title: Did Ugo Foscolo suffer from chronic renal insufficiency?
abstract: Ugo Foscolo, was an Italian poet whose works rank among the masterpieces of Italian literature. Talented and well educated in philosophy, classics, and Italian literature, Foscolo gave literary expression to his ideological aspirations and to the numerous amorous experiences in odes, sonnets, plays, poems and an epistolary novel. Concurrent with his rich literary output, Foscolo's correspondence represents a unique perspective from which to monitor his literary and political views and investigate aspects of his everyday life. Among other interesting information, one can find elements of Foscolo's medical history which is generally unknown. Based on his testimonies we suggest that he suffered of longstanding bladder outlet obstruction presumably due to urethral stricture. In the present article we investigate the possibility that chronic bladder outlet obstruction and the consequent renal insufficiency was attributed to the death of Ugo Foscolo.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Tzaneio General Hospital of Piraeus, Afendouli 1 Ave, 18536 Piraeus, Attica Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stamatiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Italian Language and Literature, School of Philosophy, University of Athens, University Campus, 16121 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sgouridou
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Tzaneio General Hospital of Piraeus, Afendouli 1 Ave, 18536 Piraeus, Attica Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Christopoulos
keywords: Cause of death; Correspondence; Italian literature; Medical history; Renal insufficiency; Ugo Foscolo