Group Of Adult Patients Research Articles

The Association Between Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

To determine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and measures of glycemic control, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), in adult patients with diabetes mellitus. This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 270 patients with diabetes admitted to a tertiary hospital. Serum 25(OH)D levels were categorized as follows: sufficient (>30 ng/mL), insufficient (20 to 30 ng/mL), and deficient (<20 ng/mL). The correlation of HbA1c and FPG with serum 25(OH)D and other variables was determined using Spearman's rho (ρ) coefficient. The risk factors associated with HbA1c ≥7% and FPG ≥126 mg/dL were determined using logistic regression analysis to generate crude and adjusted odds ratios. The null hypothesis was rejected at 0.05 α-level of significance. The median serum 25(OH)D was 18.92 (range 3.56-56.3) ng/mL. Ninety percent (245 patients) had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL. This study showed that vitamin D level is significantly but weakly correlated with patient's age (ρ=0.339) and duration of diabetes (ρ=0.147), whereas it had inverse correlations with BMI (ρ=-0.134), HbA1c (ρ=-0.261), and FPG (ρ=-0.198). In this study, we found a possible association between vitamin D levels and measures of glycemic control among this group of adult Filipino patients with diabetes mellitus, but further investigations in other cohorts of individuals with diabetes are needed.

A Two-Year Retr ear Retrospectiv ospective Evaluation of Cone Beam Computed aluation of Cone Beam Computed Tomography Indications in Pediatric, Adolescent and Adult Patients

Objective: The objective was to evaluate cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) indications and distribution in pediatric, adolescent and adult patients. Methods: A total of 1013 CBCT images were reviewed in detail from the electronic patient database. The patient’s age, gender, CBCT indications and acquisition sites, referral departments, reason for referral, incidental findings in the imaging field and the presence of artifacts in the CBCT images were all recorded. The European DIMITRA project recommendations were used to categorize CBCT indications in the children and the European Guidelines were used for adults. Results: From a total of 1013 images; 5.3% were from children, 9.2% were from adolescents and 85.5% from were adult patients. The most common indication was impacted permanent teeth in children (37%) and adolescents (34%) and impacted 3rd molars (28.7%) and implant dentistry (25.8%) in adults. While the most common regional image was taken from children (37%) and adolescents (43.4%), it was determined that CBCT was taken from the maxilla+mandible (37.7%) in adults. Conclusion: Our results show that while attention was paid to use CBCT in children and adolescents in accordance with clinical guidelines and taking into account radiation protection protocols, it was used in the adult patient group in cases where it is not superior to traditional methods.

Morphological features of skin changes in the undetermined clinical picture of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in children

Absrtact Introduction The literature describes atypical clinical forms of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in children that combine features of both diseases. In such cases, dermatologists resort to biopsy of plaque skin elements in the complex diagnosis. However, the histological picture in these biopsy specimens is uncertain and does not allow to make an unequivocal judgment about the correspondence of changes to one or another disease. The purpose of work was to compare pathomorphological changes in biopsy specimens of plaque skin elements in children with undetermined clinical picture of the disease with changes in typical forms of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Materials and methods A morphometric study of 10 plaque skin biopsy specimens from children (mean age 9.2±1.11 years) with an indeterminate clinical picture of the disease was performed. The obtained data were compared with two control groups of adult patients with typical clinical pictures of psoriasis (n=20; mean age 34.35±3.58 years) and atopic dermatitis (n=10; mean age 41.33±7.35 years). Results A comparative morphometric analysis of skin biopsy specimens revealed the fewest differences between the analyzed parameters of the squamous epithelium of the patients in the study group and the group with psoriasis. In all three groups, the main mass of the inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis was composed of lymphocytes and macrophages whose numerical density differed in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis at different levels of the dermis, while in the study group it had intermediate values. The number of neutrophils and eosinophils in the study group had minimal values. Discussion Morphological changes in the epidermis of the study group were closest to those in psoriasis, while the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate of the dermis did not correspond to any of the control groups and had either intermediate values (in terms of lymphocytes and macrophages) or minimal values (in terms of eosinophils and neutrophils).

