Systemic inflammatory impact of periodontitis on cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVES: The role in dementia of systemic inflammation derived from periodontal disease is not fully elucidated. The objective of our study was to examine the impact of inflammation on the relationship between periodontitis and cognitive impairment. METHODS: We have designed a case (n = 171) and control (n = 131) study to determine the periodontal health status, grade of cognitive impairment/dementia and systemic inflammation level, the last being measured by analysis of 29 inflammatory biomarkers using multiplex techniques. RESULTS: At the time of sampling, 11 of the 29 inflammatory biomarkers were associated with cognitive impairment in patients with more severe periodontitis. However, the inflammatory response to severe periodontitis was more reduced (lower biomarker concentrations) in cases (with cognitive impairment or dementia) than in (cognitively healthy) controls, an unexpected finding. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we cannot confirm that systemic inflammation derived from periodontal disease plays a relevant role in the aetiology of cognitive impairment.

Knowledge and Attitudes About Oral Cancer Among Dental Students After Bologna Plan Implementation.

Oral cancer is the most common of head and neck tumours. Dentists have an important role in the most effective prevention measures: controlling aetiological factors and early detection. Dental curriculum has suffered changes in their structures and contents during Bologna process. The aim of this study is to explore oral cancer knowledge and attitudes among dental students of Granada after the implementation of the Bologna plan. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the School of Dentistry of the University of Granada. A questionnaire was delivered to dental students in the fourth and fifth years (of study) to assess knowledge and attitudes about oral cancer area. 79.3 % related that they examined the oral mucosa from their patients regularly. Almost the whole sample (95.9 %) said that they would advise their patients about risk factors for oral cancer when they graduated. Tobacco followed by alcohol was the main oral cancer risk factor identified (94.2 and 72.7 %, respectively). 96.7 % of the sample would like to receive more information about this subject. Fourth year students had taught self-examination for early detection of oral cancer more frequently than fifth year students (42.5 versus 22.9 %, respectively). The results of this study revealed that dental students had good attitudes in the area of oral cancer. On the other hand, it highlights the need for an improvement of the teaching program regarding risk factors for oral cancer and performing routine oral examination.

Association of oral breathing with dental malocclusions and general health in children.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyze the association of oral breathing with dental malocclusions and aspects of general health such as acute illnesses, oxygen saturation in blood and its possible implication in the process of nutrition. METHODS: A prevalence analytic study was carried out. Five dentists explored to children between 6 and 12 years and measured their oxygen saturation. Parents completed a questionnaire of 11 items about general health (colds, ear infections, tonsillitis and taking antibiotics) and the food preferences of their children. At the end, children were classified in oral breathing group (prevalence cases) or nasal breathing group (controls). RESULTS: There were statistical differences between cases (452 children) and controls (752 children) in the facial morphometric measurements. Oral breathing children had statistically less percentage of oxygen saturation than controls (92.3±3.3% versus 96.5±2.3%), took less time to have lunch and preferred less consistent and sugary food. Cases had had more prevalence of pathologies in the last year and of taking the antibiotics. This group also had higher prevalence of allergies compared with controls group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral breathing is significantly associated with specific dental malocclusions and important aspects of general health such as oxygen saturation and the nutrition. On the same line, oral breathing is related to a significantly higher prevalence of allergies and a significantly more likely getting sick and taking medication.

Oral health-related quality of life in 6- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Spain.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of large epidemiological studies researching the major factors of the oral well-being in schoolchildren. AIMS: To quantify the impact of the different clinical conditions related to caries and periodontal and dento-facial anomalies on the quality of life captured by the Child-OIDP. DESIGN: A standardized epidemiological study was conducted on 2041 Spanish schoolchildren, aged 6-12 years, to assess caries and periodontal and dento-facial disease. Data on oral health-related quality of life were collected using the Child-OIDP. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the modulating factors in the perceived oral well-being. RESULTS: The prevalence of impact in this sample was 45.7%, mostly for eating (24.3%) but also for smiling (16.2%); however, 72.5% of the subjects had at least one type of normative needs, mainly for periodontal treatment (52.3%), followed by caries (32.3%) and orthodontic treatments (20.6%). The main predictors of the impact on quality of life were perceived dental treatment needs, caries, and periodontal diseases. Also, some demographic (age and gender) and behavioural factors (consumption of sweets) modulated the impact on several domains. Moreover, subjects who rated their general health as good or very good reported a significantly better oral well-being than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and aesthetic-related domains (i.e., problems when eating or smiling) are the major components of the oral health-related quality of life perceived by Spanish schoolchildren. Perceived treatment needs as well as dental and periodontal status were the strongest predictors of oral well-being.

