Papers by Giovanni Capelli
Italian Journal of Public Health, 2004
Abstract The aim of this survey was to study the socio-demographic determinants of drug use in sp... more Abstract The aim of this survey was to study the socio-demographic determinants of drug use in sporting activities at an amateur level in Italy. In 2000 a cross-sectional study was carried out in two Italian regions (Latium and Campania). The participants were 1056 ...
Background: Approved Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA), measure IFN gamma released upon chal... more Background: Approved Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA), measure IFN gamma released upon challenge with synthetic M. tuberculosis (M.t.) peptides. We applied an IGRA test with various antigens to investigate the immunological competency of patients admitted to major surgery. Methods: It was used an in vitro IGRA, QuantiFeron-CMI, which measures the IFN gamma released by lymphocytes of 1 ml whole blood, using the following antigens: Candida albicans and Tricophyton rubrum cellular antigens (Greer); Mumps, HSV 1 and 2, VZV peptides (Virion); group C beta-hemolytic Streptococcus streptokinase (Sigma); PPD, M. avium sensitin, tetanus and dyphteria toxoids (Statens Serum Institut); Esat-6, CFP-10 M. t peptides,and phytohemagglutinin (Cellestis). Blood specimens from 74 consecutive patients were obtained before major surgery. IFNgamma I.U./ 103 lymphocytes, have been calculated and results analyzed with principal component analysis (STATA), with surgical site infections and sepsis as ...
European Geriatric Medicine, 2014
ABSTRACT Objectives Gait speed (GS) is an important predictor of disability, falls, institutional... more ABSTRACT Objectives Gait speed (GS) is an important predictor of disability, falls, institutionalization and death among elderly people. Our aim was to assess which factors are associated with higher GS in a sample of physically active elderly. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 43 self-sufficient and active elderly (12 men and 31 women) aged 65–82 years. Anthropometric features (weight and height), mobility (Tinetti test), physical and mental health (Short Form 12 - SF12 questionnaire), physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for Elderly - PASE questionnaire), strength and power of lower limbs (Myotest Pro accelerometer) and GS were measured. A multivariable linear regression model was built in order to identify which variables were associated with higher GS. Results The final multivariable linear regression model included gender, fall in the previous year, hypertension, age, BMI and Mental Health score. Furthermore, it explained nearly 2/3 of the variability in GS (R2 = 0.64). Male sex, hypertension and a higher Mental Health score were associated with higher GS, whereas fall in the previous year and higher values of both age and BMI were associated with lower GS. A further model which included an interaction between sex and BMI (R2 = 0.68) revealed that the negative association between GS and BMI was found among women but not among men. Conclusions In addition to the well-known associations between GS and demographic and anthropometric characteristics, we reported a positive association between mental health and GS among generally healthy and physically active community-dwelling elderly.
Microchemical Journal, 2014
The swimming pool legislation is extremely various and uneven. This diversity is related to the d... more The swimming pool legislation is extremely various and uneven. This diversity is related to the different approaches of individual health authorities, attributable to the different social, economic and cultural conditions of each country. In Italy the regulation about sanitary aspects for the construction, maintenance and control of swimming pools refers to the Agreement of January 16, 2003 among the Ministry of Health, the Regions and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano. The Agreement is not a jurisprudential act, but has the character of a document approved by constitutional organs of the same level, aimed to promote the harmonization of respective legislations or the attainment of unitary positions. The controls and the related samples will be collected by Local Health Authority in compliance with criteria established by each region on the basis of specific control plans and supervision and in a manner and frequency that take into account the type of existing facilities inside the specific territorial areas, with particular attention to the critical points highlighted in the protocols of management and the self-prepared safety plans. In this regard, the working Group of Movement Sciences for the Health (GMSH) of the Italian Society of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene (SItI), proposes a checklist to complete during inspections routinely conducted by Local Health Authorities in swimming facilities. The aim is to have a single tool that can homogenize supervisory activities, procedures and types of controls in different realities, both locally and nationally.
