Metabolic syndrome and psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis vulgaris: Quality of life and prevalence.

Interest has increased in comorbidities associated with psoriasis and their effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to investigate HRQoL and the prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and dyslipidemia. In a cross-sectional design, patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis answered an interview and standardized questionnaires (Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire [DLQI], 36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36] and EuroQol Five-Dimension Questionnaire Three-Level version [EQ-5D-3L]). Physical examination and several tests to assess desired outcomes were performed by a dermatologist and a rheumatologist during three visits. The prevalence of MetS and PsA was 50.0% and 41.8%, respectively. Dyslipidemia was the most prevalent (74.5%) secondary comorbidity, followed by hypertension (61.8%), obesity (52.5%) and T2DM (30.9%). The mean (standard deviation) DLQI score was 6.5 (6.9), and mean physical and mental SF-36 measures were 45.2 (10.4) and 45.5 (12.3), respectively, and for EQ-5D-3L, mean utility index and EQ-VAS scores were 0.68 (0.27) and 72.7 (19.7), respectively. PsA and MetS are important comorbidities; a reduced HRQoL is noted among plaque psoriasis patients with these comorbidities, emphasizing the relevance of diagnosis and treatment beyond the care of skin lesions.

Gerenciamento de urgências endodônticas: conhecimentos de acadêmicos de odontologia / Management of endodontic emergencies: knowledge of dental students

Objetivo: avaliar do conhecimento dos alunos de odontologia sobre os protocolos de atendimento para as urgências endodônticas. Método: 182 alunos dos últimos anos do curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário Doutor Leão Sampaio, responderam a um questionário contendo perguntas referente ao protocolo adotado em casos de urgência de origem endodôntica. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Qui-quadrado de Pearson (p<0,05). Resultados: foram observadas diferenças entre a conduta relata pelos alunos do quarto e quinto ano de graduação quanto a indicação da incisão para drenagem em abscesso periapical agudo submucoso (evoluído), indicação de antibióticos nos casos de flare-up e indicação de antibióticos na dor com edema póstratamento endodôntico. A prescrição de antibióticos foi excessiva para os casos de dor entre consultas (flareup) e dor no pós-operatória. Para as patologias da polpa, a maioria dos alunos indicou protocolos de urgência recomendados na literatura. Conclusão: os resultados indicam a necessidade de melhoria dos programas de treinamento dos alunos em urgências endodônticas, principalmente quanto aos protocolos farmacológicos. (AU)

Objective: to evaluate the knowledge of dentistry students about care protocols for endodontic emergencies. Method: 182 students from the last years of the Dentistry course at Doctor Leão Sampaio University Center answered a questionnaire containing questions regarding the protocol adopted in urgent cases of endodontic origin. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: differences were observed between the conduct reported by fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate students regarding the indication of incision for drainage in submucosal acute periapical abscess (evolved), indication of antibiotics in cases of flare-up and indication of antibiotics in pain with edema after endodontic treatment. The prescription of antibiotics was excessive for cases of pain between appointments (flare-up) and postoperative pain. For pulp pathologies, most students indicated emergency protocols recommended in the literature. Conclusion: the results indicate the need to improve student training programs in endodontic emergencies, especially regarding pharmacological protocols. (AU)

Relative frequency, Possible Risk Factors, Viral Codetection Rates, and Seasonality of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Children With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Northeastern Brazil.

Few studies, each limited to a single major city, have investigated the prevalence and seasonal patterns of different viruses among children with low respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in Northeastern Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and of 7 other viruses in children for LRTI in 4 capitals from this region, and investigate their association with several risk factors, including meteorological data. From April 2012 to March 2013, 507 children, aged up to 24 months and hospitalized with LRTI in one of the participating centers at Aracajú, Salvador, Recife, and Maceió, had a sample of nasopharyngeal aspirate collected and analyzed for the following viruses by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by hybridization on low-density microarrays: RSV, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, metapneumovirus, bocavirus, and coronavirus. The result was positive in 66.5% of cases, RSV was the most common virus (40.2%). Except for rhinovirus (17%), all other virus had frequency rates lower than 6%. Viral coinfections were detected in 13.8% of samples. Possible related risk factors for RSV infection were low age upon entry, attendance of daycare, low gestational age, and low educational level of the father. The relative frequency of viral infections was associated with increasing temperature and decreasing humidity separately, but the results also suggested both associated with increased frequency of RSV. Some of these findings differ from those reported for other regions in Brazil and may be used to guide policies that address LRTI.