Oral and general health-related quality of life in patients treated for oral cancer compared to control group.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is gaining importance as a valuable outcome measure in oral cancer area. The aim of this study was to assess the general and oral HRQoL of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients 6 or more months after treatment and compare them with a population free from this disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients treated for oral cancer at least 6 months post-treatment and a gender and age group matched control group. HRQoL was measured with the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12); oral HRQoL (OHRQoL) was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP). Multivariable regression models assessed the association between the outcomes (SF-12, OHIP-14 and OIDP) and the exposure (patients versus controls), adjusting for sex, age, social class, functional tooth units and presence of illness. RESULTS: For patients (n = 142) and controls (n = 142), 64.1% were males. The mean age was 65.2 (standard deviation (sd): 12.9) years in patients and 67.5 (sd: 13.7) years in controls. Patients had worse SF-12 Physical Component Summary scores than controls even in fully the adjusted model [ß-coefficient = -0.11 (95% CI: -5.12-(-0.16)]. The differences in SF-12 Mental Component Summary were not statistically significant. Regarding OHRQoL patients had 11.63 (95% CI: 6.77-20.01) higher odds for the OHIP-14 and 21.26 (95% CI: 11.54-39.13) higher odds for OIDP of being in a worse category of OHRQoL compared to controls in the fully adjusted model. CONCLUSION: At least 6 months after treatment, oral cancer patients had worse OHRQoL, worse physical HRQoL and similar psychological HRQoL than the general population.

Association between general and oral health-related quality of life in patients treated for oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Less is known about the association between general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral HRQoL (OHRQoL) among patients with specific diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association between patient-centered outcome measurements (HRQoL and OHRQoL) of oral cancer patients at least 6 months after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: HRQoL was measured with the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12); OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP). RESULTS: Higher OHRQoL scores were associated with lower SF-12 domains scores. The OHIP-14 explained 16.5 % of the total variance of SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the OIDP explained 16.1 %. In the SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS), the total variance explained was 23.9 % by the OHIP-14 and 21.8 % by the OIDP. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between long-term OHRQoL and HRQoL in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. These results may help to carry out new interventions aiming to improve patient's life overall.

Oral health-related quality of life and malnutrition in patients treated for oral cancer.

PURPOSE: This study examined whether oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is associated with nutritional status in patients treated for oral cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on with patients treated for oral cancer at least 6 months after treatment. OHRQoL was measured using two questionnaires: Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14); malnutrition risk was assessed through the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Multivariable regression models assessed the association between the outcomes (OIDP and OHIP-14) and the exposure (MNA), adjusting for sex, age, clinical stage, social class, date of treatment completion, and functional tooth units. RESULTS: The final simple included 133 patients, 22.6 % of which were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. More than 95 % of patients reported a negative impact on the OHRQoL for both measures used. Patients with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition had significantly worse OHRQoL than those with no malnutrition, even after adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic data (ß-coefficient = 8.37 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.42-15.32) with the OIDP and ß-coefficient = 2.08 (95 % CI 0.70-3.46) with the OHIP-14). CONCLUSION: Being malnourished or at risk of malnutrition is an important longer-term determinant of worse OHRQoL among patients treated for oral cancer.

Levels of scientific evidence of the quality of life in patients treated for oral cancer.

Treatments used in cancer of the oral cavity have great impact on the physical, psychological and functional state of patients. There has been increasingly interest in evaluating the health-related quality of life using questionnaires among patients treated with oral cancer. Up to our knowledge no review on this theme has incorporated the level of evidence of the single identified studies. The objective of the present study is to determinate results and conclusions about the health-related quality of life of these patients, in view of scientific evidence. In general, the diversity of designs, level of evidence and questionnaires used for their assessment does not affect results, which indicate a decline in the health related quality of life after treatment. This decline is greater when the tumor is large in size, and when radiotherapy is used, though the situation is seen to improve over the span of a year. Questionnaires on health-related quality of life provide concrete information regarding the impact of cancer treatment on patients.

