Assessment of enamel-dentin caries lesions detection using bitewing PSP digital images

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of enamel-dentin occlusal caries using photostimulable phosphor plates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ability to detect enamel-dentin occlusal caries in 607 premolars and molars from 47 patients between 10 and 18 years old, referred to the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, was evaluated based on clinical and radiographic examinations, using the criteria proposed in a previous study. A total of 156 bitewing digital images were obtained using Digora® (Soredex Medical Systems, Helsinki, Finland) phosphor plates. The plates were scanned and the images were captured and displayed on a computer screen. Image evaluation was done using Digora® for Windows 2.1 software, Soredex®. The radiologists were allowed to use enhancement tools to obtain better visibility during scoring of the teeth based on the radiographic criteria proposed in a previous study. Descriptive analysis and chi-squared proportion tests were done at 5% significance level. RESULTS: The results of clinical examination showed a higher prevalence of teeth with a straight dark line or demineralization of the occlusal fissure (score 1) and a lower prevalence of sealed teeth (score 5). In the bitewing digital images, 47 teeth presented visible radiolucency, circumscribed, in dentin under occlusal enamel (enamel-dentin caries lesions). CONCLUSIONS: Correlating the clinical and radiographic findings, it was found that in the majority of teeth diagnosed by radiographic images as having enamel-dentin caries, no caries could be detected by clinical examination

Avaliação radiográfica do osso alveolar periimplantar no período de cicatrização – estudos de casos através de imagem digitalizada

The radiographic evaluation of marginal bone loss around dental implants represents a relevant diagnostic method for osseointegration, despite its limitations. Digital radiographs can provide the same qualitative diagnostic information as conventional radiographs, additionally being able to register quantitative changes in bone density. The aim of this study was to assess gray scale values of areas adjacent to implants during healing period. Pre-implant and post-implant (30, 60, and 120 days after surgery) periapical radiographs were digitized in the DentScan DentView® system. Periapical radiographic images of seven individuals with single surface-treated implants were employed. Results showed a substantial increase of gray values for all the areas assessed in post-implant radiographs 30 days after insertion. Most areas presented a decrease of gray values in radiographs 60 days after implant insertion, and those values tended to increase again 120 days after surgery. It is concluded that gray level measurement represents an acceptable tool to be employed in the radiographic follow up of implant osseointegration during healing period. Further studies with larger samples and a longer follow-up period must be carried out in order to determine osseointegration patterns in dental implantology.A avaliação radiográfica da osteointegração emprega a redução do nível de perda óssea marginal como modalidade diagnóstica reconhecida na literatura, mesmo com suas limitações. Novos testes de diagnóstico radiográfico, além de fornecerem as informações contidas nas imagens convencionais, devem permitir avaliar a qualidade e as mudanças de densidade óssea alveolar como o permite a imagem digital. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar radiografias periapicais pré-implante, pós-implante até 30 dias, até 60 dias e até 120 dias, digitalizadas pelo sistema DentScan DentView, através dos valores de tons de cinza das regiões adjacentes ao implante dentário, representadas pelo osso alveolar mesial, distal, apical e implante-envolvente, ao longo do período de cicatrização. Foram escaneadas pelo sistema radiografias periapicais de arquivo de sete indivíduos que receberam implantes unitários de superfície tratada. Após a leitura dos valores de tons de cinza das áreas adjacentes ao implante, os resultados apresentaram um aumento substancial em todos os sítios pós-implante no período de 30 dias. Na maioria dos sítios, ocorre uma queda desses valores no período de 60 dias e um aumento no período de 120 dias. A mensuração dos tons de cinza afigura-se boa ferramenta para o acompanhamento radiográfico durante período de cicatrização das regiões adjacentes ao implante dentário. Novos estudos, com ampliação da amostra e do período de acompanhamento, devem ser realizados para inferir padrões de osteointegração em implantes dentários

Características radiográficas dos portadores de osteoporose e o papel do cirurgião-dentista no diagnóstico

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. Oral signs might be manifested by excessive alveolar ridge resorption, tooth loss, chronic destructive periodontal disease, referred maxillary sinus pain, or fracture. The diagnosis is based on bone mineral density as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. However, this method may not be of easy access in some countries. Then it has been proposed the use of oral radiography in the diagnosis, once they are habitually used in the planning of treatments. Many investigators have developed radiographic measures to evaluate osteoporotic manifestations in oral cavity, for example the Mandibular Cortical Index, Panoramic Mandibular Index and the technique described by Wical and Swoope. All this techniques use the basal area of the mandible posterior to the mental foramen as a standard area (smallest possible inter and intraindividual variations in anatomical size, shape, bone structure and function). Then the dentists may be able to refer patients to medical professionals for further examination on the basis of incidental findings on dental panoramic radiographs. Besides have access to bone quality, that is essential for a successful oral implant planning.A osteoporose é uma doença sistêmica dos ossos, caracterizada pela diminuição da massa óssea e deterioração da microarquitetura do tecido ósseo, o que leva a um aumento da fragilidade óssea e da susceptibilidade à fratura. Suas manifestações, na cavidade oral, são caracterizadas por: reabsorção do processo alveolar, perda dentária, doença periodontal crônica destrutiva, dores relacionadas ao seio maxilar ou fraturas. O principal método de diagnóstico da osteoporose é a densitometria óssea, embora esse exame seja de difícil acesso para a população, em alguns países. Sendo assim, propõe-se a utilização de radiografias panorâmicas dentárias nessa avaliação, já que elas costumam ser procedimentos de rotina na clínica odontológica. Vários pesquisadores propuseram índices para avaliar as alterações osteoporóticas na cavidade oral, a partir de radiografias panorâmicas, como o Índice da Cortical Mandibular, o Índice Panorâmico Mandibular e a Técnica proposta por Wical e Swoope. Todas essas técnicas avaliam a região basal da mandíbula, posterior ao forame mentual, por ser uma área que preenche os requisitos para que ocorra uma menor variação inter e intra-indivíduos em relação à anatomia, forma, estrutura óssea e função. Dessa forma, os dentistas, em geral, poderiam fazer um correto encaminhamento dos pacientes para um tratamento específico, além de ter acesso à qualidade óssea do paciente, que é de grande importância no planejamento de implantes dentários

