Background
It is important to understand how the psychological status of parents affects oral health in children.
Aim
This study aimed to assess the level of depression, anxiety, and stress of ...parents whose children have early‐childhood caries.
Design
The study included 235 children and their parents who visited the Dental clinic at the School of Medicine of the University of Split between October 2016 and July 2017. The dental status of each child was recorded, while parents filled out the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale questionnaire and the questionnaire related to the demographic characteristics, questions related to child's habits of the tooth brushing, eating sweets.
Results
Multiple regression analysis showed that the incidence of active caries in the children was statistically significantly related not only to the level of parent depression (β = −0.289; P = 0.040) but also the level of anxiety (β = 0.186; P = 0.038) and stress (β = −0.120; P = 0.036). The dmft index in the examined children was negatively significant associated with the parental level of depression (β = −0.305; P = 0.032).
Conclusion
Considering the results of our research it is essential to emphasize the need for better health education of parents.
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CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Phosphorylated inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, and its parent compound, myoinositol (Ins), is abundantly present in plants, particularly in certain high-fiber ...diets, but also in mammalian cells, where they regulate essential cellular functions. IP6 has profound modulation effects on macrophages, which warrants further research on the therapeutic benefits of IP6 for inflammatory diseases. Here, we review IP6 as a promising compound that has the potential to be used in various areas of dentistry, including endodontics, restorative dentistry, implantology, and oral hygiene products, due to its unique structure and characteristic properties. Available as a dietary supplement, IP6 + Ins has been shown to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect associated with preventing and suppressing the progression of chronic dental inflammatory diseases. IP6 in dentistry is now substantial, and this narrative review presents and discusses the different applications proposed in the literature and gives insights into future use of IP6 in the fields of orthodontics, periodontics, implants, and pediatric dentistry.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
In spite of all the efforts, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and oral lichen planus (OLP) still have unexplained etiology.
The role of anxiety, depression, and psychological stress in ...occurrence and intensity of symptoms in RAS and OLP patients has been investigated in this study.
Methods
A total of 110 patients with RAS in the acute phase and 112 patients with OLP also in acute phase participated in this study. All patients filled out questionnaires related to the primary disease (RAS/OLP) after which they took the following psychological tests: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ).
Results
According to multiple regression analysis, in patients with RAS, the highest correlation was found between results of the pain intensity and STAI test (β= 0.66; p < 0.000). In the patients with OLP, the highest correlation was found between the level of hyperkeratosis and WCQ test (β = 0.53; P < 0.000), inflammation and results of BDI test (β = 0.33; P < 0.002), and results of dynia test and STAI test (β = 0.31; P < 0.004).
Conclusions
In this study, a high correlation between anxiety, depression, and psychological stress with symptoms of RAS and OLP has been observed.
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CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
ObjectivesThe vitamin D receptor is involved in immunologically mediated diseases such as oral lichen planus. Some studies suggest an association between lower vitamin D concentrations and a higher ...risk of inflammatory conditions such as oral lichen planus. The aim of this study was to investigate 1) whether there is a difference in serum vitamin D concentration in patients with oral lichen planus compared to patients in the control group, 2) whether there is a difference in serum vitamin D concentration in patients with erosive compared to non-erosive forms of oral lichen planus, 3) whether there is a difference in serum vitamin D concentration in patients with developed oral cancer and those without cancer. Material and MethodsThe study included 68 patients, 34 with oral lichen planus and 34 healthy controls. Fasting venous blood was taken from each participant to determine serum concentrations of vitamin D. ResultsThe T-test results confirmed a statistically significant lower serum vitamin D concentration in patients with oral lichen planus compared to the control group (p=0.001). According to the results, a statistically significant lower serum vitamin D concentration was found in patients with erosive form OLP. All five patients with oral cancer, which was developed from erosive OLP, had low serum vitamin D concentrations. ConclusionsDetermination of serum vitamin D concentration could be important for monitoring OLP patients to prevent the development of severe clinical manifestations of erosive OLP and the conversion of symptomatic lesions to oral cancer.
Oral cancer (OC) is a disease with a high mortality rate due to its late recognition. Since the oral cavity is easily accessible for visual inspection, enabling early diagnosis, the education of ...healthcare workers about preventive oral examinations is critical. This research aimed to assess the level of participants' OC knowledge, as well as to raise awareness about this diagnosis.
The research was conducted as an online survey among students of dental medicine, students of medicine, doctors of dental medicine and doctors of medicine. The questionnaire was designed solely for the purpose of this study and consisted of 29 questions. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of general questions about the participants, whereas the questions in the second part addressed their knowledge and attitudes towards OC.
The surveyed population comprised of 140 dental students, 105 medical students, 159 doctors of dental medicine and 100 medical doctors. The level of knowledge about OC among the participants is not yet satisfactory. The group of dental medicine students scored highest, while medical doctors showed the weakest knowledge.
