COVID-19 in otolaryngologists: a cross-sectional multicenter study

Abstract Introduction: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. Results: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; p<0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; p< 0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.

COVID-19 in otolaryngologists: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. RESULTS: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; p < 0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; p < 0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. CONCLUSION: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.

Influence of respiratory allergy and restless sleep on definite sleep bruxism: a cross-sectional clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional clinical study evaluated the associations between sociodemographic, occupational, clinical conditions, psychological and sleep quality variables on definite sleep bruxism (SB). METHODS: All records obtained from adults (aged 20-60 years) and the elderly (aged >60 years) who had undergone polysomnography (PSG) at a private medical outpatients' clinic from July 2017 to February 2018 were reviewed. Data from a questionnaire, based on the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), were also gathered. Definite SB data pattern distribution was analyzed, and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess the associations between definite SB diagnosis, determined via PSG recordings, and the independent variables. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: A total of 240 individuals were included in the study and the SB prevalence was 7.08% (n = 17). The adjusted Poisson regression analysis revealed association between definitive SB and individuals with respiratory allergy (PR = 3.63; 95% CI:1.01-13; P = 0.047) and restless sleep (PR = 2.97; 95% CI:1.04-8.50; P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: This study found associations between definite SB and clinical conditions (respiratory allergy) and sleep behavior (restless sleep). Knowledge regarding factors associated with definite SB can contribute to decision making in the clinical setting and management strategies involving a multidisciplinary approach.

Primary incisor intruded through the nasal cavity: a case report.

Intrusive luxation may cause complications for the primary tooth and generate adverse sequelae in the permanent successor. Although intrusion is prevalent in the primary dentition, full intrusion is a rare event that requires specialized treatment and a multidisciplinary approach. This article describes the case of a 1-year-old girl who presented with traumatic displacement of the maxillary left central incisor into the nasal cavity. The parents sought treatment 1 month after the child sustained the injury, and the impacted tooth was removed through her left nostril under general anesthesia. Four-year clinical and radiographic follow-up revealed no adverse sequelae.