Comparative study of the therapeutic effects of brands of paracetamol (acetaminophen) on experimentally induced dental pain

Objectives: To compare the therapeutic effects of two brands of Paracetamol: Panadol® (paracetamol 1000mg) and Panadol-Extra®( paracetamol 1000mg and 60mg caffeine) on the perception of dental pain. Method: The setting for the study was the Oral Diagnosis Unit of the Dental Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The Experimental design was a single blind quasi-experimental repeated measure. Twenty volunteers with healthy permanent upper right central incisors were the subjects of the study. Using the Digitest Pulp Vitality Tester as a stimulator, the pain thresholds of the right maxillary central incisors were detected. Subjects were then given 1000mg of paracetamol (Panadol®) or 1000mg of paracetamol and 60 mg caffeine (Panadol - Extra®) orally and the pain thresholds were again detected and recorded at 30. 60, 90 and 120 minutes after drug ingestion. At one-week interval, subjects' baseline pain thresholds were recorded and they were given the other brand of the drug. Pain thresholds were recorded at 30,60, 90 and 120 minutes intervals. The data were analysed using the SPSS for windows (Release 9.0 version), p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Age and gender did not have any significant effect on the baseline or mean scores for both drugs. Overall, Panadol® and Panadol -Extra® individually demonstrated significant differences in tooth sensitivity when compared with the baseline. A comparison of the effects of both drugs however showed no significant difference in their effects on dental pain perception. Conclusion: Although both drugs had significant therapeutic effects on baseline dental pain perception, a comparison of their effects showed no significant difference in their effects on the pain. Key Words: Panadol; Panadol–Extra; Dental Pain. African Journal of Oral Health Vol.1(1) 2004: 25-3

Perioperative adverse airway events in cleft lip and palate repair

Background: Airway-related problems account for the majority of anaesthetic morbidity in paediatric anaesthesia, but more so for cleft lip and palate repair. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency, pattern, management and outcome of adverse airway events during the perioperative period in cleft lip and palate patients. Method: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital in a suburban south-western Nigerian town. One hundred and sixteen patients who had cleft lip and palate repair over a five-year period were included. The demographic data, surgical diagnosis, congenital anomalies, procedures performed, medical problems, perioperative anaesthetic and surgical complications were studied. Results: Adverse airway events were observed in six patients (4.6%). These included postoperative chest infection (n=2), failed intubation (n=1), difficult intubation (n=1), post-extubation bronchospasm (n=1), and laryngeal oedema (n=1). All, except one, who developed complications were patients with combined cleft lip and palate. No mortality was recorded. Conclusion: Adverse perioperative airway events in cleft lip and palate surgery are common and are more likely to be associated with combined cleft lip and palate than with isolated lip or palate defects. These complications usually occur immediately following extubation or in the early postoperative period. The severity may necessitate intensive care unit admission and specialised care.South Afr J Anaesth Analg, 2011;17(6):370-37

Effect of wearing a helmet on the occurrence of head injuries in motorcycle riders in Benin: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: In Benin, motorcycles are the main means of transport for road users and are involved in more than half of crashes. This study aims to determine the effect of wearing a helmet on reducing head injuries in road crashes in Benin. METHODS: This case-control study took place in 2020 and focused on road trauma victims. The sample, consisting of 242 cases (trauma victims with head injuries) for 484 controls (without head injuries), was drawn from a database of traffic crash victims recruited from five hospitals across the country from July 2019 to January 2020. Four groups of independent variables were studied: socio-demographic and economic variables, history, behavioural variables including helmet use and road-related and environmental variables. To assess the shape of the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable, a descending step-by-step binary logistic regression model was performed using an explanatory approach. RESULTS: Fewer of the subjects with a head injury were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash 69.8% (95% CI = 63.6-75.6) compared to those without a head injury 90.3% (95% CI = 87.3-92.8). Adjusting for the other variables, subjects not wearing helmets were at greater risk of head injuries (OR = 3.8, 95% CI (2.5-5.7)); the head injury rating was 1.9 (95% CI = 1.2-3.3) times higher in subjects who were fatigued during the crash than among those who were not and 2.0 (95% CI = 1.2-3.3) times higher in subjects with no medical history. CONCLUSION: Failure to wear a helmet exposes motorcyclists to the risk of head injuries during crashes. It is important to increase awareness and better target such initiatives at the subjects most at risk

Clinical and socio-behavioral correlates of tooth loss: a study of older adults in Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Focusing 50 year olds and above, this study assessed the frequency, extent and correlates of tooth loss due to various reasons. Frequency and correlates of posterior occluding support was also investigated. METHOD: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Pwani region and in Dar es Salaam in 2004/2005. One thousand and thirty-one subjects, mean age 62.9 years participated in a clinical examination and completed interviews. RESULTS: The prevalence of tooth loss due to any reason was 83.5 %, due to caries 63.4% and due to other reasons than caries, 32.5%. A total of 74.9% had reduced number of posterior occluding units. Compared to subjects having less than 5 teeth lost due to caries, those with 5 or more lost teeth were more likely to be females, having decayed teeth, confirming dental attendance and to be among the least poor residents. Compared to subjects who had lost less than 5 teeth due to reasons other than caries, those who had lost 5 or more teeth were more likely to be of higher age, having mobile teeth, being males, being very poor and to disconfirm dental attendance when having problems. Predictors of prevalence of tooth loss (1 or more lost tooth) due to various reasons and reduced number of occluding units followed similar patterns of relationships. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with prevalence and extent of tooth loss due to caries and due to reasons other than caries being differently related to disease- and socio- behavioral risk indicators. Caries was the principle cause of tooth loss and molar teeth were the teeth most commonly lost