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2013
We aimed to assess the extent of socioeconomic differences in sport and physical activity among I... more We aimed to assess the extent of socioeconomic differences in sport and physical activity among Italian adults. A secondary data analysis of a multipurpose survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics in 2006 in Italy was performed. We found marked differences in the practice of physical activity and sport by socioeconomic position. Subjects with a higher educational level were more likely to be physically active, practising more frequently both sport and physical activity. The Odds Ratio (OR) of regular physical activity for the highest educated compared to the lowest educated males was 1.70 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.38, 2.08), and the OR of sport participation was 2.03 (95% CI: 1.51, 2.72). Among females, the corresponding ORs were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.63) and 2.26 (95% CI: 1.51, 3.38). Similar differences in physical activity and sport were found in relation to occupation and material conditions. Almost all sports were more frequently practised by subjects of higher socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic differences in sport and physical activity may derive from economic or cultural barriers. Policies to reduce inequalities and ensure access to sport independently of socioeconomic position are strongly needed.
Population Health Metrics, 2012
Background: Surveillance systems often present data by means of summary measures, like age-standa... more Background: Surveillance systems often present data by means of summary measures, like age-standardised rates. In this study, we aimed at comparing information derived from commonly used measures of smoking with that presented in modified population pyramids (PPs), using the example of the diffusion of smoking in Italy over the past two decades.
<b>Copyright information:</b>Taken from "Extra-curricular physical activity and ... more <b>Copyright information:</b>Taken from "Extra-curricular physical activity and socioeconomic status in Italian adolescents"BMC Public Health 2006;6():22-22.Published online 31 Jan 2006PMCID:PMC1431521.Copyright © 2006 Torre et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Collezione: Le *monografie del gruppo universitario interdisciplinare per lo studio della fisiopa... more Collezione: Le *monografie del gruppo universitario interdisciplinare per lo studio della fisiopatologia e terapia del dolore
Igiene e sanita pubblica, 2008
This study evaluated the indoor air quality of 26 classrooms of secondary schools in the city of ... more This study evaluated the indoor air quality of 26 classrooms of secondary schools in the city of Cassino (Italy). Two types of school buildings were assessed: buildings specifically designed as schools, and former dwellings converted to schools. Measurements were taken in both winter and spring months, before students entered the classrooms and while the classrooms were occupied. Lower thermal comfort levels were observed during the winter months; in fact, during the winter, ideal temperature, humidity and air speed parameters were found in only a small percentage of classrooms and students were found to experience thermal discomfort as a result. Air velocity was often found to be inadequate both in winter and spring months and in both types of school buildings evaluated. Illumination levels measured during the winter months with both natural daylight and mixed illumination, were found to be below 200 lux, the minimum recommended level recommended by the ministerial decree 18.12.197...
Children’s autonomy in European countries has sharply declined in the last decades in corresponde... more Children’s autonomy in European countries has sharply declined in the last decades in correspondence with the decrease of their daily physical activity as for example free play and walk to school. Moreover, the use of desktop computer and electronic devices has been often related (Laurson et al., 2008) to sedentary behaviours in children (the so-called screen time). Nevertheless, the development of portable devices, with which children play the same electronic games and applications they used to play at desktop computers, opens new perspectives in the relationship between the screen time and physical activity.
The main challenge for all healthcare systems today is to meet people increasing health needs, th... more The main challenge for all healthcare systems today is to meet people increasing health needs, through the efficient resources allocation and the creation of value for the individual and the community [1, 2]. This challenge manifests itself in multiple scenarios such as that of low vision and blindness whose load of disability are constantly increasing. Vision impairment and blindness impose physical, social and quality-of-life limitations on individuals affected, but also a significant economic burden on society due to expenditures on healthcare treatment, productivity losses, costs of providing formal and informal care, and lost wellbeing [3]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of all causes of visual impairment are preventable or curable using cost-effective interventions. Then blindness and eye disease should be considered a public health priority and cost-effective interventions should be promoted to reduce the burden on individuals and society. WHO estimate...
European Journal of Surgical Oncology
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Papers by Giovanni Capelli