Antibiotic Use in Dental Implant Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: This project was developed from anecdotal evidence of varied practices around antibiotic prescribing in dental procedures. The aim of the study was to ascertain if there is evidence to support whether antibiotic (AB) use can effectively reduce postoperative infections after dental implant placements (DIPs). Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA-P© methodology, a systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials was designed and registered on the PROSPERO© database. Searches were performed using PubMed®, Science Direct® and the Cochrane© Database, plus the bibliographies of studies identified. The efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics, independent of the regimen used, versus a placebo, control or no therapy based on implant failure due to infection was the primary measured outcome. Secondary outcomes were other post-surgical complications due to infection and AB adverse events. Results: Twelve RCTs were identified and analysed. Antibiotic use was reported to be statistically significant in preventing infection (p < 001). The prevention of complications was not statistically significant (p = 0.96), and the NNT was >5 (14 and 2523 respectively), which indicates that the intervention was not sufficiently effective to justify its use. The occurrence of side effects was not statistically significant (p = 0.63). NNH was 528 indicating that possible harm caused by the use of ABs is very small and does not negate the AB use when indicated. Conclusion: The routine use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection in dental implant placement was found to be not sufficiently effective to justify routine use. Clear clinical assessment pathways, such as those used for medical conditions, based on the patients' age, dental risk factors, such as oral health and bone health, physical risk factors, such as chronic or long-term conditions and modifiable health determinants, such as smoking, are required to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

The Role of Antibiotic Use in Third Molar Tooth Extractions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Anecdotal evidence suggested variation in practices for antibiotic prescribing around dental procedures including route of administration of antibiotics, timing of the course prescribed (before, after or both), length of course prescribed, narrow vs. broad spectrum agents prescribed, use of single or combination of antibiotics, and the use of loading doses. This review aims to investigate this disparity of practices and the absence of global and local recent consensus on the most appropriate antibiotic interventions around invasive dental procedures. Material and methods: Following PRISMA-P© methodology, a systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials was designed, reviewed, and entered on the PROSPERO© website prior to commencement. Ethics approval was gained from the University of Wolverhampton Committee. Searches were performed using PubMed©, Science Direct™, and the Cochrane Database, plus the bibliographies of studies identified. They investigated studies examining the efficacy and safety of any antibiotic regimen tested, independent of regimen used, versus a placebo, control, or no therapy, on outcomes in post third molar extraction. Results: The primary outcome of interest was postoperative infection and secondary outcomes were other post-surgical related complications of infectious nature and antibiotic adverse events. Sixteen RCTs were identified that met the selection criteria. Antibiotic use was reported to be safe, causing few adverse events. Meta-analysis of infection events showed antibiotics reduced the risk of an infection by 69%, but routine use for prophylaxis in uncomplicated procedures was not supported, and their role in patients with comorbidities or impaired immunity remains controversial. The effect on the incidence of dry socket showed no difference based upon regimen used. No significant benefit was found with respect to reduction of intraoral inflammation, wound dehiscence, haematoma, and lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: The effect on postoperative pain reduction was inconclusive. Routine use of antibiotics around M3 extraction procedures is not supported, but their use in the presence of co-morbidities and or immunosuppression remains controversial to be confirmed by future studies.

Hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized from heart failure.

BACKGROUND: To date, the majority of studies on hyponatremia focussed on hyponatremia at admission, and came from developed countries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients hospitalized for HF and its association with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This was an observational study using retrospective data from patients' records between 2010-2013. It focused on those patients carrying an ICD-10 code of 150.0(Congestive Heart Failure) as their primary diagnosis. Hyponatremia during hospitalization was defined as serum sodium level lower than 135 mEq/L obtained from a blood chemistry measurement on the next days after admission. Patients' characteristics were examined and the association between hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 464 patients hospitalized for HF, hyponatremia during hospitalization was observed in 22 % of patients with 44 % of this group had normal serum sodium level on admission. Hyponatremia during hospitalization was associated with lower blood pressure on admission, both systolic and diastolic, peripheral oedema, ascites and fatigue. Patients having history of hospitalization for cardiac diseases and renal failure were higher in patients developing hyponatremia during hospitalization. In this group, amiodarone, heparin, insulin and antibiotics were administered more frequently. Factors potentially increase the risk of hyponatremia during hospitalization include history of fatigue (OR = 3.23, 95 % CI 1.79-5.82), presence of ascites (4.14, 1.84-9.31), and administration of heparin (3.85, 1.78-8.31) and antibiotics (3.08, 1.71-5.53). Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was also higher compared to non-hyponatremic patients, 7.7 % and 29.1 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found that the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients hospitalized for HF was almost the same as hyponatremia on admission and administration of heparin and antibiotics can potentially worsen hyponatremia during hospitalization. In this study population, hyponatremia during hospitalization was found to be associated with in-hospital mortality.

