Changes in Institutionalized Older People's Dentition Status in Helsinki, 2003-2017

Non peer reviewe

Oral disease burden of dentate older adults living in long-term care facilities: FINORAL study

Background A growing number of older adults have natural teeth and are at high risk of oral diseases, which are induced by oral bacterial accumulation and proceed unnoticed and quietly. Our aim was (1) to examine the association of oral disease burden (ODB) with health and functioning among dentate long-term care residents, and (2) to find easily detectable signs for nurses to identify residents' poor oral health. Methods In this cross-sectional observational study dentists examined 209 residents' oral status, and nurses assessed residents for their functioning and nutrition in long-term care facilities in Helsinki, Finland. ODB was defined by asymptotic dental score (ADS). Six clinical signs of residents' poor oral health were considered as potentially easy for nurses to detect: lesions on lips, teeth with increased mobility, lesions on oral mucosa, eating soft or pureed food, unclear speech, and needing assistance in eating. The association of these was tested with high ODB as outcome. Results Participants were grouped according to their ADS scores: low (n = 39), moderate (n = 96) and high ODB (n = 74). ODB was linearly associated with coronary artery disease and poor cognitive and physical functioning: needing assistance in eating, poor ability to make contact, and unclear speech but not with other diseases including dementia or demographic characteristics. Furthermore, ODB was linearly associated with eating soft or pureed food. Of the six selected, easily detectable signs, having at least two positive signs gave 89% sensitivity to detecting high ODB. Conclusion Poor oral health was common and ODB accumulated among residents with poor functioning. Nurses may use a few easily detectable signs to screen residents' oral health when considering a resident's need for consultation with an oral health professional.Peer reviewe

Relationship between Fried's frailty phenotype and oral frailty in long-term care residents

Background: oral frailty (OFr) may be called a syndrome lacking a consensus on its definition. Objective: the aim was to prove the relationship between OFr to the phenotype of frailty, general health and nutrition in long-term care. Design: the FINnish ORAL Health Study in Long-Term Care study is a cross-sectional clinical research comprising findings on oral and general health and nutrition. Setting: participants were divided into groups according to the number of OFr signs: Group 1 (0-1 sign), Group 2 (2-4 signs) and Group 3 (5-6 signs). Subjects: the study includes data on 349 older residents of long-term care facilities in Helsinki, Finland. Methods: frailty status was defined according to Fried's frailty phenotype. OFr was evaluated with six signs: dry mouth, diet of pureed or soft food, residue of food on oral surfaces, unclear speech, inability to keep mouth open during the clinical oral examination and pain expression during the examination. Results: a significant linear relationship across the OFr groups with Fried's frailty phenotype was found (P for linearity = 0.008, adjusted by gender and age). A linear trend existed between OFr groups and general health; prevalence of dementia and malnutrition increased from Group 1 to Group 3. The need for help with eating and oral hygiene procedures increased from Group 1 to Group 3. Moreover, OFr had a linear relationship with chewing and swallowing difficulties. Conclusions: OFr is related to Fried's frailty phenotype, general health, nutrition and need for help with daily activities.Peer reviewe

Oral hygiene and health-related quality of life in institutionalized older people

Purpose We evaluated the level of oral hygiene and its association with oral health status and need for oral treatment among older residents in long-term care facilities. In addition, the association between oral hygiene level and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was explored. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed 231 dentate residents in long-term care facilities (71% female, mean age 81 years, 70% had dementia). Nurses assessed residents and completed questionnaires on participants' background information, diagnoses, oral healthcare habits, and HRQoL with the 15D instrument. Two qualified dentists performed clinical oral examinations (number of teeth, plaque index, periodontal condition, open caries lesions, and dry mouth). We used a modified plaque index (PI) to measure the level of oral hygiene (good, moderate, and poor) and calculated the clinical Asymptotic Dental Score (ADS) to determine the oral inflammation burden. Results Of the residents, 21% had good, 35% moderate, and 44% poor oral hygiene according to PI. Poor oral hygiene was associated with poorer cognitive status (P = 0.010) and higher oral inflammation burden (P < 0.001). Moreover, poor oral hygiene was associated with poorer HRQoL in a correlation analysis adjusted for age and gender. Conclusions Oral hygiene of older individuals in long-term care is insufficient. Poor oral hygiene is a marker for poor HRQoL. Residents also have a high burden of oral inflammatory diseases and a need for dental care. Older residents' oral hygiene and HRQoL may be improved with oral care education of caregivers and regular dental check-ups. Key summary pointsAim We evaluated oral hygiene level and its association with oral health and general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older residents in long-term care facilities. Findings Only one-fifth of residents had good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene was associated with poor oral health and diminished HRQoL. Message Oral hygiene, oral health, and HRQoL may be improved with oral care education of caregivers, professional cooperation, and regular oral healthcare of older residents in long-term care facilities.Peer reviewe

