Contextual inequalities in specialized dental public health care in Brazil.

The present study aimed to investigate the contextual inequalities of specialized public dental care (SPDC) in Brazil. The outcome was the trajectory of dental specialized production in municipalities with SPDC (from 2015 to 2017) obtained by group-based trajectory modeling. A Poisson regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with the high trajectory of SPDC production. The inequality indicators for SPDC production were the slope index and the concentration index according to contextual factors. The study included 954 SPDC units distributed across 893 municipalities. Among the municipalities evaluated, 62.9% had a low trajectory of SPDC. Large-sized municipalities had the highest production (IRR = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.94-4.14) and the southern region had the lowest production (IRR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.58-0.92). Municipalities presenting a very high human development index (HDI) showed the greatest SPDC production (IRR = 3.34, 95%CI: 1.09-10.24), as well as municipalities with the highest tertile of schooling rate (IRR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.00-1.50). The absolute inequality was 52.1 percentage points for the average monthly wage (p < 0.001), 61.0 percentage points for the HDI (p < 0.001), -22.1 for infant mortality rate (p <0.001), and 14.8 for the schooling rate (p = 0.012). Thus, there are contextual inequalities in the Brazilian SPDC. Higher scores for social indicators were associated with better SPDC performance.

Low Physical Performance Could Be Associated with Adverse Health Outcomes over Time: Results from a Cohort of Older Adults.

A few studies on physical performance (PP) decline among community-dwelling older adults have simultaneously evaluated various outcomes in Brazil. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to verify the association between PP and health outcomes (negative health self-perception-NHSP; consultations with health professionals; disability; falls; and hospitalization) in older Brazilians (N = 476, 68 ± 6.7 years). PP assessments included Gait Speed (GS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests, and changes were evaluated over time (2014 to 2019-2020). The association between the PP and the outcomes was estimated using Poisson's regression with robust variance. The physical tests were not associated with NSPH or with the number of consultations with health professionals. However, after adjustment (economic level, diet quality, physical activity, multimorbidity, depression, polypharmacy, and BMI), low PP at baseline (TUG and GS) was associated with disability at follow-up. A low TUG performance at baseline was also associated with subsequent falls (PR = 1.57, p = 0.007). A decline in GS was associated with hospitalization (PR = 1.86, p = 0.033). PP was associated with disability, falls, and hospitalization over a five- to six-year period in older Brazilians. Regular PP assessments should be conducted and low PP should be used as an indicator of the need for preventative measures to avoid poor health outcomes.

Breastfeeding, consumption of ultraprocessed foods, and dental caries at 4 years of age: A birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies have demonstrated an association between prolonged and/or frequent breastfeeding and early childhood caries (ECC). AIM: To investigate the association between prolonged breastfeeding and ECC at 48 months, while considering the interaction between prolonged breastfeeding and ultraprocessed foods (UPF). DESIGN: Data from a birth cohort study conducted in southern Brazil were used (n = 3645). Poisson regression was used to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding and UPF consumption on the prevalence and experience of caries. To measure the interaction on the additive scale between breastfeeding and UPF consumption on the prevalence and experience of ECC, the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was calculated. RESULTS: Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with higher prevalence (PR = 1.82; CI:1.59-2.08) and experience (RR = 2.47; CI:1.97-3.10) of ECC. Greater prevalence (PR = 1.16; CI: 1.04-1.30) and experience of ECC (RR = 1.22; CI: 1.00-1.48) were found in children who had high consumption of UPFs. Negative RERIs were observed for the prevalence and experience of ECC (-0.25 and -0.001). CONCLUSION: High UPF consumption and prolonged breastfeeding were associated with ECC. No interaction, however, was observed, showing that the two exposures have independent effects. To prevent ECC, policies and programs are needed to support breastfeeding until the age of 2 years and to limit the consumption of UPF.

