The Risk of Stroke after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporosis: A Population-Based Cohort Study

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk of stroke after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: A group of 334 patients with osteoporosis, and who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty during the study period, was compared to 1,655 age-, sex- and propensity score-matched patients who did not undergo vertebroplasty. All demographic covariates and co-morbidities were deliberately matched between the two groups to avoid selection bias. Every subject was followed-up for up to five years for stroke. Adjustments using a Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1,989 osteoporotic patients were followed up for 3,760.13 person-years. Overall, the incidence rates of any stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke were 22.6, 4.2 and 19.6 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Patients who underwent vertebroplasty were not more likely to have any stroke (crude hazard ratio = 1.13, p = 0.693), hemorrhagic stroke (HR = 2.21, p = 0.170), or ischemic stroke (HR = 0.96, p = 0.90). After adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities and medications, the vertebroplasty group had no significant difference with the comparison group in terms of any, hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes (adjusted HR = 1.22, 3.17, and 0.96, p = 0.518, 0.055, and 0.91, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporotic patients who undergo percutaneous vertebroplasty are not at higher risk of any stroke in the next five years after the procedure

Cardiovascular disease and the role of oral bacteria

In terms of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) the focus has traditionally been on dyslipidemia. Over the decades our understanding of the pathogenesis of CVD has increased, and infections, including those caused by oral bacteria, are more likely involved in CVD progression than previously thought. While many studies have now shown an association between periodontal disease and CVD, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. This review gives a brief overview of the host-bacterial interactions in periodontal disease and virulence factors of oral bacteria before discussing the proposed mechanisms by which oral bacterial may facilitate the progression of CVD

Experiences and perceptions of abused Turkish women regarding violence against women

Bahadir Yilmaz, Emel/0000-0003-1785-3539WOS: 000463787900017PubMed: 30353446This study qualitatively explored abused Turkish women's experiences and perceptions regarding violence against women. The research sample comprised 30 women who were seen by the police and referred to the Family Counseling Center between 2 October 2012 and 30 August 2013 due to domestic violence. Study data were collected using a Demographic Information Datasheet and a Semi-Structured Interview Form. Qualitative data were gathered using face-to-face interviews, which were transcribed verbatim then analyzed and interpreted to determine themes using the conceptual framework. Qualitative analysis yielded five themes: (1) being subjected to all types of violence; (2) everything is an excuse for violence; (3) forgetting what it is like to be a woman; (4) having to continue the marriage against her will; (5) being forced to do some things involuntarily in order to reduce the violence. In the light of these results, it seems that multidisciplinary approaches are required in order to support women both psychologically and socially. Women need to be supported in order to determine their mental health problems and to get the required medical assistance