Abstract Background A caesarean section (CS) is a life-saving procedure, reducing perinatal mortality and morbidity, over last decades CS rates are increasing. In 2015 the Robson classification (RC) was introduced by WHO as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing CS rates within healthcare facilities and between them. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the most numerous groups according to RC. Methods All women, who delivered by CS from January 2015 to June 2017 in two hospitals in the province of Siena (Italy): I level Birth Centre of Grosseto (GR) and II level Birth Centre of Siena (SI) were included. Age, type of hospital and group based on RC were extracted from Medical Register. The RC divides women into 10 groups based on 5 basic obstetric characteristics (parity, number of foetuses, previous CS, onset of labour, gestational age, foetus presentation). The percentages of the group’s contribution to the overall CS rate were calculated and confronted for two birth centres. All analysis was performed with Stata. Results A total of 2115 women was analysed, 50.5% from SI. Average age was 34.3±5.7; significantly higher for SI (34.7±5.6vs33.9±5.8). Most contributing groups were group V: multiparous, singleton, cephalic, term, with previous CS (24.2%), group II: nulliparous, singleton, cephalic, term, induced labour or CS (24%), group I: nulliparous, singleton, cephalic, term, spontaneous labour (11.45%), group VIII: multiple pregnancy (10.7%) and group X: singleton, cephalic, pre-term (10.4%). Differences for type of birth centre were observed for groups I, II, V and VIII: I and VIII were more numerous in SI, II and V in GR (chi2; p < 0.05). Conclusions The most numerous groups were I, II e V, concordant with literature. Reduction of CS rates in group V could be obtained through lowering of primary CS rates and by promotion of Vaginal Birth After CS. Healthcare professionals could help to reduce labour-related anxiety and elective CS rates. Key messages The most contributing groups to overall caesarean section rates were groups I, II e V, as reported in literature. Reduction of CS rates could be obtained through lowering rates of primary CS, but also by promotion of Vaginal Birth After CS.
Abstract Introduction In Italy the use of Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) is increasingly frequent also because the mean age at which Italian women have their first child has increased in recent decades (31.8 years in 2017) and it is more difficult to have a child for an older woman. The aim of this study was evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of MAP and compare them with those of natural pregnancies. Methods The cross-sectional study was performed during the period January 2015-June 2019. All women that gave birth in the Hospital of Siena were included. The sample was divided in two groups (Natural pregnancy/MAP Pregnancy). The outcome variables were: maternal age, number of foetus, type of childbirth, timing of the birth, Apgar Index and necessity of hospitalization in neonatal intensive therapy unit (NITU) or resuscitation. The statistical analysis was performed with Stata 12. Results In total 5066 females were included (4.5% MAP pregnancy). The average age (±SD) of females was 32,9±5,56 (min 14-max 61). The mean age (±SD) of women with PMA was significantly higher 38.7 ± 5.7 vs. 32.6± 5.4 of those who had natural pregnancy. In PMA Pregnancy there was a higher probability of multiple pregnancy (OR = 16.13; 95% CI 10.38-25.07; p < 0.001), Caesarean Section (OR:4,54; 95% CI 3.28-6.31; p < 0,001) and preterm birth (OR 3.79; 95% IC 2.80-5.14; p < 0.001). Apgar index at the first minute was significantly lower in children born from pregnancies from MAP (8,6 ±1,4 vs, 9 ±1,4 p < 0.01), the difference was significant even in the 5th minute (9,6 ±0,7 vs. 9,8 ±0,6 p < 0.01). Children born by MAP Pregnancy had higher probability of hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care (OR = 3.12; 95% CI 2.12-4.59; p < 0.001). Conclusions In our sample we found that MAP is used by women with older average age and it is associated with less favourable maternal and neonatal outcomes than those from natural conception. Key messages In Italy the use of Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) is increasingly frequent because it is more difficult to have a child for an older woman. In our sample we found that MAP is used by women with older average age and it is associated with less favourable maternal and neonatal outcomes than those from natural conception.