Development of a COVID-19 Disease Risk Perception Scale

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several areas of society, such as social life, the economy, education, and the provision of health services. The need to evaluate individuals’ risk perception has assumed particular importance in this situation in which people find themselves. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a “COVID-19 Disease Risk Perception Scale” for determining COVID-19 risk perceptions in the adult patient group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The proposed scale form was established once the content validity of the item pool created by the research team had been evaluated by experts. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity, item-total correlation, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and the test-retest method were employed to determine criterion-dependent validity and reliability in a group of 564 individuals aged 18-73. Results: Following exploratory factor analysis, a nine-factor structure explaining 61.733% of variance was established. Confirmatory factor analysis results were found within the values defined in the literature. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.906, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.881 (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The developed scale is a valid and reliable inventory capable of using in the examination and evaluation of risk perception of COVID-19 disease in the adult age group.

MP74-12 THE URINARY MICROBIOME IN THOSE WITH OVERACTIVE BLADDER IS MORE ABUNDANT IN ESCHERICHIA AND LESS ABUNDANT IN LACTOBACILLUS RELATIVE TO THAT OF HEALTHY CONTROLS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP74-12 THE URINARY MICROBIOME IN THOSE WITH OVERACTIVE BLADDER IS MORE ABUNDANT IN ESCHERICHIA AND LESS ABUNDANT IN LACTOBACILLUS RELATIVE TO THAT OF HEALTHY CONTROLS Glenn Werneburg, Daniel Hettel, Madison Lyon, Ava Adler, Peace Orji, Suruchi Ramanujan, Jacqueline Zillioux, Bradley Gill, Howard Goldman, Sandip Vasavada, and Aaron Miller Glenn WerneburgGlenn Werneburg More articles by this author , Daniel HettelDaniel Hettel More articles by this author , Madison LyonMadison Lyon More articles by this author , Ava AdlerAva Adler More articles by this author , Peace OrjiPeace Orji More articles by this author , Suruchi RamanujanSuruchi Ramanujan More articles by this author , Jacqueline ZilliouxJacqueline Zillioux More articles by this author , Bradley GillBradley Gill More articles by this author , Howard GoldmanHoward Goldman More articles by this author , Sandip VasavadaSandip Vasavada More articles by this author , and Aaron MillerAaron Miller More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003348.12AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The urinary tract harbors its own microbiota. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common urologic diagnosis, with predominant symptoms being urinary urgency and frequency. We sought to characterize the urinary microbiome of the overactive bladder population and compare that with healthy controls. We hypothesized that the population with OAB would harbor unique patterns of microbiota relative to healthy controls. Understanding the microbiota associated with OAB could open new avenues toward the investigation of alteration of microbiota as a therapeutic strategy for overactive bladder and other urologic conditions. METHODS: Female patients age 18 and over with overactive bladder by AUA/SUFU criteria were included, as were a group of control adult female patients without urologic diagnoses. Participants provided a clean catch urine specimen. Samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing, and microbial diversity was determined. Diversity and taxonomic profiles were compared between groups by two-tailed t-tests and PERMANOVA. RESULTS: 46 patients with OAB and 32 healthy controls were included. The OAB group median age was 65.7 (IQR 14.3), and the healthy control group median age was 60.4 (IQR 38.6) and. Microbiota were detected in all urine samples. Beta diversity and phylum profiles differed significantly between groups (Top, p=0.005). Specifically, Firmicutes were less abundant and Proteobacteria were more abundant in the OAB group than the control group (Bottom, p<0.05). 5 Escherichia/Shigella taxa were more abundant in the OAB group (p<0.001), and 6 Lactobacillus taxa were more abundant in the control group (p<0.05). There were no Escherichia/Shigella taxa more abundant in the control group, and no Lactobacillus taxa more abundant in the OAB group. CONCLUSIONS: The urinary microbiome differed significantly between the selected population with OAB and a healthy control population. Specifically, Lactobacillus genera were more abundant in healthy controls, and Escherichia more abundant in individuals with OAB. Additional study is needed to further delineate the relationship between the microbiome and OAB, whether it may be a cause or effect of the OAB symptom complex, and whether it can be modulated to improve OAB treatment. Source of Funding: N/A © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1074 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Glenn Werneburg More articles by this author Daniel Hettel More articles by this author Madison Lyon More articles by this author Ava Adler More articles by this author Peace Orji More articles by this author Suruchi Ramanujan More articles by this author Jacqueline Zillioux More articles by this author Bradley Gill More articles by this author Howard Goldman More articles by this author Sandip Vasavada More articles by this author Aaron Miller More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

