Does the trait anxiety affect the dental fear?

Abstract The aims of the present study were to evaluate possible associations between trait anxiety, dental fear and the predictors of these interactions including demographic characteristics and dental history of patients applied to the dental care center in Ankara, Turkey. A sample of 607 participants (mean age: 21.02 ± 2.32) responded to a Turkish version of the Modified Dental Fear Survey (MDFS), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) and a questionnaire regarding previous negative dental experience. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between dental fear and the independent variables including trait anxiety, age groups, education level, dental visit frequency, experience and the source of dental knowledge. There was a trend for increasing in trait anxiety scores with greater levels of dental fear in a medium level of the dental fear group (OR = 1.055, 95%CI [1.025–1.086]; p < 0.001) and in a high level of the dental fear group (OR = 1.090 [1.057–1.124]; p < 0.001). Comparing to the low level of dental fear group; participants of medium dental fear level intended more likely to go to the dentist when they have a complaint instead of regularly going (odds ratio; OR = 3.177, 95%CI [1.304–7.741]; p = 0.011). Participants of high dental fear level tended to be less likely to have experienced no problem (OR = 0.476, 95%CI [0.284–0.795]; p = 0.005) than the low level of the dental fear group. We strongly indicate that higher dental fear scores have a predisposition of having high trait anxiety scores. Unpleasant dental experiences increased the risk for high dental fear levels. Patients with dental fear tended only to visit a dentist when necessary, avoiding regular visits.

Impact of predictors upon the reduction of lipid parameters in family medicine practice / Impacto de preditores da redução dos parâmetros de lipídios na prática da medicina de família

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictors of changes in lipid parameters consisting of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), TC (total cholesterol) and non-HDL-C (non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol) among primary care patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted on family medicine patients. METHODS: Demographic features and other clinically relevant information were abstracted from medical records. The primary outcome was the difference in LDL-C level from initial testing to the index test. Secondary outcomes were the changes in TC and non-HDL-C levels between two measurements. RESULTS: Three hundred and eleven participants were included in the final secondary analysis. Multiple linear regression revealed that male patients (β = 4.97, P = 0.040), diabetes (β = 9.75, P = 0.003) and higher LDL-C levels at baseline (β = 0.35, P < 0.001) were positively associated with LDL variance, whereas longer time period (β = -0.15, P = 0.045) and familial hypercholesterolemia history (β = -7.56, P = 0.033) were negatively associated. Male patients (β = 8.45, P = 0.002), DM (β = 9.26, P = 0.011), higher TC levels at baseline (β = 0.35, P < 0.001) and taking statins (β = 7.31, P = 0.023) were positively associated with TC variance, whilst longer time period (β = -0.183, P = 0.031) and familial hypercholesterolemia (β = -10.70, P = 0.008) were negatively associated. CONCLUSION: In the present study, patients who were male, on statin treatment, diagnosed with diabetes and had higher baseline lipid values were more likely associated with better lipid outcomes at future testing.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Avaliar preditores de alterações nos parâmetros lipídicos que consistem em LDL-C (colesterol de lipoproteína de baixa densidade), TC (colesterol total) e não HDL-C (não colesterol de lipoproteína de alta densidade) entre os pacientes de cuidados primários. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo realizado em pacientes de medicina familiar. MÉTODOS: Aspectos demográficos e outras informações clinicamente relevantes foram extraídos dos prontuários médicos. O desfecho primário foi a diferença de nível de LDL-C entre os exames iniciais e o exame índice. Os desfechos secundários foram as mudanças dos níveis de TC e não HDL-C entre as duas medidas. RESULTADOS: Trezentos e onze participantes foram incluídos na análise secundária final. Regressão linear múltipla revelou que os pacientes do sexo masculino (β = 4,97, P = 0,040), diabetes (DM) (β = 9,75, P = 0,003) e níveis de LDL mais elevados no início do estudo (β = 0,35, P < 0,001) foram associados positivamente com variância LDL, enquanto longo período de tempo (β = -0,15, P = 0,045) e história hipercolesterolemia familiar (β = -7,56, P = 0,033) foram associados negativamente. Pacientes do sexo masculino (β = 8,45, P = 0,002), com DM (β = 9,26, P = 0,011), níveis elevados de CT na linha de base (β = 0,35, P < 0,001) e tomar estatinas (β = 7,31, P = 0,023) associaram-se positivamente com a variância TC, enquanto longo período de tempo (β = -0,183, P = 0,031), hipercolesterolemia familiar (β = -10,70, P = 0,008) foram associados negativamente. CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, os pacientes que eram do sexo masculino, em tratamento com estatinas, com diagnóstico de DM e que tinham valores lipídicos basais mais elevados foram mais provavelmente associados a melhores resultados de lipídios em testes futuros.