Analysis of Tongue Color-Associated Features among Patients with PCR-Confirmed COVID-19 Infection in Ukraine

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and systematize tongue color-related manifestations among patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included analysis of tongue images obtained from patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Evaluation of coronavirus disease severity (mild, moderate, severe, critical) was provided, considering clinical symptomatology and results of laboratorial and instrumental diagnostic methods. Each picture was analyzed considering the parameters of color of the tongue and color of the tongue plaque by two dental specialists. Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate associations between the tongue color and tongue plaque color, and coronavirus disease severity. Results: The most prevalent tongue colors were pale pink, red and dark red (burgundy color). A total of 64.29% of patients with mild disease demonstrated pale pink color of the tongue. Patients with moderate coronavirus disease were characterized with the adverse trend: 62.35% of them presented with red-colored tongue, while in 37.64% of cases, the tongue was pale pink. Severe COVID-19 patients, almost in 90% of the cases, had either red or burgundy color of the tongue. Conclusion: SARS-COV-2 infection is not manifested by tongue-targeted or tongue-specific signs and features; however, coronavirus disease itself provokes changes within the tongue color and tongue plaque color similar to those registered during other internal pathologies.

Potential Effectiveness of Poly-Vitamins and Probiotics among Preschool Children Living within Iodine Deficiency Territory to Caries Prevention

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the potential effect of poly-vitamins and probiotics use among preschool children permanently living within iodine deficiency territory on caries prevention. Material and Methods: 80 children aged 2-3 years old were randomly distributed among the study group (21 male and 19 females) and control group (20 males and 20 females). Oral fluid samples were formed from each study subject during primary examination and after 1 year of monitoring, which further were analyzed by parameters associated with mineralization potential of oral fluid. Both groups were provided with oral hygiene educational training, while the study group was also prescribed with poly-vitamin-mineral drug complex and probiotics. Results: After 1 year of monitoring, no significant changes considering caries prevalence (p>0.05) or intensity (p>0.05) values were registered among study and control groups. Difference of free calcium level, phosphate ion level and alkaline phosphatase activity was statistically approved (p<0.05) while comparing between study and control group after 12 months of monitoring. Conclusion: Caries preventive approach consisted of oral hygiene educational training and course of properly prescribed poly-vitamins and probiotics intake demonstrates positive results related to the changes within mineralization potential of oral fluid among preschool children with long-term residence over geographically associated iodine-deficient territory.

Association Between Saliva Quantity and Content Parameters with Caries Intensity Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Subcarpathian Children

Abstract Objective: To evaluate saliva quantity and content parameters among children of 7 and 12 years old, who permanently living on the territory of Subcarpathia with the registered territory-associated fluoride deficiency in the water, and their association with the caries status of pediatric patients. Material and Methods: The study sample was formed of 48 children (22 of 7 years old and 26 of 12 years old). The content of calcium in the oral liquid was determined by the o-cresolphthalein complexone method. Estimation of concentration rate and fluoride activity in the oral liquid was carried out by using the ion-selective electrode ELIS-131 F and ionometer EV-74. The content of inorganic phosphorus in saliva was determined using the phosphorus reaction with molybdic acid Results: Among all study samples, 18.8% were registered with low caries intensity level (DMF = 1.55 ± 0.16), 33.3% with moderate caries intensity level (DMF = 3.94 ± 0.29), and 47.9% with high caries intensity level (DMF = 9.05 ± 1.11). During the comparison of calcium content and mineralization coefficient values between children with low and high caries intensity levels registered difference was statistically significant (p<0.05), while for salivary flow rate parameter such difference was no significant (p>0.05). Between children with normal salivary flow rate, and children with a lowered salivary flow rate there was no statistical difference in such parameters as fluoride concentration, calcium content, phosphorus content and calcium-phosphorus balance (p>0.05) Conclusion: Caries intensity levels were more statistically associated with parameters of calcium content in saliva and related mineralization coefficient, rather than with the average salivary flow rate.

Prevalência de anemia na artrite reumatoide / The prevalence of anemia in rheumatoid arthritis

Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de anemia em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR). Pacientes e métodos: 89 pacientes que satisfaziam os critérios do American College of Rheumatology (ACR) para AR foram incluídos nesse estudo. A duração média da doença foi 10,9±8,8 anos. Todos os pacientes foram medicados com metotrexato (10,5±5,5 mg/semana) em combinação com ácido fólico. Hormônios esteroides foram receitados para 92% dos pacientes (19,3±3,8 mg/dia).Velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS), níveis de hemoglobina, proteína C reativa (PCR), fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNFα) e interleucina-1 beta (IL1β) foram avaliados em todos os pacientes. Os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) para anemia utilizam um limiar para hemoglobina de <120 g/L para mulheres e de <130 g/L para homens. Resultados: Anemia foi observada em 57 (64%) dos pacientes (1º grupo); os demais pacientes (2º grupo) tinham níveis normais de hemoglobina (135,5±10,7 g/L). A duração e a atividade de AR foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) no 1º versus 2º grupo. Os níveis médios de VHS, PCR, TNFα e IL-1β estavam significativamente aumentados (p<0,05) no 1º versus 2º grupo. Foram observadas correlações negativas entre o nível de hemoglobina e as concentrações de VHS, PCR, TNFα e IL-1β. Conclusão: Esse estudo demonstrou pela primeira vez que, na Ucrânia, 46% dos pacientes com AR apresentavam anemia. Um nível reduzido de hemoglobina foi associado à atividade intensa da doença. .

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and methods: 89 patients who fulfilled American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA were included in this study. The mean disease duration was 10.9±8.8 years. All patients received methotrexate (10.5±5.5 mg/week) in combination with folic acid. Steroid hormones were prescribed to 92% (19.3±3.8 mg/day) of patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were evaluated in all patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for anaemia uses a hemoglobin threshold of <120 g/L for women and <130 g/L for men. Results: Anaemia was observed in 57 (64%) of the patients (1st group), the other patients (2nd group) had normal levels of hemoglobin (135.5±10.7 g/L). Duration and activity of RA were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the 1st group compared with the 2nd. ESR, CRP, TNFα, and IL1β mean levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the 1st group when compared with the 2nd group. Negative correlations between hemoglobin level and ESR, CRP, TNFα, and IL1β concentrations were observed. Conclusion: This study showed for the first time in Ukraine that in 46% of patients with RA, anaemia was diagnosed. A reduction of hemoglobin level was associated with a high activity of disease. .