Systemic diseases among patients with and without alveolar bone loss.

OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence shows an association between periodontal and general health. This study was undertaken to compare the prevalence of hypertension, respiratory diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and allergies among patients with and without alveolar bone loss. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 420 individuals aged 18 years and older were selected. Self-reported systemic diseases, age, gender, marital status, smoking, alveolar bone level, and number of teeth present were obtained from the subjects' dental records prior to treatment. Chi-square, Student t test, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Hypertension, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and arthritis were significantly more prevalent among subjects with moderate to severe alveolar bone loss. Hypertension and diabetes remained significantly more prevalent among subjects with more severe alveolar bone loss even after adjusting for confounders. Also, subjects with moderate to severe alveolar bone loss were 4 times more likely than their counterparts to have 3 or more systemic conditions. CONCLUSION: Subjects with moderate to severe alveolar bone loss have an increased prevalence of systemic diseases, especially hypertension and diabetes mellitus.     

Ureterosigmoidostomy: Is it a Viable Procedure in the Age of Continent Urinary Diversion and Bladder Substitution?

Between January 1977 and June 1985, 63 patients requiring supravesical diversion underwent ureterosigmoidostomy with an antireflux technique. Of the patients 49 had bladder cancer and 14 had other conditions. Two patients died in the postoperative period. Postoperatively, all patients were instructed to empty the rectum frequently, and received bicarbonate and potassium supplementation.Median followup was 41 months (range 3 to 70). Renal function remained stable in 92 percent of the patients. Radiographic deterioration occurred in 23 percent of the renal units, which was severe in 7 percent. These results indicate that the short and intermediate followup results with ureterosigmoidostomy are comparable to those of an ileal conduit. The method has the added advantage of being a form of continent diversion. We believe that ureterosigmoidostomy remains a viable and convenient alternative in select patients with bladder cancer who are not suitable for other forms of continent diversion or bladder substitution.     

Psychometric properties of self-monitoring of eating disorder urges among treatment seeking women: Ecological momentary assessment using a daily diary method

ObjectivesThe psychometric properties of an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) method used to evaluate eating disorder (ED) urges were examined.MethodsParticipants, 139 women who sought treatment for an ED, completed a daily diary measuring ED urges after each meal for a three week period at the start of treatment, and a measure of ED attitudes and behaviors pre- and post-treatment.ResultsThe construct validity of this method was indicated by a two factor solution representing binge eating urges and ED compensatory behavior urges, and by significant differences between ED diagnostic groups on ED urge type. Correlations of ED urges early in therapy with outcomes provided evidence for predictive validity. Correlations at pre-treatment between ED urges and ED attitudes and behaviors supported criterion validity. EMA of ED urges showed good retest stability.ConclusionsEMA of ED urges is a valid and reliable approach that is associated with ED symptom severity, and predictive of treatment outcome.     

Post-circumcision carcinoma of the penis: II. Surgical management

Post-circumcision penile carcinoma is a unique clinical entity that occurs in circumcision scars on the penile shaft. Excision is the only effective treatment. Surgical excision must be tailored to the wide spectrum of disease extension. While some primary tumors can be controlled by standard penectomy, others may require much more extensive resection while some can be adequately controlled without sacrificing the urethra or the corpora. Those who had a conservative operation for less extensive disease had the best results.