Comparative analysis of short-term outcomes and oncological results between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer by multiple surgeon implementation: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is becoming increasingly common for the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. However, the use and implementation of robotic surgery remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of robotic surgery, focusing on pathological results and disease-free survival (DFS), in our cohort with initial robotic experience by multiple surgeon implementation. This retrospective study enrolled 571 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer, who were treated with chemoradiotherapy and surgery between January 2015 and December 2021. Surgical outcomes after RAS and laparoscopic surgery (LS) were compared using a propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis. After matching, 200 patients (100 in each group) were included. The median operative time was significantly longer in the RAS group than in the LS group (p < 0.001). The conversion and morbidity rates were similar between the groups. A significantly higher rate of complete mesorectal excision (92% vs. 72%; p = 0.001) and number of lymph nodes harvested (p = 0.009) was observed in the RAS group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding circumferential and distal resection margin involvement. The 3-year overall and disease-free survival rate was similar between the two groups (p = 0.849 and p = 0.582, respectively). Two patients in the LS group developed local recurrence and 27 patients (15.4%) developed metastatic disease. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage III was the only factor associated with disease-free survival (HR, 9.34; (95% CI 1.13-77.1), p = 0.038). RAS and LS showed similar outcomes in terms of perioperative, anatomopathological, and disease-free survival, after multiple surgeon implementations.

Serotype diversity of Streptococcus mutans and caries activity in children in Argentina.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyse the serotype distribution of S. mutans and their association with caries activity in school children from Córdoba, Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical examination was performed in 133 children. The dmft+DMFT and Significant Caries (SiC) indices were calculated to identify individuals with high caries activity. After DNA extractions of S. mutans strains, serotypes were determined by PCR amplifications. The median caries activity of each serotype group was compared using a non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test. RESULTS: We obtained S. mutans strains from stimulated saliva of 94 children. The mean dmft+DMFT was 4.14 and the mean SiC index was 8.65. Serotype c was the most frequent (53.2%), followed by e (31.9%), f (8.5%) and k (6.4%). The comparison between the SiC and Non-Sic groups showed significant differences in the frequency of serotypes c and k. The median caries activity was non-significant in the different serotypes. CONCLUSION: The difference between the serotype frequencies detected in Argentina compared to those of other countries could be related with contrasting dietary habits. The results obtained in the present study would increase the knowledge about the epidemiology of dental caries in children from Argentina.

Capillary electrophoresis for short chain organic acids in faeces Reference values in a Mediterranean elderly population.

There is increasing evidence that gut microflora and fermentation processes in the large intestine are important for health, and that health-promoting effects are mediated by fermentation products. Usually analytical methods for these compounds are tedious. A simple and rapid procedure of aqueous extraction from the stools has been optimized. After extraction, an aliquot of the aqueous layer was directly injected into the capillary electrophoresis equipment. Oxalic, formic, fumaric, 2-ketoglutaric, succinic, citric, acetic, propionic, 2-ketoisovaleryc, butyric, isovaleric lactic, glyceric 2-hydroxybutyric, and valeric acids were separated and identified. Electrophoretic conditions were: phosphate buffer 234 mM pH 6.10 with 12% (v/v) methanol with a coated capillary at -10 kV of applied potential. The method was validated for a representative group of compounds: acetic, propionic butyric, 2-hydroxybutiric, isovaleric, and oxalic acids, including the comparison of results with ionic chromatography. Finally 136 samples from healthy humans aged 60-80, both male and female living in Spain, were measured. They could be used as reference values for further studies.

Estrategia mediadora para la promoción de salud bucal en niños y adolescentes con síndrome de Down / No disponible

