Ola Ohlsson

Eating difficulties, assisted eating and nutritional status in elderly (=65 years) patients in hospital rehabilitation

This study describes frequencies and associations between eating difficulties, assisted eating and nutritional status in 520 elderly patients in hospital rehabilitation. Eating difficulties were observed during a meal and nutritional status was assessed with Subjective Global Assessment form. Eighty-two percent of patients had one or more eating difficulties, 36% had assisted eating and 46% malnutrition. Three components of eating were focused upon ingestion, deglutition, and energy (eating and intake). Deglutition and ingestion difficulties and low energy were associated with assisted eating, and low energy associated with malnutrition. Underestimation of low energy puts patients at risk of having or developing malnutrition.

Periodontitis : a future risk of acute coronary syndrome?: A follow-up study over 3 years

BACKGROUND Periodontitis has been associated with cardiovascular disease. We assess if the recurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) could be predicted by preceding medical and periodontal conditions. METHODS A total of 165 consecutive subjects with ACS and 159 medically healthy, matched control subjects were examined and followed for 3 years. Periodontitis was defined by alveolar bone loss. Subgingival microbial samples were studied by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method. RESULTS The recurrence of ACS was found in 66 of 165 (40.0%) subjects, and a first ACS event was found in seven of 159 (4.4%) subjects among baseline control subjects. Subjects who later had a second ACS event were older (P <0.001). Significantly higher serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (P <0.05), creatinine (P <0.01), and white blood cell (WBC) counts (P <0.001) were found in subjects with future ACS. Periodontitis was associated with a first event of ACS (crude odds ratio [OR]: 10.3:1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.1 to 17.4; P <0.001) and the recurrence of ACS (crude OR: 3.6:1; 95% CI: 2.0 to 6.6; P <0.001). General linear modeling multivariate analysis, controlling for age and the prediction of a future ACS event, identified that WBC counts (F = 20.6; P <0.001), periodontitis (F = 17.6; P <0.001), and serum creatinine counts (F = 4.5; P <0.05) were explanatory of a future ACS event. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that recurrent ACS events are predicted by serum WBC counts, serum creatinine levels, and a diagnosis of periodontitis. Significantly higher counts of putative pathogens are found in subjects with ACS, but these counts do not predict future ACS events.

One year follow-up of patients with refractory angina pectoris treated with enhanced external counterpulsation

BackgroundEnhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive technique that has been shown to be effective in reducing both angina and myocardial ischemia in patients not responding to medical therapy and without revascularization alternatives. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term outcome of EECP treatment at a Scandinavian centre, in relieving angina in patients with chronic refractory angina pectoris.Methods55 patients were treated with EECP. Canadian cardiovascular society (CCS) class, antianginal medication and adverse clinical events were collected prior to EECP, at the end of the treatment, and at six and 12 months after EECP treatment. Clinical signs and symptoms were recorded.ResultsEECP treatment significantly improved the CCS class in 79 ± 6% of the patients with chronic angina pectoris (p < 0.001). The reduction in CCS angina class was seen in patients with CCS class III and IV and persisted 12 months after EECP treatment. There was no significant relief in angina in patients with CCS class II prior to EECP treatment. 73 ± 7% of the patients with a reduction in CCS class after EECP treatment improved one CCS class, and 22 ± 7% of the patients improved two CCS classes. The improvement of two CCS classes could progress over a six months period and tended to be more prominent in patients with CCS class IV. In accordance with the reduction in CCS classes there was a significant decrease in the weekly nitroglycerin usage (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe results from the present study show that EECP is a safe treatment for highly symptomatic patients with refractory angina. The beneficial effects were sustained during a 12-months follow-up period.