Self-perception of need to replace dentures and oral health-related quality of life: cross-sectional study nested in a Cohort in Southern Brazil

Aim: With the significant increase in life expectancy over the last decades, it is important to understand how oral health can impact the oral health-related quality of life of older adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between need to replace dentures and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older adults belonging to a Cohort in southern Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the 2019 Pelotas Elderly Cohort. The OHRQoL was assessed using the GOHAI. Need to replace dentures was self-report using a question dichotomized into yes/no. In the statistical analysis, unadjusted and adjusted models estimate from linear regression models were calculated. The significance level adopted was 5%. Results: A total of 493 older adults were included. On the GOHAI questionnaire, the mean score was 32.74 (SD±0.16). Individuals considering need of prosthesis replacement were 47.89%. Report of need to replace dentures was associated to lowest mean on the GOHAI score (ß -1.14; 95%CI - 1.80; -0.478, and on the physical (ß -0.56; 95%CI - 0.94 -0.17) and psychosocial (ß -0.48; 95%CI - 0.74; -0.22) dimensions. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of also considering subjective measures of oral health in the dental care of older adults, since reporting the need for denture replacement, regardless of the reason, was associated with a worse oral health-related quality of life, including physical and psychosocial aspects

Factors associated with periodontal diseases in pregnancy: Findings of the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study.

Although periodontal disease is common during pregnancy, little is known about socioeconomic, behavioral, or biological determinants related to clinically assessed periodontal condition during this period. We assessed the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated factors in pregnant women. This population-based survey used data used from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, Brazil. Pregnant women expected to give birth between December 2014 and May 2016 were interviewed and clinically examined by trained dentist, with periodontal measures collected in all teeth, six sites per tooth. Outcomes were periodontitis (using the 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology criteria) and gingivitis (by the 2018 European Federation of Periodontology/ American Academy of Periodontology classification). Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression was used to assess the associations between socioeconomic, systemic, and clinical oral factors and periodontal disease. A total of 2,474 pregnant women participated in the study. Prevalence of periodontitis and gingivitis was 14.63% and 21.67%, respectively. Lower educational level and calculus were associated with higher prevalence periodontitis and gingivitis (P<0.05). Smoking was also associated with periodontitis (P=0.05), and lower frequency of toothbrushing (P=0.005) with gingivitis. Periodontal disease, especially gingivitis, was prevalent in pregnant women and their determinants were socioeconomic, environmental, and clinical oral health factors.

Maternal depression in first 1000 days of life and early childhood caries prevalence at 48 months of age.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal's depression trajectory in the first 1000 days of the child's life on the prevalence of early childhood dental caries (ECC), in a birth cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All infants born in Pelotas in 2015 were identified, and the mothers were invited to participate in the cohort. A total of 3645 children were included in the study. The outcome was ECC at 48 months of age assessed according to ICDAS. Maternal depression was collected using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) antenatally, at 3, 12, and 24 months of age. Maternal depressive symptom trajectory variables were created using group-based trajectory models and adopting two cutoff points. Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify the total effect of maternal depressive symptom trajectories on ECC, adjusting by confounders. RESULTS: A total of 29.2% of the mothers presented a high trajectory for screening of depression, and 18.8% presented a high trajectory of depression diagnosis. The prevalence of ECC was 26.7%. After adjusted analysis, maternal depression trajectories (screening and diagnosis) from pregnancy to 24 months increased the risk for ECC at 48 months of age (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.28 and RR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.05-1.35). CONCLUSIONS: Children from mothers with high depression trajectory had higher risk of having dental caries at 48 months compared to children from mothers with low depression trajectory. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strategies of early detection and treatment of maternal mental disorders during the Golden Period should be considered of high priority in health services since it could impact positively in children's life.

