Investigating the Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Case-Control Study.

Background: This study aims to explore the connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) through a case-control investigation. OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder that affects breathing during sleep, whereas TMD involves pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint. Understanding any potential association between these two conditions could contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 participants were included in both the OSA group and the control group. Participants with diagnosed OSA constituted the OSA group, whereas individuals without OSA formed the control group. TMD symptoms were assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of TMD symptoms between the two groups. Results: In the OSA group, 36 out of 50 participants exhibited TMD symptoms, whereas in the control group, 18 out of 50 participants displayed such symptoms. The calculated P value was found to be 0.023, indicating a statistically significant association between OSA and TMD. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a notable association between OSA and TMD. Individuals with OSA are more likely to experience TMD symptoms compared to those without OSA. This underscores the importance of considering TMD symptoms in individuals with OSA and vice versa for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management.

3D assessment of alveolar bone alterations in orthodontic movement among Indians.

Apical root resorption, which is characterised as a biological or abnormal phenomenon that shortens the length of the root apex, is additional typical iatrogenic impact of orthodontic tooth movement that may jeopardise the effectiveness of treatment and tooth lifespan. The main goals of the current retrospective investigation were to assess the dimensions of alveolar bone alterations that come along with orthodontic movement and to look into the frequency and extent of resorption of root in maxillary incisors across categories that were similarly managed with clear aligners (OCA) and fixed appliances (OFA) using CBCT. The study included 50 subjects who were divided into two categories with 25 study subjects in each category. Category OFA: Subjects receiving OFA (n=25). A CBCT scan was used to get three-dimensional pictures at the beginning of therapy as well as at the end of therapy. The overall resorption of root at apical region in OFA group was 0.63±0.21 mm. The overall resorption of root at apical region in OCA group was 0.32 ±0.36 mm. The difference in observation was statistically significant (p= 0.000) with reduced resorption of root at apical region in clear aligners. It was concluded that the decrease in thickness of alveolar bone was greater in orthodontic fixed appliances group as compared to clear aligners. The resorption of root at apical region was lesser in clear aligners group as compared to fixed appliances.

Effectiveness of Short-Term Lifestyle Modification on Reducing Body- Weight-Related Parameters in Persons with Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) reportedly have a high mortality rate due to metabolic syndrome (MS). However, lifestyle modification (LM) offers effective management of some components of MS. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LM in reducing body-weight-related parameters in SMIs. Method: Eighty participants with SMI were assigned randomly to either LM (n = 40) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 40) groups using block randomization (eight blocks of n = 10). The LM group and their caregivers received a structured LM package that included nutrition counselling, recommendations on a balanced diet, and physical activity. The two groups were assessed on body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and quality of life (QOL) at baseline and after three months. Thirty-one LM and 33 TAU participants completed the study. Results: The LM and TAU groups were comparable on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and baseline variables of body weight, BMI, WC, and WHR (all P > 0.08). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) showed that the LM group had significantly reduced body weight, BMI, WC, and WHR (all P < 0.001) than the TAU group. Similarly, the LM group also showed improvement in their QOL (P < 0.001), whereas TAU showed no improvement. Conclusions: LM is an effective way to reduce body-weight-related parameters of MS and improves the QOL among persons with SMI in the short term. The caregivers' inclusion during LM contributed to the weight reduction. However, the long-term effect of the intervention could not be assessed.

Evaluation of different aesthetic indices for planning orthodontic treatment.

Three aesthetic indices namely aesthetic component of index of orthodontic treatment needs (IOTN -AC), dental aesthetic index (DAI) and dental aesthetics screening index (DESI) were compared in orthodontic treatment. 242 participants (160 female and 82 male) who were interested in orthodontic treatment participated. The individuals' ages ranged from 16-25 years. Three aesthetic indices namely IOTN -AC, DAI and DESI were evaluated for each participant. The overall accuracy of DAI, AC-IOTN and DESI in assessment of dental aesthetics in orthodontic treatment was 62%, 68% and 64% respectively. The Negative predictive value (NPV) was higher than Positive predictive value (PPV) for all indices. The sensitivity was greater than specificity for all indices. It was observed that values of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were high for AC-IOTN. The findings were significant statistically (p<0.05).

Impact of lifestyle modification on some components of metabolic syndrome in persons with severe mental disorders: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is reportedly associated with high mortality from mostly cardiovascular causes in patients with severe mental disorders (SMD). Lifestyle interventions augment effective management of MS in patients with SMD. The present meta-analysis aims at updating the recent evidence on the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for MS in patients with SMD. METHOD: A literature search for English Language publications of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2001 to 2016 comparing lifestyle modification (LM) with treatment as usual (TAU) in the management of MS were identified. Using PRISMA guidelines, 19 RCTs reporting data on 1688 SMD and MS patients and providing data on change in Body Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were included. Using random effects model, standardized mean difference between LM and TAU for the mean baseline-to-endpoint change in body weight, BMI and WC was calculated with a 95% confidence limit, on RevMan 5.3. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016046847). RESULTS: LM had significantly superior efficacy in the reducing weight (-0.64, 95% CI -0.89, -0.39, Z = 5.03, overall effect p < 0.00001), BMI (-0.68, 95% CI -1.01, -0.35, Z = 4.05, overall effect p < 0.0001), and WC (-0.60, 95% CI -1.17, -0.03, Z = 2.06; overall effect p = 0.04), compared to TAU. LM was significantly more effective than TAU even in short duration (p = 0.0001) and irrespective of the treatment setting. CONCLUSION: Interventions targeting LM in persons with SMD and MS are effective in reducing body weight, BMI and WC. It must be routinely recommended to all patients with SMD, ideally during commencement stage of second generation antipsychotic treatment.