Patient-reported outcome measures and value-based medicine in paediatrics: a timely review

Healthcare delivery is moving towards a more personalised and patient-centric approach. There is now an appropriate emphasis on providing value in our healthcare system. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assess our patients' perceptions of the status of their health and quality of life, measured over a period of time. PROM is an integral component of a value-driven and value-based healthcare system and is key if we want to practise value-based medicine. In paediatrics and child health, PROMs, if implemented well with appropriate measurement tools that are regularly updated and validated in a self-learning healthcare ecosystem, will help to enhance personalised healthcare delivery and collectively improve the health of the community at large. This review covers the role of PROMs in paediatrics, as well as their role in value-based medicine.

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid Added to Suture Material and its Relationship with Bacterial Colonization: An In vitro Study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, in polyglycolic acid (PGA) 4-0 and silk sutures, with or without hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro study measured S. aureus and E. coli growth on PGA and silk sutures, through incubation in agar media for 24 h. The suture length was 10 cm and divided into three parts: A (8 h), B (16 h), and C (24 h), which were observed every 8 h, followed by suspension on a microscopic slide. This was repeated thrice. The number of S. aureus and E. coli cells was recorded and compared between the suture types. RESULTS: The mean S. aureus colony forming units (CFUs) differed at each time point between non-HA and HA-PGA sutures (P = 0.0016), with a greater number of CFUs on non-HA-PGA. The mean S. aureus CFUs were significantly higher on non-HA silk than on HA-silk sutures (P = 0.008). There was a significant increase in E. coli CFUs on non-HA silk than on HA-silk sutures (P = 0.008). E. coli CFUs were higher on non-HA-PGA than on HA-PGA sutures (P = 0.006). We performed repeated measures two-way ANOVA (SPSS version 13.0) for comparison between group factors and time points and Posthoc analysis using independent samples t-test. CONCLUSIONS: HA reduced wicking in both PGA and silk sutures.

Comparative evaluation of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels in periodontally diseased patients: an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is an immune-inflammatory disease characterized by connective tissue breakdown, loss of attachment, and alveolar bone resorption. Under normal physiological conditions, a dynamic equilibrium is maintained between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense capacity. Oxidative stress occurs when this equilibrium shifts in favor of ROS. Oxidative stress is thought to play a causative role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. AIM: The present study was designed to estimate and compare the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the serum of periodontitis, gingivitis, and healthy individuals before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the Department of Periodontics, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore. The study was designed as a single blinded interventional study comprising 75 subjects, inclusive of both sexes and divided into three groups of 25 patients each. Patients were categorized into chronic periodontitis, gingivitis, and healthy. The severity of inflammation was assessed using gingival index and pocket probing depth. Biochemical analysis was done to estimate the SOD and GSH levels before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS obtained were then statistically analyzed using ANOVA test and paired t-test. RESULTS: The results showed a higher level of serum SOD and GSH in the healthy group compared to the other groups. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The post-treatment levels of SOD were statistically higher than the pre-treatment levels in periodontitis and gingivitis group.

Compare the effcacy of two commercially available mouthrinses in reducing viable bacterial count in dental aerosol produced during ultrasonic scaling when used as a preprocedural rinse.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the effcacy of preprocedural mouthrinses (chlorhexidine digluconate and tea tree oil) in reducing microbial content of aerosol product during ultrasonic scaling procedures by viable bacterial count. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a randomized single blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects were randomly assigned to rinse 10 ml of any one of the mouthrinses (chlorhexidine digluconate or tea tree oil or distilled water). Ultrasonic scaling was done for a period of 10 minutes in presence of trypticase soy agar plates placed at standardized distance. Plates were then sent for microbiological evaluation for the aerosol produced. RESULTS: This study showed that all the antiseptic mouthwashes signifcantly reduced the bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) in aerosol samples. Chlorhexidine rinses were found to be superior to tea tree when used preprocedurally in reducing aerolized bacteria. CONCLUSION: This study advocates preprocedural dural rinsing with an effective antimicrobial mouthrinse during any dental treatment which generates aerosols, reduces the risk of cross-contamination with infectious agents in the dental operatory. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The aerolization of oral microbes occurring during dental procedures can potentially result in cross-contamination in the dental operatory and transmission of infectious agents to both dental professionals and patient. It is reasonable to assume therefore, that any stratagem for reducing the viable bacterial content of these aerosols could lower the risk of cross-contamination.