ABSTRACT
To assess the association between dental caries experience and carbonated drinks consumption in a population of adolescents [12-19 years] from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Cross-sectional study. This study was conducted in the department of Community Medicine atlslamic International Dental Hospital [IIDH] lslamabad from April 2014 to August 2014. A sample of 50 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Only those participants were included who belonged to the selected age group of 12-19 years. The sample was examined by dental students at IIDH and a validated, dietary questionnaire was completed through face-to-face interview with each participant. Caries severity was measured via the DMFT [no. of Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth] Index. Results were analyzed for the sample under study through SPSS Version 17. The mean DMFT for males [38%] was 1.31 +/- 1.60 and for females [62%] was 1.77 +/- 1.76. Caries prevalence in relation to carbonated drink consumption was found to be 62% with more than 7% of the participants having a DMFT score of 4 and above. A decrease in DMFT score was observed with the increase in frequency of tooth brushing. On comparison of mean DMFT scores with frequency of carbonated drink consumption, no distinctive pattern could be seen. Conclusive results establishing a strong association between carbonated drinks and dental caries could not be derived. Further research work is required for more valid results. While consuming carbonated drinks, safety guidelines for drinkingshould be followed
ABSTRACT
Pregabalin and gabapentin are compounds, which have been alleged to possess anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties. Both are amino acid derivatives of gamma amino butyric acid. Pregabalin has a similar pharmacological profile to that of gabapentin. It has an amino acid substitution at third position which allows better lipid solubility and diffusion across blood brain barrier, better pharmacokinetic properties and fewer drug interactions due to absence of hepatic metabolism. We hypothesized that premedication with oral pregabalin and gabapentin would produce dose-related reductions in acute [state] anxiety and increase in sedation [sleepiness] before induction of general anaesthesia. 90 women were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg pregabalin and 900 mg gabapentin and placebo 60 minutes prior to surgery. Anxiety and sedation was assessed before administration of drug and 1 hour later. A uniform anaesthetic technique was used in all groups. Parameters including sedation scores and various side effects were assessed. Demographic variables were comparable. The preinduction anxiety scores were statistically significant from the baseline values in group 1 and 11. The sedation scores were statistically significant 1 hour after the drug. There was statistically significant difference between group I and II [p=0.000], I and III [p=0.000] and II and III[p=0.015]. Analysis of sedation scores after surgery were comparable at all time intervals between group I and II. However statistically significant difference was noted between group I and III [p=0.000] and group II and III [p=0.000]. A higher percentage of patients in the pregabalin group complained of dizziness and somnolence than the gabapentin and control group. Preoperative pregabalin [300mg] and gabapentin [900mg] administration 1 hour before surgery led to significant reduction in preoperative anxiety and improves sedation without producing significant side effects