Influence of different anti-hypertensive drugs on gingival overgrowth: A cross-sectional study in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence rate of drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) such as amlodipine, lercanidipine, and benidipine, as well as to assess the relationship of those mentioned above with medication variables and oral hygiene. METHODS: Sociodemographic details, DIGO, and clinical periodontal parameters were obtained from one hundred and thirty-one patients receiving ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and CCBs for a period of at least 2 years. RESULTS: The occurrence rate of DIGO was 19.6% in patients using CCB, 12.5% in the ARB group, and 7.5% in the ACE inhibitor group. In a subgroup analysis of CCBs, DIGO was found to be 31.8% in the amlodipine group, 13.3% in the lercanidipine group, and 7.1% in the benidipine group. While there was a significant relationship between amlodipine drug dosage and DIGO, no association was found between the duration of therapy and DIGO in all CCB subgroups. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the groups in terms of DIGO. Duration of therapy and drug dosage did not affect the severity of DIGO in both ACE inhibitors and ARB groups.

Association of Coronary Artery Severity and Late In-Stent Restenosis: An Angiographic Imaging Study.

Coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenge in interventional cardiology. We investigated the relationship between angiographic pre-interventional grade of lesion stenosis (LS) and the prognosis of late ISR. After exclusions, 110 patients with ISR and 109 patients without ISR were compared. In the ISR group, the grade of LS was greater (P < .001) and the length of the critical segment (LCS) was longer (P < .001). Stent length was longer in the ISR group (P = .008). Compared with the LCS, the grade of LS above 87.5% is 6.9 times more predictive of ISR than the LCS >10.5 mm. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the grade of initial LS >87.5% had a higher ISR rate than the grade of LS <87.5% (log-rank test P < .001) and critical lesion length over 10.5 mm had a higher ISR rate than critical lesion length under 10.5 mm (log-rank test P < .001). The present study found that the angiographic pre-interventional grades of LS and LCS were important predictors of ISR. Pre-interventional angiographic stenosis >87.5% was significantly predictive of late ISR.

The Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients on Warfarin: A Propensity Score Matching Study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with vascular thrombosis in critical patients. However, warfarin has not been adequately studied in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of warfarin, a potent oral anticoagulant, was of clinical benefit in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients diagnosed at 3 different centers in Turkey between April 2020 and April 2021. Patients were grouped by whether they were taking warfarin or not. Propensity score matching analysis was used to compare the dif ferences between the groups in mortality, hospitalization, and admission to the intensive care unit. RESULTS: A propensity score analysis was performed on 128 patients in the warfarin group and 372 patients in the control group. After matching, 84 pairs of patients were compared. The patients in the control group were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (33.3% vs. 14.3%, respectively; P=.007) and had longer hospital stays than the warfarin group (7.1 vs. 14.1 days; P=.005). The warfarin group had a lower death rate compared to the control group (7.1% vs. 27.4%, respectively; P=.001), and surviving patients were sig nificantly more likely to be in the warfarin group than the control group (56.1% vs. 20.7%, respectively; P=.001). In patients on warfarin, there was a lower incidence of in-hospital death (log-rank test P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: Warfarin therapy could provide clinical benefits in patients with COVID-19. The current data highlight the importance of potent anticoagulation in the treatment of COVID-19.

Investigation of patients with coronary slow flow in terms of periodontal health status.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between periodontal health status and coronary slow flow phenomenon. METHODS: One hundred and two patients who underwent coronary angiography with the diagnosis of stable angina pectoris were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with coronary slow flow (Test group) (n=51), and patients with normal coronary angiography (Control group) (n=51). Diagnosis of slow coronary flow was made according to Beltrame criteria by coronary angiography. Demographic characteristics of the participants were recorded. The periodontal health was assessed by clinical periodontal parameters such as probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index, plaque index, and bleeding on probing. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups as regards the frequencies of hypertension, smoking (p>0.05). As for the periodontal parameters of the study groups, probing depth, gingival index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level values were statistically higher in the test group compared to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis might be accepted as one of the underlying causes of coronary slow flow. Patients with coronary slow flow should be evaluated for an underlying periodontal disease, and treatment of periodontal disease can protect against future cardiovascular events.

P-wave Duration and Dispersion in Lone Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess P-wave duration and dispersion (PD) in morbidly obese young subjects who do not have co-associated atrial fibrillation (AF) risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, atrial enlargement and diastolic dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical Faculty, Turkey; and the study was conducted between October 2017 and June 2018. METHODOLOGY: P-wave duration and dispersions were determined on 12-lead surface ECG in 47 morbidly obese and 44 healthy weight subjects, aged between 21-40 years. Above mentioned risk factors were studied. The correlation between BMI, PD and Pmax were investigated by Pearson correlation analysis.  Results: Average body mass index (BMI) of obese and control groups were 42.3 (8.5) vs. 19.5 (1.5) (P <0.001). Maximum P-wave duration [(Pmax), 105.3±9.8 vs. 95.6±8.5, p<0.001] and PD [27.6 (7.6) vs. 12.2(8.3), p<0.001] were statistically significantly prolonged in obese patients when compared to the normal weight group. BMI correlation with Pmax and PD (r=0.485; p<0.001 and r=0.620; p<0.001, respectively) were significant. CONCLUSION:   Pmax and PD, which are potential electrocardiographic AF predictors, may increase in lone obese patients having no comorbidities. Key Words:  Electrocardiography, Arrhythmia, P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, Severe obesity.