PD19-08 THE URINARY FUNGAL MICROBIOME IN THOSE WITH OVERACTIVE BLADDER IS LESS ABUNDANT IN MALASSEZIA AND MORE ABUNDANT IN ASPERGILLUS RELATIVE TO HEALTHY CONTROLS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023PD19-08 THE URINARY FUNGAL MICROBIOME IN THOSE WITH OVERACTIVE BLADDER IS LESS ABUNDANT IN MALASSEZIA AND MORE ABUNDANT IN ASPERGILLUS RELATIVE TO HEALTHY CONTROLS Glenn Werneburg, Daniel Hettel, Madison Lyon, Ava Adler, Peace Orji, Suruchi Ramanujan, Jacqueline Zillioux, Bradley Gill, Howard Goldman, Sandip Vasavada, and Aaron Miller Glenn WerneburgGlenn Werneburg More articles by this author , Daniel HettelDaniel Hettel More articles by this author , Madison LyonMadison Lyon More articles by this author , Ava AdlerAva Adler More articles by this author , Peace OrjiPeace Orji More articles by this author , Suruchi RamanujanSuruchi Ramanujan More articles by this author , Jacqueline ZilliouxJacqueline Zillioux More articles by this author , Bradley GillBradley Gill More articles by this author , Howard GoldmanHoward Goldman More articles by this author , Sandip VasavadaSandip Vasavada More articles by this author , and Aaron MillerAaron Miller More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003285.08AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The urinary tract harbors its own microbiota, but fungi composition remains poorly characterized. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common urologic diagnosis, with predominant symptoms being urinary urgency and frequency. We sought to investigate the urinary fungal microbiome of the overactive bladder population and compare that with healthy controls. We hypothesized that the population with OAB would harbor unique patterns of fungi relative to healthy controls. Understanding the fungi associated with OAB could open new avenues toward the investigation of fungi in disease manifestation and treatment response. METHODS: Female patients age 18 and over with overactive bladder by AUA/SUFU criteria were included, as were a group of control adult female patients without urologic diagnoses. Participants provided a clean catch urine specimen. Samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing using ITS primers to capture fungii, and fungal diversity was determined. Diversity and taxonomic profiles were compared between groups by two-tailed t-tests and PERMANOVA. RESULTS: 46 patients with OAB and 32 healthy controls were included. The OAB group median age was 65.7 (IQR 14.3), and the healthy control group median age was 60.4 (IQR 38.6) and. Fungi were detected in all urine samples. The predominant phylum was Ascomycota in overactive bladder patients and Basidiomycota in healthy controls. Malassezia taxa was less (12% OAB, 18% other, p<0.05) abundant in the overactive bladder group and Aspergillus was more abundant in the OAB group (14% OAB versus 7% healthy, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary fungal microbiome, or “mycobiome” differed significantly between the selected population with OAB and a healthy control population. Ascomycota was the predominant phylum. Malassezia was less abundant in those with OAB and Aspergillus more abundant. Additional study is needed to further delineate the relationship between the fungal microbiome and OAB, whether it may be a cause or effect of the OAB symptom complex, and whether it can be modulated to improve OAB treatment. Source of Funding: N/A © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e580 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Glenn Werneburg More articles by this author Daniel Hettel More articles by this author Madison Lyon More articles by this author Ava Adler More articles by this author Peace Orji More articles by this author Suruchi Ramanujan More articles by this author Jacqueline Zillioux More articles by this author Bradley Gill More articles by this author Howard Goldman More articles by this author Sandip Vasavada More articles by this author Aaron Miller More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Prevalence of taurodontism in individuals in Northwest China determined by cone-beam computed tomography images

ObjectiveThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of taurodontism in a group of adult dental patients in Northwest China with the aid of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MethodsThis study used Shifman and Chanannel's criteria to statistically analyze the prevalence of taurodontism in the premolars and molars of the Chinese population. CBCT images of 5488 teeth from 580 subjects of Chinese origin were evaluated. The measured data were statistically analyzed and the chi-square test was also used to compare the prevalence of taurodontism between male and female subjects and between the upper and lower jaws (P < 0.05). ResultsTaurodontism was detected in 169 patients, with a prevalence of 29.14%, of which 27.24% were males and 30.65% were females. The chi-square test showed that there was no significant difference between males and females (P > 0.05). Taurodontism was found in 7.45% of all teeth examined. Taurodonts were significantly more common in the maxilla (9.06%) than in the mandible (5.15%) (P < 0.001), and the maxillary second molar (25.18%) was the most common tooth affected. According to morphology, hypotaurodonts were the most common (60.39%) among taurodontic teeth. ConclusionsTaurodontism was relatively common in the Chinese population and was almost equally distributed between males and females. The maxillary second molar was the most common tooth of all taurodonts measured, and taurodonts were significantly more common in the maxilla than in the mandible. Hypotaurodontism was the most common form of taurodontism. Our study provides a reference for dental deformities in the Chinese population and the diagnosis and treatment of taurodontism.

Exploring disease perception in Behçet’s syndrome: combining a quantitative and a qualitative study based on a narrative medicine approach

BackgroundBehçet Syndrome (BS) has a significant psychological and social impact on patients, caregivers and families. The present study aims at exploring disease perception in BS patients, using both a co-designed survey and the narrative medicine (NM) approach.MethodsAn ad-hoc questionnaire was co-designed by clinicians expert in BS, BS patients and caregivers and BS adult patients were invited to answer the online questionnaires. Cluster analysis was used to analyse data from the survey and to identify groups of patients with diverse disease perception. To further explore real-life perspectives, the stories of illness of a smaller group of adult BS patients were anonymously collected online and analysed by means of text, sentiment and qualitative analysis.ResultsTwo hundred and seven patients answered the survey and forty-three stories were collected. The cluster analysis highlighted that accepting or not the disease has a strong impact on the daily life, on how BS patients perceive themselves and in terms of hope for the future. The stories revealed that patients often address common issues, such as the long and complex journey faced from the disease onset until the BS diagnosis, which was strongly connected to the concept of time and perceived as an exhausting period of their lives.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study that addressed disease perception also applying the NM principles in BS. The current perception that BS patients have of their disease should encourage the BS scientific and patient community in joining forces in order to improve the journey of BS patients.

Invasive mycoses in patients with hematological malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: results of a systematic review, literature review and meta-analysis

Background . Invasive mycoses (IM) are one of the most severe infectious complications in oncohematology. The etiological structure of IM is a rather heterogeneous group of microorganisms and undergoes changes over time. Understanding the IM etiological structure is the basis for choosing an effective IM prevention and treatment strategy. Aim . To conduct a systematic review with a meta-analysis of data on the IM etiological structure in patients of all ages receiving therapy for oncohematological diseases, including patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The analytical hypothesis was the assumption of an increase in caused by rare pathogens IM proportion in the overall IM structure over the past few years. Clinical manifestations, affected organs, risk factors and outcomes were analyzed using the literature review method. Materials and methods . A systematic search was carried out for publications with data on the IM species structure available for analysis until February 10, 2022 in 3 databases (PubMed (Medline), Embase and eLibrary.ru). All IM were divided into 11 groups. The IM species structure was constructed in several patient subgroups in 2 time ranges – in studies before 2010 and after 2010, and they were compared. Results from individual studies were pooled by metaanalysis. Data from selected publications were reviewed to analyze the IM clinical manifestations, risk factors for their development and outcomes. Results . Thirty-four publications were selected using a systematic search. The meta-analysis included 43 cohorts of patients with 2771 samples of IM pathogens. The time period up to 2010 included 16 cohorts with a total number of IM pathogens of 1158 samples; in the time interval after 2010 – 27 cohorts with a total number of IM pathogens of 1613 samples. Analysis of total group showed that the proportion of rare IM among all patients increased from 29 to 39 %. In the subgroup of patients with oncohematological diseases, it increased from 28 to 33 %. For total group of patients, the in‑ crease in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in rare yeasts (from 3.0 to 4.1 %) and a significant increase in the proportion of unidentified species (from 3.2 to 19.8 %). In children, the frequency of rare IM increased from 26 to 28 % among all nosologies. For total children group, the increase in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in mucormycosis (from 1.3 to 1.6 %), rare yeasts (from 4.7 to 7.9 %) and unidentified species (from 4.5 to 12.2 %). In total adult patients group, the frequency of rare IM increased from 24 to 35 %, in adult patients with oncohematological diseases – from 23 to 40 %. For total adult patients group, the increase in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in cryptococcosis (from 1.3 to 2.4 %), hyalohyphomycosis (from 3.4 to 4.8 %), rare yeast (from 1.6 to 1.9 %) and unidentified species (from 1.9 to 16.6 %); for a group of patients with oncohematological diseases – an increase in cryptococcosis (from 1.3 to 2.1 %), rare yeast (from 1.6 to 2.6 %) and unidentified species (from 1.9 to 23.1 %). There is no specific clinical manifestations characteristic of IM, the symptoms are associated with the affected organ. Febrile fever is the only IM systemic clinical manifestation, independent of localization. The lungs were the most common IM localization. The main IM risk factors are prolonged blood cell deficiency, uncontrolled underlying disease, concomitant conditions: comorbidity, diabetes mellitus, mucositis, graft-versus-host disease, infections caused by other pathogens, and a history of IM. IM increases the risk of death, attributable mortality is variable and ranged from 13 to 72 %. The most common cause of death in oncohematological patients with IM is the progression of the underlying disease, in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – graft-versus-host disease, cardiovascular complications. Conclusion . In IM structure in oncohematological patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, the proportion of rare IM increased markedly, mainly due to an increase in their proportion in adult patients with oncohematological diseases. The increase in rare IM proportion is mainly due to the increase in unidentified species, hyalohyphomycosis, rare yeast and cryptococcosis. Clinical manifestations are due to the localization, the main of which is the lungs. The development of IM increases the risk of death, but attributable mortality is about 50 %.