The role of differential exposure and susceptibility to heavy drinking linking income inequalities and tooth loss: An investigation of the alcohol harm paradox using a four-way decomposition analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which the effect of income inequalities on tooth loss is attributable to differential exposure and susceptibility to heavy drinking in older Brazilian adults. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis using data from The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil 2015-2016), a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling people aged 50 years and over. Causal mediation analysis based on the counterfactual outcome framework decomposed the effect of income on tooth loss mediated by heavy drinking into four components (four-way decomposition): controlled direct effect (neither mediation nor interaction), reference interaction (interaction only), mediated interaction (both mediation and interaction) and pure indirect effect (mediation only). Proportions of effect attributable to each component were calculated to estimate the differential exposure (the sum of the third and fourth components) and differential susceptibility (the sum of the second and third components) to heavy drinking. RESULTS: The analytical sample comprised 8114 participants. After adjusting for covariates, 7.3% (95% CI: 3.8%; 10.9%) and -39.5% (95% CI: -75.8%; -3.3%) of the effects of income on tooth loss were attributable to differential exposure and susceptibility to heavy drinking, respectively, consistent with the alcohol harm paradox. When setting non-functional dentition as outcome, only the effect of differential susceptibility remained (-81.7% [95% CI: -128.2%; -35.2%]). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that individuals of low-income groups appear to be more susceptible to the effects of heavy drinking on tooth loss.

Validation of dysphagia perception to predict the risk for dysphagia in non-institutionalized older adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that affects mainly the older adults and can compromise quality of life, and increase the risk for malnutrition and aspiration. Early diagnosis is, therefore, essential to prevent adversities. We aimed to evaluate the validity of self-perceived dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults (60 years or older) from Pelotas, Brazil, participants in the "COMO VAI?" METHODS: The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was used as the reference tool to identify the risk for dysphagia and the self-perception of dysphagia was assessed using the following question: "Do you have swallowing difficulties?" (Yes/No). The parameters of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were described with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and according to independent variables (sex, age, economic level, and education). RESULTS: The prevalence of dysphagia risk according to EAT-10 and self-perception was 12.9% (95% CI 10.2-16.1) and 8.8% (95% CI 6.6-11.6), respectively. Sensitivity was 34.8% (95% CI 23.5-47.6) and the highest values were observed in women and the older individuals (80 years or older). Specificity was 95.1% (95% CI 92.6-96.9). PPV was 51.1% (95% CI 35.8-66.3), NPV 90.8% (95% CI 87.8-93.2) and accuracy 87.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the low sensitivity and PPV, the self-perception of dysphagia analyzed with a single question should be used with caution, as an individual at risk for dysphagia may not realize their condition.

Use of dental services among adults from a birth cohort in the South region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Measure the prevalence of use of dental services in the previous year and associated factors among 31-year-old adults from a birth cohort of 1982. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed a birth cohort of 1982 from the city of Pelotas. In 1997, a systematic sample of 27% of the city's census sectors was defined and all households in these sectors were visited, where 1,076 15-year-old adolescents were interviewed. For the oral health studies, 900 of these individuals were randomly selected and followed up at 24 and 31 years of age. The study used data collected from 523 individuals in 2013 (at 31 years old). The outcome was visit to the dentist (use of dental services) in the previous year. Demographic factors (sex), socioeconomic factors (income, education), and oral health factors (reason and type of service, self-perception of oral health, dental pain and caries experience - DMFT) were used as independent variables. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of dental services in the previous year was 55.3% (95%CI: 51.0-59.5%). In the adjusted analysis, the reason and type of service, self-perception of oral health, and DMFT were associated with the outcome. A stronger association was found with use of dental services in individuals who visited for prevention and used the private service, who were satisfied with their oral health, and who had more caries experiences. CONCLUSION: 55.3% of the cohort sample used dental services in the previous year. Individuals who visited the dentist of private service for preventive reasons, who were very satisfied with their oral health, used these services in a higher proportion. In addition, a higher DMFT index also led to higher use of services.

