Association between sequelae of COVID-19 with periodontal disease and obesity: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated factors, such as obesity and periodontitis in adults. METHODS: The study included 128 individuals aged ≥35 years with a history of a diagnosis of COVID-19 through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), from Pelotas, Brazil. Self-report sequelae from COVID-19 were defined as the primary outcome. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, medical, behavioral and self-report of sequelae of COVID-19 was applied. A complete periodontal clinical examination was performed. Weight and height were assessed. Uni-, bi- and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. Additional analyses were performed considering obesity as a subgroup. RESULTS: When considering the whole sample, no statistically significant associations between sequelae of COVID-19 with periodontitis (prevalence ratio [PR]:1.14;95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.80-1.61) and obesity (0.93 [0.68-1.26]) were identified. In the subgroup analysis, considering only individuals with obesity, those diagnosed with generalized periodontitis had 86% higher probability to have sequelae of COVID-19 when compared to individuals with periodontal health or localized periodontitis. However, when only those without obesity were considered, no significant association with periodontal status was detected (0.82 [0.55-1.23). No significant association with periodontal status were observed when the severity of sequelae (no sequelae, 1 sequela, and >1 sequela) were considered (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals diagnosed with obesity and periodontitis have a higher PR of reporting sequelae from COVID-19 compared to individuals with only obesity.

Factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students enrolled at a public university in Brazil. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire addressing the exploratory variables of interest (sociodemographic and economic characteristics, use of medications and drugs, dentistry as the first choice of undergraduate course, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) was hosted on Google Forms and shared with all dental students at the Federal University of Pelotas. Academic performance was evaluated based on institutional records, access to which the participants had previously authorized; students with good (average ≥7.0 points) or poor academic performance (average <7.0 points) were considered. Adjusted logistic regressions were performed to verify the association between academic performance and the exploratory variables (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In total, 244 students were included, of whom 18.8% had poor academic performance. Increased age (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), non-white skin color (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), the use of medications for anxiety and depression (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52) were factors associated with poor academic performance. CONCLUSION: A low prevalence of poor academic performance was observed. Non-white skin color, increased age, use of anxiolytics or antidepressants, and poor or disturbed sleep may reduce dental students' academic performance.

Low concern rate with oral health and associated factors among older persons: a cross-sectional study / Baixas taxas de preocupação com a saúde bucal e fatores associados em idosos: um estudo transversal

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of concern with oral health and associated factors among older adults. METHODS: Individuals aged >60 years were included from the cities Cruz Alta and Veranopolis, Brazil. Oral health examination and a structured questionnaire were applied in 569 individuals. The main outcome was concern with oral health (yes or no), which was determined by a validated questionnaire. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted by Poisson regression with robust variance to assess the association between outcome and independent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of concern with oral health was 30.58% (n = 174). Non-white individuals presented significantly higher prevalence ratio (PR) of being concerned about their oral health (PR = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.62). Individuals with medium or high level of education, not retired and without any health problems presented higher PR of being concerned with their oral health when compared to their controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, those that reported toothbrushing frequency > 2 times/day (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.01 - 2.48) and non-edentulous (PR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.12 -2.01) also presented higher PR of being concern with their oral health. Older adults that were not concerned with tooth alignment (PR = 0.57; 95%CI 0.44 - 0.74) or tooth color (PR = 0.41; 95%CI 0.31 - 0.54) demonstrated lower concern with their oral health. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of concern with oral health among the older adults was low and associated with non-white individuals, medium and high level of education, individuals not retired, absence of health problems, higher toothbrushing frequency, mild temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and non-edentulism. Additionally, concern with esthetical aspects may be related with this outcome.

OBJETIVO: Esse estudo objetivou verificar a prevalência de preocupação com a saúde bucal e fatores associados em idosos. METODOLOGIA: Idosos com idade ≥60 anos foram incluídos das cidades de Cruz Alta e Veranópolis, Brasil. Exame de saúde bucal e um questionário estruturado foram aplicados em 569 indivíduos. O desfecho primário foi preocupação com saúde bucal (sim ou não), a qual foi determinada por um questionário validado. Análises uni- e multivariadas foram realizadas por meio de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para verificar a associação entre o desfecho e as variáveis independentes. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de preocupação com a saúde bucal foi de 30,58% (n = 174). Indivíduos não brancos apresentaram razão de prevalência (RP) significativamente maior de serem preocupados com a sua saúde bucal (RP = 1,28 ­ intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95% 1,01 ­ 1,62). Indivíduos com nível educacional médio ou alto, não aposentados e sem qualquer problema de saúde apresentaram maior RP de serem preocupados com sua saúde bucal quando comparados com seus controles (p < 0,05). Além disso, idosos que reportaram escovar os dentes ≥ 2 vezes/dia (RP = 1,58; IC95% 1,01 ­ 2,48) e não edêntulos (RP = 1,50; IC95% 1,12 ­ 2,01) também apresentaram maior RP de serem preocupados com sua saúde bucal. Idosos não preocupados com alinhamento dentário (RP = 0,57; IC95% 0,44 ­ 0,74) ou com a cor dos dentes (RP = 0,41; IC95% 0,31 ­ 0,54) demonstraram menor preocupação com a saúde bucal. CONCLUSÃO: Prevalência de preocupação com a saúde bucal em idosos foi baixa e associada com indivíduos não brancos, com nível educacional médio ou alto, indivíduos não aposentados, ausência de problemas de saúde, alta frequência de escovação, desordem temporomandibular (DTM) leve e não edêntulos. Além disso, preocupação com aspectos estéticos pode estar relacionada com isso.