[Smoking cessation and weight gain]

Cigarette smoking is the single most important preventable cause of death and illness. Smoking cessation is associated with substantial health benefits, but weight gain after smoking cessation is perceived to be a barrier against quitting smoking. The aim of the study was to analyse predictors of weight gain after smoking cessation. The sample included 1067 residents, aged 18-70 years, in a health district of Rome who answered to an anonymous postal questionnaire. Among them 482 were former smokers; 398 provided lifetime histories of both body weight and smoking and were considered in the analysis. 52.5% (49.3% M; 60.5% F) reported weight gain after smoking cessation; among these 25.4% reported a weight gain > or =5 kg. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a direct association between female gender (OR 1.9, CI 95% 1.1-3.2), age - 45 years (45-65 years: OR 2.5, CI 95% 1.4-4.4; > 64 years OR 2.1, CI 95% 1.0-4.0), number of cigarettes per day >20/day (OR 3.8, CI 95% 1.3-11.5) and weight gain after smoking cessation. The relevance of weight gain following smoking cessation suggests that health benefits associated with smoking cessation may to some extent be negated by the detrimental effects on health of associated weight gain. Smoking cessation programmes should therefore consider incorporating follow-up support to prevent weight gain; regular measurements of body weight together with dietary indications and increase of physical activity are basic factors to implement in the intervention of smoking cessation.

[Satisfaction and critical aspects of inpatients care among patients with psoriasis]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate satisfaction with care for psoriatic inpatients. Identify areas in need of interventions and actions to improve the satisfaction with care.

METHODS

We analyzed 133 patients with psoriasis and 335 patients affected by other dermatological diseases in their first access at the hospital. Six determinants of satisfaction with care were investigated with a self administered questionnaire. Moreover the overall satisfaction was documented. Descriptive analysis and a multiple logistic regression analysis correcting for confounding factors were performed. Focus groups were conducted with patients to further investigate about specific aspects of relationships between patients and personnel.

RESULTS

Psoriatic inpatients were less satisfied than other dermatological inpatients regarding Coordination of care, Information and education, Emotional support. Emotional support was the determinant with the smallest percentage of satisfied patients. Focus groups confirmed what was identified with the questionnaire and suggested necessary interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to improve the communication skills of health personnel. Information for patients need to be enhanced and the management of psoriatic patients has to be improved.

Effect of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory agents on cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

We studied a well-selected population of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without immunosuppressive therapy. Control and patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were incubated with IL-1beta, IL-10, TGF-beta or LPS for 20 h and the in vitro basal and stimulated secretions of IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-1ra were measured by ELISA. We found that in the SLE patients the basal secretion of IL-6 was significantly lower and that of IL-1ra significantly higher than in control subjects, while in the RA group the basal IL-1ra secretion was higher than in healthy subjects. SLE and RA PBMC responded to LPS and IL-1beta reaching higher cytokine secretion values than controls. The in vitro response of SLE and RA PBMC to TGFbeta was normal, while that to IL-10 was defective: IL-10 was able to stimulate the production of IL-6 and IL-1ra in PBMC from normal subjects, but it was unable to enhance IL-6 secretion in RA cells and it was also completely ineffective in inducing IL-1ra secretion in both SLE and RA PBMC. Our work add new data useful for the evaluation of IL-10 and IL-1ra as therapeutic agents in rheumatic diseases.

Satisfaction with care in vascular surgery inpatient units

OBJECTIVE

to identify and solve problems concerning satisfaction of inpatients in three different vascular surgery units.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a self-administered non anonymous questionnaire was submitted. Four dimensions of patients' satisfaction and a measure of overall satisfaction were evaluated. For each of them a logistic regression model was elaborated.

RESULTS

one hundred and fifty-six eligible patients agreed to participate. For the "overall satisfaction" 56% rated the care received as excellent; patients completely satisfied for "treatment and related information" were 76%; for the "availability of staff" 96%, for "helpfulness and communication by staff" 56% and for "management of patient's complaint by medical staff" 86%. Logistic regression analysis showed, after adjustment for relevant background factors, a statistically significant difference among units of care for the overall satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

the study highlighted the importance of considering in vascular units the patients' satisfaction as an essential component of quality of care independently of the severity of cases. The hospital management recognised the low level of communication by the staff as one of the hospital bottle-necks and tried to solve a logistic problem identified as responsible for a low score in the overall satisfaction in one unit.

[Efficacy and critical implications of food handlers' professional training: analysis of an experience]

Our study aimed at both assessing the efficacy of the same training course in different contexts and training course repeated in the same context. We examined the most critical aspects, on which to develop further aimed course. In 1998 the Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology of the Institute of Hygiene (UCSC) has implemented 2 professional training courses both for food handlers of a refectory (course A) and of a hospital canteen (course B). Two years after a following course (C) in the hospital canteen. At the beginning and at the end of every course a questionnaire of 25 questions has been gathered in five areas. The data drawn by the questionnaires have been compared using the percentage of exact answers before and after the course. Correct answers beginning and end course: A 89% and 94%, B 68% and 77%, C 76% and 78%. The correct answers beginning course C and end course B are not significatively different (p = 0.1963). Critical areas of the C and B courses have been "microbiological risks" and "correct temperatures"; at the end of the training both the areas had sensitive improvements (C 40% to 59%, 60% to 78%-B 31% to 69%, 45% to 78%).

CONCLUSION

Food handlers professional training have been effective both in the same context and in a different context; the training should be based on both the operator's knowledge and difficulties met during the training; knowledge obtained by training is kept unchanged for some years, and it is supposed to repeat the course after one or two years; the analysis of the areas has confirmed the existence of critical problems, common causes of epidemics in collective catering services.