Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Serum Values of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Patients with Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

BACKGROUND: In patients with T2DM, the therapeutic effects of conservative treatment are quite limited, and there is a need for additional therapeutic procedures to achieve the desired satisfactory and solid effect. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has an anti-inflammatory effect, and is used to heal lesions. This mechanism is realized through inhibition of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), so it can be used in the treatment of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of level laser therapy (LLLT) on serum IL-6 values in patients with periodontitis and T2DM. METHODS: Patients at age between 35-60 years old, with chronic periodontitis (CH) where the clinical loss of attachment (CAL) was ≥4 mm therefore covering at least 50 % of affected teeth. In this study we included 80 patients, divided into two groups: 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (2TDM) treated with conservative periodontal treatment supplemented with laser therapy (LLLT), group A, and 40 patients with 2TDM, conservatively treated without LLLT. therapy i.e. group B. The laser light was applied to the gingiva in separate quadrants in 5 sessions for the next five days in a row. Blood samples were taken from all subjects at the first treatment, then in 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured. The blood samples in the test tubes remained for about 30 minutes and were then distributed in a biochemical laboratory, where they were centrifuged at 6,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The serum was separated from the test tube and transferred to the eppendorph. All serum samples were stored at -80 ° C until complete analysis and determination of IL-6, according to the standardized methodology. RESULTS: In group A, on the first examination serum IL-6 levels varies in the interval 11.54 ± 1.11 pg / mL, after 6 weeks of therapy the values range between 11.26 ± 0.77 pg / mL, and after 3 months of therapy levels oscillate at intervals of 11.02 ± 0.67 pg / mL. In group B the findings are similar. At the first examination, the serum IL-6 values were 11.56 ± 0.81 pg / mL, after 6 weeks of therapy ranged from 11.59 ± 0.71 pg / mL, and after 3 months of therapy levels were recorded at intervals. 11.41 ± 0.78 pg /mL. The serum IL-6 value after 6 weeks of therapy in patients in group B for Z = -2.04 and p <0.05 (p = 0.04) was significantly higher than in patients in group A, while after 3 months of therapy in patients in group B for Z = -2.42 and p <0.05 (p = 0.02) is significantly higher than the value in patients in group A. CONCLUSION: LLLT resulted in significantly reduced serum IL-6 values in patients with periodontitis and T2DM after 6 weeks and 3 months of therapy in which conservative treatment was supplemented with LLLT.

Dental Caries Among Kosovar Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To evaluate the oral health status in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Dental examinations, based on World Health Organization caries diagnostic criteria for DMFT index for permanent dentition and survey were performed among 160 children, aged 10-15-year-old, divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (41 females, 39 males), and in the second group, consisted 80 healthy children (49 females, 31 males). Frequency, odds ratio and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the statistical analyses. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The higher mean of the DMFT index was found among children with type 1 diabetes compared to the healthy group. The mean DMFT index for diabetic children was 6.56 ± 3.56 and for the healthy group was 4.21 ± 2.63. Moreover, the frequency of decayed teeth was higher in children with type 1 diabetes than in the healthy group. The higher risk of caries was found in diabetic children compared with healthy for 1.35 times. A higher proportion of children, 61.25% with type 1 diabetes mellitus, reported that they brush their teeth once per day, 22.50% twice per day, and 16.25% rarely. From the healthy group, 46.25% of children brush their teeth once per day, and 42.50% twice per day and 11.25% rarely brush their teeth per day. Conclusion: Diabetic children are at higher risk for caries than are healthy children.

Oral Health Status Related to Social Behaviors among 6 - 11 Year Old Schoolchildren in Kosovo.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current oral health status among schoolchildren in Kosovo aged 6-11 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study included 5679 schoolchildren aged 6 -11 years, from different towns of Kosovo. Dental health status was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT index), for deciduous and permanent dentition. The observed children have answered a number of questions about their oral hygiene, eating habits, and dental visits. The analysis included frequencies and means. The differences between means were tested using the student t-test (p<0.05). The factors associated with dental caries were tested using the Spearman's rank. RESULTS: The mean dmft/DMFT of schoolchildren aged 6-11 years was 4.36 ± 3.763 and 1.20 ± 1.488, respectively. Sealant placements were found among 90 schoolchildren, amounting to 1.58%. From 8 years of age, 50% of children brush their teeth twice a day. Confectionery consumption among the observed children has increased. Forty percent of them eat sweets at least once a day, and majority of them visit their dentists only when necessary. A significant correlation between consumption of confectionery, oral hygiene, dental visits and the prevalence of caries was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that there is a high prevalence of caries among 6-11 year old schoolchildren, thus pointing to a need for an extensive program of primary oral health care as well as utilizing preventive measures and regular dental visits.

Surveillance of antibiotic and analgesic use in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo.

BACKGROUND: Because Kosovo has no reliable information on antimicrobial and analgesic use in dental practice, the survey reported here evaluated the antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo (UDCCK). METHODS: The data of 2,442 registered patients for a 1-year period were screened and analyzed concerning antibiotic and analgesic use as per standards of rational prescription. RESULTS: Dentistry doctors prescribed antibiotics significantly more often than analgesics. Antibiotics were prescribed in 8.11% of all cases, while only 1.35% of total prescriptions were for analgesics. The total consumption of antibiotic drugs in the UDCCK was 4.53 Defined Daily Doses [DDD]/1,000 inhabitants/day, compared with only 0.216 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day for analgesics. From a total number of 117 patients, 32 patients received combinations of two antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Pharmacotherapy analysis showed that the prescription rates of antibiotics and analgesics in the UDCCK are not rational in terms of the qualitative aspects of treatment. For the qualitative improvement of prescription of these drug groups, we recommend the implementation of treatment guidelines following rational standards.