[Studies of cardiovascular autonomic function and duration of QTc interval in smokers]. / Estudios de función autonómica cardiovascular y duración del intervalo QTc en sujetos fumadores.

OBJECTIVES: A total of 97 apparently healthy subjects were studied in order to establish the influence of smoking habits in studies on neurocardiovascular control and the QTc interval duration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 37 smokers and 60 non-smokers as the control. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed on all subjects to determine the duration of the QTc interval. Other aspects studied include heart rate variability at rest during 150 cardiac cycles using time domain: coefficient of variation and root mean squared successive difference; and frequency domain: low frequency band (0.04-0.15 Hz) and high frequency band (0.15-0.50 Hz), to determine total energy logarithm and maximum energy frequency. Additionally, conventional cardiovascular autonomic function tests, such as orthostasis, Valsalva maneuver and deep breathing were performed. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the duration of the QTc interval nor in time and frequency domain parameters, except in the maximum frequency in the high frequency band, which appeared significantly lower (p < 0.05) in smokers when compared to non-smokers (0.28 +1- 0.1 vs 0.33 +/- 0.1 Hz). No modifications were noted in the cardiovascular autonomic function tests applied to smokers and non-smokers, and the QTc interval was not linked to the rest of the variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, smoking habits do not seem to have a significant influence in studies addressed to determine the impact of the autonomic nervous systems on cardiovascular control.

[Detection and prevention of oral complications in diabetics]. / Detección y prevención de las complicaciones estomatológicas en el diabetico.

Oral affections are important causes of disorders in diabetes, within them, periodontal disease is the most common one, which comprises gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental plaque, high concentrations of salivary calcium and glucose, hyperglycemia and a lower resistance to infections, are main factor contributing to periodontal disease, dental caries, mycotic stomatitis and aphthae. Even though with the most advanced surgical methods and using antibiotics, systematically, the treatment of periodontal disease is rather difficult and often unsuccessful, therefore, to prevent it is the best treatment available, hence the importance of teaching oral health to the diabetic patient, which should comprise a good metabolic control, right tooth-brushing and visits to the stomatologist every six months or in the presence of gingival bleeding or gingival pus emanation. Diabetic condition is not a contraindication for the extraction of carious dental teeth, on the contrary, such teeth must be extracted when required or adequately treated.