Using NHANES oral health examination protocols as part of an esophageal cancer screening study conducted in a high-risk region of China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The oral health status of rural residents in the People's Republic of China has not been extensively studied and the relationship between poor oral health and esophageal cancer (EC) is unclear. We aim to report the oral health status of adults participating in an EC screening study conducted in a rural high-risk EC area of China and to explore the relationship between oral health and esophageal dysplasia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) oral health examination procedures and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) were used in a clinical study designed to examine risk factors for esophageal cancer and to test a new esophageal cytology sampling device. This study was conducted in three rural villages in China with high rates of EC in 2002 and was a collaborative effort involving investigators from the National Institutes of Health and the Cancer Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nearly 17% of the study participants aged 40–67 years old were edentulous. Overall, the mean number of adjusted missing teeth (including third molars and retained dental roots) was 13.8 and 35% had 7 contacts or less. Women were more likely to experience greater tooth loss than men. The average age at the time of first tooth loss for those with no posterior functional contacts was approximately 41 years for men and 36 years for women. The mean DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) score for the study population was 8.5. Older persons, females, and individuals having lower educational attainment had higher DMFT scores. The prevalence of periodontal disease (defined as at least one site with 3 mm of attachment loss and 4 mm of pocket depth) was 44.7%, and 36.7% of the study participants had at least one site with 6 mm or more of attachment loss. Results from a parsimonious multivariate model indicate that participants with poor oral health wemore likely to have esophageal dysplasia (OR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.06, 2.39).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This report describes the first use of NHANES oral health protocols employed in a clinical study conducted outside of the United States. The extent and severity of poor oral health in this Chinese study group may be an important health problem and contributing factor to the prevalence of EC.</p

A study of tooth brushing pattern and its effects on dental tissues in Obafemi Awolowo University students

Objective: To determine the tooth brushing patterns among Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students and the effects on dental tissues.Method: A convenient sampling technique was used to select 100 undergraduate students of the Obafemi Awolowo University. A self administered questionnaire designed to determine respondents' demographics and tooth brushing techniques was employed. Thereafter, dental examination was carried out on all respondents. Data was inputted andsubjected to computer analysis using the Statistical package for social science version 17.0 (SPSS).Result: Majority (95%) of the respondents used toothbrush in cleaning their teeth while 7% combined toothbrush and chewing stick. Ninety nine percent of the respondents used toothpaste in cleaning their teeth, 72.7% of the respondents brushed their teeth once a day and 24.2% brushed twice a day. Fifty two percent of the respondents who brushed twice a day were females, while 48% were males. The pattern of tooth brushing was correct in 51.7% of the respondents as reported. Use of highly abrasive agents was also rare. Gingival recession was found in 31% of subjects (p=0.15) that employed hard texture toothbrush. The prevalence of non carious cervical lesion was 3% and these lesions were found in males only.Conclusion: The pattern of tooth brushing was correct in 51.7% of the respondents as reported. However the effect on dental tissues though present is not exaggerated when compared to other studies done in other parts of the  world.Key words: Tooth brushing pattern, dental tissue, gingival recession, non carious cervical lesio

Pre-operative haematological investigations in paediatric orofacial cleft repair: Any relevance to management outcome?

Aim and Objectives: To determine the value of routine pre-operative haematologic investigations in children undergoing orofacial cleft repair. Background: Although routine pre-operative laboratory screening tests are carried out traditionally, some studies suggest that they are not absolutely necessary in the management of elective surgical patients. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study carried out at a tertiary health facility located in Nigeria. A review of the laboratory investigations in 116 paediatric orofacial cleft patients undergoing surgery during a 6-year period was undertaken. Pre-operative laboratory investigations and peri-operative transfusion records were analysed for the frequency and impact of abnormal results on treatment plan and outcome using the Statistical Packages for the Social Scientists 16.0. Results: All the children had preoperative packed cell volume (PCV) check on admission for surgery. The PCV ranged from 23% to 43%, mean was 32.9 (&plusmn;3.7%). Twenty-two children (18.6%) had sub-optimal PCV (&lt;30%). Patients with the lowest PCV values (23% and 26%) were transfused pre-operatively. The lowest post-operative PCV was 23%, mean 30.8 (&plusmn;3.3%). There was no occasion of post-operative blood transfusion. Eighty-six patients (72.9%) had full or partial serum electrolyte and urea analysis. Screening for sicklecell disease was rarely done. Fourteen intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. None of these were predictable by the results of pre-operative screening tests carried out. All the children were discharged home in satisfactory condition. Conclusions: Routine laboratory testing has minimal impact on management and outcome of orofacial cleft surgeries. However, haematocrit screening may be appropriate, particularly in clinically pale patients