A survey of dental professionals' opinions around the use of antibiotics in molar 3 extractions and dental implant placement.

Aim: This survey was conducted to determine the type and frequency of antibiotics (AB) use for the prevention of infections in dental third molar (M3) extraction and implantation procedures (DIP) among UK dentists and the opinions underpinning their practice. Methods and design: Systematic reviews of the evidence were undertaken alongside this survey of practicing dentists in the United Kingdom to identify the opinions and practices of those undertaking the procedures.With ethical approval, a survey was designed for online delivery and was sent to every dental practitioner in the UK with a publicly available email address or social media contact. The opening page provided the project information sheet and proceeding to complete and submit the questionnaire was considered consent to participate. The online survey was circulated to 900 identified addresses and a total of 145 responses were received. Responses were collated in Microsoft® Excel™ and analyzed using IBM® SPSS™ plus thematic analysis of free text responses. Results: There were 42% of participants (n=61) who discouraged AB prophylactic use in M3 extractions in people with no systemic conditions and who also preferred postoperative AB use when required. Where, 57.9% of respondents (n=84) supported the short-term use of ABs (5-7 days) for M3 extraction and 53% (n=77) in DIP placement in patients with no relevant medical history. As an ad hoc finding, dentists reported on the negative impact of heavy smoking and oral parafunctional behavior on DIP success. Conclusion: The use of antibiotics and broad spectrum antibiotics remains higher than current guidelines would recommend. Further research is required to clarify the specific risks arising from underlying medical conditions to further clarify where prophylaxis is required.

The Experience of Home Parenteral Therapy: A Thematic Analysis of Patient Interviews.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies have explored patients' experience with home parenteral (injectable) therapy (HPT) in the UK. AIM: To explore the immediate-, short-, and long-term experience of patients with self-management of any home parenteral therapy with the intention for developing a guideline for service development in the United Kingdom. METHODS AND DESIGN: An interview-based study of patients receiving HPT. Invitations were posted to all patients on the hospital HPT register. The sessions were conducted by telephone for all consenting patients. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Participants completed the 'Health Education Impact Questionnaire' (heiQ) before and after the education session. RESULTS: Of the 640 patients invited to participate in the study, 45 (7%) patients completed the interviews and the education session. An interview analysis revealed that the patients' experiences of HPT were generally positive, but the levels of training and support received showed wide individual variations. The patients had experienced periods of doubt and uncertainty, where they would have appreciated quick access to professional advice to alleviate their concerns. There was a reliable positive change (10.5-18.4%) from before and after the education sessions in six out of the eight domains on the heiQ questionnaire (health-directed behaviour, self-monitoring and insight, constructive attitudes and approaches, skill and technique acquisition, social integration and support, and emotional distress) and moderate change in two domains (5.3% in positive and negative engagement in life, and 2.6% in health services navigation). CONCLUSION: Self-administered parenteral therapy at home is a valuable option, but training and preparation standards should be optimised across hospitals and the wider NHS.

Vitamin B group levels and supplementations in dermatology.

Irregularities of vitamin levels are being increasingly identified associated with skin conditions, and systemic and topical therapies have shown promising improvements. There have been some remarkable improvements achieved, but large variations in outcomes suggest that these conditions are not simply related to a single deficiency or solved by providing a single supplement. Cyanocobalamin, pyridoxine (B6) and riboflavin (B2) supplementation were linked with exacerbating existing acne. There were also reports of allergic reactions to parenteral cobalamin including acne, rosacea, allergic site reactions or anaphylaxis with cobalamin injections. This was also reported in patients who had allergic contact dermatitis to cobalt, where cobalamin therapy resulted in cutaneous manifestations such as chronic vesicular hand dermatitis, cheilitis and stomatitis. The use of niacinamide in acne vulgaris as an alternative to clindamycin or adjunct is also notable, as well as its application for hyperpigmentation. Vitamin B3 also has promise in chemoprevention in particular nonmelanoma skin cancer prophylaxis. Folic acid has a developing role in psoriasis. The data for vitiligo remains inconclusive. Assessment for potential vitamin deficiency, particularly B vitamins, should form part of the normal work-up for a wide range of skin conditions.