Abdominal emergencies in surgical oncology.

In general, abdominal emergencies are urgent situations that require a prompt and correct diagnosis and treatment. They involve a broad spectrum of diagnoses and can occur in all age groups. The situation is often modified in oncologic patients according to the extent and level of progression of the primary oncological disease. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the group of adult patients with abdominal emergencies treated in Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute between 2011-2017. In total, 601 patients underwent emergency surgery during the 7-year period. The causes included gastrointestinal obstruction (43%), intra-abdominal inflammatory complications (33%) and bleeding (17%). Acute appendicitis or cholecystitis was the cause in only less than 4% of all patients. The problems of acute abdominal emergencies in oncologic patients are substantially different from those in the general population, particularly in terms of the causes where gastrointestinal obstruction is the leading cause.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Characteristics of Inpatients at the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic in a Secondary Care Public Hospital in Turkey.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patients who were hospitalized at an orthopaedics and traumatology clinic in a secondary care public hospital in Turkey during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study that included a total of 7439 patients - those who had been hospitalized between 11 March 2020, the date of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Turkey, and 10 March 2022 (2949 patients), and those hospitalized in the same clinic between 11 March 2018 and 10 March 2020, designated as the pre-pandemic group (control group; 4490 patients). Patients were divided into three groups: <18 years old, 18-65 years old and >65 years old and compared separately in terms of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics as pandemic patients and control group. Results Despite the decline in both the number of admissions to the emergency service and visits to the outpatient clinic among inpatients during the pandemic period, the rate of admissions to the emergency department remained higher than that of the control group throughout the pandemic period (p<0.001). Surgical procedures were lower both numerically and proportionally in the patients who presented during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (p<0.001). While the rate of traumatic surgery washigher in the pandemicgroup (29%) than in the pre-pandemic group (26.7%), the rate of elective surgery was higher in the pre-pandemic group(71.3%) than in the pandemic one (67.5%) (p=0.037 and p=0.001).The number of patients with fractures in all age groups decreased numerically in the pandemic cohort. While no significant difference was observed between pandemic and pre-pandemic cohorts in terms of the length of hospitalization in all age groups, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalization rate was found to have increased significantly in adult and elderly patient groups during the pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion In our study, when the number of patients who underwent orthopaedic surgical treatment, in general, was examined, it appeared that the number of both traumatic and elective surgeriesdecreased during the pandemicsignificantly. It was found that the ICU stay rate increased significantly in adult and elderly patient groups during the pandemic.Although there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the patients included in the study, it is known that the pandemic and especially the lockdown periods adversely affectedthe mental, physical and biological health of individuals. In this context our study will be able to serve as a guide for taking measures like:1. increasing the ICU capacity of hospitals, 2. providing in-service trainingto improve the experience of nurses, doctors or other healthcare workers, especially in specialized units such as ICUs, operating rooms and emergency services, considering the number of personnel who may be affected by the pandemic, and3. ensuring a balanced distribution of orthopaedic operations in private and public hospitals, to reduce the negative effects on orthopaedic health services of other pandemics that may arise in the future.