Therapeutic itineraries according to the narratives of parents of children with disabilities secondary to neurodevelopmental disorders. / Itinerarios de tratamiento según las narrativas de madres y padres de niños y niñas con discapacidad secundaria a trastornos del neurodesarrollo.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders account for 10% of the causes of childhood disability. The search for medical care leads to therapeutic itineraries routes taken by individuals to seek health care where diagnostic and treatment opportunities arise. Our objective was to explore these itineraries in order to understand the opportunities and barriers to the implementation of therapies and child rearing patterns promoting neurodevelopment. POPULATION AND METHODS: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with children's parents (between June 2018 and November 2019). The analysis was based on the social model of disability and Vygotsky's approach to child development. RESULTS: A total of 16 interviews were conducted. Considering the time of diagnosis and the age when the therapeutic itinerary started, 2 groups were identified: those who started from birth to 2 years old (early initiation) and those who started from 3 years old (late childhood initiation). In the first group, the search for treatment starts at an early stage, while in the other group, decisions on the initiation and/or type of treatments are prolonged over time. Late initiation was accompanied by difficulties in school, periods of uncertainty, distress and/or family conflicts due to the complexities of parenting. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic itineraries started early in some cases and at a later stage in others. The initiation of treatments made it possible to use tools to bridge the gap of discrepancies between the biological and cultural lines of development.

Introducción. Los trastornos en el neurodesarrollo infantil constituyen un 10 % de las causas de discapacidad en la niñez. La búsqueda de atención médica configura itinerarios terapéuticos, entendidos como los procesos de búsqueda y atención para el cuidado de la salud, donde surgen oportunidades de diagnóstico y tratamiento. El objetivo fue explorar dichos itinerarios para comprender las oportunidades y barreras que se presentan para instaurar terapias y pautas de crianza que promuevan el neurodesarrollo. Población y métodos. Estudio cualitativo mediante entrevistas en profundidad a madres y padres de niños (de junio de 2018 a noviembre de 2019). El análisis se realizó sobre la base del modelo social de la discapacidad y del de desarrollo infantil propuesto por Vygotsky. Resultados. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas. Considerando la edad de inicio de los itinerarios terapéuticos y el diagnóstico, se identificaron dos grupos: aquellos que los comenzaron desde el nacimiento hasta los 2 años (inicio precoz) y quienes lo hicieron a partir de los 3 años (inicio en la primera infancia e infancia tardía). En el primero se habilita tempranamente la búsqueda de tratamiento, mientras que en el segundo se prolongaron en el tiempo las decisiones sobre el inicio y/o el tipo de terapias. El inicio tardío se acompañó de dificultades en la escuela, períodos de incertidumbre, angustia y/o conflictos familiares por las complejidades de la crianza. Conclusiones. Los itinerarios terapéuticos se iniciaron en forma precoz en algunos casos y tardía en otros. El inicio de tratamientos permitió incorporar herramientas para acortar la brecha de incongruencia entre las líneas biológica y cultural de desarrollo.

[Importance of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in its association with mortality in patients with COVID-19: Experience in a health center in Argentina]. / Importancia del índice neutrófilo-linfocito en su asociación con mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19: Experiencia en un centro de salud en Argentina.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 rapidly progresses to acute respiratory failure and mortality. A pandemic needs an urgent requirement for low-cost and easy-access tools that assess the infection evolution. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory biomarker used in several diseases. AIM: To estimate the association between NLR > 3 with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID 19. METHODS: NLR was analyzed in patients with COVID-19 seen at Hospital Fernandez between March and August 2020. Patients were grouped in those with NLR < 3 and those with NLR > 3. Clinical characteristics and mortality were analyzed and compared between groups. A multivariable regression model was used to estimate the association between NLR > 3 and mortality. RESULTS: We included 711 patients with COVID-19. In a multivariable regression model, NLR > 3 associated with mortality (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.05 to 13.7; p 0.04) adjusting by age, days of hospitalization, intensive care requirement, severe pneumonia, C-reactive protein levels, arterial hypertension, and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: NLR was associated with mortality, and it is an accessible and easy tool to use in the first evaluation of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Caries and quality of life in portuguese adolescents: Impact of diet and behavioural risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diet and behavioural risk factors on caries appearance, and on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Portuguese adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An epidemiological study conducted on 782 adolescents between 11-17 years, from randomly selected public schools of the 3rd cycle of basic education. All participants were asked for self-perceived general status health, about tooth-brushing habits and about the using of toothpaste with fluoride and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. The DMFT index (decayed, missing and filled teeth) was evaluated according to WHO criteria. To evaluate the OHRQoL, the 49-items Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-49) was applied. RESULTS: Consumption more than once a week of tea with sugar, milk with sugar and biscuits were significantly associated with DMFT index. Lower levels in OHRQoL was reported by students who consumed frequently (more than once a week) fast food, chocolate flakes and those who brushed their teeth once a day or less frequently instead of 2-3 times a day. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of consumption of sweetened/fast food was a significant factor associated with caries and quality of life. Key words:Oral health-related quality of life, adolescent, diet, DMFT, epidemiology.