Additional education about OC for doctors of dental medicine and medical doctors is needed. This step will improve prevention and increase chances for early detection.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) represent an endogenously produced or exogenously derived group of compounds derived from nonenzymatic glycation. Recent experimental studies are suggesting ...that AGEs could play an important role in the skin's quality and its aging process. Hence, the aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the AGEs and skin quality parameters across different age groups in the general population. The study included 237 participants. Melanin, erythema, hydration, friction and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were evaluated using noninvasive probes, while AGEs were evaluated using a skin autofluorescence reader. There was a significant positive correlation between AGEs and the amount of melanin (
< 0.001), erythema (
< 0.001) and TEWL (
< 0.001), while there was a significant negative correlation between AGEs and hydration (
< 0.001) and friction (
< 0.001). After dividing the sample into three groups depending on their age, in all three groups, there was a significant positive correlation between AGEs and the melanin count (
< 0.001) and TEWL (
< 0.001), while there was a significant negative correlation between AGEs and skin hydration (
< 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the level of AGEs as a dependent variable retained a significant association with age (
< 0.001), melanin (
< 0.001), erythema (
= 0.005) and TEWL (
< 0.001) as positive predictors. Moreover, AGEs retained a significant association with skin hydration (
< 0.001) and friction (
= 0.017) as negative predictors. These outcomes imply that AGEs could be linked with the complex physiology of the skin and its aging process.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the concentration/activity of salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, α-amylase) and the psychological profile of patients with oral lichen ...planus (OLP) and primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS). A total of 160 subjects participated in this case–control study: 60 patients with OLP; 60 patients with primary BMS; and 40 control subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected between 9 and 10 a.m. Salivary biomarkers were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Psychological assessment was evaluated with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The patients with primary BMS had higher salivary cortisol concentrations and α-amylase activity (0.52 vs. 0.44 µg/dL; 160,531 vs. 145,804 U/L; one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Scheffe test) compared with patients with OLP. The patients with primary BMS had statistically significant higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress compared with patients with OLP and control subjects (p < 0.001, Kruskal–Wallis test). There was a strong positive correlation between anxiety and depression, stress and depression, and stress and anxiety in patients with OLP and BMS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively; Spearman’s correlation). There was a good positive correlation between symptom intensity (pain/burning) and psychological profile (depression, anxiety, stress) in patients with primary BMS (r = 0.373, p = 0.003; r = 0.515, p < 0.001; r = 0.365, p = 0.004, respectively; Spearman’s correlation). This case–control study is the first to compare the psychoendocrinological profile of patients with two different oral diseases. The patients with BMS showed a higher concentration/activity of salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, α-amylase) and a stronger association with mental disorders compared with patients with OLP. However, an interdisciplinary psychoneuroimmunological approach is equally important in both patient groups (OLP and BMS), regardless of whether mental disorders are the cause or the consequence.
It has been reported that dyslipidemia prevalence and cardiovascular disease risk were increased in subjects with oral lichen planus diagnose. On the other hand, so far, there is no available data on ...the topic of cardiovascular risk (CVR) in subjects with oral lichen planus (OLP). The main aim of this study, due to lack of any other study covering this topic, was to investigate lipid profile and assess CVR in patients with OLP.
To create a routine lipid profile, we collected triglyceride serum levels, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 63 OLP patients and 63 healthy people representing control subjects. For every patient their individual cardiovascular risk was measured.
In comparison with the tested control subjects, patients with OLP had all parameters of the lipid profile elevated, with no differences of statistical importance. Furthermore, the experimental (OLP) and control groups shared similar mean values of the lipid profile parameters.
The association of OLP with cardiovascular risk was not established and further studies with more subjects involved are required to validate this connection.
The central role of the dentist in the treatment of oncology patients is to care for the patient’s oral cavity before, during, and after radio/chemotherapy. The aim of this research was to determine ...the knowledge of dental students from five universities in three neighboring countries, Croatia (Split, Rijeka, and Zagreb), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo), and Slovenia (Ljubljana), about oncology patients’ dental care. A total of 140 students in their fourth, fifth, and sixth year of dental medicine studies participated in this research. A questionnaire with 36 specific questions was designed for this research and included questions about dental care of oncologic patients before, during, and after the oncology therapy. Most students are familiar with the incidence and most common type of head and neck tumors, while knowledge about tumor treatment and the side-effects of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy is weak. Students did not show satisfactory knowledge about osteoradionecrosis, which is the most serious side-effect of radiotherapy; therefore, the emphasis on additional education should be greatest in this area. Teaching staff should be aware of lack of student knowledge and try to offer more information and practice in providing dental care for oncology patients.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune, inflammatory disease of the oral cavity of a still unknown etiology.
The study involved 63 subjects diagnosed with oral lichen planus and 63 subjects ...without pathologic changes in the oral mucosa who were classified as controls. All subjects were given a detailed medical history at first screening. The medical history of the presence of other autoimmune disease in all subjects was supported by medical records. A sample of venous blood was taken from each subject in order to determine sedimentation rate (SE) and leukocyte count (L) using standard laboratory procedures, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration values were determined as well.
The methods of descriptive statistics, χ2-test, the Fisher's exact test, and the Student's t-test were used in the statistical processing of the results. The results were interpreted at a significance level of
<0.05.
For all three measured inflammatory markers, there were no statistically significant differences in the number of subjects with elevated values between the test and control groups
= 0.364 for SE;
= 1.000 for CRP and
= 0.219 for L). The prevalence of other autoimmune disease in the OLP group was higher than in the control group, with statistical significance, and the most common was cutaneous lichen in nine subjects (14.29%) with OLP and celiac disease seven subjects (11.11%).
The results showed that there was no significant difference in the average values of the investigated inflammatory markers in blood (SE, CRP and L) between patients with OLP and control subjects, while a significantly higher incidence of other autoimmune diseases in patients with OLP was demonstrated.
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