"The effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment plus zinc and magnesium supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidants enzymes in type 2 diabetes patients: a quasi-experimental study".

BACKGROUND: Periodontal Disease (PD) associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition that affects the oral cavity of people living with T2DM. The mechanisms of the interaction between type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal diseases are complex and involve multiple pathophysiological pathways related to the systemic inflammatory process and oxidative stress. Non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSTP) is considered the standard for the management of this disease; however, patients with systemic conditions such as type 2 Diabetes Mellitus do not seem to respond adequately. For this reason, the use of complementary treatments has been suggested to support non-surgical periodontal treatment to reduce the clinical consequences of the disease and improve the systemic conditions of the patient. The use of zinc gluconate and magnesium oxide as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment and its effects on periodontal clinical features and oxidative stress in patients with Periodontal diseases -type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is poorly understood. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed in patients with periodontal diseases associated with T2DM. Initially, 45 subjects who met the selection criteria were included. 19 were assigned to a control group [non-surgical periodontal treatment] and 20 to the experimental group (non-surgical periodontal treatment + 500 mg of magnesium oxide and 50 mg of zinc gluconate for oral supplementation for 30 days) and the data of 6 patients were eliminated. Sociodemographic characteristics, physiological factors, biochemical parameters, and clinical features of periodontal diseases were assessed. RESULTS: In this research a change in periodontal clinical characteristics was observed, which has been associated with disease remission. Additionally, a shift in MDA levels was presented for both groups. Furthermore, the supplementation group showed an increase in antioxidant enzymes when compared to the group that only received NSPT. CONCLUSION: The use of Zinc gluconate and magnesium oxide can serve as a complementary treatment to non-surgical periodontal treatment, that supports the remission of PD as a result of regulation-reduction of oxidative biomarkers and increase in antioxidant enzymes activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.isrctn.com ISRCTN 14,092,381. September 13º 2023. Retrospective Registration.

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in Mexican Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis, and even more so if they receive biological agents. In Mexico, the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in RA diagnosed by interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is largely unknown. The objective was to determine LTBI prevalence and the associated risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed comprising 82 patients with RA who attended the rheumatology service at a second-level hospital. Demographic characteristics, comorbidity, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination and smoking history, type of treatment, disease activity and functional capacity were investigated. The Disease Activity Score 28 and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index were applied for the estimate of RA activity and functional capacity. Further information was compiled from the electronic medical records and personal interviews. LTBI was determined by QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus (QIAGEN, Germantown, USA). RESULTS: Prevalence of LTBI was 14% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.6% to 23.9%). Factors associated with LTBI were history of smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 6.63 95% CI 1.01 to 43.3) and disability score (OR = 7.19 95%CI 1.41 to 36.6). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LTBI in Mexican patients with RA was 14%. Our results suggest prevention of smoking and functional incapacity could reduce the risk of LTBI. Further research could endorse our results.

Diseño y validez de contenido del cuestionario continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales / Design and content validity of the Continuity of Care Across Levels of Care Questionnaire

Introducción: La falta de continuidad del cuidado puede ocasionar omisiones o duplicaciones en las acciones dirigidas al cuidado de usuarios con Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles (ECNT), generando un posible deterioro de su salud. Particularmente, en México y Colombia no existe un instrumento que evalúe la continuidad del cuidado que incluya sus tres elementos esenciales. Objetivos: Diseñar un instrumento que evalúe la continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales en usuarios con ECNT en México y Colombia; y validar el contenido del cuestionario por medio de un juicio de expertos en versiones adaptadas al contexto mexicano y colombiano. Materiales y Métodos: Se diseñó el cuestionario Continuidad del Cuidado entre Niveles Asistenciales. Se realizó el proceso de validación de contenido por expertos usando el método Delphi. Se seleccionaron 16 jueces expertos (8 por país). Los ítems del cuestionario fueron evaluados bajo cuatro categorías: suficiencia, claridad, coherencia y relevancia. Se realizaron dos rondas de evaluación para determinar el grado de concordancia entre jueces. Resultados: El cuestionario obtuvo un Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido General "Excelente" para ambos países (0,97). La versión final quedó conformada por 85 ítems divididos en tres secciones. Discusión: Este instrumento, a diferencia de otros, evalúa desde la experiencia de los usuarios con ECNT la continuidad del cuidado de forma multidisciplinaria en los tres niveles de atención. Conclusión: El cuestionario alcanzó una validez de contenido esperada usando el método Delphi, para evaluar la continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales en usuarios con ECNT según el contexto mexicano y colombiano.

Introduction: In the absence of continuity of care, actions aimed at the care of users with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may be omitted or duplicated, which can potentially worsen users' health. In Mexico and Colombia, in particular, there is no instrument for assessing continuity of care that includes its three essential elements. Objective: To develop an instrument to assess care continuity across levels of care for users with NCDs in Mexico and Colombia and validate the content of the questionnaire through expert judgment of versions adapted to the Mexican and Colombian contexts. Materials and Methods: The Continuity of Care across Levels of Care Questionnaire was designed. The content validation process was carried out by experts using the Delphi technique. Sixteen experts were selected (8 per country). Questionnaire items were assessed in four categories: sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance. Two assessment rounds were conducted to determine the level of experts' agreement. Results: The questionnaire obtained an 'Excellent' overall Content Validity Coefficient in both countries (0.97). Discussion: This instrument, unlike others, assesses the continuity of care in a multidisciplinary manner across the three levels of care from the experience of users with NCDs. Conclusion: The questionnaire achieved the expected content validity using the Delphi technique to assess care continuity across levels of care for users with NCDs, according to the Mexican and Colombian contexts.

Introdução: A falta de continuidade do cuidado pode ocasionar omissões ou duplicidades nas ações voltadas para o atendimento aos usuários com Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT), gerando um possível agravamento de sua saúde. Particularmente, no México e na Colômbia não existe um instrumento que avalie a continuidade do cuidado que inclua seus três elementos essenciais. Objetivo: Desenhar um instrumento que avalie a continuidade do cuidado entre os níveis de atenção em usuários com DCNT no México e na Colômbia; e validar o conteúdo do questionário por meio de julgamento de especialistas em versões adaptadas ao contexto mexicano e colombiano. Materiais e Métodos: Foi elaborado o questionário de Continuidade de Cuidados entre os Níveis de Cuidados. O processo de validação de conteúdo foi realizado por especialistas por meio do método Delphi. Foram selecionados 16 juízes especialistas (8 por país). Os itens do questionário foram avaliados em quatro categorias: suficiência, clareza, coerência e relevância. Duas rodadas de avaliação foram realizadas para determinar o grau de concordância entre os juízes. Resultados: O questionário obteve um Coeficiente de Validade de Conteúdo Geral "Excelente" para ambos os países (0,97). A versão final foi composta por 85 itens divididos em três seções. Discussão: Este instrumento, diferente de outros, avalia a partir da experiência dos usuários com DCNT a continuidade do cuidado de forma multidisciplinar nos três níveis de atenção. Conclusão: O questionário atingiu a validade de conteúdo esperada usando o método Delphi, para avaliar a continuidade do cuidado entre níveis de atenção em usuários com DCNT de acordo com o contexto mexicano e colombiano.