Introduction.Kocuria kristinae is becoming a growing public health challenge, especially for its ability to cause infections in immunocompromised patients. This bacterium is a Gram+coccus, catalase+, coagulase, and it is a common inhabitant of skin and oral mucosa.Aim. To investigate the spectrum of infections caused by K.Kristinae.Methodology. Between January-March 2018, we carried out a systematic search in PubMed utilizing the key search term 'Kocuria kristinae'. The selection criteria for studies were studies reporting cases of human infections due to K. kristinae, case-control and cohort studies and studies published in English or Spanish.Results. The literature search yielded 48 publications: after title, abstract and full-text analysis, 20 papers were consistent with the selection criteria. These studies were carried out in the period 2001-2017 in the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Egypt, Bahrain, Serbia, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Mexico. K. kristinae was involved in 17 cases of central venous catheter-related bacteremia, four infective endocarditis, three acute peritonitis, one abdominal abscess, umbilical sepsis, acute cholecystitis and urinary tract infection. Additionally, K. kristinae was found in 40 % of carious cavities, although it is not clear whether they are directly involved in the development of caries. Antibiotic susceptibility testing has sometimes revealed multi-drug resistance.Conclusions. The clinical spectrum of K. kristinae infections has recently widened. The increasing spread of this underestimated bacterium and its resistance to antibiotics represent a new challenge for public health, which requires specific actions to limit it.
Abstract Introduction WHO does not recommend the routine prenatal cardiotocography (CTG) during pregnancy to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes. Instead, Italian guidelines consider CTG after the 41st week of pregnancy to be useful. The aim of this work was to identify the variables associated with CTG performed before the 40th week. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted at the Hospital of Siena (Italy), all females that accessed to CTG from 2016 to 2018 was included. The variables were: nationality, pregnancy associated pathology(PAP), gestational age(GA), parity, type of access (urgent/programmed), n° of accesses, active fetal movements (AFM), amniotic fluid index (AFI) and necessity of recovery. The statistical analysis was carried out using Stata 12. Results The women included were 4010, mean age was 32.8±5.6 years (75% Italian; 62.4% primiparous). A mean GA was 38 ± 3 weeks; 47.5% had one access, 27% two accesses, 14% three accesses. The 22% were urgent accesses, 11.5% had PAP (70% diabetes mellitus). The 58% showed up before the 40th week, the probability was higher for non-Italian women (OR 1.3), multiparous (OR 1.32), women with urgent access (OR 7.9) and women with PAP (OR 3.4). In 5.4% the CTG was altered, 23% had absent AFM and 2% had alterated AFI. Females that came before 40th week were more likely to have absent AFM (OR 4.5) and AFI (OR 2). The 3% needed an immediate hospitalization, mainly in non-Italian (OR 1.7), urgent accesses (OR 4.4), those that came before 40th week (OR 2.44), absent AFM (OR 21.8), and altered AFI (OR 15.8), Conclusions Our analysis shows the association between precocious access to CTG and urgent medical condition and PAP as expected, but also with other variable as parity and nationality. The low GA without an indication of high risk at the moment of the access suggests the possible overmedicalization of pregnancy. It seems useful to review clinical practices to ensure obstetric care close to best practice. Key messages As literature reports, to avoid overmedication of pregnancy cardiotocography should not be performed before the 41st week of pregnancy. In some situations the CTG is anticipated and for this reason it seems useful to review the clinical practices implemented in order to ensure obstetric care close to best practice.
Abstract Introduction In Italy, voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) was introduced in 1978 with law n°194, it guarantees autonomy of choice and avoids the practice of unsafe abortions, health complications and death. The aim of this work was to analyse variables associated with repeated VTP. Methods A cross-sectional study was realized, with data relative to VTP acquired in the period 2016-2018 in Tuscany South-East area (Italy). Data on age, nationality, civil state, education level and n° of living children were extracted from the information system in April 2019. A descriptive analysis was conducted using Stata. Results The sample consisted of 3451 females (65% Italian). The average age was 31.1±7.3 years. The majority of females (53%) had medium-high education level (non-Italian females had more frequently low education level: 48% vs. 28%, chi-2; p<0.001). The 57% were unmarried, mostly Italian (64% vs. 43%). The majority (62%) already had child (26% one, 36% two or more). Females with repeated VTP represented 25% and were significantly older (32.1 ±6.4 vs. 30.7±7.6; p<0.001). The non-Italian females (OR = 2.15; 95%CI 1.8-2.6; p<0.001) and females that already have children (OR = 2.4; 95%CI 2.02-2.9; p<0.001) had higher probability of having a VTP in the past. The multivariate analysis showed lower probability of repeated VTP for married women (OR = 0.49; 95%CI 0.42-0.64) and women with higher education level in confrontation to those with an elementary education (OR = 0.3; 95%CI 0.18-0.62). The variables associated with higher probability of VTP were age (OR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01-1.04), nationality (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.7-2.4) and children (OR = 2.4; 95%CI 1.9-3). Conclusions Females with repeated VTP were older, have already children and were more frequently of non-Italian nationality. The reduction of VTP should be one of major objectives of public health as in has negative consequences on women’s health. The targeted public health intervention could be a solution of this situation. Key messages Females with multiple VTP were older, already had children and were more frequently of non-Italian nationality. Targeted public health interventions could be effective in reducing the number of VTP.