Eating difficulties in relation to gender, length of stay, and discharge to institutional care, among patients in stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose : To describe and compare eating difficulties from admission to discharge, with regard to length of stay (LOS) and discharge to institutional care, as well as in relation to gender. Method : Patients, aged 65 or above, admitted for stroke rehabilitation, having at least one eating difficulty were observed ( n =108) as regards to eating on admission and at discharge. Analysis followed earlier findings in which eating difficulties had been found to have three components, i.e. ingestion, deglutition and energy. Results : Of the components, ingestion difficulties were the most common, followed by low energy. The most common single difficulties were low food consumption, difficulties in manipulating food on the plate and transporting it to the mouth. Ingestion difficulties especially decreased during the rehabilitation period. Women were older and ate less on admission and at discharge than men, improved less than men, and also a higher proportion had a low food intake at the time of discharge if having longer LOS and/or being discharged to institutional care. Patients with longer LOS and those discharged to institutional care had more eating difficulties on admission and were more dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) than those with shorter LOS and those who returned home. LOS was mainly explained by ingestion difficulties on admission and low age. Discharge to institutional care was explained by living alone before admission, ingestion difficulties at discharge, male gender and high age. Conclusions : Ingestion difficulties on admission indicate a longer in-hospital stay and decrease to a greater extent than other types of eating difficulties. If these difficulties persist at the time of discharge the patients are more likely to need institutional care. It is important to assess and take systematic measures for each of the three variants of eating difficulties, i.e. ingestion, deglutition, and energy, to improve eating abilities. Women in particular need attention with regard to low food intake.

Quantification of periodontal pathogens in vascular, blood and subgingival samples from patients with peripheral arterial disease or abdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND The aim of this investigation is to quantify periodontal pathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Campylobacter rectus, and Tannerella forsythia) in vascular, blood, and subgingival samples. As a secondary objective, two molecular bacterial identification methods (nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and quantitative PCR [qPCR]) are compared. METHODS Seventy consecutive patients provided a vascular lesion, a blood sample, and 36 subgingival samples. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and qPCR was used to determine the prevalence and amounts of the target pathogens in each sample. Nested PCR was performed only in the samples from vascular lesions. Periodontal examination was performed in 42 patients. Mann-Whitney U or χ(2) tests were used to compare microbiologic results according to periodontal diagnosis. RESULTS All targeted periodontal pathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, or C. rectus) were detected in subgingival samples, with a prevalence rate of 72.2%, 47.2%, 74.3%, and 82.9%, respectively. In 7.1% and 11.4% of vascular and blood samples, bacterial DNA was detected. One patient was positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans in the three types of samples. No differences were found in the levels of targeted bacteria when comparing patients with and without periodontitis. Prevalence rates obtained with nested PCR were significantly higher than those obtained with qPCR. CONCLUSIONS The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was demonstrated in vascular, blood, and subgingival samples in one of 36 patients. These results, although with a very low frequency, may support the hypothesis of a translocation of periodontal pathogens from subgingival microbiota to the bloodstream and then to atheromatous plaques in carotid or other peripheral arteries. Nested PCR is not an adequate method for identifying DNA of periodontal pathogens in low quantities because of the high number of false-negative results.

Effects on blood pressure in patients with refractory angina pectoris after enhanced external counterpulsation

Abstract Objective. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive technique that has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of angina pectoris. Little is known how EECP affects the blood pressure. Methods. 153 patients with refractory angina were treated with either EECP or retained on their pharmacological treatment (reference group). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate were measured pre- and post-treatment and at 12 months follow-up. Results. EECP treatment altered the blood pressure in patients with refractory angina pectoris. A decrease in the blood pressure was more common in the EECP group compared with the reference group. In the reference group, an increase in the blood pressure was more common. A correlation between a decrease in blood pressure after EECP treatment and a higher baseline MAP, SBP and DBP was seen. No such correlation was seen in the reference group. The blood pressure response did not persist at 12 months follow-up. Conclusion. EECP treatment affects the blood pressure in patients with refractory angina pectoris. The decreased blood pressure may be a result of an improved exercise capacity, an improved endothelial function and vasoreactivity in general.

Periodontitis a future risk for acute coronary syndrome? : a follow up study over 3 years

