Sociodemographic factors affect the quality of life and burden of caregivers in special care in dentistry.

AIMS: To analyze the epidemiological profile and quality of life (QoL) of patients with special needs and overload their caregivers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Health-related QoL was assessed in a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study of prospective characteristics using the WHOQOL-BREF and ZARIT-22 questionnaires. This study included 122 patients were included; they were divided into patients without caregiver assistance (n = 63) who answered WHOQOL-BREF, 49 caregivers (n = 49) who responded to ZARIT-22, and 10 patients were secondarily caregivers of their parents and answered the ZARIT-22 + WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. The WHOQOL-BREF general score was 71.94 ± 10.58, and patients born in urban areas and married had positive correlations (p < .05) with the QoL scores in the physical and social domains. ZARIT-22 scores showed an average of 58.63 ± 14.07. Data cross-checking revealed that patients of white races (p = .030) and who lived in urban regions (p = .003) generated less overload to caregivers. CONCLUSION: In the WHOQOL-BREF analysis, family income was a factor with direct impact, and all caregivers referred to moderate-to-high overload, with an increase in prevalence as far away from the service the patient resides.

Photobiomodulation and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as adjunct in the treatment and prevention of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: A case report.

CASE REPORT: We report on a patient with a history of radiotherapy to the head and neck region exhibiting necrotic bone exposure associated with fistula and purulent exudation in the mandible, with the diagnosis of stage 3 osteoradionecrosis, in addition to a periapical cyst in the maxillary anterior region and multiple root remnants. An antibiotic coverage protocol with amoxicillin and metronidazole was prescribed for subsequent necrotic bone removal. The surgical procedure was performed along with the aPDT using methylene blue and red light, followed by coaptation of the edges of the surgical wound and the healing protocol with LLLT. The extraction of non-rehabilitated teeth was performed two per session using antibiotic coverage, aPDT, and LLLT and mouthwash with 0.12 % chlorhexidine was prescribed until the complete closure of the surgical wound was achieved. Additionally, two aPDT sessions and four LLLT protocols were performed for complete healing of the surgical sites. Extra and intraoral examinations and panoramic and periapical radiographs were performed. No emergence or recurrence of osteonecrosis was observed after 12 months of follow-up.

Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Primary Surgery for Oral Cancer: Preoperative and Postoperative Analysis

Background: The purpose of the present study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative health related quality of life (HRQoL) of a sample of patients undergoing primary surgery for oral cancer in 2012-13. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of 54 patients in a Brazilian population was performed. HRQoL was measured preoperatively (after histopathological diagnosis) and postoperatively (2 months after surgery) using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL). Clinicopathological, sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. Results: Surgery had a negative impact on most HRQoL domains, but pain, mood and anxiety scores were significantly improved. Most patients rated their health-related and overall postoperative HRQoL as good or very good. Conclusions: The UW-QOL was efficient at measuring HRQoL in our sample of patients with oral cancer. Surgery had a negative impact on HRQoL, especially due to sequelae affecting the stomatognathic system, yet patients classified their postoperative health-related and overall QoL as positive. Qualitative studies are necessary for confirmation of our results and further exploration.

A clinicoradiographic and pathological study of pericoronal follicles associated to mandibular third molars.

BACKGROUND: Third molar surgery is considered the most frequently performed procedure in oral surgery. Although there are some indications for the removal of this tooth, such as the possibility of cystic degeneration or a tumor of the adjacent pericoronal follicle, there is no consensus in the literature about their prophylactic removal. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the pathological alterations related to mandibular third molar dental follicles and to perform a narrative literature review. METHODS: A prospective clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic study was conducted with pericoronal follicles of third molars. After histopathologic evaluation and establishment of diagnosis, 2 groups were defined: G1 (pericoronal tissues with pathological alterations based on histopathologic analysis) and G2 (pericoronal tissues without pathological alterations based on histopathologic analysis). In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen specimens were analyzed. G1 was the most prevalent (P = 0.0004). Lesions were found in patients between 20 and 25 years of age (P < 0.004). The most prevalent histological diagnosis was the paradental cyst (47.7%; P < 0.0001). The narrative literature review showed that the majority of cases were mainly dentigerous cysts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular third molars in young adults showed a direct relationship with age and a statistical propensity for the development of these cystic alterations, notably paradental cysts.

Oxygen metabolism in oral cancer: HIF and GLUTs (Review).

Oral cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a poor prognosis. This has encouraged additional studies into factors that may affect the development of this disease. The biological behavior of malignant neoplasms is complex. Studies have investigated the energy metabolism of tumor cells, in an endeavor to elucidate the tumor biology. The identification of molecular signatures and mechanisms, in order to understand tumor progression, may facilitate the identification of novel predictive and prognostic markers. Pathways that influence tumor progression, such as those involving hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins, have been the targets of recent studies.