Binge drinking and oral health-related quality of life in older adults: Socioeconomic position matters.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate whether the association between binge drinking and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) differs by socioeconomic position (SEP) in Brazilian older adults. BACKGROUND: The adverse health effects of alcohol consumption disproportionately affect socioeconomically disadvantaged and older individuals. Moreover, measures of binge drinking may capture different domains of the association between alcohol misuse and health that might be independent of the traditional markers of volume or frequency of consumption. Evidence of the association between alcohol use and oral health outcomes has failed to consider binge drinking and possible effect modification by SEP. METHODS: We conducted a secondary cross-sectional analysis using the baseline data from The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2015-2016). Effect Measure Modification analyses using multivariable Poisson regression models tested whether the association between past-month binge drinking and higher scores of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire differed in magnitude by level of household wealth and educational attainment, assessed using Relative Excess Risk due to Interaction (RERI) and simple slope test. RESULTS: The analytical sample comprised 8857 individuals. Participants who were from low-wealth households or with lower education and reported past-month binge drinking had 27% (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.39) and 28% (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.40) higher OIDP scores, respectively, than those not binge drinkers from higher SEP, and super-additive associations were detected (RERI for household wealth: 0.12; RERI for educational attainment: 0.14). CONCLUSION: Binge drinkers from low SEP have poorer OHRQoL. Public oral health initiatives aiming to combat binge drinking are likely to disproportionately benefit vulnerable groups.

Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal Risk for the Development of Enamel Defects in Permanent Dentition: A Birth Cohort in Southern Brazil.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in permanent dentition of a birth cohort in Southern Brazil. Methods: This study is a 2004 birth cohort carried out in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A subsample of 996 children was clinically examined at 12 to 13 years of age. The pre- and perinatal variables used for this study were: twin pregnancy; type of delivery; prematurity; birth weight; Apgar score in the first and fifth minute; health problems at birth; and intensive care unit admission at birth. Gender and family income variables were also collected. Some postnatal variables were collected: "hospitalization in the first 24 months"; "breastfeeding"; "respiratory diseases in the first 48 months"; "urinary infection in the first 48 months"; and "ear pain in the first 48 months." To assess an association between the presence of DDE and various risk factors, unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression with robust variance was performed with a respective prevalence ratio. Results: The prevalence of DDE was 40.8 percent. The variables investigated did not present a statistical association with DDE. Conclusion: No association of developmental defects of enamel in permanent dentition with any of the factors investigated in this study was found.

[Prevalence of water intake among non-institutionalized elderly individuals in Southern Brazil]. / Prevalência de ingestão hídrica e fatores associados entre idosos não institucionalizados do Sul do Brasil.

The scope of this study was to determine the percentage of elderly individuals receiving an adequate water intake and associated factors among non-institutionalized elderly individuals in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. It involved a cross-sectional, population-based study carried out in 2014 with elderly participants (≥ 60 years) of the "COMO VAI?" survey. The amount of water ingested per day of the interviewees was investigated, considering the intake of at least eight glasses per day to be adequate. The independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics, and Poisson Regression was used to investigate associations. A total of 1,451 elderly people were interviewed, with only 12.6% (95%CI 10.8; 14.7) drinking a sufficient amount. A higher percentage of the elderly with adequate water consumption was observed in younger elderly individuals, those overweight, those with five or more diseases, and those who were more impaired. A low percentage of the elderly with an adequate water intake was observed among the elderly adults in the study. The decreasing trend of water intake in relation to age highlights the importance of developing actions for the higher risk population to stress adequate water intake and the possible consequences of the lack of adequate consumption.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência de idosos com uma ingestão adequada de água e seus fatores associados. Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado em 2014 com idosos (≥ 60 anos) participantes do estudo "COMO VAI?". Investigou-se o número de copos de água ingeridos/dia pelos entrevistados, considerando-se adequada a ingestão de pelo menos oito copos/dia. As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, comportamentais e de saúde. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para a investigação das associações. Foram entrevistados 1.451 idosos, sendo observado que uma baixa percentagem, 12,6% (IC95% 10,8; 14,7) referiu consumo adequado de água. Maior percentagem de consumo adequado de água foi observada nos idosos mais jovens, com excesso de peso, que apresentaram cinco ou mais doenças e que eram mais dependentes quanto à capacidade funcional. A tendência decrescente de ingestão de água em relação à idade torna essencial o desenvolvimento de ações voltadas para essa população de maior risco acerca da importância de uma ingestão hídrica adequada e das possíveis consequências do seu consumo inadequado.

