RESUMO
Introduction. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Objective. This study aimed to compare vitamin D status during the period of severe asthma exacerbations and investigate if vitamin D supplementation improves asthma control. Methods. A total of 47 asthmatic patients and 40 healthy subjects participated in this study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), asthma control test (ACT) score, and % predicted peak expiratory flow rate were evaluated in the period with and without severe asthma exacerbations. After that, we provided vitamin D2 supplements to the patients with low vitamin D levels for 3 months. Results. At the period of asthma exacerbation, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 38.29% and 34.04%. There was no significant difference in the levels of serum 25(OH)D with and without asthma exacerbations but the levels were significantly higher in the healthy group. Serum 25(OH)D levels significantly correlated with ACT score. Moreover, vitamin D2 supplementation improved asthma control in uncontrolled asthma group. Conclusions. Hypovitaminosis D was common in asthmatic patients but was not the leading cause of asthma exacerbations. Serum 25(OH)D levels correlated with the ability to control asthma. Improving vitamin D status might be a benefit in uncontrolled asthmatic patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Dental caries remains a public health problem even though it is preventable. There are several risk factors that relate to dental caries, especially in children in suburban and rural areas, where they normally receive their first dental examination in primary schools by teachers or health care personnel. Their oral health depends primarily on their parents' awareness. OBJECTIVE: To identify prevalence and severity of dental caries and their risk factors among children in public education centers in Phranakornsriayudhya, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional total study was conducted among children attending public education centers in Koh-Rean Subdistrict, Phranakornsriayudhya District, Phranakornsriayudhya Province, Thailand including a day care center, 2 kindergartens and 2 elementary schools, during the academic year of 2005. All children were invited to attend a dental health survey including general oral examination and a face to face interview for the participants' parents as well as children attending grade 1-6. Standardized questionnaires were used to identify the participants' oral health care behaviors. RESULTS: There were 157 (99.4%) from 158 children aged 2-12 years participated in the survey, 152 (96.8%) students had dental caries. The prevalence of dental caries among pre-school children was 95.4%. The overall average Decay Missing Filling for primary teeth (dmft) was 7.4 (+/- 4.6) and the overall average Decay Missing Filling for permanent teeth (DMFT) was 3.7 (+/- 1.8). The dmft among pre-school children was 9.1 (+/- 5.2). The prevalence of gingivitis was 95.5%. The independence risk factors for dental caries for primary teeth were brushing under supervision of teacher when compared with the parents (Odds ratio = 12.1 (95% CI, 2.6-55.4)), and not brushing after breakfast (Odds ratio = 3.7 (95% CI, 1.1-12.1). There were no significant risk factors of dental caries for permanent teeth. CONCLUSION: A relatively high prevalence of dental caries was observed among children in suburban area in Thailand, especially in early childhood. It was shown that having the parents supervising their tooth brushing and having tooth brushing after breakfast may protect the dental caries for primary teeth. The public health interventions among this population are therefore urgently needed.
