Prophylactic use of antibiotics to prevent flare-up in endodontic treatment

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of giving antibiotics during root canal treatment to reduce pain. Sixty patients with asymptomatic necrotic teeth were included in the study, which was carried out at the Department of Operative Dentistry, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi and was spread over one year. Two groups, A and B, were formed. Thirty patients in group A were given prophylactic antibiotics. Patients in group B formed the study group. Postoperative flare-up pain recorded at 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours was not statistically significant between the two groups. It was concluded that there was no statistical significance of giving prophylactic antibiotics to prevent inter-appointment flare-up. The risk of inappropriate use of antibiotics and widespread antibiotic resistance appear to be far more important than any possible perceived benefits

Incidence of endodontic flare-ups using either calcium hydroxide or creosote as intracanal medicament in symptomatic teeth

To enhance our knowledge about the superior intracanal medicament available for reducing the interappointmentpain in endodontic treatment. Hundred symptomatic teeth presenting to the Department of Operative Dentistry, Khyber College of Dentistry were included in this study. All teeth underwent conventional root canal treatment. The canals were dried and one of the following two medicaments was inserted into the canal in random sequence: Group 1: Calcium Hydroxide paste; Group 2: Creosote. Before dismissal, the preoperative pain experienced on the previous night was recorded using a visual analogue pain scale. Patients were instructed to record the degree of pain experienced 4 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after the treatment. Patients who received Calcium hydroxide have a lower incidence of flare-up when compared to Creosote. Based on this study, Calcium Hydroxide is the superior intracanal medicament in terms of postoperative pain

Serum adiponectin levels in patients with coronary artery disease

Adiponectin is an adipocytokine secreted from white adipose tissue. Serum level of adiponectin has been shown to be reduced in several disease states like obesity and diabetes. Hypoadiponectinemia has also been included in the list of newer risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. In this analytical cross-sectional study serum adiponectin level was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA] in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD] [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. Low levels of adiponectin were seen in CAD patients as well as controls. These levels were lower as compared to western standards. Our study conforms to the previous observation of lower serum adiponectin levels in South Asians compared to the western standards. Serum adiponectin level should be considered in the laboratory work-up of CAD patients

Intra-caste consanguineous marriages major factor in spread of thalassemia in our society

Background: thalassemia's, a group of inherited hemoglobin disorders, constitute a major international health problem

Objects: the current study examined the relative risk of thalassemia posed by consanguineous marriages in thalassemia families

Material and Methods: the study was based on qualitative data collected through interviews and questionnaire based surveys from 262 families suffering from thalassemia including couples and their children

Results: out of the 262 couples, majority [72%] were first cousins. These 262 families had a total of 1046 children, 582 males and 464 females. Out of these, 303 boys and 293 girls were healthy whereas 279 boys and 171 girls were thalassemia. Caste system was the major factor affecting Consanguinity and inbreeding and Raj put caste was the most prominent caste [21%] of the 22 Castes studied

Conclusion: intra-caste marriages represent one of the major factors in the consanguineous spread of Thalassemia's in our society

Elevated lipoprotein [a] levels seen in patients with coronary artery disease

There are a number of risk factors involved in the etiology of coronary artery disease. Lipoprotein [a] [[Lp[a]] is a genetically determined variant of low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol which is highly atherogenic. It has been found to be a common risk factor in families suffering from premature coronary artery disease [CAD]. Our study was an analytical cross sectional study, in which Lp[a] levels were measured by ELISA assay in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD], [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. There was a significant difference in serum Lp[a] level between the two with higher levels seen in the CAD cases. It is concluded that it is needed to measure Lp[a] levels as well as the routine lipid profile in CAD patients

Tonsillectomy; quality-of-life improvement in school going children

To determine the quality - of - life benefit derived from Tonsillectomy and its specific impacts. A Cross sectional survey. ENT Department, CMH Rawalpindi. Period: From 01 Jan 2004 to 31 Dec 2004. Material and Methods: The Glasgow Benefit Inventory [GBI] was used to quantify the health benefit of tonsillectomy. Data was collected for demographics and antibiotic use, physician visit, and school days missed due to chronic tonsillitis for 12 months before and after tonsillectomy. This study includes the patients who had undergone tonsillectomy alone. A total of 102 patient met inclusion criteria for this study. Sixty five parents returned complete survey of their children. The mean age was 10.3 years [5-15 years]. The improvements in the total score [ +/- 27.1], general health sub score [ +/- 34.7], social functioning sub score [ +/- 14.2], and physical functioning sub score [9.38] were each statistically significant [P<.001], indicating a significant health benefit of tonsillectomy. Statistically significant decreases in mean weeks receiving antibiotics [-7.8 weeks], mean physician visits [-5.4], and mean schooldays missed [-6.3 days] were noted after tonsillectomy [F<.001]. Tonsillectomy provides a significant quality-of-life improvement for children with chronic tonsillitis. Tonsillectomy also affords decreases in medical resource utilization and missed school days after tonsillectomy. Such factors should be incorporated into decision making when considering tonsillectomy

Effect of long standing time on bone mineral density in middle aged males

Background: Bone mineral density [BMD] is an important tool for assessing the risk of an individual for acquiring fractures. The determinants of bone mineral density are not well defined in men. The study aims at assessing the bone mass in middle aged men having occupations which required prolonged standing

Methods: Across sectional study was carried out comparing the T-score values of BMD of 100 men having a daily standing time of more than 8 hours to 100 men having a daily standing time of less than 3 hours

Results: The results showed increased bone mass in men with jobs requiring prolonged standing as compared to men, which had a sedentary life style

Conclusion: Middle aged men leading an active life style, having no other established risk factor for osteoporosis, have a less chance of developing decreased bone mass in future compared to men having jobs which require a lot of sitting, so that the lack of baseline physical activity predisposes them for an osteoporotic fracture in later life