Prevalência de ingestão hídrica e fatores associados entre idosos não institucionalizados do Sul do Brasil / Prevalence of water intake among non-institutionalized elderly individuals in Southern Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência de idosos com uma ingestão adequada de água e seus fatores associados. Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado em 2014 com idosos (≥ 60 anos) participantes do estudo "COMO VAI?". Investigou-se o número de copos de água ingeridos/dia pelos entrevistados, considerando-se adequada a ingestão de pelo menos oito copos/dia. As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, comportamentais e de saúde. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para a investigação das associações. Foram entrevistados 1.451 idosos, sendo observado que uma baixa percentagem, 12,6% (IC95% 10,8; 14,7) referiu consumo adequado de água. Maior percentagem de consumo adequado de água foi observada nos idosos mais jovens, com excesso de peso, que apresentaram cinco ou mais doenças e que eram mais dependentes quanto à capacidade funcional. A tendência decrescente de ingestão de água em relação à idade torna essencial o desenvolvimento de ações voltadas para essa população de maior risco acerca da importância de uma ingestão hídrica adequada e das possíveis consequências do seu consumo inadequado.

Abstract The scope of this study was to determine the percentage of elderly individuals receiving an adequate water intake and associated factors among non-institutionalized elderly individuals in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. It involved a cross-sectional, population-based study carried out in 2014 with elderly participants (≥ 60 years) of the "COMO VAI?" survey. The amount of water ingested per day of the interviewees was investigated, considering the intake of at least eight glasses per day to be adequate. The independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics, and Poisson Regression was used to investigate associations. A total of 1,451 elderly people were interviewed, with only 12.6% (95%CI 10.8; 14.7) drinking a sufficient amount. A higher percentage of the elderly with adequate water consumption was observed in younger elderly individuals, those overweight, those with five or more diseases, and those who were more impaired. A low percentage of the elderly with an adequate water intake was observed among the elderly adults in the study. The decreasing trend of water intake in relation to age highlights the importance of developing actions for the higher risk population to stress adequate water intake and the possible consequences of the lack of adequate consumption.

Functional dentition and edentulism associated with mortality: A cohort study of older adults in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the lack of a functional dentition and edentulism with mortality in a cohort of older adults in a Southern Brazilian city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a longitudinal study carried out with community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years old) from Pelotas, Brazil, using data from the baseline (2014) and the first follow-up (2017). Main exposures were functional dentition (20+ teeth present) and edentulism (absence of all teeth), derived from self-reported number of teeth. All-causes mortality was evaluated according to the city's Epidemiological Surveillance Department. Potential confounders were age, sex, socioeconomic position, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index (BMI). To test the association between functional dentition and edentulism with mortality, Poisson regression models with robust variance were used, to estimate Relative Risks and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1289 older adults had information on all variables of interest and comprise the analytical sample (from 1451 at baseline). When analysing the presence of functional dentition, only 222 individuals (17.2%) had 20 or more teeth in their mouth, while 490 older adults were edentulous (38.0%). Crude analysis showed an association between tooth loss indicators and mortality. Models adjusted for sociodemographic variables and health conditions and behaviours revelled no association between the exposures and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: With the findings of this study, we did not identify an association between edentulism and functional dentition with mortality, after considering important shared risk factors.

Association among oral health and academic performance: a longitudinal study in a university in Southern Brazil.