Objetivo: Diseñar, implementar y evaluar juegos colectivos con componente didáctico adaptados a los intereses y potencialidades de personas con síndrome de Down, como estrategias mediadoras para la promoción de la salud bucal. Materiales y métodos: Participaron en el estudio 100 niños y adolescentes Down de 4 a 19 años, 47 padres y 49 docentes, integrantes de APADIM, escuela de discapacitados intelectuales de la Ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina). Se diseñaron juegos colectivos con componente didáctico de acuerdo con el diagnóstico psico-pedagógico y los aportes de los docentes. Dichos juegos se incluyeron en las actividades del aula y fuera del aula con la participación de otros mediadores: padres, hermanos, abuelos. Los juegos fueron evaluados por partes de los mediadores (maestros y padres) a través de encuestas. Resultados: La evaluación de las estrategias implementadas resultó positiva. Los mediadores expresaron que hubo cambio de conducta en los niños y adolescentes respecto al cuidado de su salud; el examen clínico reveló disminución en el Índice de Higiene oral y un importante aumento en el número de elementos obturados, lo que evidenciaría la toma de conciencia y movilización de la familia con respecto a la necesidad de consulta e intervención del profesional odontólogo; en relación a los hábitos de higiene, se observó aumento del uso de cepillo y mejora sustancial en la calidad del cepillado. Conclusiones: Los juegos con contenidos de salud bucal dotaron a los mediadores de una herramienta apropiada para que los niños y adolescentes lograran la apropiación de conductas saludables, dado que el diseño de las mismas respetó el diagnóstico de sus potencialidades (AU)

No disponible

Capillary electrophoresis for caffeine and pyroglutamate determination in coffees study of the in vivo effect on learning and locomotor activity in mice.

In a preliminary study pyroglutamate showed to be over 10 times increased in some lyophilised coffees with respect to brewed or filtered coffees, and probably that increase is related to some stage of the industrial process. Pyroglutamate is known to have a number of remarkable cognitive enhancing effects, which could be also related to the properties of coffee traditionally associated to caffeine. Pyroglutamate improves memory and learning and has anti-anxiety effects in rats. Therefore, a method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and pyroglutamate in coffee by capillary electrophoresis. Separation conditions employed MECK conditions with 50 mM borate buffer at pH 9.5 with 130 mM SDS. The applied potential was 10 kV and detection was performed at 200 nm. Afterwards, 10 soluble coffees from the market were measured and caffeine and pyroglutamate levels were compared. Those coffees with higher pyroglutamate with or without caffeine were preliminarily tested for sedative/stimulant properties and cognition enhancing effects in mice. The most relevant finding was a partial reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia in the passive avoidance paradigm after oral administration of one coffee.

Reconocimiento de salud y registro de enfermedad en la promoción de la salud bucal / Assessment of health and record of disease in the promotion of health oral

BACKGROUND: At present, epidemiologic dentistry has numerous indexes to measure illness such as DMFT, dmft and S-OHI which are broadly used for illness diagnosis in different population groups. On the other hand, the index INSAO proposed differs from the approach focused on the disease itself. INSAO offers a parameter to measure the degree of health of teeth and gums and thus provides the patient with the information about their health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the usefulness of the information provided by the traditional indexes and those recorded by INSAO, to the oral health evaluation in rural schools of the north of Córdoba, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in school children, aged 5 to 14 attending 8 rural primary schools. Data was collected from a clinical examination. Caries experience was measured according WHO indications. The dmf-t and DMF-T indexes were determined. Oral hygiene was evaluated by means S-OHI. The total amount of teeth present in the mouth, sound teeth number, and the state of the gum were registered to built INSAO index. RESULTS: Inverse correspondence is observed between dental health level through INSAO and the disease through proportion of permanent and temporary teeth with cavities active recorded by dmf-t and DMF-T indexes. CONCLUSION: The application of INSAO is presented as a valuable instrument in the promotion of oral health in communities that belong to excluded social groups due to their special characteristics.(AU)

Antecedentes: La epidemiología odontológica dispone en la actualidad de numerosos índices capaces de medir enfermedad, CPOD, ceod e IHO-s, son índices ampliamente utilizados para el registro de enfermedad. Por su parte el índice INSAO, sale del enfoque asentado en la enfermedad ofreciendo un parámetro para medir el grado de salud de dientes y encías en forma conjunta. Objetivo: Comparar la información proporcionada por los índices tradicionales, CPOD, ceod e IHO-S, y por INSAO (índice de Salud Oral), y la utilidad de su aplicación en la evaluación de la salud oral de escolares rurales. Materiales Métodos: Se realizó examen clínico-odontológico a escolares rurales de 5 a 14 años de edad, ambos sexos, concurrentes a 8 escuelas rurales del norte de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Se evaluó la experiencia de caries según los criterios de la OMS y se elaboraron los correspondientes índices ceo-d y CPO-D. Se valoró la higiene oral mediante el Indice de Higiene Oral simplificado (IHO-S) de Green y Vermillon. Se registró además, total de dientes presentes en boca, cantidad de dientes sanos, y el estado de la encía, para la construcción del índice INSAO. Resultados: Se observó una correspondencia inversa entre el nivel de salud evaluado por INSAO y la proporción de elementos dentarios temporarios y permanentes con actividad de caries registrada por ceo-d y CPO-D respectivamente. Conclusiones: El reconocimiento de salud a través de la aplicación de INSAO, se presenta como una valiosa estrategia en la promoción de la salud bucal. La valoración positiva que los propios sujetos puedan hacer de sus elementos dentales y encías sanas a través de INSAO, contribuirá a la construcción de la cultura de la salud bucal en las comunidades a las que ellos pertenecen, lo que es de especial importancia cuando se trata de comunidades que por sus características especiales constituyen grupos sociales excluidos o marginados.(AU)