Possible relationship between poor skin disorders prognosis and serum zinc level: A narrative review.

Zinc is a trace nutrient essential for the normal growth and development of human body. The main aim was to evaluate the significant association between measured zinc status in relation to different skin disorders and their severity. PubMed®, Google® Scholar™ and Cochrane© Reviews databases were searched for studies from January 2017 to June 2021, using the terms; zinc serum levels, zinc plasma levels and different dermatosis in the review, only human studies in English language were reviewed and the studies designs were controlled, cross sectional, observational and analytic types. A total of forty-eight research studies were included in this review. All studies have evaluated serum zinc in skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis alba, androgenetic alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, vitiligo, melasma, acne, seborrheic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppuritiva. It was found that 33 studies had validated statistically significant differences in serum zinc levels between patients and controls. There is a predominance of low serum zinc levels in all the dermatoses reviewed. The clinical significance of this finding highlights the possible value, and need to investigate, the use of Zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases proven to manifest altered zinc levels.

Parenteral Provision of Micronutrients to Pediatric Patients: An International Expert Consensus Paper.

INTRODUCTION: Micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements) are essential to all nutrition. For children and neonates who are dependent upon nutrition support therapies for growth and development, the prescribed regimen must supply all essential components. This paper aims to facilitate interpretation of existing clinical guidelines into practical approaches for the provision of micronutrients in pediatric parenteral nutrition. METHODS: An international, interdisciplinary expert panel was convened to review recent evidence-based guidelines and published literature to develop consensus-based recommendations on practical micronutrient provision in pediatric parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: The guidelines and evidence have been interpreted as answers to 10 commonly asked questions around the practical principles for provision and monitoring of micronutrients in pediatric patients. CONCLUSION: Micronutrients are an essential part of all parenteral nutrition and should be included in the pediatric nutrition therapy care plan.

Beliefs about medicines among Hong Kong hospital outpatients.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To identify demographic characteristics associated with different patients' belief attitudes among older Hong Kong hospital outpatients. (2) To identify important implementation criteria for developing a more effective adherence-improving intervention. METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-eight patients completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic information and Belief about Medicines Questionnaire. Findings were statistically analysed. KEY FINDINGS: Among respondents, 56.9% were either in the hesitant (Mixed-feelings and Indifferent) or negative (Distrustful) medication belief constructs. The majority of these patients were younger females, with better education, taking fewer regular medications and for shorter duration. Rheumatoid and gout accounted for 46.1% of cases in the Distrustful construct, while cardiovascular and diabetic conditions accounted for 63.8% of cases in the positive (In-favour) construct. Patients' concerns about medications were reaffirmed to be a predominant factor affecting medication beliefs. The mean Necessity-Concern Differential scores in the two hesitant constructs illustrated that patients within these two constructs were more pliant towards medicines and, therefore, were predicted to be more subject to modification. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified the demographic characteristics of patients with negative or hesitant belief attitudes about medicines. In order to effectively achieve improvement in long-term beliefs about medications, the design of interventions should target positively modifying belief attitudes in these two patient groups. Furthermore, addressing patients' concern about their medicines was reaffirmed to be an important criterion for researchers to focus on when designing effective interventions in the future.

Patient and medication-related factors associated with hospital-acquired hyponatremia in patients hospitalized from heart failure.

Background Hyponatremia has been known as an important predictor of clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). While information on hyponatremia in patients with HF has been available abundantly, information on factors associated with increased risk of developing hospital-acquired hyponatremia (HAH) is still limited. Objective To identify patients and medication-related factors associated with HAH in patients hospitalized from HF. Setting Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods This is a nested case-control study with patients developing HAH served as case group and each patient in case group was matched by age and gender to three patients in control group. Patients included in this study are patients hospitalized from HF, and coded with I.50 according to ICD-10, during 2011-2013 at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Information retrieved from patients' medical records included demographic profiles, vital signs and symptoms at admission, past medical history, medication during hospitalization and clinical chemistry laboratory records. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to find out patient and treatment-related factors associated with the development of HAH. Main outcome measures Patients and medication related factors having significant association with HAH. Results Four hundreds sixty-four patients were included in this study and 45 of them (9.7 %) met criteria of developing HAH so then, accordingly, 135 patients were selected as controls. 36 patient- and 22 treatment-related factors were analyzed in univariate logistic regression resulted in 20 factors having p value <0.2 and were included in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Final factors showing significant association with HAH are presence of ascites at admission (odds ratio = 4.7; 95 % confidence interval 1.9-11.5) and administration of amiodarone (3.2; 1.3-7.4) and heparin (3.1; 1.2-7.3) during hospital stay. Conclusion Presence of ascites at admission was found as patient-related factors associated with HAH in this study. In addition, administration of amiodarone and heparin during hospital stay were found as medication-related factors associated with HAH in patients hospitalized from HF.