Estradiol Valerate in COC Has More Favorable Inflammatory Profile Than Synthetic Ethinyl Estradiol : A Randomized Trial

Context: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) alter inflammatory status and lipid metabolism. Whether different estrogens have different effects is poorly understood. Objective: We compared the effects of COCs containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) or estradiol valerate (EV) and dienogest (DNG) with those containing DNG only on inflammation and lipid metabolism. Design: Randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial. Setting: Two-center study in Helsinki and Oulu University Hospitals. Participants: Fifty-nine healthy, young, nonsmoking women with regular menstrual cycles. Age, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio were comparable in all study groups at the beginning. Fifty-six women completed the study (EV + DNG, n = 20; EE + DNG, n = 19; DNG only, n = 17). Interventions: Nine-week continuous use of COCs containing either EV + DNG or EE + DNG, or DNG only as control. Main Outcome Measures: Parameters of chronic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], and pentraxin 3 [PTX-3]) and lipid profile (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglycerides, and total cholesterol). Results: Serum hs-CRP increased after 9-week use of EE + DNG (mean change +/- standard deviation 1.10 t 2.11 mg/L) compared with EV + DNG (-0.06 t 0.97 mg/L, P = 0.001) or DNG only (0.13 +/- 0.68 mg/L, P= 0.021). Also, PTX-3 increased in the EE + DNG group compared with EV + DNG and DNG-only groups (P = 0.017 and P = 0.003, respectively). In the EE + DNG group, HDL and triglycerides increased compared with other groups (HDL: EE + DNG 0.20 +/- 0.24 mmol/L vs EV + DNG 0.02 +/- 0.20 mmol/L [P = 0.002] vs DNG 0.02 +/- 0.18 mmol/L [P = 0.002]; triglycerides: EE + DNG 0.45 +/- 0.21 mmol/L vs EV + DNG 0.18 +/- 0.36 mmol/L [P= 0.003] vs DNG 0.06 +/- 0.18 mmol/L [P <0.001]). Conclusions: EV + DNG and DNG only had a neutral effect on inflammation and lipids, while EE + DNG increased both hs-CRP and PTX-3 levels as well as triglycerides and HDL.Peer reviewe

Difference in postoperative opioid consumption after spinal versus general anaesthesia for ankle fracture surgery:a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background: Surgical treatment of ankle fracture is associated with significant pain and high postoperative opioid consumption. The anaesthesia method may affect early postoperative pain. The main objective of the study was to compare postoperative opioid consumption after ankle-fracture surgery between patients treated with spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the files of 586 adult patients with surgically treated ankle fracture in the years 2014 through 2016. The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first 48 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were maximal pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting, the length of stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit, and opioid use in different time periods up to 48 h postoperatively. Propensity score matching was used to mitigate confounding variables. Results: Total opioid consumption 48 h postoperatively was significantly lower after spinal anaesthesia (propensity score-matched population: effect size −13.7 milligrams; 95% CI −18.8 to −8.5; P &lt; .001). The highest pain score on the numerical rating scale in the post-anaesthesia care unit was significantly higher after general anaesthesia (propensity score-matched population: effect size 3.7 points; 95% CI 3.2-4.2; P &lt; .001). A total of 60 patients had postoperative nausea and vomiting in the post-anaesthesia care unit, 53 (88.3%) of whom had general anaesthesia (P = .001). Conclusions: Patients with surgically treated ankle fracture whose operation was performed under general anaesthesia used significantly more opioids in the first 48 h postoperatively, predominantly in the post-anaesthesia care unit, compared with patients given spinal anaesthesia