[Clinico-epidemiological study of patients with phlebolymphatic diseases admitted to the hospitals of the Piedmont region 1976-1979. I. Analysis of all phlebolymphatic diseases]

In conjunction with the University Calculation Centre and the Piedmont Region, a computerised study was made of all patients (31,514 cases) admitted to Piedmont hospitals for phlebopathy and peripheral lymphopathy, including pulmonary embolism, in the period 1976-79. An account is given of the method used, the material, and the statistical technique. An 18.9% prevalence of women was noted. Occupation, age category, type of pathology, and treatment adopted were assessed for phlebopathies in toto and for each type. The data for each public health unit, divided by age category, were correlated with the general cases for the Region and those for each unit. In this way, it was possible to determine the incidence of phlebopathies in each unit and over the Region as a whole in relation to age. A map of the Region showing areas of higher, lower, and not significantly different from the regional mean hospitalisation (i.e. phlebopathy) was prepared. The significance of the different incidences in the several units is discussed in relation to their populations, geographical location, raye of migration, and types of occupational activity.