Feasibility and Safety of Using Combined Light-Emitting Diodes Versus Intense Pulsed Light Technology for the Improvement of Facial Hypervascularization in Adult Patients

Background: Superficial facial vascular lesions can be an aesthetic problem and a symptom of different skin diseases. Objective: It was to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of Dermalux® Tri-Wave MD, based on three combined light-emitting diodes (LEDs) technology and intense pulsed light (IPL) for reducing the excess of facial vascularization due to superficial cutaneous vascular lesions. Materials and methods: The study had a single-center, proof-of-concept, open-label, and prospective design. Two groups of adult patients were treated for facial hypervascularization, LED-Group with an LED device combining 633 and 830 nm and IPL-Group with an IPL (555-950 and 530-750 nm). Variables assessed were hemoglobin hyperconcentration (HH), hemoglobin-affected area (HAA) through Antera 3D®, and pain using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Results: Twenty subjects were included, 10 by group (50% female). LED-Group: Mean age 32.1 years (range, 21-46). IPL-Group: Mean age 34.5 years (range, 25-49). HH: LED-Group 100% had a moderate improvement; in the IPL-Group, 10% was moderate, and 90% was marked. HAA: LED-Group 10% had a slight improvement, 70% moderate, and 20% marked; in the IPL-Group, 100%, the improvement was marked. Seventy percent of LED-Group patients reported no pain, 30% mild; in the IPL-Group, 100% of patients reported severe pain. Conclusions: Treatment with combined red and near-infrared LEDs effectively reduced the excess of facial vascularization with moderate outcomes compared with IPL, but without secondary effects and no pain. This treatment could represent an effective, safe, and well-tolerated approach for facial vascular lesions.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Older Adults: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a significant health problem in older adults. Reports in the literature regarding the prevalence of ACD in older adults are various and inconsistent. In contrast, the data regarding contact irritant dermatitis are more consistent. Objective: To compare ACD characteristics in older adults versus the adult population aged 18-45 years. Methods: We conducted a retrospective controlled study. Data were obtained from the medical records of 4199 patients. We collected information regarding age, gender, atopic diathesis, anatomical distribution of the rash, reactions to patch tests, and final diagnosis. Results: The frequency of positive reactions in patch testing was lower in the older adult group than in the younger population, but the frequency of clinically relevant positive reactions was higher in the older adults. There was no statistically significant difference in the final diagnosis of ACD between the groups. The most common allergens among the older adult population were fragrance mix, preservatives (Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone [MCI/MI]), and nickel sulfate. Conclusion: This study, the first of its kind in Israel to include a large group of older adult patients, contributes to a better understanding of clinical parameters related to ACD among older adults. Consequently, it will hopefully contribute to lowering the disease burden.

ИМПЛАНТАЦИЯ СТЕНТА ВЗРОСЛОМУ ПАЦИЕНТУ С КОАРКТАЦИЕЙ АОРТЫ

Objective: Treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) patients remains an unresolved aspect of cardiac surgery. There are two groups of patients with this congenital heart defect (CHD). One group includes newborns who have juvenile CoA and other CHDs. Organs below the CoA area rely on a functioning patent ductus arteriosus for blood supply. Another group of adult patients with an isolated form of CoA primarily consists of teenagers and young males accidentally diagnosed with arterial hypertension. Treatment of patients until the early 1990s was only surgical; now, most undergo endovascular interventions. This case report describes a successful CoA stenting procedure performed on an adult patient at our center.

