Achievement of NKF/K-DOQI recommended target values for bone and mineral metabolism in incident hemodialysis patients: results of the FARO-2 cohort.

Background: Mineral Bone Disorders (MBD) is prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients and associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. The FARO-2 study evaluated the achievement of the NKF/K-DOQI guidelines on recommended target values for serum calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P) and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels on survival in incident HD patients.

Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from 568 incident HD patients followed prospectively over a 3-year period from 26 Italian dialysis units.

The impact of psoriasis on work-related problems: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Background: Psoriasis can have cumulative physical and psychosocial effects preventing sufferers from achieving their full-life potential. Few studies have addressed the impact of psoriasis on work-related characteristics.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of psoriasis on education prospects and work limitations in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Risk factors for severe RSV-induced lower respiratory tract infection over four consecutive epidemics.

Unlabelled: Variability in severity among different respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasons may influence hospital admission rates for RSV-induced lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in young children. The aim of the present study was to identify through logistic regression analysis, risk factors associated with higher likelihood to acquire RSV-induced LRTI, in children with symptoms severe enough to lead to hospital admission. Over four consecutive RSV seasons (2000-2004), records from children <4 years of age admitted for RSV-induced LRTI ("cases") were compared with those from children with LRTI not due to RSV and not requiring hospitalization ("controls").

Four year incidence of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and young children referred to emergency departments for lower respiratory tract diseases in Italy: the "Osservatorio VRS" Study (2000-2004).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of hospital admission in young children and high risk babies such as premature newborns, or babies with underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease, or immunodeficiency. Outbreaks occur most frequently in the cold season in areas with temperate and Mediterranean climates. Aim of the "Osservatorio VRS" Study was to describe the time-related pattern of RSV epidemics in Italy, across four consecutive epidemics, from 2000 to 2004.