Azienda USL di Pescara

Introduction. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping children’s health behaviors, preventive practices, and adherence to medical recommendations. The Parental Health Locus of Control (PHLOC) scale measures parental beliefs about the sources of control over child health outcomes. Although an Italian version exists, its psychometric properties had not yet been comprehensively evaluated. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the PHLOC by assessing its factorial structure, internal consistency reliability, convergent validity with health literacy and vaccine hesitancy measures, and measurement invariance across healthcare professionals and non-healthcare professionals. Methods. A cross-sectional psychometric study was conducted among 308 Italian parents of children aged 0–18 years using EUSurvey®. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the six-factor structure of the PHLOC (Parent, Child, Professionals, Media, Divine, Fate), and internal consistency was assessed with McDonald’s omega. Convergent validity was examined through correlations with health literacy (HLS-EU-Q6) and vaccine hesitancy (PACV-5). Measurement invariance by professional status was evaluated using a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model. Results. CFA supported the six-factor model with good fit indices (CFI=0.954; TLI=0.949; RMSEA=0.068; SRMR=0.070). Internal consistency was satisfactory across subscales (ω=0.67-0.95). Correlations were consistent with theoretical expectations: higher health literacy and lower vaccine hesitancy were associated with lower endorsement of external attributions (Divine, Fate). The hierarchical second-order model (Internal, External-Powerful Others, External-Chance) yielded inadmissible solutions. Discussion. The Italian PHLOC demonstrated sound psychometric properties, supporting its validity, reliability, and measurement invariance. Future studies should further investigate higher-order structures and temporal stability to strengthen the scale’s theoretical and practical applications in research and clinical contexts.

Accurate splenic volumetry is essential in hematologic and hepatic disorders, particularly for monitoring therapeutic response to JAK-2 inhibitors. Ultrasound-based assessment typically applies the prolate ellipsoid formula using three diameters, although the anteroposterior (AP) measurement is often unreliable. This study aimed to validate an alternative two-diameter approach based on the spherical cap formula. Fifteen autopsy cases underwent splenic ultrasound before organ removal. Longitudinal, transverse, and AP diameters were measured to calculate splenic volume using both the prolate ellipsoid and spherical cap formulas. These values were compared with the true organ volume obtained by water displacement. The protocol was subsequently applied to 101 living outpatients for further comparison between formulas. In cadavers, ultrasound-derived volumes correlated strongly with actual splenic volumes for both formulas (Spearman's ρ = 0.83 for ellipsoid; ρ = 0.80 for spherical cap). Similar agreement was confirmed in living subjects (ρ = 0.94, p < 0.001). The AP diameter showed the greatest variability and lowest reliability. Histologic analysis demonstrated that splenic weight correlates with white pulp trophism rather than volume. The spherical cap formula, requiring only longitudinal and transverse diameters, provides an accurate and reproducible estimation of splenic volume comparable to the ellipsoid model. Its simplified application may improve consistency in ultrasound volumetry and enhance clinical utility in hematologic and hepatic follow-up.

The PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS) has recently become a popular measure of autistic features in psychosis populations, but evidence on its longitudinal reliability and factor configuration is poor. The aims of this investigation were to examine psychometric characteristics of the PAUSS in young patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) treated in an early intervention service, with primary interest for its long-term stability across 2 years of follow-up and factor configuration. All FEP participants completed the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Autism Quotient (AQ) at baseline and across the follow-up. Statistical analysis mainly included Cronbach's α to examine internal consistency of the PAUSS, Cohen's k statistics and Spearman's ρ correlation coefficients for its longitudinal stability and convergent validity with AQ scores, and exploratory factor analysis to explore its dimensions' configuration. 301 FEP participants were recruited (170 with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder [SSD]). Cronbach's α value for the PAUSS was 0.806, but with unacceptable inter-item correlations for PANSS G5 and G15 items. K value for examining PAUSS convergent validity with AQ score was unacceptable (0.295), as well as ρ and k values to quantify long-term test-retest reliability (< 0.750 and < 0.600, respectively). No long-term stability of the PAUSS scores across the follow-up was also found using Wilcoxon's test for repeated measure. Our EFA found a 2-factor model in the FEP total sample and a 3-factor configuration in the SSD subgroup. Our results suggest that the PAUSS does not represent a valid instrument to assess autistic features in FEP and SSD. Indeed, the it probably captures psychotic symptom severity rather than autistic features, especially reflecting negative symptom load.