Educational intervention about oral piercing knowledge among dental students and adolescents at schools.

INTRODUCTION: Oral piercing can lead to complications and dentists are in a unique position to detect such complications. The purpose of this study was: (i) to assess the immediate and the long-term effects, on dental students, of a training programme about oral piercing knowledge; and (ii) to assess the immediate effect, on adolescents, of a single educational intervention session about oral piercing. METHODS: A training programme for dental students (n = 66) was carried out in three phases. The last phase consisted of preparing and giving talks about oral piercing at schools, which was delivered by a random selection of dental students involved in the training programme. Dental students answered a questionnaire about oral piercing knowledge, before, immediately after (only the dental students included in the last phase) and 12 months after the training programme. Adolescents (n = 347) answered a survey about oral piercing knowledge before and after the talks. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in all comparison groups, except for the results in the 'before intervention' and in the '12 months after intervention' groups among dental students who had not prepared and given the talks to adolescents. Knowledge about oral piercing significantly improved among adolescents when comparing results before (mean questionnaire score = 3.0) and after (mean questionnaire score = 6.2) the talks. CONCLUSIONS: Oral piercing educational intervention had a favourable impact on adolescents and dental students, particularly among those who were more involved in the learning process.

Tuberculosis en grandes conglomerados urbanos: sentidos y prácticas de abordaje de los equipos de una red de servicios públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Introducción: la tuberculosis (TB) persiste como un importante problema de salud pública en Argentina con una concentración preocupante en grandes centros urbanos. El objetivo de este estudio es la recuperación de los sentidos y las prácticas del proceso de atención-cuidado de la TB por parte de profesionales en una red pública de servicios de salud de un gran conglomerado urbano. Metodología: se realizó un análisis exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas a integrantes de equipos sanitarios en un hospital y en centros de salud de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). Resultados: se identificaron diferentes matices de sentido acerca de la complejidad en el abordaje de la TB, estos variaban de acuerdo con las características de los servicios y las personas con TB. Se describieron estrategias para el tratamiento de casos difíciles: disponer de equipos interdisciplinarios, involucrar a otros actores de salud y dialogar con organizaciones de la sociedad civil bajo un enfoque territorial. Conclusiones: el control de la problemática de la TB en los grandes conglomerados urbanos presenta amplios desafíos. Desde la perspectiva del personal sanitario, se observan coyunturas que requieren la adecuación de ciertas estrategias interventoras para dar una respuesta de manera integrada.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) persists as an important public health problem in Argentina with a worrying concentration in large urban centers. The objective of this study is to recover the meanings and practices of professionals from a public network of health services in a large urban conglomerate on the TB care-care process. Methods: An exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out, based on semi-structured interviews with members of the health teams of a hospital and health centers of the CABA. Results: It was identified that, from the perspective of the health teams, there are different nuances of meaning about the complexity of the TB approach. These varied according to the characteristics of the services in which they were inserted and of the people with TB. Strategies for dealing with complex cases were described: having interdisciplinary teams, acting together with other health effectors and dialoguing with civil society organizations under a territorial approach. Conclusion: The control of the TB problem in large urban conglomerates presents extensive challenges. From the perspective of health teams, complex situations are observed that require the development of certain strategies to address them. These allow the adaptation of interventions to provide an integrated response.