Health literacy assessment in a group of adult patients

Health literacy assessment in a group of adult patients

КОНТАКТНИЙ АЛЕРГІЙНИЙ ДЕРМАТИТ І СТОМАТИТ (КЛІНІКО-АНАЛІТИЧНИЙ ОГЛЯД ТА ВЛАСНІ СПОСТЕРЕЖЕННЯ)

Contact-allergic dermatitis and stomatitis is one of the important problems of medicine. They are found in all age categories. Their epidemiology is highly variable and depends on the degree of industrial development, chemical production, etc., and the attention of the medical community to this issue. 28 patients of various ages were under dynamic observation of the authors. There were 23 people in the group of adult patients with contact allergic dermatitis: 11 of them were employees of car service stations, 6 – apartment repairmen, 4 – industrial enterprises, and 2 – gas stations. They showed increased sensitivity to automobile paints, solvents, cement, and glues, with which the workers systematically came into contact in their work. The duration of dermatitis ranged from one week to one month. The fact of sensitization was confirmed by positive allergy tests. 4 children aged from 8 months. by the age of 2, the so-called “potty” contact-allergic dermatitis from the use of plastic toilet bowls was detected, one 9-year-old boy had cheilitis due to the habit of chewing a chewing sponge. The treatment included, first of all, the elimination of the sensitizing effect of provoking factors, the use of antihistamines and hyposensitizing agents, calcium preparations, external glucocorticosteroid ointments and aerosols. A positive role was found with the local application of zinc-cydipol liniment.

Orthodontic treatment with Orthoworld Fastbraces®: a retrospective analysis of treatment duration, outcomes, and patient satisfaction

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of orthodontic treatment using Orthoworld FASTBRACES® and assess patient satisfaction with various treatment parameters. A total of 559 eligible patients out of 20,240 cases treated between 2010 and 2023 were included in this review. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of brackets used: 29 patients with ceramic brackets and 530 patients with metal brackets. Following completion of orthodontic treatment, patients were invited to complete a comprehensive questionnaire, which assessed treatment duration, number of visits, brackets and wires used, types of issues encountered, patient understanding of treatment, overall comfort level, compliance, and satisfaction with the speed of treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20,240 orthodontic cases treated with Orthoworld FASTBRACES® between 2010 and 2023. From this pool, 559 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. The adult patient group was considered age 18 and older. The adult patient cohort was divided into two groups: 27 patients with ceramic brackets and 368 patients with metal brackets. All patients underwent comprehensive orthodontic treatment using the Orthoworld FASTBRACES® system. Results: Among the 559 patients included in this review, a detailed analysis of treatment outcomes and adult patient satisfaction was performed. The mean treatment duration was calculated for both the ceramic bracket group (n = 363.04 days) and the metal bracket group (n = 439.20 days). The average number of visits required for each group was recorded at 16.82 days for the ceramic bracket group and 14.67 days for the metal bracket group. During treatment, various issues were encountered and categorized as bracket-related, wire-related, tooth-related, patient- related, allergic reactions, soft tissue irritation, bracket placement issues, performance-related issues, and hard tissue complications. Metal group had the highest number of issues with patients complaining of tooth issues (n=32), bracket issues (n=18), and soft-tissue issues (n=8). Both groups reported low numbers ( n &lt; 8) for bracket performance issues (metal: n=4; ceramic n=0), placement issues (metal: n=2; ceramic n=1), wires issues (metal: n=5; ceramic n=0), hard tissue issues (metal: n=3; ceramic n=0), ingestion issues (metal: n=1; ceramic n=0), and allergic reactions (n=0 for both groups). Following the completion of orthodontic treatment, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating their understanding of the treatment, overall comfort level, compliance, and satisfaction with the speed of treatment. Patient responses were collected and analyzed to determine the rating of patient understanding, comfort, compliance, and happiness with the treatment duration. The average score for patient responses ranged between 3.14 to 3.42 (i.e., above average) for treatment evaluation survey (Avg: 3.25 ceramic group vs 3.37 metal group). Conclusion: This analysis of orthodontic treatment with Orthoworld FASTBRACES® provides valuable insights into treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. The findings shed light on the treatment duration, number of visits, brackets and wires utilized, and types of issues encountered during the course of treatment. Patient feedback regarding their understanding of treatment, comfort level, compliance, and satisfaction with the speed of treatment further contributes to the assessment of FASTBRACES® as an orthodontic treatment modality. The metal bracket group had a larger number of cases and a slightly longer average duration of treatment compared to the ceramic bracket group. However, the differences in average scores for patient understanding, comfort, satisfaction, and compliance were minimal between the two groups.