This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between self-perceived oral health, oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL), toothache, and university students' academic performance or dropout. A cohort of 2,089 students from 64 different courses at a public university in southern Brazil was interviewed in 2016 regarding their self-perceived oral health (Locker instrument; dichotomized into good/poor), OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instrument, OIDP) and having had any toothache over the last 6 months (yes/no). After three years (2020), the academic records of 1,870 of these students were assessed, their average grade over all courses evaluated, and their dropout status was determined. Multivariable linear or logistic regression adjusting for gender, skin color, age, family income and maternal education was used to associate oral health variables (self-perceived oral health, OIDP, toothache) and academic performance or dropout. In 2016, 28.6% reported negative self-perceived oral health through the Locker instrument and 31.4% had toothache in the last 6 months. Over the next three years, 36.2% had dropped out. In multivariable regression, toothache in the last 6 months had a decrease of 0.32 (ß -0.32, CI95% -0.59; -0.04) points in the final grade and were 35% (OR 1.35 CI95% 1.08; 1.69) more likely to dropout than students without toothache. In conclusion, this study showed that worse oral health conditions may be associated with worse academic performance or dropping out.

Impact of tooth mineral tissues genes on dental caries: A birth-cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms present in the genes of tooth mineral tissues influence dental caries trajectory across the life course, and if there is an epistatic (gene-gene) interaction between these SNPs. METHODS: A representative sample of all 5,914 births from the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort study was prospectively investigated. Dental caries trajectory across the life course was assessed at 15(n = 888), 24(n = 720), and 31 years old(n = 539). Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct subgroups of individuals whose caries measurements followed a similar pattern over time. Genetic material was collected, and individuals were genotyped [rs4970957(TUFT1), rs1711437(MMP20), rs1784418(MMP20), rs2252070(MMP13), rs243847(MMP2), rs2303466(DLX3), rs11656951(DLX3), rs7501477(TIMP2), rs388286(BMP7), and rs5997096(TFIP11)]. Analyzes were performed for allele and genotype using logistic regression and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction for epistatic interactions. RESULTS: The analyses included 678 individuals, those with allele C (OR=0.74, CI95%[0.59-0.92]), genotype CC in the additive effect (OR=0.52, CI95%[0.31-0.89]), and the genotype TC/CC in dominant effect (OR=0.72, CI95%[0.53-0.98]) on the rs243847(MMP2) were associated with low caries trajectory. Individuals with the allele T (OR=0.79, CI95%[0.64-0.98]) and the genotype TC/CC in dominant effect (OR=0.66, CI95%[0.47-0.95]) on the rs5997096(TFIP11) were associated with low caries trajectory. Positive epistatic interactions were observed involving two (MMP2 and BMP7; p = 0.006) and three (TUFT1, MMP2, and TFIP11; p<0.001) loci and high caries trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: Some SNPs present in the genes of tooth mineral tissues were associated with caries trajectory and epistatic interactions increasing the network of SNPs involved in individual caries experience. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the pathway of tooth mineral tissues genes may contribute significantly to the individual caries experience across the life course.