Relationship between risk markers for cardiovascular disease and peri-implant diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to explore the serum biochemical parameters also known as risk markers for cardiovascular system, in individuals who have received dental implant treatment, and to reveal risk factors for peri-implant diseases. METHODS: The study included 58 subjects with peri-implantitis, 49 subjects with peri-implant mucositis, and 49 healthy subjects. All the subjects were assessed in terms of both peri-implant clinical parameters-probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), the type of prosthesis, gingival index (GI), keratinized mucosa width (KMW), and plaque index (PI)-and serum biochemical parameters (e.g., LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, vitamin D, uric acid, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet counts). RESULTS: KMW was the lowest in the peri-implantitis group. Compared with the other groups, the peri-implantitis group showed significantly higher levels of triglyceride, uric acid, and WBC. The peri-implantitis group had the lowest level of vitamin D. Triglyceride and uric acid levels had positive correlations with peri-implant clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: High levels of triglyceride and uric acid may pose a risk for both peri-implant diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Prior to dental implant surgery, patients' serum biochemical parameters should be checked.

Evaluation of Electrocardiographic Ventricular Depolarization and Repolarization Variables in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The risk of cardiovascular events and sudden death increases with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate electrocardiographic markers of arrhythmias in T1DM patients. METHODS: Electrocardiographic parameters reflecting ventricular depolarization and repolarization, namely, QT, QTc, QTd, QTdc, Tp-e, JT, and JTc intervals and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, of 46 patients diagnosed with T1DM were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 46 healthy age-, sex-, and body mass-matched controls. Correlations between T1DM duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and ventricular repolarization variables were analyzed. P values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Diabetes duration was 16.6 ± 7.1 years, and HbA1c was 10.81% ± 3.27% in the T1DM group. In comparison with the control group, heart rate, QTc, QTd, QTdc, Tp-e and JTc intervals, Tp-e/QT ratio (p < 0.001), and Tp-e/QTc ratio (p = 0.007) were significantly higher in T1DM patients. T1DM duration and HbA1c levels were significantly correlated with QTc, QTd, QTdc, Tp-e, and JTc intervals and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios. CONCLUSIONS: In T1DM patients, potential electrocardiographic repolarization predictors were significantly increased in correlation with disease duration and HbA1c levels. These findings may contribute to the understanding of sudden cardiac death in patients with T1DM.

Echocardiographic assessment of epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with severe periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the thickness of epicardial fat tissue (EFT), a sign of cardiovascular risk, using echocardiography in patients with severe periodontitis. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with stage III or IV periodontitis and 33 healthy participants were enrolled into the study. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was measured perpendicularly via echocardiography of the free wall of the right ventricular at end-diastole in three cardiac cycles. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. EFT to BMI ratio (EFT/BMI) was measured by dividing EFT by the BMI. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between study patients and the control group as regards to the frequency of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. The EFT and EFT/ BMI ratio were significantly different in the control and periodontitis groups (0.51±0.17 vs. 0.77±0.16, respectively; p ≤0.001) (0.021±0.008 vs. 0.030±0.006, respectively; p≤0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant relationship between EFT and the clinical parameters of periodontitis (p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: EFT thickness measured by echocardiography appears to be associated with severe periodontitis and may thus be an indirect sign of cardiovascular disease in periodontitis patients.

Does periodontitis affect mean platelet volume(MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT) levels in healthy adults?

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis may stimulate infectious and immune response and cause the development of atherogenesis, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to compare the plateletcrit (PCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels derived from complete blood count (CBC) tests in patients suffering from stage 3 periodontitis with those of healthy individuals without periodontal disease. METHODS: The study included 57 patients (28 females and 29 males) with Stage 3 Periodontitis and 57 volunteering individuals (31 females and 26 males) who were periodontally healthy. The age of study participants ranged from 18 to 50 years. Their periodontal condition was investigated with probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index. Leukocyte (WBC) and erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW), thrombocyte count, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT ), and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were evaluated based on the CBC test results of the study participants. RESULTS: PCT, WBC, Neutrophil, and MPV values were found to be significantly higher in the periodontitis group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in RBC counts, Hb, HCT, MCV, RDW, and platelet and lymphocyte counts between the two study groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PCT and MPV levels may be a more useful marker to determine an increased thrombotic state and inflammatory response in periodontal diseases.

The relationship between epicardial fat thickness and high-grade varicocele.

BACKGROUND: Varicocele is abnormal dilation of testis veins. The precise mechanism of varicocele is not fully understood despite some hypothesis were suggested in the literature. Disequilibrium between constrictor and dilatator mechanism of the veins have been shown to cause varicocele. High-grade varicoceles have been also linked to endothelial dysfunction and increased vasoconstriction. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that epicardial fat thickness (EFT), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and aortic stiffness (AS) could be associated with varicocele. In the present study, we aimed to compare vascular parameters such as FMD, EFT and AS in healthy subjects and high-grade varicocele patients. METHODS: The study population consisted of 35 men with high-grade varicocele and 32 age- and sex-matched control subjects younger than 45 years old. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital between May to October 2018. RESULTS: EFT, aortic diastolic diameters (AoDD) and EFT/BMI ratio were significantly higher in control group than in patients with high-grade (p=0.012, p=0.044, p=0.026, respectively). EFT and EFT /BMI ratio were significantly and inversely correlated with presence of varicocele (r=-0.422, p=0.009; r=-0.38, p=0.026, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that high-grade varicocele may be associated with decreased echocardiographic EFT but not with aortic stiffness and FMD.