Cross-sectional evaluation of the periapical status as related to quality of root canal fillings and coronal restorations in a rural adult male population of Turkey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To determine the prevalence of periapical lesions in root canal-treated teeth in a rural, male adult, Turkish population and to investigate the influence of the quality of root canal fillings on prevalence of periapical lesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample for this cross-sectional study consisted of 552 adult male patients, 18-32 years of age, presenting consecutively as new patients seeking routine dental care at the Dental Sciences of Gulhane Military Medicine, Ankara. The radiographs of the 1014 root canal-treated teeth were evaluated. The teeth were grouped according to the radiographic quality of the root canal filling and the coronal restoration. The criteria used for the examination were slightly modified from those described by De Moor. Periapical status was assessed by the Periapical Index scores (PAI) proposed by Orstavik.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall success rate of root canal treatment was 32.1%. The success rates of adequately root canal treatment were significantly higher than inadequately root canal treatment, regardless of the quality or presence of the coronal restoration (P < .001). In addition, the success rate of inadequate root canal treatment was also significantly affected by the quality of coronal restorations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results revealed a high prevalence of periapical lesions in root canal treatment, which is comparable to that reported in other methodologically compatible studies from diverse geographical locations. In addition, the results from the present study confirm the findings of other studies that found the quality of the root canal treatment to be a key factor for prognosis with or without adequate coronal restoration.</p

Association between intra-radicular posts and periapical lesions in endodontically treated teeth

Introduction: A significant number of endodontically treated teeth restored with posts have associated periapical lesions, and several authors have discussed the probable causes of the development of these. Attention has been focused on restorative procedures performed after endodontic treatment and their association with the prognosis of endodontic therapy because a number of root-filled teeth will require post- and core-retained restorations. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by examination of periapical radiographs, whether the placement of intra-radicular posts in endodontically treated teeth may act as a risk factor for development of periapical lesions. Material and Methods: This case-control study analyzed periapical radiographs of 72 endodontically treated teeth with coronal restorations. All radiographs were obtained from a single private practice. Specimens were assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 (control) was composed of teeth without periapical lesions and Group 2 (case) was composed of teeth with periapical lesions. The number of teeth with and without posts in each group was recorded. Three calibrated examiners analyzed the radiographs visually under X4 magnification. Results: In Group 1, 28 (65.1%) out of 43 teeth were restored with posts. In Group 2, 24 (82.8%) out of 29 teeth had intra-radicular posts. The interpretation of chi-square test showed that these percentages were not significantly different (x²=2.687; p=0.101). Odds ratio was 2.571 (0.815-8.118), which indicates that there was no statistically significant association between periapical lesions and posts. Conclusion: Intra-radicular posts placed in endodontically treated teeth were not a significant risk factor for development of periapical lesions in the practice where the cohort of patients was treated

Studying the impact of the cost-effective Suvidha off-loading dressing in healing neuropathic ulcers in diabetic foot: a case series of 83 cases from South India

Neuropathic ulcers pose a global burden carrying a risk of amputation of 15-46 times especially in developing countries. These ulcers are mainly managed with offloading techniques. In this study we share our experience of using an easy to use, cost effective method the Suvidha offloading dressings in terms of its acceptability and effectiveness in managing these cases. A prospective case series of 83 patients with mean age 58 years, managed with Suvidha offloading dressing in our institution from 2016 till 2019, excluding patients with ABI less than 0.4 and Wagner 4 and 5. They were reviewed after 6 months/SOS. Ulcer measured 1×1 to 4×4 cm, was present most commonly in the mid foot and least commonly in the lateral aspect of the foot. 53 cases were Wagner grade 2 and 9 cases Wagner grade 3. Forty cases were initially infected, 29 cases had a deformed foot, 5 cases needed interval wound debridement. The duration of ulcer healing was 2 weeks for 1×1 cm great toe ulcer, to 12 weeks for the 4×4 cm mid foot ulcer. All 83 patients were followed up for 6 months. 5 ulcers recurred. The patient satisfaction was measured by a 5-points Likert scale with a mean value of 17.4 out of 20. The Suvidha offloading footwear is a cost effective, easily replicable and efficient dressing requiring only the readily available dressing materials, with good healing rates, good patient satisfaction and adapted for developing countries. The results are comparable with other methods of offloading practiced worldwide. </jats:p

Routine baseline serum carcinoembryonic antigen as a negative predictor of peritoneal metastasis in colorectal malignancies: a cost-effective tool in South India

Background: Colorectal cancer, a formidable health problem worldwide has upto 8% synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis. As only diagnostic laparoscopy can identify them, in countries with economic burden, selection of patients for laparoscopy is ideal. Our aim is to evaluate whether the baseline Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a good selection tool.Methods: A retrospective study of 125 patients, who were diagnosed to have colorectal malignancy (any stage) and underwent elective surgery at our institution from 2012 till 2019 were included. The baseline serum CEA was compared with the intraoperative findings. The threshold levels of serum CEA compared were 6.5 and 100 ng/dl. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for both thresholds were compared in 3 categories of patients, namely peritoneal metastasis (9 cases), metastasis to other organs (36 cases) and cases with no metastasis either in peritoneum or other organs (85 cases). The results were analysed using SPSS software.Results: The mean age was 65, sex ratio (male:female) was 72:53. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV) for CEA threshold of 6.5 ng/dl was 44.44%, 60.34%, 8% and 93.33% for category 1. For CEA threshold of 100 ng/dl, it was 33.33%, 97.41%, 50% and 94.95% for category 1. NPV was 96.55% for category 3 (the highest value).Conclusions: If the baseline CEA levels are less than 100 ng/dl,   96.55% of cases will not require a diagnostic laparoscopy. This hopefully will cut down the cost of unnecessary diagnostic laparoscopies, and reduce the morbidity of unnecessary laparotomies.</jats:p

Qualıty assessment of prımary care guıdelınes ın turkey

Introduction: Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. The Ministry of Health published 67 primary care guidelines in 2003. Considering the expected effect of CPGs on clinical practice, we could assume that the quality of such guidelines would have an effect on the quality of health care practice. However, there is only very limited knowledge available regarding evidence based practice in Turkey and no known study related to the published CPGs, their use or their quality. In this study, we assessed the quality of existing primary care CPGs, by using "The Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation (AGREE) Instrument". Methods: 14 guidelines were selected based on the top ten conditions in "The Burden of Disease Study" of 2004. The AGREE Instrument was translated into Turkish. The quality of the guidelines was assessed by 4 appraisers. Results: The mean rating scores of the domains, based on the AGREE Instrument were; Scope and purpose: 87.9%, stakeholder involvement: 62.2%, rigour of development: 51.2%, clarity and presentation: 66.4%, applicability: 57.2% and editorial independency: 54.5%. 6 guidelines out of 14 were recommended by all the appraisers, whereas 8 were not recommended at least by one of the appraisers. Conclusions: This is the first study of appraising quality of published guidelines in Turkey. This study is valuable for indicating the quality of current published guidelines and adds to the limited amount of knowledge in Turkey about how to improve guidelines