Assessment of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and cortisol levels in saliva and their correlation to cervical vertebrae maturation method in males and females at different growth stages: a clinical study

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this in-vivo study was to assess the salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and cortisol levels, and their correlation to the Cervical Vertebrae Maturation method (CVM) in males and females at pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal growth stages. Methods: 48 patients (24 males, 24 females) who were to undergo routine orthodontic treatment were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then subjects were grouped according to CVM stages, using lateral cephalogram, in pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal groups. Unstimulated saliva from the selected subjects was collected. DHEAS and cortisol levels in the salivary samples were estimated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then they were compared to Cervical Vertebrae Maturation Method stages. One-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post-hoc test was used to compare the salivary DHEAS and cortisol levels between different CVM stages in males and females. Independent Student t-test was used to compare the mean salivary DHEAS and cortisol levels between different males and females in each CVM stage. Result: There was a progressive increase in salivary DHEAS and cortisol concentration as skeletal maturation progressed from CVM stages 1 and 2, CVM stages 3 and 4, reaching the highest value at CVM stages 5 and 6. Their levels were higher in males than females. Conclusion: The salivary DHEAS and cortisol levels can be useful as a potential indicator of skeletal maturation, to aid in the assessment of pubertal status.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo in vivo foi avaliar os níveis salivares de sulfato de dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEAS) e de cortisol, e sua correlação com o método de maturação das vértebras cervicais (CVM) em homens e mulheres nas fases de crescimento pré-puberal, puberal e pós-puberal. Métodos: 48 pacientes (24 homens, 24 mulheres) que se submeteriam a tratamento ortodôntico de rotina foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Em seguida, usando telerradiografia lateral, os indivíduos foram agrupados de acordo com os estágios CVM, em grupos pré-puberal, puberal e pós-puberal. Foi feita coleta de saliva não estimulada nos indivíduos selecionados. Os níveis de DHEAS e cortisol nas amostras salivares foram avaliados pelo teste ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay). Em seguida, foram comparados aos estágios do método CVM. O teste ANOVA de uma via seguido pelo teste post-hoc de Tukey foi usado para comparar o DHEAS salivar e os níveis de cortisol entre os diferentes estágios de CVM em homens e mulheres. O teste t de Student independente foi usado para comparar a média de DHEAS salivar e os níveis de cortisol entre diferentes homens e mulheres em cada estágio de CVM. Resultados: Houve um aumento progressivo no DHEAS salivar e na concentração de cortisol à medida que a maturação esquelética progrediu dos estágios CVM 1 e 2, para os estágios CVM 3 e 4, atingindo o valor mais alto nos estágios CVM 5 e 6. Seus níveis foram maiores nos homens do que nas mulheres. Conclusões: Os níveis salivares de DHEAS e cortisol podem ser úteis como um potencial indicador de maturação esquelética, para auxiliar na avaliação do estado puberal.

The study of pulmonary function tests in patients with hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common disease with a prevalence rate of 11% in India. It affects all organ systems in the body. Patients with hypothyroidism frequently have symptoms of fatigue and exercise intolerance. These symptoms could arise from a reduced pulmonary reserve, cardiac reserve or decreased muscle strength or increased muscle fatigue. This study aims to study the pulmonary function test in patients with hypothyroidism.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted on 100 patients divided into 2 groups (a) newly detected hypothyroids (b) normal control group. Cases were matched with controls in having similar environment exposure and age group. All patients had routine symptom and clinical assessment. Laboratory investigations such as complete blood picture, pulmonary function test, chest x ray and thyroid function test were done. Data was entered and analysed.Results: In this study conducted on 100 patients, case group had symptoms of easy fatiguability (36%), breathlessness (20%), menstrual abnormality (20%), weight gain (7%) and generalised body aches (5%). Mean FEV1 levels between cases and controls were 1.34 and 1.72 (p value 0.00), mean FVC were 1.88 and 2.09 (p value 0.114), FEV1/FVC ratio of 70.56, 81.98 respectively (p value 0.00). The distribution of PFT pattern was 32% obstructive, 28% mixed pattern and 22% restrictive pattern.Conclusions: This study shows that hypothyroidism causes significant decrease in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio, thereby suggesting obstructive patterns of lung involvement .Therefore PFT can be used routinely as a screening test for all hypothyroid patients to detect early respiratory dysfunction and thereby optimise treatment especially in obese patients and patients with pre-existing lung disease as hypothyroidism adds to their respiratory dysfunction.