Multimorbidity and tooth loss: the Brazilian National Health Survey, 2019

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the presence of two or more chronic conditions (multimorbidity) on tooth loss between adults and older adults. Understanding the mechanisms of multimorbidity on tooth loss is essential to inform policy development. This study aims to investigate the association between multimorbidity and severity of tooth loss in Brazilian adults and older adults. METHODS: We analysed data from a nationally representative sample of 88,531 Brazilian individuals aged 18 and over who participated in the 2019 Brazilian Health Survey. Tooth loss was the outcome by two different classifications: functional dentition (lost 1-12 teeth) and severe tooth loss (lost 23-32 teeth). The presence of multimorbidity was the main exposure and based on 13 self-reported doctor-diagnosed chronic diseases that were further categorised into two groups, i.e., ≥2 or ≥ 3 comorbidities. Sociodemographic covariates included sex, age, race, income, level of education and tobacco smoking and geographic region of residency. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated the OR (Odds Ratios) and 95%CI of the associations between multimorbidity and tooth loss. RESULTS: For 65,803 adults (aged 18 to 59), the presence of multimorbidity (≥2) was associated with 32% higher odds of having severe tooth loss (95% CI, 1.17; 1.49) and 33% lower odds of having functional dentition (95% CI, 0.60; 0.75). For the 22,728 older adults (aged 60 and older), multimorbidity (≥2) was associated with a 17% higher odds of severe tooth loss (95% CI, 1.06; 1.29) and 23% lower odds of having functional dentition (95% CI 0.70; 0.85). The sensitivity analysis, excluding hypertension, confirmed our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian adults and older adults with multimorbidity are more likely to have severe tooth loss and less likely to have functional dentition

Seasonality of Leaf and Fig Production in Ficus squamosa, a Fig Tree with Seeds Dispersed by Water

The phenology of plants reflects selection generated by seasonal climatic factors and interactions with other plants and animals, within constraints imposed by their phylogenetic history. Fig trees (Ficus) need to produce figs year-round to support their short-lived fig wasp pollinators, but this requirement is partially de-coupled in dioecious species, where female trees only develop seeds, not pollinator offspring. This allows female trees to concentrate seed production at more favorable times of the year. Ficus squamosa is a riparian species whose dispersal is mainly by water, rather than animals. Seeds can float and travel in long distances. We recorded the leaf and reproductive phenology of 174 individuals for three years in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. New leaves were produced throughout the year. Fig production occurred year-round, but with large seasonal variations that correlated with temperature and rainfall. Female and male trees initiated maximal fig crops at different times, with production in female trees confined mainly to the rainy season and male figs concentrating fig production in the preceding months, but also often bearing figs continually. Ficus squamosa concentrates seed production by female plants at times when water levels are high, favouring dispersal by water, and asynchronous flowering within male trees allow fig wasps to cycle there, providing them with potential benefits by maintaining pollinators for times when female figs become available to pollinate

Factors associated with lack of prenatal care in a large municipality

OBJECTIVE To analyze the factors associated with a lack of prenatal care in a large municipality in southern Brazil. METHODS In this case-control age-matched study, 716 women were evaluated; of these, 179 did not receive prenatal care and 537 received prenatal care (controls). These women were identified using the Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos (Live Birth Information System) of Pelotas, RS, Southern Brazil, between 2009 and 2010. Multivariate analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (OR). RESULTS In the final model, the variables associated with a lack of prenatal care were the level of education, particularly when it was lesser than four years [OR 4.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92;10.36], being single (OR 3.61; 95%CI 1.85;7.04), and multiparity (OR 2.89; 95%CI 1.72;4.85). The prevalence of a lack of prenatal care among administrative regions varied between 0.7% and 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors identified must be considered when planning actions for the inclusion of women in prenatal care by both the central management and healthcare teams. These indicated the municipal areas with greater deficits in prenatal care. The reorganization of the actions to identify women with risk factors in the community can be considered to be a starting point of this process. In addition, the integration of the activities of local programs that target the mother and child is essential to constantly identify pregnant women without prenatal care