Background: Infection and inflammation in tissues adjacent to dental implants are common. There are few controlled studies assessing interventions. We assessed if mechanical debridement with titanium curettes, is equally effective as an ultrasonic device in reducing clinical signs of inflammation and the total bacterial load. Materials and methods: Thrity two subjects (mean age 62.5 S.D ± 11.7) with one implant each demonstrating peri-implantitis were randomized in two intervention groups. Clinical and microbiological data were obtained before and during 6 months. Group one received debridement using titanium hand-instruments and group two received ultrasonic treatment using a coated working end. Results: At the different time-points, data analysis by independent t–test, or Mann–Whitney U tests failed to demonstrate group differences. Comparing baseline data with results at 6 months (merged groups) demonstrated that overall PI scores and at implants decreased (mean diff: 20.2%, S.E ± 6.3, 95%CI: 7.0 to 32.7, P < 0.002) and (mean diff: 27.2% S.E ± 7.9, 95%CI: 11.3 to 43.1, P < 0.001). Bleeding scores at implants improved (P < 0.01). PPD scores at implants did not improve (P = 0.30). Conclusions: No differences in treatment outcomes between the two treatment methods studied were found. While PI and BOP scores improved no effects in PPD were identified.Aims: To assess whether recurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be linked to periodontitis in subjects followed over a 3 year period. Methods and results: Consecutive 163 hospital admitted subjects with ACS, and 158 medically healthy matched control subjects were followed through medical records review over 3 years. At baseline, subjects received medical and dental examinations. Periodontitis was defined as alveolar bone loss (ABL) > 2 S.D. above normal mean values. Subgingival bacterial samples were collected and processed by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization. ACS recurrence was found in 66/163 (40.5%) subjects, and a first ACS event in 7/158 (4.4%) control subjects. ABL was a risk marker of future ACS with OR: 3.6 (95%CI: 2.0-6.5, P < 0.001). Subject age was also an explanatory factor for a new ACS event (P < 0.001). Significantly higher subgingival bacterial counts for 20/37 species (i.e., Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Tannerella forsythia) in ACS cases than in healthy controls. None of traditional serum markers (CRP, high and low density lipoprotein, cholesterol, triglycerides) were explanatory. Conclusions: Age, and periodontitis (ABL) are robust markers of risk for future ACS. Subgingival bacterial counts are elevated in subjects with ACS.Background: Periodontal disease affect a large proportion of the adult population and cause an increasein serum levels of C- reactive protein (CRP), and other markers of inflammation. An increased level of CRP reflects an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the short term effect of CRx-102 alone on the levels of hs-CRP, pro-inflammatory markers in blood and clinical signs of periodontal disease. Methods: Fifty seven patients with at least 10 pockets, with a probing depth of 5 mm or more, were randomized into two groups either CRx-102 (n = 28) or placebo (n = 29) in this blinded single-centre placebo controlled study. High sensitivity CRP (Hs-CRP) levels, inflammatory markers (IL-6, Il-1b, TNFa, IL12, IL-8, IFN c), bleeding on probing (BOP) and change in probing depths were evaluated. After 42 days the subjects received mechanical non-surgical therapy and the study was completed after 49 days. Results: At day 42 the difference in hs-CRP and IFN c levels between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively) whereas no difference was found for the other inflammatory markers. There was no change in periodontal probing depth or BOP between the two groups. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that the administration of CRx-102, resulted in significant decreases in hs- CRP and IFN c, but did not significantly change BOP or probing depths. 10:15–10:30 Ref no: EUABS065318 Anti TNF-a therapy and periodontal parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients Y. MAYER*, A. GURMAN-BALBIR AND E. E. MACHTEI Unit of Periodontology, Rambam HCC, Haifa, Israel Aim: To evaluate the influence of anti TNF-a therapy on the clinical and immunological parameters of the periodontium. Materials and methods: Ten patients with RA who received infusion of 200 mg infliximab routinely (RA+), 10 patients with RA without anti TNF-a therapy (RA-) and 10 healthy patients (C) were included. Clinical parameters PI, GI, PD, CAL and BOP were assessed and total GCF TNF-a level was determined using ELISA. ANOVA with Fisher’s modification and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Patients’ age ranged between 22 and 76 years (mean 50.73 ± 9.1). Mean PI was similar between the groups. However, mean inflammatory parameters in the 3 groups varied significantly; GI was greater in the RA- compared with RA+ and C (P = 0.0042). RA+ exhibit less BOP than RA- and C (21.1% ± 3.0%, 45.9% ± 6.2% and 39.1% ± 7.2%; respectively, P = 0.0146) The mean PD in RA+ was shallower than RA- and C (3.22 ± 0.13, 3.85 ± 0.22, 3.77 ± 0.20; P = 0.055). CAL in RA+ was lower than RA- and C (3.68 ± 0.11, 4.52 ± 0.26, 4.35 ± 0.24; P = 0.0273). TNF-a levels in the GCF of RA+ were the lowest (0.663 pg/ml, 1.23 pg/ml and 0.949 pg/ml; P = 0.0401). A significant positive correlation was found between TNF-a levels in the GCF and CAL (r = 0.448, P = 0.0283). Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving anti TNF-a medications have lower periodontal indices and GCF TNF-a levels. Thus, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines might prove beneficial in suppressing periodontal diseases.