Impact of the severity of chronic periodontal disease on quality of life.

We examined the impact of the severity of periodontal disease on quality of life in adults with chronic periodontitis. One hundred patients (age, 30-58 years) who were assisted at the Basic Health Care Unit in the city of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil underwent clinical examination of all standing teeth, including gingival bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level, and were divided into those with mild/moderate (n = 49; group G1) and severe (n = 51; group G2) chronic periodontitis. The participants were then interviewed, using a structured questionnaire. The Brazilian Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14Br) questionnaire was used to assess oral health-related quality of life. Associations were investigated, and those with a P value of less than 0.2 were tested using multiple logistic regression models. Those with a P value of 0.05 or less were considered significant. There was a significant association between G2 and education level (P = 0.00051). OHIP-14Br score was higher for G2 (24.1) than for G1 (18.2) (P = 0.0455). Severe chronic periodontitis was associated with low education level (≤8 years) (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-7.3) and pronunciation difficulties (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0-9.3). In conclusion, periodontal disease severity was inversely associated with quality of life among Brazilian adults.

Concentrations of metronidazole in human plasma and saliva after tablet or gel administration.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of metronidazole (Mtz) tablet and to compare Mtz gel and tablet concentrations in both blood plasma and saliva. METHODS: In this randomized cross-over study with a 1-week washout period, 13 volunteers randomly received one (a single oral dose of 750 mg Mtz (Flagyl®--tablet) and 2) 3 g of 15% Mtz benzoate gel (applied by using a dental tray). The HPLC with ultraviolet detection was used to quantify plasma and saliva concentrations of Mtz. The pharmacokinetic parameters (PPs) areas under the curves from 0 to 48 h (AUC0-48) and from 0 to infinity (AUC0-∞), the maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), the time to C(max), volume of distribution and renal clearance were determined for Mtz tablet. KEY FINDINGS: Considering the Mtz tablet, plasma showed higher Mtz concentration from 6 to 24 h after drug administration and the highest values concerning AUC0-48 h and AUC0-∞ than those obtained in saliva (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between plasma and saliva concentrations for Mtz gel. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that some PPs were higher in plasma (P < 0.05) than in saliva concerning Mtz tablet. Gel formulation had similar Mtz bioavailability in plasma and saliva resulting in systemic absorption.