Periodontal and hematological characteristics associated with aggressive periodontitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis shares several clinical and pathogenic characteristics with chronic arthritis, and there is some degree of coexistence. The aims of this study were to elucidate whether patients with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP), generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share periodontal and hematological characteristics distinguishing them from individuals free of diseases. METHODS: The study population consisted of white adults (or=4 mm, CAL>or=2 mm, and ABL>or=2 mm compared to controls. The percentage of sites with CAL>or=2 mm significantly correlated with the levels of IgM-RF and IgA-RF. Missing teeth in JIA and RA patients were not lost due to periodontitis. Patients with GAgP showed higher levels of leukocytes, including neutrophils, and CRP compared to controls. In part, JIA and RA patients showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with RA may develop periodontal destruction, and these patients require professional attention. Both differences and similarities in periodontal and hematological variables were seen in individuals with periodontitis, JIA, and RA.     

Health literacy levels in outpatients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective: Health literacy (HL) is a concept covering a range of cognitive and social skills that comprises aspects necessary for patients to navigate in the healthcare system. Our study aimed to investigate HL in patients with liver cirrhosis and determine factors associated with low HL.

Methods: Data were collected among outpatients with cirrhosis (n?=?108), using three dimensions from the Health Literacy Questionnaire. The selected dimensions were: ‘Social support for health’ (Social support scale), ‘Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers’ (Engagement scale), and ‘Understand health information well enough to know what to do’ (Information scale). Unpaired t-test was used to investigate differences on the HLQ scale scores. The effect sizes (ES) were calculated between groups using Cohen’s d.

Results: A total of 105 patients completed the questionnaire. Mean age of respondents was 60.6 years (45.5% females). A majority had alcoholic liver cirrhosis (64.8%) and 36.2% were living alone. Males had a low level of Social support HL (p?p?Conclusions: Male outpatients with liver cirrhosis were found to have low levels of HL, so were patients with low education. In order to effectively communicate and support patients to self-manage their disease, healthcare providers can benefit from including a focus on HL in planning and delivering health care to patients with liver cirrhosis.     

Heart rate variability changes in physicians working on night call

Purpose  

Adverse effects by night-call duty have become an important occupational health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the heart rate variability (HRV) differed during recovery from day work and night-call duty between distinct physician specialities.     

Anorganic porous bovine-derived bone mineral (Bio-Oss) and ePTFE membrane in the treatment of peri-implantitis in cynomolgus monkeys

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anorganic porous bovine-derived bone mineral (Bio-Oss) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane in the treatment of peri-implantitis. A total of 64 implants with a titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) surface was inserted in eight cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). After a 3-month healing period with plaque control, experimental peri-implantitis characterized by a bone loss of 4-6 mm was induced during a period of 9-18 months. Surgical treatment involving Bio-Oss+membrane, Bio-Oss, membrane, or a conventional flap procedure (control) only was carried out. The animals were sacrificed six months after treatment. Evaluation by clinical parameters, radiography including quantitative digital subtraction radiography, histology, and stereology demonstrated healthy peri-implant tissue irrespective of the applied surgical procedure. However, the amount of re-osseointegration and the total amount of bone (Bio-Oss and regenerated bone) were significantly higher in defects treated with membrane-covered Bio-Oss as compared with the other three treatment procedures. A mean bone-to-implant contact of 36% was obtained within defects treated with membrane-covered Bio-Oss. The corresponding values for the three other treatment procedures were 13-23%. The Bio-Oss particles were in general highly integrated within the regenerated bone, but the particles in the occlusal part of the defects were entirely surrounded by connective tissue irrespective of membrane coverage. The present study demonstrates that surgical treatment involving Bio-Oss covered by an ePTFE membrane is a useful treatment modality of experimental peri-implantitis around implants with a TPS surface in cynomolgus monkeys. However, the treatment outcome is not as encouraging as seen with membrane-covered autogenous bone graft particles documented in a study with same experimental design.