Electrodiagnostic Features of Sciatic Neuropathy: Six-year Referral Center Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sciatic neuropathy is one of the most important neuropathies of the lower extremity. Although electromyography (EMG) is useful for detecting and localizing neurologic damage, assessing the severity of neuropathy, determining prognoses, and detecting confounding or accompanying neurologic pathologies, electrodiagnostic analyses of sciatic neuropathy are rare in the literature. Methods: The EMG database between 2017 and 2022 was reviewed. Neurophysiologic data of 58 patients who were electrophysiologically diagnosed as having sciatic neuropathy were included in the study. The adult patient group was divided into three groups, injection trauma, noninjection trauma, and other etiologies for subgroup analyze. Pediatric patients were not divided into subgroups because of their limited number. Results: Sciatic neuropathy was found in nine patients in the pediatric group, and 48 patients in the adult group. Sciatic neuropathy was left sided in six (66.7%) pediatric patients and 25 (52%) adult patients. It was bilateral in one adult patient. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of nerve conduction studies. No statistically significant difference was found in the needle EMG of the gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior (TA), and biceps femoris short-head muscles (P = 0.78, P = 0.32, and P = 0.14, respectively). In both injection and noninjection trauma patients, the most common needle EMG findings in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle were detected as grade 2. Grades 3 and 4 findings were observed predominantly in peroneal division innervated TA and biceps femoris short-head muscles. Conclusion: The most common etiology of sciatic neuropathy in adults was injection-related trauma. The peroneal division is more prone to injury in sciatic neuropathy in the context of sciatic variations. Consequently, we considered that the degree of damage in noninjection traumas might be higher in both distal and proximal segments compared with injection traumas.

Acne Vulgaris-Novel Treatment Options and Factors Affecting Therapy Adherence: A Narrative Review.

Acne vulgaris is an extremely common skin condition, affecting a large population of adolescents, but at the same time, remaining a quite common issue in the group of adult patients. Its complex pathogenesis includes increased sebum secretion, impaired follicular keratinization, colonization of sebaceous glands with Cutibacterium acne bacteria, and the development of inflammation in pilosebaceous units. Although there are many methods of treatment available targeting the mechanisms mentioned above, a large percentage of patients remain undertreated or non-compliant with treatment. Ineffective treatment results in the formation of acne scars, which has a major impact on the well-being and quality of life of the patients. The aim of this publication was a review of available evidence on widely used and novel methods of topical and systemic treatment of acne, additionally including current literature-based analysis of factors affecting patients' compliance. The strengths and limitations of novel substances for treating acne were discussed. We conclude that an effective acne treatment remains a challenge. A better understanding of current treatment options and factors affecting patients' compliance could be a helpful tool in choosing a proper treatment option.

981: CHANGE IN ATTITUDE FROM CENTRAL TO PERIPHERAL VASOPRESSOR ADMINISTRATION

Introduction: Cancer patients have a nearly 10-fold risk of developing sepsis and septic shock compared with patients without cancer. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline recommends prioritizing treatment of low mean arterial pressure (MAP) through vasopressors given peripherally, rather than waiting for placement of a central venous catheter (CVC). Administration of vasopressors through peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) has traditionally been avoided given concerns of extravasation, limb ischemia and tissue necrosis. Studies with safety guidelines when using peripheral vasopressors have been associated with significantly lower prevalence of complications. We sought to evaluate the safety of vasopressor administration through a PVC in a high-risk group of adult oncology patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) and Stepdown Unit (SDU). Methods: Using hospital and ICU databases, we retrospectively analyzed oncology patients admitted to our ICU and SDU from January to December 2021. We then identified patients admitted for septic shock using ICD-10 codes who received a vasopressor agent for > 1 hour via a PVC. Extravasation or other adverse events recorded during or immediately after the peripheral infusion of vasopressor agent were recorded. Results: A total of 1715 patients were admitted to the ICU (n=1097) and SDU (n=618) during the 1-year period. 596 (35%) patients required vasopressors (ICU 491/SDU 105). 165 (28%) of these patients did not have a CVC and received peripheral vasopressors for >1h. 51 of these 165 patients had septic shock. Mean age was 63 years. 77% had solid malignancies. No active extravasation events were noted in all patients administered vasopressors through PVCs. Conclusions: Our study of oncology patients with septic shock demonstrates that administration of vasopressors via PVCs, when given for a limited duration, under close observation, was not associated with extravasation events. Institutional protocols can assist in standardizing the practice for peripheral vasopressor administration and documentation of adverse events.