Difficulties in the use of medications by elderly people followed up in a cohort study in Southern Brazil. / Dificuldades no uso de medicamentos por idosos acompanhados em uma coorte do Sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the need for help by elderly people to take their medications, the difficulties related to this activity, the frequency of forgotten doses, and factors associated. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with a cohort of elderly people (60 years and over - "COMO VAI?" [How do you do?] study), where the need for help to properly take medication and the difficulties faced in using them were evaluated. The Poisson regression model was used to estimate the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) of the outcomes and respective 95% confidence intervals according to the characteristics of the sample. RESULTS: In total, 1,161 elderly people were followed up. The prevalence of participants who reported requiring help with medication was 15.5% (95%CI 13.5-17.8), and the oldest subjects, with lower educational levels, in worse economic situations, on four or more medications and in bad self-rated health were the ones who needed help the most. Continuous use of medication was reported by 83.0% (95%CI 80.7-85.1) of the sample and most participants (74.9%; 95%CI 72.0-77.5) never forgot to take their medications. CONCLUSION: The need for help to use medications was shown to be influenced by social and economic determinants. Studies assessing the difficulties in medication use by the elderly are important to support policies and practices to improve adherence to treatment and the rational use of medications.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo visou avaliar a necessidade de ajuda dos idosos para tomar seus medicamentos, bem como as dificuldades relacionadas com a sua utilização, e a frequência de esquecimento de doses. Ainda, avaliar fatores associados à necessidade de ajuda dos idosos com os medicamentos. MÉTODOS: Corte transversal em uma coorte de idosos (60 anos ou mais ­ estudo "COMO VAI?"), em que foi avaliada a necessidade de ajuda para tomar medicamentos de forma adequada e as dificuldades apresentadas na sua utilização. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência (RP) brutas e ajustadas dos desfechos e seus intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) de acordo com as características da amostra. RESULTADOS: Participaram 1.161 idosos. A prevalência de idosos que relataram necessidade de ajuda com os medicamentos foi de 15,5% (IC95% 13,5­17,8), sendo que os mais idosos, com menor escolaridade e em pior situação econômica, em uso de quatro medicamentos ou mais e com pior autoavaliação de saúde foram os que mais necessitaram de ajuda. O uso contínuo de medicamentos foi referido por 83,0% (IC95% 80,7­85,1) e a maioria (74,9%; IC95% 72,0­77,5) nunca se esqueceu de tomar seus medicamentos. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se a influência de determinantes sociais e econômicos e de saúde sobre a necessidade de ajuda para a utilização dos medicamentos. Estudos que estimem as dificuldades no uso de medicamentos por idosos são importantes para subsidiar políticas e práticas norteadoras de ações para melhorar a adesão e o uso racional de medicamentos.

Emergency department use and Artificial Intelligence in Pelotas: design and baseline results.

OBJETIVO: To describe the initial baseline results of a population-based study, as well as a protocol in order to evaluate the performance of different machine learning algorithms with the objective of predicting the demand for urgent and emergency services in a representative sample of adults from the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. METHODS: The study is entitled "Emergency department use and Artificial Intelligence in PELOTAS (RS) (EAI PELOTAS)" (https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/eaipelotas/). Between September and December 2021, a baseline was carried out with participants. A follow-up was planned to be conducted after 12 months in order to assess the use of urgent and emergency services in the last year. Afterwards, machine learning algorithms will be tested to predict the use of urgent and emergency services over one year. RESULTS: In total, 5,722 participants answered the survey, mostly females (66.8%), with an average age of 50.3 years. The mean number of household people was 2.6. Most of the sample has white skin color and incomplete elementary school or less. Around 30% of the sample has obesity, 14% diabetes, and 39% hypertension. CONCLUSION: The present paper presented a protocol describing the steps that were and will be taken to produce a model capable of predicting the demand for urgent and emergency services in one year among residents of Pelotas, in Rio Grande do Sul state.

Differences in the subgingival microbial composition associated with alcohol intake: A systematic review.

Objectives: This study aimed to conduct a systematic evaluation of the literature on whether individuals exposed to alcohol intake present differences in the subgingival microbial composition compared to those unexposed. Methods: Five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS and Web of Science) and one source of grey literature (Google Scholar) were searched by two independent reviewers up to December 2022 according to pre-specified eligibility criteria. No restrictions were imposed regarding the date and language of publication and the periodontal status of the participants. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for methodological quality appraisal and a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Eight cross-sectional studies and one cross-sectional analysis nested in a cohort were considered for qualitative analysis, including data of 4636 individuals. Overall, the studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity in terms of characteristics of the participants and microbiological methods. Four studies have high methodological quality. Exposed individuals have higher overall quantity of periodontal pathogens in shallow and moderate to deep pockets. Findings on richness, relative abundance, alpha- and beta-diversity were limited and inconclusive. Conclusion: The subgingival microbiota of individuals exposed to alcohol intake has higher overall quantity of red (i.e., P. gingivalis) and orange-complex (i.e., F. nucleatum) bacteria when compared to those unexposed.