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Improved risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation: an integrated GARFIELD-AF tool for the prediction of mortality, stroke and bleed in patients with and without anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an accurate, web-based tool for stratifying patients with atrial fibrillation to facilitate decisions on the potential benefits/risks of anticoagulation, based on mortality, stroke and bleeding risks. DESIGN: The new tool was developed, using stepwise regression, for all and then applied to lower risk patients. C-statistics were compared with CHA2DS2-VASc using 30-fold cross-validation to control for overfitting. External validation was undertaken in an independent dataset, Outcome Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT-AF). PARTICIPANTS: Data from 39 898 patients enrolled in the prospective GARFIELD-AF registry provided the basis for deriving and validating an integrated risk tool to predict stroke risk, mortality and bleeding risk. RESULTS: The discriminatory value of the GARFIELD-AF risk model was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc for patients with or without anticoagulation. C-statistics (95% CI) for all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism and haemorrhagic stroke/major bleeding (treated patients) were: 0.77 (0.76 to 0.78), 0.69 (0.67 to 0.71) and 0.66 (0.62 to 0.69), respectively, for the GARFIELD-AF risk models, and 0.66 (0.64-0.67), 0.64 (0.61-0.66) and 0.64 (0.61-0.68), respectively, for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). In very low to low risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc 0 or 1 (men) and 1 or 2 (women)), the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED (for bleeding) scores offered weak discriminatory value for mortality, stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding. C-statistics for the GARFIELD-AF risk tool were 0.69 (0.64 to 0.75), 0.65 (0.56 to 0.73) and 0.60 (0.47 to 0.73) for each end point, respectively, versus 0.50 (0.45 to 0.55), 0.59 (0.50 to 0.67) and 0.55 (0.53 to 0.56) for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). Upon validation in the ORBIT-AF population, C-statistics showed that the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was effective for predicting 1-year all-cause mortality using the full and simplified model for all-cause mortality: C-statistics 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77) and 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77), respectively, and for predicting for any stroke or systemic embolism over 1 year, C-statistics 0.68 (0.62 to 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc in predicting stroke and mortality and superior to HAS-BLED for bleeding, overall and in lower risk patients. The GARFIELD-AF tool has the potential for incorporation in routine electronic systems, and for the first time, permits simultaneous evaluation of ischaemic stroke, mortality and bleeding risks. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362) and for ORBIT-AF (NCT01165710)

Two-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: results from GARFIELD-AF.

AIMS: The relationship between outcomes and time after diagnosis for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is poorly defined, especially beyond the first year. METHODS AND RESULTS: GARFIELD-AF is an ongoing, global observational study of adults with newly diagnosed NVAF. Two-year outcomes of 17 162 patients prospectively enrolled in GARFIELD-AF were analysed in light of baseline characteristics, risk profiles for stroke/systemic embolism (SE), and antithrombotic therapy. The mean (standard deviation) age was 69.8 (11.4) years, 43.8% were women, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.3 (1.6); 60.8% of patients were prescribed anticoagulant therapy with/without antiplatelet (AP) therapy, 27.4% AP monotherapy, and 11.8% no antithrombotic therapy. At 2-year follow-up, all-cause mortality, stroke/SE, and major bleeding had occurred at a rate (95% confidence interval) of 3.83 (3.62; 4.05), 1.25 (1.13; 1.38), and 0.70 (0.62; 0.81) per 100 person-years, respectively. Rates for all three major events were highest during the first 4 months. Congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, sudden/unwitnessed death, malignancy, respiratory failure, and infection/sepsis accounted for 65% of all known causes of death and strokes for <10%. Anticoagulant treatment was associated with a 35% lower risk of death. CONCLUSION: The most frequent of the three major outcome measures was death, whose most common causes are not known to be significantly influenced by anticoagulation. This suggests that a more comprehensive approach to the management of NVAF may be needed to improve outcome. This could include, in addition to anticoagulation, interventions targeting modifiable, cause-specific risk factors for death. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362