RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on disease variables and drug consumption in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Twenty-four patients were randomized to either a low-dose (1.95 g omega-3/day) or a high-dose (4.55 g omega-3/day) supplement. Disease activity, functional impairment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and drug consumption were assessed during visits at baseline and at weeks 7, 14, and 21. RESULTS: Eighteen patients completed the study, nine patients from each group. The patients in the high-dose group exhibited a significant decrease in disease activity according to the Bath Ankylosing Disease Activity Index (BASDAI; p = 0.038), which was not seen in the low-dose group. Significant differences were not found on drug consumption or in functional capacity in either of the groups. No significant differences were found when comparing the results between the high- and low-dose groups. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids in adequate doses may have the capacity to decrease the disease activity of AS. However, larger and better controlled studies are needed before any further conclusions can be made on the extent of this capacity.
Assuntos
Suplementos Nutricionais , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/uso terapêutico , Espondilite Anquilosante/dietoterapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Sedimentação Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/administração & dosagem , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Espondilite Anquilosante/sangue , Espondilite Anquilosante/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
This study investigates the frequency of use of electric toothbrushes in relation to time of possession and social background variables. A questionnaire was sent to 129 patients who had acquired an electric toothbrush within 36 months. They were patients at the Department of Clinical Periodontology and at general dental clinics in Orebro. Response rate was 96%. The brush was used daily by 62%, whereas 3% had ceased to use them. Frequency of use and encountered problems were related only for those who had had the brush for 3 years or more. Logistic regression on the frequency of use with the variables age, gender, marital status, education, time of possession, and received instruction showed no associations except in two cases. For patients at general dental clinics, only brush type, and for patients at the department, only encountered problems had explanatory value. The conclusion is that compliance level was high and unrelated to social factors.
