Exploring the Social Networks' Use in the Health-Care Industry: A Multi-Level Analysis.

The application of social networks in the health domain has become increasingly prevalent. They are web-based technologies which bring together a group of people and health-care providers having in common health-related interests, who share text, image, video and audio contents and interact with each other. This explains the increasing amount of attention paid to this topic by researchers who have investigated a variety of issues dealing with the specific applications in the health-care industry.

Effects of nutrition motivational intervention in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study in Naples, South Italy.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a prion diminished quality of life, especially due to the severe complications that it implicates. Changing dietary habits is an absolute priority, as well as implementing nutritional motivational programs. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention in improving the health of patients affected by T2D.

Impact of 13Valent Vaccine for Prevention of Pneumococcal Diseases in Children and Adults at Risk: Possible Scenarios in Campania Region.

Background: Pneumonias are the most frequent infectious diseases, characterized by a high prevalence especially among children and adults at risk. The socio-economic impact caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is evaluated in terms of morbidity, death rate and hospitalizations.

Objective: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential economic advantages by implementation of an active anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine strategy in Campania region (Southern Italy) in two different categories of subjects, children (aged 0-12), and adults (aged 50- 79) at risk (hypertension, nephropathies, COPD and heart diseases).

Effects of a community-based exercise and motivational intervention on physical fitness of subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effects of a long-term community-based combined exercise program consisting of aerobic, resistance, flexibility and agility/balance training associated with motivational interviewing on physical fitness, physiological parameters and Physical Activity (PA) levels in middle-aged and older patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Sixty-nine diabetic subjects (mean age 63 ± 5.2 y, 62.

Economic aspects and managerial implications of the new technology in the treatment of low back pain.

Background: The Human Body Posturizer (HPB), an innovative therapeutic tool able to correct postural changes dynamically, fits perfectly in this framework.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to consider the potential economic benefits of using the Human Body Posturizer both in terms of direct and indirect cost reduction in one year.

Methods: This study was carried out using an estimation method in order to investigate the possible economic impact related to the adoption of the HBP in subjects with low back pain as an attempt to quantify the costs (direct and indirect) generated at different levels of the path therapeutic.

Adapted physical activity and stroke: a systematic review.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most significant social and health issues at the global level. The integration of adapted physical activity and exercise into the rehabilitation process and in the postrehabilitation stage could represent a successful action aimed at the functional and cognitive recovery of brain-injured individuals following a stroke. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the role of physical activity in the post-stroke period referring not only to the rehabilitation stage but also to the postrehabilitation one.

Does Post-operative Psychotherapy Contribute to Improved Comorbidities in Bariatric Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder Traits and Bulimia Tendencies? A Prospective Study.

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders may affect the outcomes of bariatric surgery. This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of a post-operative dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) intervention on weight loss and comorbidities in a sample of comorbid obese Italian patients with BPD traits and bulimia tendencies who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

Methods: One hundred fifty-four LRYGB or LAGB patients showing BPD and bulimia traits and type II diabetes, hypertension, and/or sleep apnea (OSAS) voluntarily adhered to DBT (n = 72) or treatment as usual (n = 82) for 12 months after surgery.

Improving physical fitness and health status perception in community-dwelling older adults through a structured program for physical activity promotion in the city of Naples, Italy: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a physical activity promotion intervention in community-dwelling older adults based on a free program of exercise adapted for older adults aged ≥60 years managed by trainees from the Movement Sciences degree course.

Methods: A total of 160 adults aged 60-82 years were randomly allocated into the intervention and control group. The exercise program consisted of 1-h sessions carried out twice a week for a year.

The principles of Health Technology Assessment in laboratory medicine.

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a multi-professional and multidisciplinary evaluation approach designed to assess health technology in the broadest sense of the term, from its instruments to the rearranging of its organizational structures. It is by now an established methodology at national and international levels that involves several medical disciplines thanks to its versatility. Laboratory medicine is one of these disciplines.

[Economic evaluation of the stroke units in Campania].

The Stroke Units (SU) delivers high quality care and treatment in patients affected by strokes. In Italy stroke is the second leading cause of death and the first of disability in adult people. There is significant evidence in literature indicating the better quality assistance SU provide in the treatment of neurological acute disease, with significant improvements in mortality and disability, when the therapeutic intervention (thrombolysis) is carried out within 3 hours after the onset of symptoms.

Adult immunization with 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine in Campania region, South Italy: an economic evaluation.

Pneumococcal pneumonia has a high clinical burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and hospitalization rate, with heavy implications for worldwide health systems. In particular, higher incidence and mortality rates of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases, with related costs, are registered among elderly. This study aimed to an economic evaluation about the immunization with PCV13 in the adult population in Campania region, South Italy.

[Health Technology Assessment to evaluate the economic advantage of offering of low-protein diet to pre-dialysis patients in Campania (Italy)].

A low-protein diet is well known to slow the progression of chronic renal failure, delay initiation of dialysis, while achieving significant economic benefits. In the context of a Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a budget impact analysis model was implemented to evaluate the economic advantage of offering of low-protein diet to nephropathic patients in Campania (Italy). The implemented model takes into account only the direct costs to the national healthcare system.