Reconocimiento de salud y registro de enfermedad en la promoción de la salud bucal / Assessment of health and record of disease in the promotion of health oral

BACKGROUND: At present, epidemiologic dentistry has numerous indexes to measure illness such as DMFT, dmft and S-OHI which are broadly used for illness diagnosis in different population groups. On the other hand, the index INSAO proposed differs from the approach focused on the disease itself. INSAO offers a parameter to measure the degree of health of teeth and gums and thus provides the patient with the information about their health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the usefulness of the information provided by the traditional indexes and those recorded by INSAO, to the oral health evaluation in rural schools of the north of Córdoba, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in school children, aged 5 to 14 attending 8 rural primary schools. Data was collected from a clinical examination. Caries experience was measured according WHO indications. The dmf-t and DMF-T indexes were determined. Oral hygiene was evaluated by means S-OHI. The total amount of teeth present in the mouth, sound teeth number, and the state of the gum were registered to built INSAO index. RESULTS: Inverse correspondence is observed between dental health level through INSAO and the disease through proportion of permanent and temporary teeth with cavities active recorded by dmf-t and DMF-T indexes. CONCLUSION: The application of INSAO is presented as a valuable instrument in the promotion of oral health in communities that belong to excluded social groups due to their special characteristics.

Antecedentes: La epidemiología odontológica dispone en la actualidad de numerosos índices capaces de medir enfermedad, CPOD, ceod e IHO-s, son índices ampliamente utilizados para el registro de enfermedad. Por su parte el índice INSAO, sale del enfoque asentado en la enfermedad ofreciendo un parámetro para medir el grado de salud de dientes y encías en forma conjunta. Objetivo: Comparar la información proporcionada por los índices tradicionales, CPOD, ceod e IHO-S, y por INSAO (índice de Salud Oral), y la utilidad de su aplicación en la evaluación de la salud oral de escolares rurales. Materiales Métodos: Se realizó examen clínico-odontológico a escolares rurales de 5 a 14 años de edad, ambos sexos, concurrentes a 8 escuelas rurales del norte de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Se evaluó la experiencia de caries según los criterios de la OMS y se elaboraron los correspondientes índices ceo-d y CPO-D. Se valoró la higiene oral mediante el Índice de Higiene Oral simplificado (IHO-S) de Green y Vermillon. Se registró además, total de dientes presentes en boca, cantidad de dientes sanos, y el estado de la encía, para la construcción del índice INSAO. Resultados: Se observó una correspondencia inversa entre el nivel de salud evaluado por INSAO y la proporción de elementos dentarios temporarios y permanentes con actividad de caries registrada por ceo-d y CPO-D respectivamente. Conclusiones: El reconocimiento de salud a través de la aplicación de INSAO, se presenta como una valiosa estrategia en la promoción de la salud bucal. La valoración positiva que los propios sujetos puedan hacer de sus elementos dentales y encías sanas a través de INSAO, contribuirá a la construcción de la cultura de la salud bucal en las comunidades a las que ellos pertenecen, lo que es de especial importancia cuando se trata de comunidades que por sus características especiales constituyen grupos sociales excluidos o marginados.

[Characteristics of Kaposi's sarcoma. A retrospective study in a reference hospital]. / Características del sarcoma de Kaposi. Estudio retrospectivo en un hospital de Tercer Nivel.

