Statins with potential to control periodontitis: From biological mechanisms to clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, these drugs have pleiotropic effects that can be promising for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, such as periodontitis. HIGHLIGHT: This review aimed to identify preclinical, observational, and clinical studies that evaluate the effects and biological mechanisms of statins on oral cells and tissues and those using these drugs to treat periodontitis. A literature survey has been conducted in PubMed using combinations of the uniterms: "statins," "dentistry," "periodontal disease," and "periodontal treatment." In vitro findings showed positive statin results in cell lines related to alveolar bone metabolism by altering the signaling pathway Osteoprotegerin/Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B/Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Ligand (OPG/RANK/RANKL), stimulating the production of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, and reducing the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Animal studies have shown a reduction in alveolar bone loss and osteoclastic activity, in addition to a reduction in inflammatory markers, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, when statins were used prophylactically. Clinical trials showed a positive impact on clinical parameters, leading to a higher reduction in probing depth and gain in clinical attachment when a local statin was adjunctively associated with mechanical therapy. CONCLUSION: Statins were shown to be promising for regenerating and stimulating bone activity, with great potential for treating chronic periodontitis. However, further studies are required to confirm its effectiveness.

Evaluation of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in a general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a cause for growing concern in hospitals, has great impact on morbidity and mortality in clinical and surgical patients, and is the leading cause of preventable hospital deaths. Although there are risk assessment models for hospital inpatients, prophylaxis is still underused or is administered incorrectly. OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk profile for VTE in recently hospitalized clinical and surgical patients and evaluate the thromboprophylactic measures implemented in the first 24 hours of hospitalization. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a large general hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, between March and July 2015. Padua and Caprini scores were used for risk stratification of clinical and surgical patients, respectively, while thromboprophylactic measures were analyzed for compliance with the recommendations contained in the 8th and 9th Consensus of the American College of Chest Physicians. RESULTS: A total of 592 patients (62% clinical and 38% surgical) were assessed. Risk stratification revealed a need for chemoprophylaxis in 42% of clinical patients and 81% of surgical patients (51% high risk and 30% moderate risk). However, 54% of high-risk clinical patients, 85% of high-risk surgical patients, and 4% of moderate-risk surgical patients, who were free from contraindications, were actually given the correct prophylaxis in the first 24 hours of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve patient safety in relation to VTE in the first hours of hospitalization, since there is underutilization of chemoprophylaxis, especially in high-risk clinical patients and moderate-risk surgical patients.