Strategies for population-level identification of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 through health administrative data.

Introduction: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) encompass several clinical outcomes, from new-onset symptoms to both acute and chronic diagnoses, including pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. Health administrative data (HAD) from health information systems allow population-level analyses of such outcomes. Our primary aim was to identify clinical conditions potentially attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the types of HAD and "diagnostic criteria" used for their detection.

[Construction of district-level denominators for monitoring assistance: Methods, data, comparisons, and implications for health monitoring].

Background: Lombardy Region (RL) is organized into 8 Health Protection Agencies (ATS) and 86 Districts, which are responsible for organizing and coordinating territorial health care for reference population ranging between 80,000 and 120,000 inhabitants. RL has implemented the Health Profiles Portal, an advanced system that integrates health care, socio-health, and social data to provide a clear and comparable view of the population's needs at different territorial levels. To develop the portal, it was necessary to construct denominators that would ensure the accuracy and comparability of the healthcare indicators.

Management and Burden of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Italian Hybrid Real-World Study.

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that severely impacts quality of life and carries a substantial economic burden.

Methods: This multicenter observational study generated real-world evidence on HS in Italy, focusing on clinical profiles, management, and costs. Data were collected from 50 adults at four specialized centers, combining primary data with retrospective administrative data.

The Hospital Burden of Flu in Italy: a retrospective study on administrative data from season 2014-2015 to 2018-2019.

Background: Every year in Italy, influenza affects about 4 million people. Almost 5% of them are hospitalised. During peak illness, enormous pressure is placed on healthcare and economic systems.

[Analysis of predictive factors for non-adherence to organized screening for colorectal and breast cancers in the pre-pandemic period (2018-2019) in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy)].

Background: according to the International Agency for Cancer Research on Cancer, in 2022, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the Italian population, followed by colorectal cancer. Oncological screenings represent an effective secondary prevention strategy to counteract colorectal and breast cancers, significantly reducing mortality. In Lombardy Region (Northern Italy), screening programmes have been active since 2007, but adherence, especially in specific population subgroups, remains lower than expected.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Immunocompetent Hosts in Brescia: A Case Series and Analysis of Cytokine Cascade.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by spp. that usually manifests itself in immunocompromised subjects. It is a rare and neglected disease, and it is not endemic in the province of Brescia (Italy).

Access to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in immigrants in Italy, by geographical area of origin.

Objective: Immigrants are commonly considered disadvantaged and at high risk of not receiving appropriate care, including vaccination. This study aimed to evaluate the access to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in immigrants, by geographical area of origin, compared with Italian citizens. We also evaluated sex differences in vaccine's coverage by geographical area of origin.

[SENTIERI - Epidemiological Study of Residents in National Priority Contaminated Sites. Sixth Report].

Introduction Adn Objectives: The Sixth Report presents the results of the "SENTIERI Project: implementation of the permanent epidemiological surveillance system of populations residing in Italian Sites of Remediation Interest", promoted and financed by the Italian Ministry of Health (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - CCM Project 2018). The aim of this study is to update the mortality and hospitalization analyses concerning the 6,227,531 inhabitants (10.4% of the Italian population) residing in 46 contaminated sites (39 of national interest and 7 of regional interest).

Statins Use in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases and COVID-19 Outcomes: An Italian Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The role of statins among patients with established cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) who are hospitalized with COVID-19 is still debated. This study aimed at assessing whether the prior use of statins was associated with a less severe COVID-19 prognosis.

Methods: Subjects with CVDs infected with SARS-CoV-2 and hospitalized between 20 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 were selected.

Azithromycin use and outcomes in patients with COVID-19: an observational real-world study.

Objectives: Previous studies ruled out the benefits of azithromycin for treatment of patients with COVID-19 who are hospitalized. However, the effects of azithromycin for treatment of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results in the community remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to assess whether azithromycin, when used in subjects with positive test results for SARS-CoV-2, is associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization, in-hospital COVID-19 outcomes, and death.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination Coverage among Fragile Populations in a Local Health Area of Northern Italy.

Italy was dramatically hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the province of Brescia was one of the epicenters of the outbreak. Furthermore, Brescia has one of the highest incidences of people living with HIV (PLWH) and a substantial presence of migrants. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving all citizens connected to the Brescia Health Protection Agency, assessing the SARS-CoV-2 burden, COVID-19 prevalence, and vaccination coverage.

[Impact of COVID-19 on the immigrant population in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy), by geographical area of origin].

Objectives: to examine the differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization rates among migrant populations in Veneto Region (Northern Italy), according to the geographic area of origin.

Setting And Participants: all residents in Veneto Region aged <65 years were included in the analyses. All subjects infected by SARS-CoV-2 and hospitalized for COVID-19 were identified by means of the regional biosurveillance system.

[The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Italian and foreign population in the various phases: the results of an interregional multicentre project].

Objectives: to analyze the difference of the SARS-CoV-2 infection impact between Italian and foreigner subjects, evaluating the trend of infections and access to diagnostic tests (molecular or antigenic swabs for the detection of SARS- CoV-2) in the two different populations, inducing the detection of new positive cases in the population.

Design: retrospective population study for the period February 2020-June 2021.

Setting And Participants: Italian and foreign resident population on 1st January of the years 2020 and 2021 in the Regions participating to the project: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna (Northern Italy), Tuscany, Lazio (Central Italy), and Sicily (Southern Italy).

[Mortality and impact of COVID-19 by citizenship in seven Italian Regions from the beginning of the pandemic to mid-July 2021].

Objectives: to quantify the variability of COVID-19 mortality from the beginning of the pandemic to mid-July 2021, in relation to the immigrant status and by Region and period.

Design: observational incidence study.

Setting And Participants: the study population consists of the residents at the beginning of 2020 in seven Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Sicily) aged <=74 years.

[Hospital assistance for COVID-19: a comparison between non-Italian and Italian resident population in five Italian Regions since the beginning of the pandemic until June 2021].

Objectives: to describe trends of overall and intensive care hospitalization for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in Italy until June 2021, and to compare the results between foreign and Italian population.

Design: retrospective observational study.

Setting And Participants: hospital discharges of 28 million people living in Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna (Northern Italy), Toscana and Lazio (Central Italy) occurred between 22.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case-control study in Northern Italy.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been hypothesized to increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), although conclusive evidence is still lacking. High levels of PCBs were found in soil in some areas close to a PCB-producing factory in Brescia, North Italy. We conducted a population-based case-control study among residents of the town to investigate the possible association between PCB pollution and NHL in this area.

Italian hospitals on the web: a cross-sectional analysis of official websites.

Background: Although the use of the Internet for health purposes has increased steadily in the last decade, only a few studies have explored the information provided by the websites of health institutions and no studies on the on-line activities of Italian hospitals have been performed to date. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the contents and the user-orientation of Italian hospital websites.

Methods: The cross-sectional analysis considered all the Italian hospitals with a working website between December 2008 and February 2009.

Improvement of metabolic syndrome following intragastric balloon: 1 year follow-up analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of intragastric balloon (IGB)-induced body weight loss on metabolic syndrome in obese patients and evaluate what happens during 1-year follow-up.

Methods: To this end, data were collected on 143 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) 36.2+/-5.