UNLABELLED: Kaposi's angiosarcoma (SK) is a vascular tumour that affects skin and other organs. Nowadays there is thought that immunosuppression is one of the factors related with its genesis. OBJECTIVES: Show the information corresponding to the distribution of the SK, proportion of subtypes, evolution and therapeutic used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 28 cases retrospective study. We obtained the personal background, habits, origin of the VIH when the SK was associated with AIDS, and treatment carry out. Type of SK and location, cutaneous presentation, complications and B symptoms. Treatment, response and adverse effects. Progression of the disease, average time of relapse and survival, and presence of the SK at death. RESULTS: 64% epidemic, 21% classic type and 14% associated with transplants. In 48% of the epidemic cases, the VIH assumed to homosexual habits and 18% to being ADVP. In all there was cutaneous affectation, 46% had affectation of mucouses, 11% adenopathies and 14% visceral extension. 71% received treatment: 40% chemotherapy, 35% radiotherapy and 18% cryotherapy. Progression: 11% became stable, in 50% there was local extension and systemic in 17%. The average survival was of 4.16 +/- 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: SK has a minor incidence in the homosexual population. The high proportion of classic and transplants associated affirm the role of immunosuppression as a predisposing factor. There were numerous local complications that were associated with B symptoms. The cryotherapy was used as the first option in the located forms and in the widespread ones was the chemotherapy.

Características del sarcoma de Kaposi. Estudio retrospectivo en un hospital de Tercer Nivel / Characteristics of kaposi´s sarcoma. A retrospective study in a reference hospital

El angiosarcoma de Kaposi (SK) es un tumor vascular que afecta a piel y otros órganos. Actualmente se piensa que en su génesis intervienen factores relacionados con la inmunosupresión. Objetivos: Reflejar los datos correspondientes a la distribución del SK, proporción de subtipos, evolución y terapéutica empleada. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 28 casos. Obtuvimos los datos personales, hábitos, origen del VIH cuando el SK estaba asociado a SIDA, y tratamiento realizado. Tipo de SK y localización, presentación cutánea, complicaciones y síntomas B. Tratamiento realizado, respuesta y efectos indeseables del mismo. Progresión de la enfermedad, tiempo medio de recidiva, supervivencia media y presencia del SK al fallecer. Resultados: 64 por ciento epidémicos, 21 por ciento tipo clásico y 14 por ciento asociado a trasplantes. En el 48 por ciento de los casos epidémicos, se atribuyó el VIH a hábitos homosexuales y el 18 por ciento a ser ADVP. En todos hubo afectación cutánea, el 46 por ciento tuvo afectación de mucosas, 11 por ciento adenopatías y 14 por ciento extensión visceral. El 71 por ciento recibió tratamiento: 40 por ciento quimioterapia, 35 por ciento radioterapia y 18 por ciento crioterapia. Progresión: el 11 por ciento se estabilizó, en el 50 por ciento hubo extensión local y sistémica en el 17 por ciento. La supervivencia media fue de 4,16 ñ 3 años. Conclusiones: Hay menor incidencia de SK en la población homosexual. La elevada proporción del clásico y asociado a trasplantes apoya un estado de inmunodepresión como factor predisponente. Hubo numerosas complicaciones locales que se asociaron a síntomas B. La crioterapia se utilizó como primera opción en las formas localizadas y en las generalizadas la quimioterapia (AU)

Kaposi's angiosarcoma (SK) is a vascular tumour that affects skin and other organs. Nowadays there is thought that immunosuppression is one of the factors related with its genesis. Objectives: Show the information corresponding to the distribution of the SK, proportion of subtypes, evolution and therapeutic used. Material and methods: A 28 cases retrospective study. We obtained the personal background, habits, origin of the VIH when the SK was associated with AIDS, and treatment carry out. Type of SK and location, coetaneous presentation, complications and B symptoms. Treatment, response and adverse effects. Progression of the disease, average time of relapse and survival, and presence of the SK at death. Results: 64% epidemic, 21% classic type and 14% associated with transplants. In 48% of the epidemic cases, the VIH assumed to homosexual habits and 18% to being ADVP. In all there was coetaneous affectation, 46% had affectation of mucouses, 11% adenophaties and 14% visceral extension. 71% received treatment: 40% chemotherapy, 35% radiotherapy and 18% criotherapy. Progression: 11% became stable, in 50% there was local extension and systemic in 17%. The average survival was of 4,16±3 years. Conclusions: SK has a minor incidence in the homosexual population. The high proportion of classic and transplants associated affirm the role of inmunosuppression as a predisposing factor. There were numerous local complications that were associated with B symptoms. The criotherapy was used as the first option in the located forms and in the widespread ones was the chemotherapy (AU)

