. The objective of this study was to assess whether the features of PSA screening did change after 6 years in the same considered setting.

Interactive training for the management of breast cancer in general practice in Europe.

Background: General practitioners need to play a more active role in the management of patients with breast cancer, specifically in screening programs, counseling, follow-up, palliative care, and psychosocial support. Special training is needed to meet these demands.

Methods: An interactive training program resident on CD-ROM was developed.