Chronic symmetric symptomatic XXXX in the elderly: a field screening investigation in two Italian regions. I. Prevalence and general characteristics of the sample. Italian General Practitioner Study Group (IGPSG).

@entity1 @entity1183 @entity6 @entity1109 @entity305 @entity427
The prevalence and general characteristics of chronic symmetric symptomatic @entity305 were assessed in two elderly populations living in Varese, northern Italy, and San Giovanni Rotondo, southern Italy. We interviewed 4,191 subjects (3,027 in Varese and 1,164 in San Giovanni Rotondo), 55 years and older, seen in office consultations by 27 general practitioners. A neurologist examined 734 @entity1 who had two or more symptoms of @entity305 . A diagnosis of possible @entity305 (screening @entity1109 and one of the following findings: bilateral impairment of strength; bilateral @entity1183 ; bilateral @entity427 ) was made in 213 @entity1 (7.0%) in Varese and 94 (8.1%) in San Giovanni Rotondo. Probable @entity305 (screening symptoms and at least two of the physical findings) was present in 111 Varese @entity1 (3.7%) and 40 San Giovanni Rotondo @entity1 (3.4%). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate of probable @entity305 was 3.6 per 100 in Varese and 3.3 per 100 in San Giovanni Rotondo. The disease was more prevalent in @entity1 in Varese and in @entity1 in San Giovanni Rotondo and was significantly correlated with age in Varese. @entity6 was found in association with probable @entity305 in 43.7% of @entity1 . Muscle cramps and distal paresthesia were the main symptoms. In general, @entity305 was mild to moderate, @entity427 and sensation being the most common findings.