Fetal dysmorphism in spontaneous abortions in a Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to find out the frequency and type of fetal dysmorphism in spontaneous abortions among the Mexican population. METHOD: A prospective study was carried out in all the cases of spontaneous miscarriages occurring at the 'Dr. Manuel Gea González' General Hospital in Mexico City, from July 1989 to June 1999. RESULT: Two hundred and one empty sacs and 1555 well-defined embryos or fetuses were analyzed. Dysmorphism was observed in 48% of the cases, malformations being the most frequently found. Among malformations the largest group corresponded to morphological alterations not recognized in the postnatal life, facial clefts and closure defects of the abdominal wall were the known malformations of the postnatal period most frequently found. The most common syndromic entities were suggestive of bone dysplasia and Turner phenotype. CONCLUSION: The frequency of fetal dysmorphism in spontaneous abortions is higher than in newborns. Its diagnosis is very important for genetic counseling.

Anemia hemolítica autoinmune e hipernefroma / Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and hypernephroma

No disponible

Diarrea por citomegalovirus (CMV) como primera manifestación de sida / Cytomegalovirus (CMV) diarrhea as diagnostic index for aids

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 49 años, sin antecedentes personales de interés salvo agresión sexual en 1996, que acude al Servicio de Urgencia del HGUGM por cuadro de diarrea de 6 meses de evolución, al que se añade fiebre de hasta 39ºC en los últimos 2 meses. Durante su ingreso es diagnosticado de infección por el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH), antigenemia para Citomegalovirus (CMV) de 70 células, y en el estudio de diarrea se objetiva CMV en cultivo celular de la biopsia de colon ,con colonoscopia normal. La colitis es la forma más frecuente de afectación del tubo digestivo por CMV en pacientes con infección por el VIH. No obstante, es poco frecuente como primera manifestación de Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA), como ocurre en el caso que presentamos (AU)

We report a case of a male 49 years old, without clinical history, excepting rape in 1996, that was admitted to the Emergency Room of HGUGM because of diarrhea 6 months duration, plus fever (39ºC) in the last 2 months. He was diagnosed of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with serum antigenemia (70cells), and colonic biopsy positives for Cytomegalovirus, and a normal colonoscopy. Cytomegalovirus colitis is the major etiologic infectious agent in patients with AIDS-associated diarrhea, although it can be the diagnostic index for AIDS in a few cases (AU)

Evolución de la salud bucal en niños de 3-5 años de edad de al ciudad de Córdoba. Argentina. Estudio CLACYD1 / Evolution of oral health in 3-5 year-old hildren of Cordoba city. Argentina. CLACID1

Se analiza la salud bucal en niños de 3-5 años de la ciudad de Córdoba participantes del estudio CLACYD. La prevalencia de caries observada en la población fue de: 18,4 por ciento (3 años), 43,3 por ciento (4 años) y 59,4 por ciento (5 años) con diferencias mayores en los niños varones y de menores recursos (estrato II). Los índices de caries se incrementaron un 327,3 por ciento en la población. Según el Sistema de Análisis para Caries (SAC) se observó mayor prevalencia y severidad en el patrón de fosas y fisuras (FF), un avance de la enfermedad en los patrones proximal posterior (PP) y bucal lingual (BL) en los varones y en el estrato II. A los dos años de estudio se observaron diferencias estadísticamene significativas en todos los patrones de caries. Los índices de higiene oral y salud gingival y la proporción de niños en las categorías de alto riesgo de niveles de St mutans y actividad de lactobacilos, se incrementaron en toda la población. El análisis de correlación simple aplicado a los 3 y 5 años de edad reveló un incremento del coeficiente de correlación positiva, entre el índice de caries (ceo-d) y las siguientes variables: higiene oral r=0,40-0,55 (p=0,02), salud gingival 0,42-0,54 (p=0,08), St mutans r=0,22-0,45 (p=0,01) respectivamente. Se concluye que la salud bucal de esta población muestra un temprano deterioro y con condiciones del ambiente bucal desfavorables que en un futuro inmediato comprometería la dentición permanente con la aparición de la caries dental y de enfermedades periodontales, por lo que es relevante destacar las necesidades inmediatas de atención odontológica que requieren los niños de la ciudad de Córdoba (AU)

[Cytomegalovirus diarrhea as a diagnostic index for AIDS]. / Diarrea por citomegalovirus (CMV) como primera manifestación de SIDA.