In vitro analysis of the effect of in-line 1.2 micron filters on two formulations of propofol (2,6-diisopropyl phenol).

Recent evidence has shown improved outcomes in pediatric intensive care units with the intensive use of intravenous in-line filtration. This has caused resurgence in interest in filter use but has raised questions in relation to emulsion-based formulations such as propofol. Our objective was to test two propofol products, Diprivan(®) and Fresofol(®), with the Pall Lipipor(®) TNA and Lipipor NLF intravenous in-line filters and to assay the content before and after filtration under typical infusion conditions. The propofol emulsions were delivered from a 50 mL syringe through an extension set and into either a Lipipor TNA (50 mL/h(-1)) or Lipipor NLF (20 mL/h(-1)) filter. Samples were taken at regular intervals and assayed using a high-performance liquid chromatography method before and after filtration. No evidence was found of a significant concentration change during passage of either product through either model of filter. Propofol from two products was found to pass through two different types of Pall 1.2 µm intravenous in-line filters. There was no significant change in concentration before and after filtration under typical conditions of administration. In conclusion, administration of these products through these models of in-line filter would be safe and effective.

Glutamine in pediatrics: where next?

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the literature and examined the issues surrounding the use of glutamine in pediatrics and neonatology. METHODS: We reviewed the literature using Medline, Embase, Current Contents, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. Additional information was obtained from bibliographic citations and personal communications. RESULTS: Evidence showed that glutamine levels are affected in a number of life stages and conditions. Useful, indicative studies are emerging but many fail to demonstrate significant differences. The problems of researching in this patient population were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: A need for a great deal of further research in this area, including larger multicenter trials, clearly emerged.

Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A brief review.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has been recognized since at least 1940. A review of the literature identifies differences in the definition for this condition and wide variations in treatment and outcomes. This syndrome appears to describe a group of conditions with differing pathophysiology, which requires treatment tailored to the true underlying disorder. Patients need to be fully evaluated to guide treatment. Further research is required to effectively classify the range of underlying pathophysiology that can produce this syndrome and to guide optimal management.

Variations in small-volume doses of a liquid antibiotic using two paediatric administration devices.

OBJECTIVE: Children can be a difficult population in which to administer medicines and many parents or caregivers may be inexperienced in the administration of paediatric medicines. The aim of this study was to determine the variations in volumes of doses of reconstituted antibiotic suspension using two calibrated administrative devices. SETTING: Measurements were conducted in a Dispensing Laboratory in New Zealand, using locally available commercial, standardized measuring devices. METHOD: A medicine dropper and a spill-proof measuring spoon were selected and a dose of 3 ml, to be given three times daily for five days (45 ml) was used for the purposes of this study. Doses were weighed and corresponding volumes were calculated using the average weight per ml. RESULTS: The doses measured using the medicine dropper were consistently smaller than the doses measured using the spill-proof measuring spoon. CONCLUSION: The current method of financial subsidy for the provision of liquid antibiotics in New Zealand should be investigated. Pharmacists must ensure that an appropriate measure and sufficient quantity is provided for optimal duration of treatment. This study contributes to the relatively sparse information available on the administration of children's medicines. It will have relevance for countries where pharmacy practice is determined largely by administrative departments.

Intravenous in-line filters: filtering the evidence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The routine use of intravenous in-line filters on infusion lines has been controversial for many years, with strong advocates, detractors and many fence-sitting observers. The purpose of this review was to examine the literature for new developments and to cast the net a little wider than in previous reviews in an attempt to draw useful parallels. RECENT FINDINGS: There were recent major policy statements or recommendations from a working party of the British Pharmaceutical Nutrition Group and from the US Centres for Disease Control. The first was focussed on filters and was broadly in favour, the second was not focussed on the subject but made quite a strong statement against, on microbiological issues alone. The major purpose of filters, however, is particulate contamination, and whilst there was little in the literature directly on this subject, useful parallels could be drawn from papers describing the therapeutic use of particles and also from their effects in intravenous drug users. SUMMARY: When all the available information is considered, and the role of filters in particulate contamination, in-line chemical precipitates, identifying problems in parenteral therapy practice, microbial contamination and entrapped air is examined, the case for routine use appears strong.