Studying the timing of the seasonal movements of migratory birds, known as migration phenology, is crucial for managing and conserving migratory bird populations. This is particularly important for migratory game bird populations in Europe because, according to the EU, migratory birds should not be hunted during their breeding season or during return movements to breeding grounds (pre‐breeding or pre‐nuptial migration). To effectively protect these species during these critical periods, it is vital to employ reliable methods for assessing their migration phenology. Citizen science, which involves the participation of skilled volunteers in scientific data gathering, is a valuable resource for migration studies. It allows the collection of large amounts of data across extensive geographic areas, overcoming some limitations of other datasets and analytical methods. In this study we analysed pre‐ and post‐breeding migration phenology of 23 game bird species in Italy, using citizen science data from the www.Ornitho.it portal. We then compared our findings on pre‐breeding migration onset with published migration timing data from ringing records and found a close match. Additionally, we compared our results with the pre‐breeding migration onset determined for Italy in the ‘Key Concepts Document' (KCD) published by the European Commission that plays a central role in the regulation of hunting activities in EU countries. For 19 species (83%), we estimated an earlier pre‐breeding timing compared to that reported in the last KCD for Italy (2021, amended in 2025 for four species), highlighting a potential risk of these species being hunted during their pre‐breeding migration. These findings highlight the value of citizen science data in obtaining migration timing and the importance of employing multiple methods to estimate it. This approach is particularly valuable for species subject to hunting, which require well‐informed management.

HighlightsWhat are the main findings?Patients with dementia are hospitalized for different diseases compared to patients without dementia.Dementia was associated with in-hospital mortality.Dementia was associated with prolonged length of stay.What are the implications of the main findings?The definition of the causes of these differences aims to improve surveillance systems.It is important to implement better management of dementia during hospital admission.Better management of dementia is also important to shorten discharge delay to other healthcare facilities.Background/Objectives: To investigate the relationship between dementia and hospital outcomes (in-hospital mortality and prolonged length of stay). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted considering all hospital admissions performed between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2023 in the Abruzzo region, Italy. The study was conducted on a large sample including all elderly patients admitted to hospital in a Southern Italian region during a six year period. To compare outcomes between patients with and without dementia, a propensity score matching procedure was performed using a multivariable logistic model adjusted for age and gender and comorbidities. Odds ratios for primary and secondary outcomes were computed using logistic regression models. Results: After the matching procedure, 25,476 patients were included in the analyses: 12,738 with dementia and 12,738 controls. Logistic regression models showed that dementia was associated with in-hospital mortality (OR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.91–2.18; p < 0.001) and prolonged length of stay (OR: 1.44; 95% CI 1.29–1.58; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In a large cohort of Italian patients, dementia was associated with in-hospital mortality and prolonged length of stay.

Despite public and private investments in the senior housing sector, an alternative to retirement homes is not yet truly present in Italy, except for a few rare cases. The spots in residential facilities for the elderly are limited and not enough to fill a demand for spaces that is continuously increasing. Another underlying problem is that the type of user that senior housing is aimed at is not currently considered by the Italian market; the impact of factors that can decrease the quality of life in elderly people, such as loneliness, lack of physical activity or loss of routine is underestimated. This set of negative factors promotes the opposite of what is considered active aging. In recent years senior houses, intended as a residential typology for self-sufficient elderly people, have undergone a significant evolution, reflecting social, demographic and technological changes; this reflects a paradigm shift in the way society approaches care to the elderly, focusing increasingly on autonomy, personalization and well-being. From 2010 to 2024, there has been greater attention towards customization of programs and spaces dedicated to the elderly, with the aim of offering services that meet everyone’s specific needs. Senior houses are becoming more oriented towards a wellbeing-based approach and are starting to focus on social inclusion as well, promoting recreational and cultural activities to improve the quality of life of elderly guests. A strategy used for social inclusion is to dedicate part of the project to functions open to the public (kindergartens, community centers, spaces for associations, etc.) so that the project fits into the urban level of the city by interacting with it. The proposal is to integrate cultural spaces with senior housing in a way that the elderly residents can become the keepers and narrators of local heritage, creating intergenerational communities.

Early relapse in multiple myeloma (MM) is a major predictor of poor prognosis, regardless of cytogenetic risk or treatment intensity. Here we analyzed 1026 MM patients treated across 12 Italian hematology centers. FHR was defined as progression-free survival (PFS) ≤18 months in transplant-eligible (TE) and ≤12 months in non-transplant-eligible (NTE) patients. Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to identify significant predictors of FHR and build a risk score. FHR status was identified in 175 patients (17%). These patients had significantly shorter PFS (7 vs. 57.5 months) and overall survival (19 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001). FHR status was associated with higher median LDH, lower Hb level, higher creatinine level and lower platelets count. Modified EASIX formula was built by these significant continuous variables, to be tested in a logistic analysis: [(LDH × creatinine)/(Hb × PLT) × 100]. A significantly higher rate of FHR was found with a score > 2.0 (89% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis selected the above formula, ECOG PS ≥ 2 and ISS III as factors associated with FHR. Scoring these variables according to OR, three groups of patients were segregated with a rate of FHR patients of 7%, 29.5%, and 63.5%, respectively. Treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies was associated with lower FHR frequency. This study proposes a simple, clinically applicable model to identify FHR MM patients early in their disease course. However, very in-depth biological tools, not available in clinical practice, are needed to identify singularly risk of becoming FHR.