Influence of polycystic ovary syndrome on the periodontal health of Indian women visiting a secondary health care centre

Objectives

Periodontal disease and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) share risk factors like obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, along with evidence of chronic inflammation in the two conditions. Evaluating the influence of PCOS on periodontal health would, therefore, identify a possible association.

Materials and methods

Sixty women, divided into equal groups of PCOS and healthy patients, were clinically examined for periodontal parameters like probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (mGI), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin (FI), triglycerides (TG), and free testosterone along with serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were the biochemical parameters evaluated.

Results

Women with PCOS had statistically significant differences in mGI, PI, testosterone, FBS, and TG when compared with healthy women (p < 0.05). MDA levels in serum and GCF between women with PCOS and controls were also significantly different. BOP and mGI showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.45 and 0.44) with serum levels of MDA. Relatively greater gingival inflammation was observed in patients with PCOS compared to healthy controls, independent of the risk factors present.

Conclusion

PCOS seemed to have an impact on gingival inflammation, in addition to the effect of dental plaque and other local factors in the oral cavity, in PCOS patients when compared with healthy individuals.

Clinical relevance

Women diagnosed with PCOS may have probabaility of co-existing gingival inflammation. Therefore, emphasis on medical treatment for PCOS and periodic screening for periodontal disease may be warranted.

     

Imaging of the adult male urethra,penile prostheses and artificial urinary sphincters

Abdominal Radiology - To discuss the imaging appearances of various pathologies affecting adult male urethra and to review the role of imaging in the assessment of artificial urinary sphincters and...     

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Acute Onset Flank Pain-Suspicion of Stone Disease

ABSTRACT: Low dose (<3 mSv) noncontrast CT (NCCT) is the imaging study of choice for accurate evaluation of patients with acute onset of flank pain and suspicion of stone disease (sensitivity 97%, specificity 95%). NCCT can reliably characterize the location and size of an offending ureteral calculus, identify complications, and diagnose alternative etiologies of abdominal pain such as appendicitis. By comparison, the sensitivity of radiographs (59%) and ultrasound (24-57%) for the detection of renal and ureteral calculi is relatively poor. Ultrasound can accurately diagnose pelvicaliectasis and ureterectasis, but it may take several hours for these findings to develop. In the pregnant patient, however, ultrasound is a first line test as it does not expose the fetus to ionizing radiation. MR is an accurate test for the diagnosis of pelvicaliectasis and ureterectasis, but is less sensitive than CT for the diagnosis of renal and ureteral calculi. For patients with known stone disease whose stones are visible on radiographs, radiographs are a good tool for post-treatment follow-up.The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.     

Canadian multidisciplinary core curriculum for musculoskeletal health

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of agreement among the Bone and Joint Decade Undergraduate Curriculum Group (BJDUCG) core curriculum recommendations for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions targeted for undergraduate medical education and what the physicians and surgeons of Canada thought to be important at the postgraduate level of education. METHODS: An 80-item questionnaire was developed. A cross-sectional survey of educators representing 77 Canadian accredited academic programs representing 6 disciplines in medicine that manage patients with MSK conditions was completed. Histograms, Kruskal-Wallis, and principal component analyses were computed. RESULTS: In total, 164/175 (94%) respondents participated in the study. All 80 curriculum items received a mean score of at least 3.0/4.0. Sixty-four out of 80 items were ranked to be at least 3.5/4.0, and 35 items were ranked to be at least 3.8/4.0, suggesting that these items may be core content for all disciplines. CONCLUSION: The World Health Organization declared the years 2000 to 2010 as The Bone and Joint Decade. The main goal is to improve the quality of life for people with MSK disorders worldwide. One aim of the BJD is to increase education of healthcare providers at all levels. The BJDUCG established a set of core curriculum recommendations for MSK conditions. Our study gives reliable statistical evidence of agreement among what the BJDUCG recommended for an MSK core curriculum for medical schools and what the physicians and surgeons of Canada thought to be important for residency education in several disciplines.     

Interrogating the language of integration: the case of internationally recruited nurses

Aims. This paper suggested the need to interrogate the notion of ‘integration’ to facilitate the retention of migrant nurses. Background. The growth in internationally recruited nurses in the UK's health system has led to a raft of policies that aim to ensure that such nurses are well ‘integrated’ into their ‘new environment’. It is assumed that integration will improve the quality of internationally recruited nurses’ experience in the UK, improve their retention rates and thus improve the quality of health delivery within the UK. However, most of the steps through which integration is sought tend to move between some version of assimilation and ‘respect for difference’. Contributions. This paper aimed to add to existing literature on the integration of internationally recruited nurses in the UK by suggesting three steps towards rethinking ‘integration policies’. It suggests the need to recognize migration as only one of the differentiating factors within the nursing sector, to ensure that integration does actually become a two‐way process and to be cognizant of the multiple shapes that racism can take. The first two steps will prevent a slip between integration and assimilation while the last will help rethink any anti‐racist training that may form part of integration policies. Conclusions. There are many factors influencing the experiences of internationally recruited nurses and not all of them can be addressed within current integration policies. Relevance to clinical practice. Rethinking integration can help improve the experience of internationally recruited nurses.     

Dual Venous Drainage for the Free Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap—Using the Serratus Vein Tributary—Making Virtue of a Necessity

Background  Most flap failures in the lower limb are on account of venous congestion. Literature shows a decrease in the incidence of venous failure when two veins are anastomosed. The thoracodorsal pedicle of the latissimus dorsi free flap affords the possibility of a single venous anastomosis. The lack of a second venous outflow could result in venous congestion in the distal limits of the flap, particularly when long flaps are required for large defects or when the recipient veins are smaller in diameter. Methods  We describe a consecutive series of 11 cases of latissimus dorsi flaps for leg and foot defects with a mean defect size of 310 cm ² , where the serratus anterior vein was used as a second venous outflow channel to ensure maximal venous drainage. Results  There were no re-explorations for anastomotic causes. Only one case had partial distal muscle necrosis. There was a delayed anastomotic blowout due to infection resulting in amputation in one case. There was no partial distal muscle necrosis in nine of the ten cases. Conclusion  Using the serratus vein as a second venous outflow is of use in reducing incidence of venous occlusion and distal muscle necrosis and can be specially indicated for large flaps and venous diameter discrepancy.     

Diabetes in North Carolina: descriptive epidemiology and meaningful use of electronic health records

Diabetes is a major public health problem in North Carolina, affecting all sociodemographic groups. This commentary examines diabetes incidence, prevalence, disparities, morbidity, mortality, and costs. It also facilitates discussion about how the meaningful use of electronic health records can create new opportunities for collaboration between public health and clinical care professionals and organizations.     

Collaborative learning using Internet2 and remote collections of stereo dissection images

We have investigated collaborative learning of anatomy over Internet2, using an application called remote stereo viewer (RSV). This application offers a unique method of teaching anatomy, using high-resolution stereoscopic images, in a client-server architecture. Rotated sequences of stereo image pairs were produced by volumetric rendering of the Visible female and by dissecting and photographing a cadaveric hand. A client-server application (RSV) was created to provide access to these image sets, using a highly interactive interface. The RSV system was used to provide a "virtual anatomy" session for students in the Stanford Medical School Gross Anatomy course. The RSV application allows both independent and collaborative modes of viewing. The most appealing aspects of the RSV application were the capacity for stereoscopic viewing and the potential to access the content remotely within a flexible temporal framework. The RSV technology, used over Internet2, thus serves as an effective complement to traditional methods of teaching gross anatomy.