Eficacia de la arginina al 8% y nitrato potásico al 5% en el tratamiento de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria: ensayo clínico aleatorio / Efficacy of 8% arginine and 5% potassium nitrate in dentin hypersensitivity therapy: a randomized clinical trial

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia clínica de dentífricos en base a arginina al 8%/ monofluorfosfato de sodio 1450 ppm versus nitrato de potasio al 5%/fluoruro de sodio 2500 ppm en la terapia de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria (HSD). Materiales y método: Ensayo clínico, aleatorio, controlado, doble ciego, de grupos paralelos. Treinta y cuatro voluntarios de 18 a 70 años, con HSD en escala Visual Análoga (EVA) ≥4 en 2 ó más dientes no molares, fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en 2 grupos: grupo T1 (n=16): dentífrico de Arginina al 8%/ monofluorfosfato de sodio 1450 ppm; y grupo T2 (n=18): dentífrico de nitrato de Potasio al 5%/fluoruro de sodio 2500 ppm. Se evaluó HSD en EVA con estímulos evaporativos y térmicos, y se compararon sus valores, así como el grado promedio de HSD y su reducción (∆HSD), intra e intergrupal, al inicio y a las 4 semanas de tratamiento. Resultados: Ambos dentífricos disminuyeron el grado promedio de HSD entre el inicio y las 4 semanas de tratamiento (T1: 5.03 ± 1.23 versus 2.60 ± 1.27, p<0.05; T2: 4.73 ± 1.51 versus 2.71 ± 1.17, p<0.05). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos dentífricos al comparar el grado promedio de reducción de HSD durante la terapia (∆HSD T1: -2.43 ± 1.22 versus ∆HSD T2: -2.27 ± 1.42). Los datos fueron analizados en Stata versión 11. Conclusiones: Ambos dentífricos fueron clínicamente eficaces en reducir la HSD a las 4 semanas, sin existir diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos.

ABSTRACT: Aim: To compare the clinical efficacy of 8% arginine/1450ppm sodium monofluorophosphate and 5% potassium nitrate/2500 ppm sodium fluoride dentifrices in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Methods: Parallel-design, double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty four volunteers aged 18 to 70 years, with DH and a visual analog scale (VAS) score ≥4 at least in two or more non-molar teeth, were randomized in two groups: T1 (n=16): 8% arginine/1450 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice; and T2 (n=18): 5% potassium nitrate/2500 ppm sodium fluoride dentifrice. DH was assessed with evaporative and thermal stimuli; and their VAS measurements, mean DH value and DH reduction (∆DH) were compared, inside and between the groups at baseline and 4-week follow-up. Data were analysed through Stata® V11 program. Results: Both toothpastes decreased mean DH value between baseline and 4 weeks (T1: 5.03 ± 1.23 versus 2.60 ± 1.27, p<0.05; T2: 4.73 ± 1.51 versus 2.71 ± 1.17, p<0.05). There were no statistical differences between both dentifrices in mean DH reduction values during therapy (∆HSD T1: -2.43 ± 1.22 versus ∆HSD T2:-2.27 ± 1.42). Conclusions: Both dentifrices had clinical efficacy in decreasing DH in a 4- week therapy, without statistical differences between both of them.

Absence seizure associated with coloprep consumption in colonoscopy / Convulsão de ausência com o uso de Coloprep em colonoscopia

Coloprep is a bowel preparatory solution given before endoscopic procedures to get a unobscured internal vision. It has among its constituent's sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate and magnesium sulphate which produce an osmotic effect in the bowel. However, the use of such agents in hyponatremic and patients predisposed to seizures can have adverse ramifications. The current case outlines manifestation of absence seizure in a 52-year-old male patient who was administered Coloprep for colonoscopy. There was absence of other predisposing factors and the symptoms were ameliorated using timely identification and rectification of the underlying derangements.

Coloprep é uma solução preparatória intestinal administrada antes de procedimentos endoscópicos, com o objetivo de se ter uma visão interna não obscurecida. Entre os constituintes de Coloprep, observa-se sulfato de sódio, sulfato de potássio e sulfato de magnésio, que provocam efeito osmótico no intestino. Mas o uso de tais agentes em pacientes hiponatrêmicos e com predisposição para convulsões pode ter ramificações adversas. O caso em tela delineia uma manifestação de convulsão de ausência em paciente do gênero masculino com 52 anos e que recebeu Coloprep para colonoscopia. Não havia outros fatores predisponentes e os sintomas melhoraram graças à oportuna identificação e correção dos transtornos subjacentes.