We report a case of a male 49 years old, without clinical history, excepting rape in 1996, that was admitted to the Emergency Room of HGUGM because of diarrhea 6 months duration, plus fever (39 degrees C) in the last 2 months. He was diagnosed of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with serum antigenemia (70 cells), and colonic biopsy positives for Cytomegalovirus, and a normal colonoscopy. Cytomegalovirus colitis is the major etiologic infectious agent in patients with AIDS-associated diarrhea, although it can be the diagnostic index for AIDS in a few cases.

[Dystomatosis produced by fasciola hepatica: three cases in Madrid]. / Distomatosis por fasciola hepática: a propósito de tres casos en la Comunidad de Madrid.

Three cases of hepatic fascioliasis diagnosed in the Department of Internal Medicine are presented. All of the patients live in Madrid, all were fed watercress in the last month and the diagnosis was established during the invasive phase and confirmed by serological testing. We emphasized the importance of the TC scan in the correct diagnosis, the ectopic location of the parasite presentation like subcutaneous thoracic nodule and the efficacy of bithionol in the treatment.

Evolution of saliva and serum components in patients with oral candidosis topically treated with Ketoconazole and Nystatin.

The present study involves the analysis of some saliva components (SC) and serum components in patients with oral candidosis topically treated with Ketoconazole 2% (K) or Nystatin 100,000 IU (N). Twenty-four male and female patients, age range 39-82 years, were included in the study. A double-blind study was undertaken in which the patients were divided into 2 treatment groups. These groups were compared with a control group (CG) of 16 healthy patients, both male and female, age-matched with the treated groups. The parameters evaluated were oral mucous membrane lesion index (MLI), CFU of Candida, saliva flow rate, protein-bound Fe (Fe-prot), Fe-prot binding capacity (Fe-prot cap), IgAs, peroxidase activity (PA), hypothiocyanite and thiocyanite. The values of Candida CFU and MLI were significantly reduced in patients treated with K and N. The pre-treatment values of SC as compared to the CG revealed a reduction in Fe-prot and Fe-prot cap. These parameters reach values similar to control towards the end of the treatment. The PA was significantly higher in candidosis patients and fell to control values with treatment. The other SC and serum components did not exhibit significant differences with the CG. Patients with oral candidosis treated locally exhibit not only an improvement in clinical manifestations but also a return to control values of altered SC.

[Oral health status evaluation of pre-school children: longitudinal epidemiologic study (1993-1994), Córdoba, Argentina]. / Evaluación del estado de salud bucodental en preescolares: estudio epidemiológico longitudinal (1993-1994), Córdoba, Argentina.

A one-year longitudinal survey was carried out on a sample of the Cordoba City 4-year old kindergarten population (n = 820); so as to determine the role of several variables upon the incidence of caries. The dmf-t, dmf-s, oral hygiene and oral health indexes as well as incidence rates and caries relative risks of caries were inversely related to the socioeconomic level (SEL) of the children involved. Thus in the SEL III (typical proletariat, non-typical proletariat and sub-proletariat) children, the relative risk of caries was almost five times higher (RR = 4.9) than in the SEL I (entrepreneureal and managerial bourgeoisie) children. In SEL I, almost all new lesions occurred on smooth surfaces (61.2%), while in SEL III the molar occlusal faces were mainly affected (66.3%). Daily sugar intake was higher in SEL III children but experience of caries showed poor correlation to the amount (r = 0.40) and frequency (r = 0.52) of carbohydrate intake. No significant interlevel differences were observed in the biochemical salivary parameters analyzed. Assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications strongly lowered the incidence of caries among SEL III children, also making the corresponding rates fall almost to SEL I values (0.31, 0.23 and 0.22 vs. 0.21). In conclusion, SEL III children should be treated prophylactically with effective preventive measures, because of their susceptibility to caries. Such preventive measures include assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications.