Dental extractions for preradiation dental clearance and incidence of osteoradionecrosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

AIM: The aims of the present retrospective study were to evaluate the outcomes of dental extractions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who had undergone dental clearance pre- and post-radiotherapy (RT) with intensity-modulated RT, and to report on the incidence and timing of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in these patients. METHODS: A total of 231 patients were seen pre-, mid-, and postradiation therapy. Information on patient demographics, smoking history, staging, treatment modalities, dental extraction indications, and number and site of dental extractions was gathered. Wilcoxon two-sample tests and Fisher's exact test were used to test the association between groups for patient variables. RESULTS: The mean number of teeth removed was 4.1 teeth per patient. A total of 334 (35.2%) teeth were removed for periodontal reasons, 322 (34.03%) were removed prophylactically, and the remaining teeth were removed because of deep caries, retained roots, partial impaction, endodontic lesions, and prosthodontic reasons. Patients had an average of 19.6 teeth remaining after dental clearance, and only 97 (42%) required prosthetic intervention. The statistical analysis showed that there was no correlation between dental extractions pre- or post-RT and the development of ORN. CONCLUSIONS: No specific parameter was directly associated with dental extractions, although smoking and increased number of teeth removed preradiation seemed to be prevalent in patients who developed ORN.

Association between asthma control and asthma cost: Results from a longitudinal study in a primary care setting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Asthma control can be assessed with the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and a score of 20 or higher indicates good asthma control. Patients pay for their consultation and treatment in the fee-for-service primary healthcare system in Singapore. We hypothesized that achieving asthma control would result in lower asthma costs through reduced acute exacerbations, fewer physician consultations and lower lost productivity. The study compared the healthcare costs of patients who achieved asthma control and those with suboptimal asthma control based on ACT scores. Factors influencing asthma control and healthcare expenditure over time were also examined. METHODS: A total of 736 patients were enrolled into an asthma care programme in two polyclinics during 2008 and 2013. Direct costs of asthma management were derived from the frequency of polyclinic consultations, medication costs and hospitalization. Indirect costs were estimated from lost workdays due to exacerbations. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to longitudinally model the factors associated with total healthcare expenditure. RESULTS: Patients with asthma control spent S$48 (US$36) more per doctor visit on asthma drugs (P < 0.01) but incurred S$65 (US$48) less per doctor visit in total costs (P < 0.01) than those with suboptimal asthma control. The savings from achieving asthma control for obese patients were greater than for normal-weight patients (S$42 or the equivalent of US$31; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Optimal asthma control was associated with reduced healthcare costs. An effective treatment regimen should also consider other modifiable factors such as weight control to achieve asthma control and eventually reduce asthma costs.