Sensitivity and specificity of salivary pipecolic acid in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: The aim of the present preliminary case-control study was to test the sensitivity and specificity of salivary pipecolic acid in predicting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the analysis of non-stimulated saliva samples from 40 individuals: 20 in the case group (recently diagnosed with untreated HNSCC) and 20 in the control group (individuals without cancer). Both groups included patients taking daily oral hypoglycemic drugs (comorbidity). The case and control groups were matched at a proportion of 1:1 for sex and comorbidity. Results: Mean salivary levels of pipecolic acid were 169.38 ng/ mL in the case group and 114.66 ng/mL in the control group (p<0.001). Individuals who took oral hypoglycemic drugs had higher levels of pipecolic acid in both the case and control groups (p<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed 90% sensitivity and 65% specificity for head and neck cancer, with an area under the curve of 0.838 between the case and control groups. Conclusions: Pipecolic acid had high sensitivity for the diagnosis of HNSCC but low specificity in the sample analyzed. Our findings suggest that salivary pipecolic acid levels are associated with glucose homeostasis. Studies with larger samples are required to evaluate the specificity of this metabolite

Molar-incisor hypomineralization and dental caries: A hierarchical approach in a populational-based study

Abstract The last couple of decades has seen an increasing interest in molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) studies. Hypomineralized defects can have several consequences such as hypersensitivity, increased dental plaque accumulation, and consequently higher caries risk. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MIH and its association with dental caries in schoolchildren from a city in southern Brazil. A random cluster sample of schoolchildren was selected. Clinical examinations were carried out to collect information on MIH (following the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria), dental caries (using the DMF-T index) and gingivitis. Socioeconomic, demographic and behavior variables were collected using a standardized questionnaire answered by the children's parents/caregivers. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using Poisson regression analysis with robust variance through a hierarchical approach (p<0.05). A total of 513 schoolchildren were included in the study. MIH and caries prevalence was 19.7% and 31.6%, respectively. The mean age was 11.6 (+1.9) years. Dental caries was more prevalent in children with MIH (PR 1.39; 95% CI 1.05 - 1.85). Older children and children whose families were enrolled in conditional cash transference programs (PR 1.97 95% CI 1.47 - 2.64), and children who did not have their mother or father as the head of the family (PR 1.56 95% CI 1.06 - 2.30) presented a higher prevalence of dental caries. Our findings suggest that children with MIH are more likely to have dental caries.

Resumo Nas últimas duas décadas, observou-se um interesse crescente nos estudos de hipomineralização molar-incisivo (HMI). Os defeitos hipomineralizados podem ter várias consequências, como hipersensibilidade, aumento do acúmulo de placa dentária e, consequentemente, maior risco de cárie. Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo investigar a prevalência de HMI e sua associação com cárie dentária em escolares de um município do sul do Brasil. Uma amostra aleatória de alunos por conglomerado foi selecionada. Os exames clínicos foram realizados para coletar informações sobre HMI (seguindo os critérios da European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), cárie dentária (usando o índice DMF-T) e gengivite. Variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e comportamentais foram coletadas por meio de um questionário padronizado respondido pelos pais / responsáveis pelas crianças. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram estimadas por meio de análise de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta por meio de abordagem hierárquica (p <0,05). Um total de 513 escolares foram incluídos no estudo. A prevalência de MIH e cárie foi de 19,7% e 31,6%, respectivamente. A média de idade foi de 11,6 (± 1,9) anos. A cárie dentária foi mais prevalente em crianças com HMI (RP 1,39; IC 95% 1,05 - 1,85). Crianças mais velhas e crianças cujas famílias estavam matriculadas em programas de transferência condicional de renda (RP 1,97 IC95% 1,47 - 2,64), e crianças que não tinham a mãe ou o pai como chefe da família (RP 1,56 IC95% 1,06 - 2,30) apresentaram maior prevalência de cárie dentária. Nossos resultados sugerem que crianças com HMI são mais propensas a ter cárie dentária.

