The Economic Burden of Selected Analgesic Drugs Prescription by Dentists in Slovakia

Objective: To analyse economic burden of selected analgesic drugs prescription by dentists in Slovakia over a 24-month period. Material and Methods: In this economic burden study, the data were provided from the largest public health insurance company in Slovakia. It was analysed 23,256 prescriptions of selected analgesic drugs (Acetylsalicylic Acid, Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Tramadol and Metamizole Sodium) by dentists in Slovakia. Results: The highest analgesics prescription by dentists was found in Diclofenac in 2016 with 11.2% prescription increase in 2017. The significant decrease of analgesic drug prescription by dentists in 2017 was observed in Tramadol (-29.9%). The economic burden of selected analgesic drugs by patients were €33,926 in 2017 with 21.3% significant decrease of average percentage differences (APD) in Tramadol and 84.6% significant increase of APD in Metamizole sodium in 2017. Patients participated 65.5% share in payment of selected analgesic drugs and Health Insurance Company participated only 34.5% share in payment of selected analgesic drugs in 2017. It was found increase of percentage analgesic drugs prescription in Diclofenac and Nimesulide and decrease of percentage drug prescription in Metamizole sodium from 1/2016 to 12/2017. Conclusion: Economic burden on analgesic drugs prescribed by dentist was low per Slovak inhabitant in calculated. Diclofenac was most frequent prescribed analgesic drug with the highest economic burden. We recommend prescribing cheaper analgesic drugs with a lower economic burden and with the same effect.

Evaluation of Tooth Brushing in Slovak Patients with Sclerosis Multiplex

Objective: To analyse issue of teeth brushing according to age, gender and length in Slovak patients with multiple sclerosis disease (MS). Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, the questionnaires were collected in neurologists from December 2016 until September 2017. The study sample consisted of 103 MS patients (44.7% of men) in a mean age of 38.4 ± 9.95 years. The study sample of MS patients was divided into two sub-groups. The first sub-group consisted of MS patients who were restricted in teeth brushing (n=56) and the second group of MS patients, which had no restrictions in teeth brushing (n=47). Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies, mean and standard deviation. A two-sample ttest was used to compare of the proportion between sub-groups with restrictions and sub-group no restrictions in teeth brushing. The statistically significant level was determined at p<0.05. Results: The significant higher mean age (40.4 ± 10.8 years) was found in MS patients who had restrictions in teeth brushing (p=0.043). Females described often no restrictions in teeth brushing than males (59.6% vs. 40.4%; p<0.05). Length in MS disease (≤3 years) has significant impact on patients in who were not found restrictions in teeth brushing (31.9%; p=0.037). Conclusion: We recommend individual doctor approach to MS patients in older age and using of electric toothbrushes in MS patients who have hand functioning restrictions.

Economic Burden of Selected Diagnostic Imaging Methods in Oral Cancer

Objective: To analyse of proportion and economic burden of selected diagnostic imaging methods of oral cancer according to quarters and average percentage differences in the Slovak population in the period 2016-2017. Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, the data were retrieved from the information system of the largest public health insurance company on our request, which archives the cost and proportion of diagnostic imaging methods of oral cancer in Slovak population. It was evaluated 48,995 of selected diagnostic imaging methods (Computed Tomography [CT], Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] and X-Ray) in the period 2016-2017. Results: The most frequently used diagnostic imaging method of oral cancer was magnetic resonance imaging method every quarters in 2016 and 2017 (53.7-54.7%) with slightly increasing trend in period 2016-2017. Mean economic burden of selected diagnostic imaging methods of oral cancer were 1,974,900€ for MRI method, 598,187€ for CT method and 5,394€ for RTG method in 2017. Decreasing trend of economic burden of diagnostic imaging method was found in MRI method and CT method in period 2016-2017. Conclusion: Our economic burden study provides a useful source for public health professional and clinicians in better understanding the economic burden of diagnostic methods in oral cancer.

Potential Years of Lost Life of the Lip, Oral Cavity and Pharynx Neoplasms in Slovak Population - 2010-2015

Objective: To analyse Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) rates trends of lip, oral cavity and pharynx neoplasms in the Slovak population by age and gender. Material and Methods: The study analyses PYLL rates (age-standardized) of lip, oral cavity and pharynx neoplasms (C00-C14) per 100,000 in the period of six years (2010-2015). The study sample was divided into two age sub-categories (all ages: 0-69y. and working group: 20-69y.) National mortality data (C00-C14) (3,138 mortality causes) were analysed from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. Results: The highest PYLL rate was found in sub-category 20-69 years in males (378 per 100,000) in 2012 and in females (64 per 100,000) in 2013. The highest PYLL rate was observed in sub-category all age groups in males (296 per 100,000) in 2012 and in females (50 per 100,000) in 2013. The PYLL rates of lip, oral cavity and pharynx neoplasms had in the period 2011- 2015 upward trend in both sexes, however, in the 2014 was found the opposite trend. In 2015 the highest PYLL rates (non-standardized) in both sexes was found in age subcategory 55-59y. Conclusion: Our study should contribute to the development of oral cancer intervention programs.

Association between Sweet Consumption and Oral Health in European Population

Objective: To evaluate the association between frequency sweet consumption of drink (food) and teeth number, prevalence of dental check-ups and teeth pain in European population. Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, the data was evaluated from Eurobarometer database 72.3. It was involved 30.292 of citizens from EU-27 (European Union) countries in Eurobarometer research. The necessary conditions for the including of European countries in our research were complete information about: (i) frequency of sweet consumption (%) in each EU-27 countries, population percentage who has all natural teeth (%) in each EU-27 countries, (iii) prevalence of dental checkups (%) in each EU-27 countries and (iv) frequency teeth pain in each EU-27 countries. Results: The highest proportion of often teeth pain (9.0%) was in Romania. Positive association between often sweet consumption of drink (food) and often teeth pain was found. Negative association between often sweet consumption of drink (food) and inhabitants' percentage who have all natural teeth was found. Negative association between often sweet consumption of drink (food) and prevalence of dental check-ups was observed. Conclusion: Our results about the impact sweet consumption of drink (food) on oral health are applicable in oral health programs. It is necessary to include more world countries (more European citizens) into linear regression model of oral health.

Laboratory methods for diagnostics of HIV infection and HIV-associated neuroinfections.

HIV Infection resulting in AIDS remains serious global public health problem. In the fight with the global health problem plays a key role a simple, reliable and fast diagnostics. An important method in diagnostics is the identification and detection of viral capside p24 antigen levels. Fourth generation tests for the diagnostics of HIV infection simultaneously detect the presence of HIV antibodies and p24 antigen. Based on the monitoring of CD4 count, we can estimate the stage in which the infection is, and we can also suggest a therapeutic approach. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is the most common neurological opportunistic disease manifested in HIV infected patients. Cryptococcal meningitis is the second most common cause of the opportunistic neuroinfections. Despite of significant advances in the diagnostics and treatment of HIV infection, this disease is still unable to get completely under control. The future perspective in HIV diagnostics are biosensors.