Effect of periodontal treatment on oral health-related quality of life - A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal disease is a chronic, infectious gum disease, which eventually leads to tooth loss, adversely affecting quality of life (QoL). Most of the research in this area focuses on evaluating clinical parameters rather than patient-based outcomes. Currently, these parameters are gaining importance along with treatment outcomes of chronic diseases and QoL. This study evaluates the impact of periodontal disease and its treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). METHODS: We recruited 90 participants who were divided into two groups. One was the test group (n = 45) that underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) followed by periodontal flap surgery (SurgPT). Second was the control group (n = 45) that underwent only NSPT. Clinical parameters, plaque index, gingival index, periodontal/probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and mobility were recorded. An OHRQoL questionnaire was used to assess the functional, physical, social, and psychological domains at baseline, three, and six months. RESULTS: The mean PPD in the test group was 6.9 ± 0.38, 3.2 ± 0.36, 3.5 ± 0.5, and 5.8 ± 0.67, 3.13 ± 0.21, 3.73 ± 0.45 in the NSPT group at baseline, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The mean CAL in the SurgPT group was 7.07 ± 0.41, 3.56 ± 0.27, 3.74 ± 0.30, and 6.08 ± 0.16, 4.02 ± 0.17, 4.16 ± 0.19 in the NSPT group at baseline, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Both treatments resulted in reduction in all clinical parameters and were statistically significant in the SurgPT group (p < 0.001). Oral Health Impact Profile scores substantially decreased in the SurgPT group (mean difference-25.0) compared to the NSPT group (mean difference-5.0) (p-0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, NSPT and SurgPT had a positive impact on OHRQoL by improving clinical parameters, but SurgPT had substantially better outcomes in terms of improved QoL.

Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access Technique with Platelet-Rich Fibrin Compared to Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft for the Treatment of Multiple Gingival Recessions: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of root coverage through vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access (VISTA) technique using platelet rich fibrin (PRF) or subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in multiple gingival recessions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with multiple gingival recessions were included, and 10 subjects were randomly allocated to test group (VISTA with PRF) and 10 patients to control group (VISTA with SCTG). Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Patient's response toward the treatment was also assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: All the clinical parameters in the study have showed better results in test group when compared to control group after a follow up period of 6 months with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that multiple gingival recessions can be successfully treated with both procedures, but better root coverage and a greater increase in keratinized tissue were achieved with the VISTA technique with SCTG. All the patients in both groups felt it was worth undergoing the treatment.

Serum vitamin D levels and VDR polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI) in patients and their household contacts susceptible to tuberculosis.

Vitamin D, an immunomodulator of macrophage function, can activate human antimycobacterial activity. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with an impaired mycobacterial immunity and susceptibility to tuberculosis. It has been found that vitamin D and its receptor may be essential for immune function. In this study, we examined the serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels and its receptor (VDR) polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients, household contacts and healthy controls. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured in 75 cases (25 patients, 25 household contacts and 25 healthy controls), and polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI) were carried out in 335 cases (110 patients, 110 household contacts and 115 healthy controls). The proportion of serum 25(OH) vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was high in patients (44, 58%) and household contacts (40, 48%) compared to controls (48%). The BB and Bb genotypes of BsmI were significantly associated in patients (P < 0.014; OR: 0.509; CI: 0.265-0.876) (P < 0.001; OR: 2.351; CI: 1.368-4.041) and household contacts (P < 0.04; OR: 0.575; CI: 0.336-0.985); (P < 0.002; OR: -2.267; CI: 1.32-3.895) when compared to healthy controls. The diplotype and MDR analysis showed the high-risk genotypes of BsmI and FokI polymorphisms. Vitamin D deficiency and its association with VDR gene polymorphisms may be useful to identify the high-risk group individuals.

Rapid respiratory deterioration and sudden death due to disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

We report the case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) whose death occurred within 30 hours of hospitalization due to disseminated cryptococcosis, manifested by dizziness, cough, and shortness of breath. The clinical picture was consistent with pneumocystis pneumonia, and antibiotic therapy with corticosteroids was initiated. Despite initial improvement, the patient's condition quickly worsened, resulting in cardiorespiratory arrest and death. Autopsy revealed cryptococci in several organs. Sudden, rapid deterioration and death are rare consequences of disseminated cryptococcosis, and steroids may worsen the course of the disease. On the basis of this case and review of similar cases in the literature, we recommend early consideration of disseminated cryptococcosis in AIDS patients with pneumonia. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.