Prevalence of hyposalivation and associated factors in survivors of head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy

Abstract Hyposalivation and sensation of dry mouth (xerostomia) are one of the most common adverse effects in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. Objective: This study evaluates the prevalence of late hyposalivation and associated factors in survivors of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx treated with radiotherapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 88 patients who had concluded radiotherapy at least three months before the study, at a referral center for the treatment of head and neck cancer in the Southern region of Brazil. Hyposalivation was evaluated based on the stimulated salivary flow rate using the spitting method. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was performed to determine the associations between hyposalivation and clinical and demographic variables. Results: Hyposalivation was found in 78.41% of the sample and the mean radiation dose was 63.01 Gy (±9.58). In the crude model of the multivariate analysis, hyposalivation was associated with higher doses of radiation (p=0.038), treatment with concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (p=0.005), and time elapsed since the end of radiotherapy (p=0.025). In the adjusted model of the multivariate analysis, hyposalivation was only associated with dose and time elapsed. Patient who received higher doses of radiation had a 4.25-fold greater chance of presenting hyposalivation, whereas a longer time elapsed since the end of radiotherapy exerted a 75% protective effect against the occurrence of hyposalivation. Conclusion: Hyposalivation is a highly prevalence late-onset side effect of radiotherapy in patients treated for head and neck cancer, with a greater chance of occurrence among those who received higher doses of radiation and those who ended therapy less than 22 months before our study. Concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy does not seem to increase the chances of hyposalivation compared to radiotherapy alone.

Effect of the sense of coherence and associated factors in the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients

Abstract The sense of coherence (SOC) is a measure of global orientation regarding the ability of individuals to cope with stressful situations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between SOC and quality of life (QoL) and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics among survivors of oral, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 90 cancer patients in follow up at the Santa Maria University Hospital in southern Brazil who had completed conformal 3D radiotherapy at least three months earlier. QoL was assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire and SOC was measured using the Brazilian version of the SOC-13 questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and the disease were obtained from patients' charts. Oral clinical conditions were also evaluated. Associations between exploratory variables and mean UW-QOL scores were evaluated through Poisson regression and the results were presented as rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The mean overall UW-QOL score was 67.90 (± 18.71). Moderate and high SOC scores were associated with higher mean UW-QOL scores, that is, individuals with a stronger SOC demonstrated better QoL, (p < 0.05). Regarding the clinical variables, individuals with advanced stage cancer and those with hyposalivation and trismus had poorer QoL (p < 0.05). Patients with a greater SOC reported a better quality of life. Our findings show the importance of focusing on psychosocial factors, which can alleviate the impact caused by the disease and improve the QoL of these patients.

Effect of the sense of coherence and associated factors in the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients

Abstract The sense of coherence (SOC) is a measure of global orientation regarding the ability of individuals to cope with stressful situations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between SOC and quality of life (QoL) and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics among survivors of oral, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 90 cancer patients in follow up at the Santa Maria University Hospital in southern Brazil who had completed conformal 3D radiotherapy at least three months earlier. QoL was assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire and SOC was measured using the Brazilian version of the SOC-13 questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and the disease were obtained from patients' charts. Oral clinical conditions were also evaluated. Associations between exploratory variables and mean UW-QOL scores were evaluated through Poisson regression and the results were presented as rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The mean overall UW-QOL score was 67.90 (± 18.71). Moderate and high SOC scores were associated with higher mean UW-QOL scores, that is, individuals with a stronger SOC demonstrated better QoL, (p < 0.05). Regarding the clinical variables, individuals with advanced stage cancer and those with hyposalivation and trismus had poorer QoL (p < 0.05). Patients with a greater SOC reported a better quality of life. Our findings show the importance of focusing on psychosocial factors, which can alleviate the impact caused by the disease and improve the QoL of these patients.