Background:Noroviruses (NoV) are the main non-bacterial agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE).Norovirus infection is characterized by a high attack rate due to a low infectious dose.The virus can be transmitted through droplets and fomites.To better understand the role and the incidence of NoV, laboratory-based surveillance was conducted on paediatric patients affected by GE admitted to the main hospital in Brescia (northern Italy).Methods: Over two years 448 stool samples (1 per patient) were collected from pediatric patients (except 4 nurses) affected by GE and admitted at the hospital of Brescia.Samples were processed for routinary tests (Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., rotavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus).Negative samples were further analyzed for NoV by random reverse transcription (cDNA) followed by 2 PCRs targeting both ORF1 and ORF1/ORF2 overlapping region.All PCR-positive samples were sequenced.Multiple infections were not investigated. Results:Of 448 stool samples, 227 proved negative for enteric bacteria, rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus.Among these, 88 (38.8%) were positive for NoV.Based on sequencing, 1 NoV GI and 7 NoV GII genotypes were identified.The most common was GII.4.GII.P4 v. Den Haag 2006b was detected in 4 nurses and shared 100% nt identity with the NoV strain detected in 5 young patients.Epidemiological investigation revealed that these patients acquired infections >24h after hospital admission.They were monitored by nurses that became sick (AGE) in the same week as the young patients. Conclusions:This study confirmed that NoV circulates among AGE-affected children and adults.Person to person transmission could have occurred between children and nurses.GII.4 is the most common genotype.
Delineating patients’ health profiles is essential to allow for a proper comparison between medical care and its results in patients with comorbidities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the concordance of health profiles outlined by ward doctors and by epidemiologists and the effectiveness of training interventions in improving the concordance. Between 2018 and 2021, we analyzed the concordance between the health profiles outlined by ward doctors in a private hospital and those outlined by epidemiologists on the same patients’ medical records. The checks were repeated after training interventions. The agreement test (Cohen’s kappa) was used for comparisons through STATA. The initial concordance was poor for most categories. After our project, the concordance improved for all categories of CIRS. Subsequently, we noted a decline in concordance between ward doctors and epidemiologists for CIRS, so a new training intervention was needed to improve the CIRS profile again. Initially, we found a low concordance, which increased significantly after the training interventions, proving its effectiveness.
The relationship between general practitioners and patients is privileged. The aim of this study was to assess the concordance between the health profile perceived by the patient and the one described by the doctor. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2019-2020. Patients completed the 5d-5L (EQ-p) and clinicians completed it "from the patient's perspective" (EQ-d), also consulting the clinical diary. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14 (Cohen's kappa; Fisher's exact test). The sample consisted of 423 patients. The mean age was 56.7 ± 19.2. There were significant differences by gender in usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression (74.6% of men had no limitation in usual activities versus 64.5% of women (p < 0.01), 53.9% of men had no pain versus 38.5% of women (p < 0.01), and 60.3% of men had no anxiety/depression versus 38.5% of women (p < 0.01)). Physicians did not detect these differences. The concordance between EQ-p and EQ-d was substantial for mobility (k = 0.62; p < 0.01), moderate for self-care (k = 0.48; p < 0.01) and usual activities (k = 0.50; p < 0.01). Concordance was fair for pain/discomfort (k = 0.32; p < 0.01), anxiety/depression (k = 0.38; p < 0.01), and EQ Index (k = 0.21; p < 0.01). There was greater agreement for "objective "dimensions (mobility, self-care, and usual activities). A good doctor, to be considered as such, must try to put himself in the "patient's pajamas" to feel his feelings and be on the same wavelength.
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