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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological condition that is much more common as people get older. It may start out early or late. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation, both of which contribute to the central nervous system's inflammatory state, are characteristics of AD. As opposed to this, periodontitis is a widespread oral infection brought on by Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria. By releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines into the systemic circulation, periodontitis can be classified as a "low-grade systemic disease." Periodontitis and AD are linked by inflammation, which is recognized to play a crucial part in both the disease processes. The current review sought to highlight the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are released during periodontal and Alzheimer's diseases in the pathophysiology of both conditions. It also addresses the puzzling relationship between AD and periodontitis, highlighting the etiology and potential ramifications.
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Inflammatory chemicals are released by the immune system in response to any perceived danger, including irritants and pathogenic organisms. The caspase activation and the response of inflammation are governed by inflammasomes, which are sensors and transmitters of the innate immune system. They have always been linked to swelling and pain. Research has mainly concentrated on the NOD-like protein transmitter 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that are activated by the NOD-like antibody protein receptor 3 (NLRP3), which controls innate immune responses. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been associated with gum disease and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases in several studies. Scientists' discovery of IL-1's central role in the pathophysiology of numerous autoimmune disorders has increased public awareness of these conditions. The first disease to be connected with aberrant inflammasome activation was the autoinflammatory cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). Targeted therapeutics against IL-1 have been delayed in development because their underlying reasons are poorly understood. The NLRP3 inflammasome has recently been related to higher production and activation in periodontitis. Multiple periodontal cell types are controlled by the NLRP3 inflammasome. To promote osteoclast genesis, the NLRP3 inflammasome either increases receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) synthesis or decreases osteoclast-promoting gene (OPG) levels. By boosting cytokines that promote inflammation in the periodontal ligament fibroblasts and triggering apoptosis in osteoblasts, the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates immune cell activity. These findings support further investigation into the NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic target for the medical treatment of periodontitis. This article provides a short overview of the NLRP3 inflammatory proteins and discusses their role in the onset of autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs) and periodontitis.
RESUMO
Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder increasingly becoming common in the general population with female predominance. Clinically, there are different forms of lichen planus with the presence of the main characteristic feature of Wickham striae. Literature, to date, is abundant with various scoring systems of oral lichen planus, and among them, the most commonly followed scoring system was the one proposed by the Thongprasom system because of its simplicity and ease of application. Aim: The aim of the present study is to critically review all the disease scoring systems on oral lichen planus (OLP) that have been reported in the literature during the past decades. A systematic literature search was performed using PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE Library with language restriction to English. The search was carried out incorporating the published literature from 1980 to 2020 using the MeSH (medical subject heading) terms. A literature search was done using keywords: Staging, Grading, Oral lichen planus, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic. Out of 25 publications, related to search strategy, 22 full articles, which were related to the disease scoring system for oral lichen planus, were acquired for further inspection. Out of the 22 articles, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. The data was collected and a brief summary of the studies regarding the different disease scoring systems for oral lichen planus was explained. Taking into consideration, the parameters were not included in the previous disease scoring system. A new proposal encompassing a scoring system for oral lichen planus considering the missing parameters along with an amalgamation of histopathological criteria of dysplasia is presented. It also proposes to grade and stage the lesions and recommend appropriate therapy for each of such lesions.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM2) is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, with many experiencing complications due to the disease. Family medicine physicians are usually the primary care providers responsible for the medical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Microvascular and macrovascular complications can occur if type 2 diabetes mellitus is poorly managed. Effective management of health indicators in patients with DM2 relating to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and tobacco use is an essential part of medical care to prevent complications. Due to the projected increase in the number of patients with DM2, there is huge concern surrounding the management of this chronic illness that requires review. This study aims to evaluate the impact of continuity of care on health indicators among family medicine patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 and to analyze the effect of continuity of care regarding the completion of age-appropriate preventive health screenings. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Data collected from electronic medical records of patients 40-75 years of age that received care at the Family Medicine clinics that were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus with ≥4 clinic visits from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020, at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data collected included demographic data, body mass index, smoking status, blood pressure, past medical history, preventive health screening completed, and laboratory results, including HbA1c and lipid profile. The continuity of care index and usual provider continuity score indices were calculated for the analysis to measure continuity of care. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-two patients were included in the study. Most of the patients were Saudi (74.15%), female (51.99%), and married (82.67%). In addition, 90.34% accounted for a high usual provider continuity of care score (UPCS), and 64.20% of the patients had a high continuity of care index (COCi). Younger age groups were significantly more prevalent in the high UPCS group (p=0.037). Additionally, patients of non-Saudi nationalities constituted a significantly larger proportion of the high UPCS group. Single patients showed high UPCS. Comorbidities were not different between the groups, except inflammatory joint disease, which was more common in the low COCi group. Preventative screening measures were also not different between the groups; however, the type of colon cancer screening differed, where patients with high COCi more frequently underwent colonoscopies (13.3% vs. 4.4%, p=0.015) instead of fecal occult blood tests. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we report the implications of the continuity of care for DM2 patients in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Continuity of care did not result in the improvement of health indicators or in the completion of preventive health screenings in diabetic patients. Further studies are needed in the region to confirm our findings and assess the association between continuity of care and patient health indicators impact.
