Cardiovascular and other risk factors among people who live in slums in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: Effective planning of health policies requires the availability of accurate data, representing the burden of disease and risks to the diverse components of society. In Argentina, health information comes from the national risk factors survey (NRFS), which characterises the distribution of different risk factors. However, the NRFS has never collected information from residents living in slums, despite slums representing 10% of the population. The objective of this survey was to characterise the prevalence of cardiovascular and other risk factors among the inhabitants of one of the largest slums in Buenos Aires (Villa 31) and compare it to data from the NRFS. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 400 slum households, using the same data structure as the NRFS. The survey obtained information about economic aspects, reproductive health, addictions and risk factors. All participants had their blood pressure, weight and height measured. A total of 406 people were interviewed and their data were compared with data from 32,365 people in the NRFS. All comparisons were made on the basis of age group. RESULTS: A fair/poor self-perceived level of health (odds ratio [OR] 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.60-3.91), anxiety and moderate to severe depression (OR 5.44, 95% CI: 4.43-6.69), problem drinking (OR 10.01, 95% CI 8.08-12.40), self-reported hypertension (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.57), overweight (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03-1.55) and obesity (OR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.38-2.15) were significantly higher in the slum population. In people aged 18-24 years, the prevalence of diabetes was triple the national average (OR 3.17, 95% CI: 1.26-7.98). For all evaluated conditions in this study, the inhabitants of the slum received significantly less treatment compared with participants from the NRFS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cardiovascular and other risk factors in the slum population has a different distribution to that reported in the NRFS. These data suggest the need to establish specific policies for slum populations.

No differences in caspase-3 and Bax expression in atrophic-erosive vs. reticular oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Caspase-3 (CPP32) and Bax expression levels in oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions are considered reliable markers of apoptosis. The malignant transformation of OLP remains a very controversial matter. The objective of this study was to compare histological and apoptotic phenomena between atrophic-erosive and reticular forms of OLP. METHODS: Analysis was conducted of biopsy samples from 18 patients with reticular and 14 with atrophic-erosive OLP. Conventional histology techniques were used to quantify histological markers of OLP and peroxidase/anti-peroxidase techniques to determine apoptosis markers caspase-3 (CPP32) and Bax. RESULTS: More Civatte bodies and lymphocyte exocytosis were observed in atrophic-erosive than reticular OLP samples, without any statistical difference. No statistical significant differences in caspase-3 expression were found between these OLP forms in suprabasal layer (58.3% vs. 43.8%), basal layer (83.3% vs. 68.8%) or infiltrate (69.2% vs. 46.6%). Bax expression was relatively infrequent, and no differences were observed between atrophic-erosive and reticular forms. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency of apoptotic phenomena (caspase-3 and Bax) in epithelial cells of OLP may create a favourable substrate for malignant transformation. However, there does not seem to be an association with the clinical form (atrophic-erosive or reticular).

Progressive bulbar palsy: a case report diagnosed by lingual symptoms.

The aim of this report is to show a case of Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP), diagnosed by oral medicine specialists, from oral symptoms of the disease. We have found no more than two published cases of PBP diagnosed by lingual alterations. We have followed the patient for almost four years, which is remarkable considering that the normal survival period for these patients is up to three years. We would like to emphasize the role of general dentists in the diagnosis of systemic conditions based on an oral examination that should include the oro-facial muscles.

Risk of oral cancer associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and oral hygiene: a case-control study in Madrid, Spain.

Oral cancer is a disease whose principal etiological factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption, which if controlled could help avoid many tumors. However, consumption has continued to grow for years. We have studied the risk of the principal factors established in the development of oral cancer and the influence of the oral hygiene level on the appearance of these tumors. Seventy-five cases of oral cancer and 150 controls from the Madrid community were interviewed on tobacco and alcohol consumption habits and their oral hygiene level. The Odds Ratio (OR) for consumption of 6-20 cigarettes/day is 3.1 and 7.96 for more than 20 cigarettes/day. When more than 50 g of alcohol/day is consumed the risk results in an OR of 5.3. Daily brushing is a protective factor (OR, 0.41). In conclusion, the most important risk factor for developing oral cancer is tobacco consumption followed by alcohol consumption.

[Lichen planus of the oral mucosa in the clinical course of chronic active hepatitis. Presentation of two cases]. / Liquen plano de la mucosa oral en el curso clínico de hepatitis crónica activa. Presentación de dos casos.

Two cases of oral lichen planus associated with chronic active hepatitis are presented. One of them it was also associated with achrosclerosis. A review of the literature is done, and it is suggested the possibility that oral lichen planus play a role of diagnostic importance in hepatic pathology.

[Radioprotective effect of ascorbic acid on oral structures in patients with cancer of the head and neck]. / Efecto radioprotector del acido ascorbico sobre estructuras orales en pacientes con cancer de cabeza y cuello.

It is considered the radioprotective effect of ascorbic acid in patients with head and neck cancer. It is observed a reduction of yatrogenic effects over oral structures secondary to radiotherapy. It is recommended the oral administration of ascorbic acid in this type of patients.

[Oral manifestations in tuberous sclerosis. Report of 3 cases]. / Manifestaciones orales en esclerosis tuberosa. Presentación de tres casos.

We present three cases of Tuberous Sclerosis, studying its oral manifestations and suggesting that dental pits are clinical markers of diagnostic interest in the paucisymptomatic forms of the syndrome.