Itinerarios de tratamiento según las narrativas de madres y padres de niños y niñas con discapacidad secundaria a trastornos del neurodesarrollo / Therapeutic itineraries according to the narratives of parents of children with disabilities secondary to neurodevelopmental disorders

Introducción. Los trastornos en el neurodesarrolloinfantil constituyen un 10 % de las causasde discapacidad en la niñez. La búsquedade atención médica configura itinerariosterapéuticos, entendidos como los procesos de búsqueda y atención para el cuidado de la salud, donde surgen oportunidades de diagnósticoy tratamiento. El objetivo fue explorar dichos itinerarios para comprender las oportunidades y barreras que se presentan para instaurarterapias y pautas de crianza que promuevan el neurodesarrollo. Población y métodos. Estudio cualitativomediante entrevistas en profundidad a madres y padres de niños (de junio de 2018 a noviembre de 2019). El análisis se realizó sobre la base del modelo social de la discapacidad y del de desarrollo infantil propuesto por Vygotsky. Resultados. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas.Considerando la edad de inicio de los itinerarios terapéuticos y el diagnóstico, se identificaron dos grupos: aquellos que los comenzaron desde el nacimiento hasta los 2 años (inicio precoz) y quienes lo hicieron a partir de los 3 años (inicio en la primera infancia e infancia tardía). En el primero se habilita tempranamente la búsqueda de tratamiento, mientras que en el segundo se prolongaron en el tiempo las decisiones sobre el inicio y/o el tipo de terapias. El inicio tardío se acompañó de dificultades en la escuela, períodosde incertidumbre, angustia y/o conflictosfamiliares por las complejidades de la crianza. Conclusiones. Los itinerarios terapéuticos seiniciaron en forma precoz en algunos casos y tardía en otros. El inicio de tratamientos permitióincorporar herramientas para acortar la brecha de incongruencia entre las líneas biológica y cultural de desarrollo.

Introduction. Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders account for 10% of the causes of childhood disability. The search for medical care leads to therapeutic itineraries routes taken by individuals to seek health care where diagnostic and treatment opportunities arise. Our objective was to explore these itineraries in order to understand the opportunities and barriers to the implementation of therapies and child rearing patterns promoting neurodevelopment. Population and methods. Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with children's parents (between June 2018 and November 2019). The analysis was based on the social model of disability and Vygotsky's approach to child development. Results. A total of 16 interviews were conducted. Considering the time of diagnosis and the age when the therapeutic itinerary started, 2 groups were identified: those who started from birth to 2 years old (early initiation) and those who started from 3 years old (late childhood initiation). In the first group, the search for treatment starts at an early stage, while in the other group, decisions on the initiation and/or type of treatments are prolonged over time. Late initiation was accompanied by difficulties in school, periods of uncertainty, distress and/or family conflicts due to the complexities of parenting. Conclusions. Therapeutic itineraries started early in some cases and at a later stage in others. The initiation of treatments made it possible to use tools to bridge the gap of discrepancies between the biological and cultural lines of development.

Association Between Periodontitis and Amyloid ß Peptide in Elderly People With and Without Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Evidence that periodontal disease is a possible risk factor for cognitive impairment may be explained by the inflammatory hypothesis. The aim of this study is to determine whether periodontitis is related to the amyloid ß (Aß) load in blood and the role of any such relationship in the association between Aß and cognitive impairment. METHODS: A case-control study was performed in elderly people diagnosed with cognitive impairment with or without dementia (cases group) and cognitively healthy elderly people (control group); data were collected on the medical and dental history of participants, and blood samples were drawn to determine Aß levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The study included 166 patients and 122 control participants. Higher blood Aß1-42 levels (P = 0.01) and higher Aß42:40 ratio (P = 0.06) were observed in participants with severe attachment loss than in other participants. Periodontitis was a significant interaction variable, given that the association between Aß1-42 and Aß1-40 and cognitive impairment was only observed in patients with severe periodontitis. According to these data, periodontitis may be a modulating variable of the association between Aß and cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma Aß1-42 levels are higher in individuals who have severe periodontal disease. The presence of periodontitis may modify the association between Aß and cognitive impairment.

