Oral health and related risk indicators in north-central Appalachia differ by rurality.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study assessed differences in oral health and related behaviours and risk indicators by rurality in a north-central Appalachian population using the Andersen behavioural model as a conceptual framework. METHODS: Participants were residents aged 18-59 years (n = 1311) from the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, selected according to a household-based sampling strategy. Rural-Urban Continuum codes (RUC) corresponding to the participants' residences were used to classify participants as rural or urban. Mixed models were used to test rural-urban differences in measures of oral health, related behaviours, and need, enabling, and predisposing risk indicators. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables: age, sex, race, income, perceived socioeconomic status, educational attainment and dental insurance. RESULTS: Rural residents had poorer oral health overall, with fewer sound teeth (ß = -1.79), more dental caries (ß = 0.27) and higher rates of edentulism (5.2% vs 2.8%). Differences also were observed for dental care utilization and perceived barriers to care. Rural residents were less likely to attend dental visits as often as needed (26.9% vs 42.8%) and were more prone to seek care only after experiencing a dental problem (64.3% vs 43.9%). Rural residents also were more likely to report high costs (89% vs 62.6%) as a major reason for not having dental visits. Rural-urban differences for some oral health characteristics and behaviours could be explained by sociodemographic characteristics, whereas others could not. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed rural-urban differences in risk indicators and oral health outcomes in north-central Appalachia. Many of these differences were explained, completely or partly, by sociodemographic factors.

Concomitant left subclavian artery revascularization with carotid-subclavian transposition during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: Left subclavian revascularization has become an integral part of thoracic endovascular aortic repair to extend the proximal landing zone. This is most commonly achieved via carotid-subclavian bypass; however, this can be achieved via vessel transposition. METHODS: All patients who had zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repairs without branched grafts from 2007 to 2018 were included in the study. The primary outcomes were adverse events, including operative mortality, paraplegia, left arm ischemia, and stroke. Multivariable regression analysis was performed for baseline characteristics associated with adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients underwent left subclavian artery transposition for zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair coverage. Operative (30-day) mortality occurred in 3 patients (5.2%). The majority of patients were operated on under urgent (N = 25; 43.1%) or emergency (N = 12; 20.7%) status. Indications for thoracic endovascular aortic repair included aneurysmal disease (34.5%) and type B aortic dissection (chronic [13.8%]; acute [51.7%]). Major adverse events included paraplegia (N = 1; 1.7%), transient paraparesis (N = 3; 5.2%), and stroke (N = 2; 3.4%). Over a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, there were 5 deaths (8.6%). On multivariable analysis, prior stroke (odds ratio, 31.4; 1.95-506.72; P = .02) was an independent predictor of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid-subclavian transposition offers patients a safe and effective method for left subclavian artery revascularization during thoracic endovascular aortic repair with zone 2 coverage with no increased operative risk and a low complication rate.