A prospective, open, comparative study of 5% potassium hydroxide solution versus cryotherapy in the treatment of genital warts in men

BACKGROUND: Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection and represent one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Many infections are transient but the virus may recur, persist, or become latent. To date, there is no effective antiviral treatment to eliminate HPV infection and most therapies are aimed at the destruction of visible lesions. Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali that has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of genital warts and molluscum contagiosum. Cryotherapy is considered one of the most established treatments for genital warts. No comparative trials have been reported to date on the use of potassium hydroxide for genital warts. OBJECTIVE: A prospective, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare topical potassium hydroxide versus cryotherapy in the treatment of genital warts affecting immunocompetent, sexually active men. METHODS: Over a period of 10 months, 48 patients were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups and selected on an alternative basis for either potassium hydroxide therapy or cryotherapy. While response to therapy did not differ substantially between both treatment modalities, side effects such as local pain and post-treatment hypopigmentation were considerably more prevalent in the groups treated using cryotherapy. Result: In our study, potassium hydroxide therapy proved to be at least as effective as cryotherapy and offered the benefit of a better safety profile. CONCLUSION: Topical 5% potassium hydroxide presents an effective, safe, and low-cost treatment modality for genital warts in men and should be included in the spectrum of therapies for genital warts. .

The influence of desensitizing dentifrices on pain induced by in-office bleaching

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the use of desensitizing dentifrices used 15 days prior to and after in-office tooth bleaching could eliminate or reduce tooth sensitivity. After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 45 subjects were selected and divided into 3 groups according to the dentifrice selected: Colgate Total (CT), Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (CS) or Sensodyne ProNamel (SP). The subjects used toothpaste and a toothbrush provided to them for 15 days prior to bleaching. They were then submitted to two in-office bleaching sessions (Whiteness HP Blue Calcium). Their tooth sensitivity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for a week after each session. Their tooth shade alteration was measured with a Vitapan Classical shade guide to determine if the dentifrices could influence the effectiveness of the bleaching agent. The data were submitted to Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). The use of desensitizing dentifrices did not affect the bleaching efficacy. In regard to tooth sensitivity, there was a statistically significant difference between the results of the Control Group and Group T2 after the first session (p = 0.048). There was no statistically significant difference in the results for the other groups after the first session. In regard to the second session, there was no statistically significant difference in the results for all the groups. The use of a desensitizing dentifrice containing nitrate potassium reduced tooth sensitivity during the bleaching regimen. Dentifrices containing arginine and calcium carbonate did not reduce tooth sensitivity. Color change was not influenced by the dentifrices used.

A study of the spectrum of Acanthamoeba keratitis: a three-year study at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India.

PURPOSE: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba keratitis and also to determine the sensitivity and specificity of smears in the detection of Acanthamoeba. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all culture-positive cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis seen between October 1999 and August 2002 was performed. Corneal scrapes were subjected to culture and microscopy using standard protocols. RESULTS: Out of 3183 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed corneal ulcers evaluated, 33 (1.04%) were found to be due to Acanthamoeba. Twenty-four out of 33 (72.72%) were less than 51 years of age (P<0.001). All patients were from rural areas (P<0.001) and 26 (78.79%) of them were agricultural workers (P=0.031). All 33 had history of corneal injury (P<0.001) and 28 (84.85%) patients had injury with mud (P<0.001). All 33 (100%) patients had previous medical treatment (P=0.009) and 10 (30.3%) had used traditional eye medicines (P=0.183). A clinical pattern of ring infiltrate was characteristic in 15 (45.45%) patients. The diameter of the corneal ulcer was more than 6 mm in 27 (81.82%) eyes (P<0.001). Twenty-six (78.79%) patients had visual acuity of perception of light on initial presentation (P<0.001) and 24 (72.73%) had the same as their final visual outcome. The sensitivity of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation was found to be higher (P<0.001) in the detection of Acanthamoeba cysts. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis amongst the corneal ulcer patients was 1% in this setting and it was mainly due to corneal injury by mud. The KOH preparation is a sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of Acanthamoeba. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis and inappropriate antimicrobial therapy results in poor visual outcome.

Dentinal hypersensitivity?--Can this agent be the solution?

AIM: To test the efficacy of desensitizing tooth paste containing EMS salts in alleviating dentinal hypersensitivity, reducing plaque accumulation, and reducing gingivitis. METHODS: A randomised, single blind, parallel placebo controlled study was conducted in 40 cases. The cases were randomly assigned to test and control groups. The test group was instructed to use the test tooth paste (containing EMS salts) and control group a placebo tooth paste (without any therapeutic agents) for a period of 6 weeks. The hypersensitivity levels were measured with scratchometer and verbal rating scale. Student t test and wilcoxon's Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the test and control groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results indicated that both the test as well as the control toothpastes were effective in alleviating dentinal hypersensitivity as well as reducing gingivitis. However, the test toothpaste was superior in alleviation of dentinal hypersensitivity.