Oral Hygiene in the Elderly with Different Degrees of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

The control of bacterial dental plaque through daily oral hygiene is essential to prevent oral diseases such as caries or periodontal disease, especially in at-risk populations, including the elderly with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The aim of this study was to determine the association between different levels of cognitive impairment and dementia in an elderly population and their capacity to maintain adequate oral hygiene. A case-control study (elderly with versus without mild cognitive impairment or dementia) was performed in Granada, Spain. Outcome variables were tooth/prosthesis-brushing frequency/day, bacterial plaque index, and gingival bleeding index. Statistical models were adjusted by age, sex, educational level, and tobacco and alcohol habits. The study included 240 cases and 324 controls. The final model, adjusted by age, sex, educational level, and tobacco and alcohol consumption, showed a significant association between degree of cognitive impairment and daily oral hygiene, accumulation of bacterial plaque, and gingival bleeding. In summary, deficient daily oral hygiene, evidenced by greater bacterial dental plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, is independently associated with cognitive impairment, even at its earliest stage.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on children treated at the first level of care in Buenos Aires city, 2019-2020 / Efectos de la pandemia por sars-cov-2 en niños asistidos en primer nivel de atención en la ciudad de buenos aires, 2019-2020

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: Debido a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 se registraron dificultades o interrupciones en los servicios sanitarios en diversos países, con el consiguiente riesgo para la salud de la población. En Argentina, existe evidencia de una disminución en el número de inmunizaciones aplicadas y la frecuencia de los controles periódicos de salud en pediatría. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en tres centros de salud de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Se detallaron la cantidad de controles de salud y los esquemas de vacunación, entre otras variables, en niños nacidos en 2019 y 2020. RESULTADOS: Se revisaron 505 historias clínicas: 202 de 2019 y 303 de 2020. Los niños nacidos en 2019 y 2020 presentaron una mediana de 2 (rango intercuartílico [RI] 3) controles de salud por paciente entre los 0 y 6 meses. Entre los 7 y 12 meses, la mediana fue de 2 (RI 2) en 2019, y en 2020 fue 1 (RI 2). El esquema de vacunación a los 6 meses se encontraba completo en 32,68% (66) de los niños nacidos en 2019 y 34,65% (105) de los nacidos en 2020. DISCUSIÓN: La disminución en el número de controles de salud entre 7 y 12 meses, en los estudios de pesquisa y en las serologías maternas realizadas podría atribuirse al cambio de conductas sociales debido a la posibilidad de contagio o dificultades en la circulación de las personas al inicio de la pandemia. A diferencia de otras investigaciones, no se registró una disminución en la cobertura de vacunación en la población estudiada.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, difficulties and/or interruptions in health services were reported in various countries, with the consequent risk to the health of the population. In Argentina, there is evidence of a decrease in vaccination coverage and the frequency of pediatric check-ups. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out in three health centers in the city of Buenos Aires. The number of health check-ups and vaccination schedules, among other variables, were detailed in children born in 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: A total of 505 medical records were reviewed: 202 from 2019 and 303 from 2020. Children born in 2019 and 2020 presented a median of 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 3) health check-ups per patient between 0 and 6 months. Between 7 and 12 months, the median was 2 (IQR 2) in 2019, and in 2020 it was 1 (IQR 2). The 6-month vaccination schedule was complete in 32.68% (66) of the children born in 2019 and 34.65% (105) of those born in 2020. DISCUSSION: The decrease in the number of health check-ups between 7 and 12 months, in the screening studies and in the maternal serologies performed could be attributed to the change in social behavior due to the possibility of contagion and/or difficulties in the movement of people at the beginning of the pandemic. Unlike other studies, a decrease in vaccination coverage was not found in the population studied.

Efectos de la pandemia por SARS-COV-2 en niños asistidos en primer nivel de atención en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 2019-2020 / Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on children treated at the first level of care in Buenos Aires city, 2019-2020

