Oral cancer knowledge in adults evaluated through a phone survey in the context of the SARS-CoV2 health emergency in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: in Colombia, oral cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer, with an estimated survival rate of 52%. Lack of knowledge about oral cancer and its risk factors is associated with late detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 268 patients attending the School of Dentistry of the University of Antioquia clinics, to whom a validated 47-question questionnaire was applied by phone during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021). Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: the mean age was 58.9. 58.6% of the participants had heard of oral cancer, 42% acquire knowledge from the media, and 96.7% considered screening necessary. Most of the patients expressed not feeling worried (54.5%), fearful (59.7%), or anxious (56.3%) in the case of being submitted to an examination for early detection of oral cancer. A correlation between low socioeconomic status and educational level with less knowledge of oral cancer was found. The dimensions of experience and attitude towards screening were not associated with sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is little knowledge about oral cancer, especially in low socioeconomic and educational status, although this does not occur in the dimensions of attitude and experience toward screening. In contrast, patients participating in this study presented high knowledge about oral cancer risk. This population recognizes the situations most related to the development of cancer. This level of knowledge was similar for the demographic conditions except for people with no education, who presented less knowledge of the risks. The need for educational campaigns on oral cancer knowledge is reaffirmed, especially in socially disadvantaged groups, considering that there would be no barriers related to screening.

Aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in African-Americans with normal renal function.

OBJECTIVE: To compare aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in African-Americans with normal renal function with published adult population values. DESIGN: An Institutional Review Board approved concurrent study. SETTING: The study was conducted at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC. SUBJECTS: All subjects had serum creatinine levels of 1.5mg/dl or less and were receiving aminoglycoside for suspected or documented Gram-negative infection, had no obvious underlying disease condition that could influence aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics and were aged 18 years or older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Volume of distribution (Vd), half-life (t1/2), elimination rate constant (Ke) and total body clearance (Cl) were calculated using a one-compartment, open, linear pharmacokinetic model. Using an unpaired Student's t-test, the pharmacokinetic values of our patients were compared with general population values. INTERVENTIONS: Patients receiving aminoglycosides were identified by the pharmacist through the hospital's standard antibiotic order sheet. Twenty-five patients were enrolled after they met the inclusion criteria. Pharmacists made recommendations for dose change as part of standard of care when inappropriate doses were ordered. In collaboration with medical and nursing staff, the amount and time of dose administration, and steady-state peak and trough serum drug levels were stringently measured, documented on a data collection form and used to calculate pharmacokinetic values for our patients. The form was also used to document demographic information. RESULTS: The following values were obtained: Vd 0.27+/-0.15 litres/kg, t(1/2) 1.93+/-1.38h, Ke 0.31+/-0.134/h (gentamicin), Ke 0.22 +/- 0.10/h (tobramycin), Cl 103.95+/-62.98ml/kg/h (gentamicin) and Cl 118.96+/-84.83ml/kg/h (tobramycin). These values are not significantly different from general population values. Following a mean tobramycin or gentamicin dose of 1.32+/-0.32mg/kg ideal body weight (IBW)/ dose or 1.11+/-0.33 mg/kg actual body weight (ABW)/ dose every 8h, patients achieved a mean peak and trough serum drug levels of 6.6+/-3.86mg/litre and 1.03+/-0.68mg/litre, respectively. Wide interpatient pharmacokinetic variability was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in African-Americans seem to be consistent with the published general population values. Thus, initiating aminoglycoside regimens using population dosing guidelines appears to be appropriate. However, due to the observed wide interpatient pharmacokinetic variability, individualized dosing is required with very close monitoring, to avoid or minimize toxicity.