The burden of single virus and viral coinfections on severe lower respiratory tract infections among preterm infants: a prospective birth cohort study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), especially in preterm infants. Other viruses, co-detected with RSV, may play a role in the severity of respiratory outcomes. METHODS: This prospective epidemiologic study of severe LRTI incidence among children born ≤35 weeks gestational age at 3 sites in Brazil (2008-2010) followed a birth cohort for 1 year post-enrollment. Nasal washes from subjects with LRTI were tested for respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction. The primary outcome was the incidence of severe LRTI requiring hospitalization associated with RSV infection. Secondary outcomes included identification of viruses associated with LRTI, alone or coinfections, and risk factors associated with severe LRTI. RESULTS: Among 303 subjects, 176 (58.1%) experienced LRTI. Among these subjects, 162 had samples tested using polymerase chain reaction; 27.8% (45/162) experienced severe LRTI. More subjects with severe LRTI were infected with RSV (30/45, 66.7%) than with other viruses. RSV was present in 33.1% (143/432) of LRTI events tested, 57.3% (82/143) were coinfections. RSV was the virus most frequently associated with severe LRTIs (34/56 events, 60.7%); 50% (17/34 events) single and 50% coinfections. Significantly longer hospital stays were associated with LRTI events involving RSV coinfections compared with RSV single infections (P = 0.012). Infants with severe LRTIs had significantly lower mean RSV-IgG levels at study entry compared with those with nonsevere or no LRTIs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the association of RSV alone or as a coinfection with severe LRTI and reinforces the importance of providing adequate prophylaxis for susceptible infants.

Avaliação dos tratamentos propostos pelos dentistas em casos de fraturas coronárias / Evaluation of treatments plans for managment of crown fractures proposed by dentists

Introdução: a odontologia prioriza a manutenção e integridade dos dentes na boca e a ocorrência de traumatismos dentais vem dificultando o cumprimento desta meta, uma vez que suas consequências envolvem danos funcionais, estéticos, psicológicos, sociais e terapêuticos, além dos altos custos para a reabilitação e acompanhamento por longos períodos de tempo. Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento dos cirurgiões dentistas da região metropolitana de Juazeiro do Norte sobre as condutas clínicas baseadas nos planos de tratamentos propostos por estes profissionais sobre fraturas coronárias com ou sem exposição pulpar. Método: a partir de um questionário descritivo, foram abordadas questões referentes ao perfil dos profissionais entrevistados e procedimentos empregados na conduta frente a fraturas coronárias. Setenta e cinco questionários foram devidamente preenchidos, sendo 34 mulheres e 41 homens. Resultados: dos entrevistados 13 relataram nunca terem atendido casos de trauma dental, 26% relataram serem incapazes de tratar todos os casos de traumatismo dentário. E mesmo a maioria tendo formação especializada, grandes dificuldades foram encontradas nos planos de tratamento propostos em relação a fraturas mais complicadas. Discussão: as lesões dentais traumáticas envolvendo tecidos duros e de sustentação podem representar padrões de cicatrização bastante complexos. As lesões traumáticas do tipo fraturas coronárias apresentam um prognóstico favorável para a manutenção da vitalidade pulpar em relação às fraturas coronárias complicadas. As fraturas corono-radiculares com ou sem envolvimento pulpar, foram as que apresentaram mais indicações inadequadas de tratamento, provavelmente por necessitarem de uma abordagem multidisciplinar. Conclusão: considera-se primordial a multidisciplinaridade durante a formação acadêmica do clinico geral, bem como o aperfeiçoamento ao atendimento a pacientes com trauma dental. (AU)

Introduction: Dentistry prioritizes the maintenance and integrity of teeth in the mouth and the occurrence of dental trauma is hampering the achievement of this goal, since its consequences involve functional, aesthetic, psychological, social and therapeutic damage, in addition to high costs for rehabilitation and monitoring for extended periods of time. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of dentists in the metropolitan region of Juazeiro do Norte on the clinical management based on treatment plans proposed by these professionals on crown fractures with or without pulp exposure. Methods: For that, starting from a descriptive questionnaire, some questions regarding the profile of inquired professionals and procedures used in the performance of treatment of crown fractures. Results: Seventy-five questionnaires were fully completed, 34 women and 41 men. Only 13 reported ever having met cases of dental trauma, 26% reported being unable to deal with all cases of dental trauma. And even most having specialized training, great difficulties were encountered in the proposed treatment plans for the most complicated fractures. Discussion: Traumatic injuries involving pulp and periapical tissues can represent very complex healing patterns. The crown fractures have a favorable prognosis for the maintenance of pulpal vitality in relation to coronary complicated fractures. The corono-root fractures with or without pulp involvement, were the ones that had more inadequate treatment, probably because they require a multidisciplinary approach. Conclusion: it is essential for multidisciplinary academic training of general practitioner as well as improving service to patients with dental trauma. (AU)

Fibroma ossificante periférico: um levantamento clínico e epidemiológico / Peripheral ossyfying fibroma: a clinical epidemiological survey

Este artigo aborda 18 casos de fibroma ossificante periférico (FOP) diagnosticados no Centro de Referência de Lesões Bucais da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana/Bahia, no período de 2002 a 2008. Para descrever a relação entre as variáveis sociodemográficas com o FOP, utilizou-se o Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), versão 10.0 for Windows (1998). Observou-se maior acometimento desta doença na quarta década de vida, sexo feminino e cor não branca. A gengiva superior anterior foi a região de maior prevalência. Faz-se importante que os cirurgiões-dentistas conheçam as características do FOP para o correto diagnóstico.