INTRODUCCIÓN: Debido a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 se registraron dificultades o interrupciones en los servicios sanitarios en diversos países, con el consiguiente riesgo para la salud de la población. En Argentina, existe evidencia de una disminución en el número de inmunizaciones aplicadas y la frecuencia de los controles periódicos de salud en pediatría. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en tres centros de salud de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Se detallaron la cantidad de controles de salud y los esquemas de vacunación, entre otras variables, en niños nacidos en 2019 y 2020. RESULTADOS: Se revisaron 505 historias clínicas: 202 de 2019 y 303 de 2020. Los niños nacidos en 2019 y 2020 presentaron una mediana de 2 (rango intercuartílico [RI] 3) controles de salud por paciente entre los 0 y 6 meses. Entre los 7 y 12 meses, la mediana fue de 2 (RI 2) en 2019, y en 2020 fue 1 (RI 2). El esquema de vacunación a los 6 meses se encontraba completo en 32,68% (66) de los niños nacidos en 2019 y 34,65% (105) de los nacidos en 2020. DISCUSIÓN: La disminución en el número de controles de salud entre 7 y 12 meses, en los estudios de pesquisa y en las serologías maternas realizadas podría atribuirse al cambio de conductas sociales debido a la posibilidad de contagio o dificultades en la circulación de las personas al inicio de la pandemia. A diferencia de otras investigaciones, no se registró una disminución en la cobertura de vacunación en la población estudiada.

Prevalence of Drug-Induced Xerostomia in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults, especially those with cognitive impairment or dementia, frequently consume drugs with potential xerostomic effects that impair their quality of life and oral health. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and analyze the possible pharmacological etiology of xerostomia in older people with or without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Individuals with cognitive impairment were recruited from patients diagnosed using standardized criteria in two neurology departments in Southern Spain. A comparison group was recruited from healthcare centers in the same city after ruling out cognitive impairment. Data on oral health, xerostomia, and drug consumption were recorded in both groups. Dry mouth was evaluated using a 1-item questionnaire and recording clinical signs of oral dryness. All drugs consumed by the participants were recorded, including memantine, anticholinesterases, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 200 individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and 156 without. Xerostomia was present in 70.5 % of participants with cognitive impairment versus 36.5 % of those without, regardless of the drug consumed. Memantine consumption was the only variable significantly related to xerostomia in the multivariate model (OR 3.1; 95 % CI 1.1-8.7), and this relationship persisted after adjusting for possible confounders and forcing the inclusion of drugs with xerostomic potential. CONCLUSIONS: More than 70 % of participants diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia had xerostomia. Anticholinesterases and memantine were both associated with the presence of xerostomia. In the case of memantine, this association was independent of the consumption of the other drugs considered.

Importancia del índice neutrófilo-linfocito en su asociación con mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19: Experiencia en un centro de salud en Argentina / Importance of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in its association with mortality in patients with COVID-19: Experience in a health center in Argentina

ANTECEDENTES: El COVID-19 presenta una progresión a cuadros respiratorios graves que pueden culminar con la muerte. Al ser una pandemia, hay necesidad de herramientas de bajo costo que permitan determinar su evolución. El índice neutrófilo-linfocito (INL) es un marcador inflamatorio estudiado en diversas patologías. OBJETIVO: Estimar la asociación entre INL > 3 y mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID 19. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID 19 que ingresaron a la sala de internación general de nuestro hospital, desde marzo hasta agosto de 2020. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos: con INL 3. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística múltiple para estimar la asociación entre el INL > 3 y mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 711 pacientes con COVID-19. El modelo de regresión logística múltiple mostró asociación entre INL > 3 y mortalidad (OR 3.8; IC95% 1,05 a 13,7; p 0,04) ajustado por edad, días de internación, traslados a terapia intensiva, neumonía grave, valores de proteína-C-reactiva, hipertensión arterial, y comorbilidad neurológica, renal crónica, cardiaca y oncológica previas. COCLUSIÓN: El INL es accesible en la evaluación inicial de los pacientes que se internan con COVID-19, habiéndose asociado en nuestra serie con mortalidad.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 rapidly progresses to acute respiratory failure and mortality. A pandemic needs an urgent requirement for low-cost and easy-access tools that assess the infection evolution. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory biomarker used in several diseases. AIM: To estimate the association between NLR > 3 with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID 19. METHODS: NLR was analyzed in patients with COVID-19 seen at Hospital Fernandez between March and August 2020. Patients were grouped in those with NLR 3. Clinical characteristics and mortality were analyzed and compared between groups. A multivariable regression model was used to estimate the association between NLR > 3 and mortality. RESULTS: We included 711 patients with COVID-19. In a multivariable regression model, NLR > 3 associated with mortality (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.05 to 13.7; p 0.04) adjusting by age, days of hospitalization, intensive care requirement, severe pneumonia, C-reactive protein levels, arterial hypertension, and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: NLR was associated with mortality, and it is an accessible and easy tool to use in the first evaluation of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.