Multiple developmental dental anomalies and hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Concurrent existence of multiple developmental dental anomalies: hypodontia of permanent mandibular incisors, dentin dysplasia, transmigration, root dilaceration, ectopic eruption and delayed eruption combined with systemic abnormalities including joint hyperlaxity and skin hyperextensibility aided in diagnosis of a sporadic case of hypermobility type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in a Jordanian Arab male. In dental practice the presence of multiple developmental dental anomalies expressing simultaneous defects in different stages of tooth development should raise suspicion of possible of manifestation of an underlying systemic abnormality.     

A one-day method for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in rural Ethiopia.

Smear diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) requires three sputum examinations over 2 days. We evaluated the performance of two sputum specimens obtained on a single day (the second specimen submitted 1 h after the first) against the standard 2-day method in rural Ethiopia. A total of 243 suspects were enrolled; 52 had confirmed PTB: 49 (94%) were detected by the same-day method and 51 (98%) by the standard method (P > 0.5). The same-day approach would reduce the number of visits required for diagnosis, save resources for the health system and the patient, and ultimately improve case detection in poorer countries.     

Using Neuroleptics to Treat Delirium in Dying Cancer Patients at a Cancer Center in Saudi Arabia

Neuroleptics are commonly used for treating delirium as a common problem in terminally ill cancer patients. However, prescribing patterns are believed to substantially vary among health professionals. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of prescribing neuroleptics for treating delirium in cancer patients dying in a palliative care unit in Saudi Arabia. We reviewed the medical records of adults with advanced cancer who died in the palliative care unit over 23 months. In addition to patients’ demographics, data collection included the pattern of prescribing neuroleptics for the treatment of delirium during the last week of life. For the 271 patients included (57.6% females), the median age was 54 years. Although 62% of patients were on around-the-clock (ATC) neuroleptics to treat delirium, about two thirds of these were requiring rescue doses (PRN [pro re nata]) as well. The ATC neuroleptics included haloperidol alone (89.3%), levomepromazine alone (2.4%), or both (8.3%). All neuroleptics were administered via the parenteral route. On average, the maximum daily doses of the ATC neuroleptics were 4 mg for haloperidol and 15.5 mg for levomepromazine. Patients with primary or metastatic brain cancers were less likely to be on neuroleptics (P < .0001). The authors conclude that in their palliative care unit, haloperidol is by far the most commonly used neuroleptic, followed by levomepromazine, to treat the common problem of delirium in patients dying with advanced cancer. The generally low doses of neuroleptics required may be attributed to several factors in this population, including cultural motives.     

Serum vitamin D status in type 2 diabetic patients from Gaza Strip

ObjectiveTo assess serum vitamin D status and its relations to other biochemical parameters in type 2 diabetic patients from Gaza Strip.Materials and methodsThis case-control study included 58 type 2 diabetic patients as well as 58 non-diabetic controls. Patients and controls were matched for age and gender. Data were obtained from questionnaire interview, and biochemical analysis of blood samples.ResultsSerum vitamin D was significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic controls (25.9 ± 11.0 versus 34.6 ± 13.8 ng/dl, % difference = 28.8%, P < 0.001). The number of patients having vitamin D deficient, insufficient and sufficient were 6 (10.4%), 35 (60.3%) and 17 (29.3%) compared to controls of 3 (5.2%), 16 (27.6%) and 39 (67.2%), respectively (χ² = 14.672, P < 0.001). Serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglycerides were significantly higher in patients than in controls whereas serum insulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and calcium were significantly lower in patients. Serum vitamin D showed significant negative correlations with HbA1c (r = ? 0.186, P = 0.046), ALT (r = ? 192, P = 0.040) and AST (r = ? 0.188, P = 0.044) whereas significant positive correlations were found with HDL-C (r = 0.188, P = 0.044) and calcium (r = 0.239, P = 0.010).ConclusionThe significant negative and positive correlations of vitamin D with HbA1c and calcium, respectively suggests that vitamin D supplementation would be of potential therapeutic value in clinical settings for controlling of type 2 diabetes and more importantly its complications. However, a well-designed clinical trials are needed to define the contribution of vitamin D status and therapy in the global diabetes problem.