Desigualdades na autoavaliacao da saude bucal em adultos

OBJETIVO Analisar a associação entre autoavaliação da saúde bucal em adultos e desigualdades sociodemográficas. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com 2.016 adultos de 20 a 59 anos de idade, de Florianópolis, SC, em 2009. A amostra foi obtida por duplo estágio (setores censitários e domicílios). Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas domiciliares face a face. O desfecho foi autoavaliação da saúde bucal. As variáveis exploratórias foram caracterizadas em blocos demográficos, socioeconômicos, de utilização de serviços e de condições bucais autorreferidas. Foi realizada análise de regressão multivariável de Poisson e estimadas as razões de prevalências e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. RESULTADOS A prevalência de autoavaliação negativa da saúde bucal foi de 33,2% (IC95% 29,8;36,6). Idade avançada, referir-se como pardo, possuir menor escolaridade, ter consultado o dentista há três anos ou mais, ter realizado a última consulta em consultório público, possuir menos de dez dentes naturais presentes em pelo menos um arco, perceber necessidade de tratamento odontológico, apresentar sensação de boca seca e dificuldade de alimentação em virtude dos dentes foram associados à autoavaliação negativa da saúde bucal na análise ajustada. CONCLUSÕES A autoavaliação da saúde bucal reflete as desigualdades em saúde e está relacionada às piores condições socioeconômicas, menor uso de serviços de saúde e pior condição bucal autorreferida

Education as a Predictor of Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis Population-Based Studies

The impact of socioeconomic inequalities on health is well-documented. Despite the links of periodontal disease with cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes, no meta-analysis of socioeconomic variations in periodontal disease exists. This meta-analytic review was conducted to determine the extent to which education attainment influences risk of periodontitis in adults aged 35+ years in the general population.The authors searched studies published until November 2010 using EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. References listed were then scrutinised, our own files were checked, and, finally, we contacted experts in the field. The authors included only general population-based studies conducted in adults aged 35 years and more. All articles were blind reviewed by two investigators. In the case of disagreement, a third investigator arbitrated. Using PRISMA statement, two reviewers independently extracted papers of interest.Relative to the higher education group, people with low education attainment experience a greater risk of periodontitis (OR: 1.86 [1.66–2.10]; p<0.00001). The association was partially attenuated after adjustment for covariates (OR: 1.55 [1.30–1.86]; p<0.00001). Sensitivity analyses showed that methods used to assess periodontitis, definition of cases, study country and categorization of education are largely responsible for the heterogeneity between studies. No significant bias of publication was shown using both the Egger (p = 0.16) and rank correlation tests (p = 0.35).In the studies reviewed, low educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. Although this evidence should be cautiously interpreted due to methodological problems in selected studies, efforts to eliminate educational inequalities in periodontitis should focus on early life interventions

Fatores associados à concordância entre autopercepção e avaliação clínica da necessidade de tratamento dentário em adultos do Brasil e de Minas Gerais

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a concordância entre a autopercepção e a avaliação clínica das necessidades de tratamento dentário em adultos e analisar os fatores associados. A amostra foi composta por indivíduos adultos que participaram do SBBrasil 2010 e do SBMinas Gerais 2012. A variável resposta do estudo corresponde à concordância entre a autopercepção e a avaliação clínica da necessidade de tratamento dentário. Regressão de Poisson múltipla foi utilizada para determinar os fatores associados ao desfecho. A concordância entre a autopercepção e a avaliação clínica foi de 78,8% no Brasil e 73,8% em Minas Gerais. Condições clínicas e autorrelatadas de saúde bucal que afetam a função e a qualidade de vida estiveram associadas à maior concordância, enquanto a visita recente ao dentista esteve associada à menor concordância. A identificação dos fatores associados pode propiciar o desenvolvimento de questionários que favoreçam a avaliação correta dos indivíduos sobre as suas necessidades de tratamento