Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy with somatic symptoms: A door-to-door survey in two Sicilian municipalities

In a door-to-door survey conducted in two municipalities of Sicily, we ascertained the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy. Our case-finding was restricted to subjects with somatic symptoms. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for peripheral neuropathy to 14,540 persons residing in Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province) and Terrasini (Palermo Province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. Diagnoses were based on clinical criteria only, and were reviewed by an adjudication panel. We found 39 persons (27 women, 12 men) affected by diabetic neuropathy. The crude prevalence, as of November 1, 1987, was 268.2 cases per 100,000 popula…

Stroke incidence and survival in three Sicilian municipalities

We investigated the incidence of first-ever stroke in three Sicilian municipalities over the years 1984–1987. Case ascertainment involved two approaches: a doorto-door two-phase prevalence survey and a study of death certificates. Only first-ever strokes occurring within the study time interval were included, and diagnoses were based on specified criteria. We found 138 subjects who had experienced a first stroke over 73 488 person-years; the average incidence rate (new cases per 1000 population per year) was 1.9 overall, 1.7 in men, and 2.1 in women. Incidence increased steeply with age and was similar in men and women. Incidence was similar in the three study municipalities. The overall ca…

Incidence and lifetime prevalence of Bell's palsy in two Sicilian municipalities

Introduction - In a door-to-door two-phase survey of common neurologic diseases conducted in two Sicilian municipalities, we investigated the incidence and the lifetime prevalence of Bell's palsy (BP). Material & methods - During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for facial palsy to 11,901 adult persons. During phase 2, study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria evaluated those subjects who screened positive. Results - We found 73 subjects who had experienced BP during their life. The lifetime prevalence as of November 1, 1987, was 642.8 cases per 100,000 population age 15 years and above. The prevalence increased with age and was similar in men and women. Eighteen…

A multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine versus cytosine diphosphocholine in patients with vascular dementia.

An open clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and the tolerability of 1 g/day α-glycerylphosphorylcholine (α-GPC) with 1 g/day cytosine diphosphocholine (CDP) both given intramuscularly for 90 days in 120 patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia. The clinical evaluation, carried out at the start as well as halfway through (45 days) and at the end of treatment (90 days), was expressed by psychometric tests (modified Parkside behaviour rating scale, Sandoz clinical assessment geriatric scale, word fluency test, Hamilton's rating scale of depression, narration subtest of Wechsler memory scale). Both treatments produced a definite symptomatic improvement and showed a v…

Prevalence of Parkinson's disease and other types of parkinsonism: A door-to-door survey in three Sicilian municipalities

We investigated the prevalence of Parkinson's disease and other types of parkinsonism in a Sicilian population using a door-to-door two-phase approach. This design called for the administration of a brief screening instrument to all subjects who, on November 1, 1987, were residents of Terrasini (Palermo Province), Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province), and Riposto (Catania Province), Sicily (N = 24,496). Study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria extensively investigated those subjects who screened positive. We found 63 subjects affected by Parkinson's disease, 21 with secondary parkinsonism, and seven with unspecified parkinsonism. The crude prevalence per 100,000 population …

Prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy in two Sicilian municipalities

Objectives - As part of a door-to-door survey of neurologic diseases, we investigated the prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) in two Sicilian municipalities (N = 14,540, as of November 1, 1987). Material & methods - During phase 1, we administered a brief screening instrument to subjects in the study population. In phase 2, study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria investigated those subjects who screened positive. Our case finding was restricted to subjects who manifested symptoms of LR in the six months preceding the prevalence day. Results - We found 143 subjects affected by LR (112 definite, 31 possible) yielding a crude prevalence of 9.8 cases per 1,000 population…

Drug-induced parkinsonism: Prevalence, clinical features and follow-up study in three Sicilian communities [1]

Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy with somatic symptoms

In a door-to-door survey conducted in two municipalities of Sicily, we ascertained the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy. Our case-finding was restricted to subjects with somatic symptoms. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for peripheral neuropathy to 14,540 persons residing in Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province) and Terrasini (Palermo Province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. Diagnoses were based on clinical criteria only, and were reviewed by an adjudication panel. We found 39 persons (27 women, 12 men) affected by diabetic neuropathy. The crude prevalence, as of November 1, 1987, was 268.2 cases per 100,000 popula…

Prevalence of essential tremor: A door–to-door survey in terrasini, sicily

As part of a door-to-door neuroepidemiologic survey, we investigated the frequency and distribution of essential tremor (ET) in a Sicilian municipality. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for tremor to 7,653 persons residing in Terrasini (Palermo province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. The diagnoses, based on specified clinical criteria, were reviewed to increase reliability across neurologists. We found 31 subjects affected by ET (17 men, 14 women); 11 patients (35.5%) reported a familial aggregation. The prevalence of ET as of November 1, 1987, was 405.1 per 100,000 for the total population, and 1,074.9 per 100,000 fo…

Prevalence of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: A door-to-door survey in a Sicilian municipality

Introduction - Because of the limited information on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, we conducted a door-to-door two-phase survey in a Sicilian municipality. Material and methods - We first screened for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy among the inhabitants of the municipality : (N= 7653, as of the prevalence day, November 1, 1987). Study neurologists then investigated those subjects suspected to have had a cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Diagnoses were based on specified criteria. Results - We found 27 subjects affected by CSR (17 definite, 10 possible). Prevalence (cases per 1000 population) was 3.5 in the total population ; it increased to a peak at age 50-59 years and decrease…

Prevalence of epilepsy. A door-to-door survey in the Sicilian community of Riposto.

In a door-to-door survey of common neurological disorders in Sicily (SNES Project), we administered a screening symptoms questionnaire and a brief neurological examination to detect epileptic patients. All of the subjects effectively resident in the community of Riposto on 1 November 1987 (prevalence day) were investigated (n = 9956). The subjects with a positive questionnaire or a previous diagnosis of epilepsy were extensively examined by a neurologist and then definitively classified for epilepsy by a panel of senior neurologists. The crude prevalence of active and non-active epilepsy was 3.21/1000; the prevalence of active epilepsy alone was 2.71/1000. Of the 27 active cases, sixteen we…

Parkinson disease survival: a population-based study

Objective To evaluate whether the survival of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is shorter than that of the general population. Design Survival was investigated in a cohort of patients with PD previously identified during a population-based prevalence study (prevalence day, November 1, 1987; reference follow-up date, October 31, 1995). The survival of patients with PD was compared with that of a control sample randomly selected from the same population (2 controls for each case, matched for age, sex, and study municipality). The causes of death in the 2 groups were also compared. Both univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to investigate the association with disease…

Prevalence of essential tremor: A door-to-door survey in Terrasini, Sicily

As part of a door-to-door neuroepidemiologic survey, we investigated the frequency and distribution of essential tremor (ET) in a Sicilian municipality. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for tremor to 7,653 persons residing in Terrasini (Palermo province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. The diagnoses, based on specified clinical criteria, were reviewed to increase reliability across neurologists. We found 31 subjects affected by ET (17 men, 14 women); 11 patients (35.5%) reported a familial aggregation. The prevalence of ET as of November 1, 1987, was 405.1 per 100,000 for the total population, and 1,074.9 per 100,000 fo…