Isolated Systolic Blood Pressure and Red-Complex Bacteria—A Risk for Generalized Periodontitis and Chronic Kidney Disease

Hypertension is a risk factor for generalized periodontitis (GP) and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). However, the role of isolated systolic blood pressure as one of the major risks for these inflammatory diseases has not been explored. Very limited studies exist identifying the red-complex bacteria in association with the isolated systolic blood pressure. Hence, the main objective of this study was to assess the isolated systolic blood pressure and the red-complex bacteria along with the demographic variables, periodontal parameters, and renal parameters in patients with generalized periodontitis and chronic kidney disease. One hundred twenty participants (age 30–70 years) were divided into four groups—Group C: control (systemically and periodontally healthy subjects), Group GP: generalized periodontitis, Group CKD: subjects with CKD with good periodontal health, Group CKD + GP: subjects with both generalized periodontitis and CKD. Demographic variables and periodontal parameters were measured and recorded. Blood pressure measurements and a detailed history and renal parameters such as serum creatinine, eGFR, and fasting blood sugar were recorded. The red-complex bacteria (RCB) were assessed in the subgingival plaque samples of all four groups using RT-PCR. Older participants (above 50 years) showed worse periodontal scores in the CKD + GP group along with elevated isolated systolic blood pressure, higher serum creatinine, and fasting blood sugar. eGFR was significantly decreased compared to the other groups. Bacterial counts were higher in the GP + CKD group, suggesting that they may be at a higher risk for generalized periodontitis and chronic kidney disease. Isolated systolic blood pressure (ISBP) and RCB were significantly correlated with the renal and periodontal parameters. A log-linear relationship exists between periodontal disease, CKD, RCB, and isolated systolic hypertension levels.

Diabetes mellitus patients’ fasting blood sugar levels and quality of life following brief pharmacist counseling with reminders and motivational messages

Background: For chronic disease patients, pharmacist counselling with motivating reminder messages has been developed throughout time to promote the success of patient treatment. Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition. Blood sugar control and an improved quality of life are therapeutic goals in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to determine whether changes in fasting blood sugar and quality of life occurred in individuals with diabetes mellitus who received pharmacist counselling coupled by motivating reminder messages.Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test-post-test design with control and intervention groups. Data on patients with type 2 diabetes were obtained prospectively at Jetis 1 primary health care in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Seventy-two respondents who met the inclusion criteria were separated into two groups: the control group (36 participants) and the intervention group (36 participants). The patients’ quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire.Results: Following pharmacist counselling coupled by motivating reminder messages, patients’ mean fasting blood sugar reduced significantly (∆ 34.85±63.36), while their mean quality of life score increased considerably (∆ 13.73±9.22).Conclusions: Pharmacist counselling combined with motivating reminder messages can help patients with type 2 diabetes lower their fasting blood sugar and enhance their quality of life. The provision of pharmacist counselling followed by brief reminders and motivational messages may be considered to improve type 2 diabetes patient management.

Oxidative stress correlates well with markers of metabolic syndrome in clinically hypothyroid cases: a hospital based study in a remote tribal district

Relevance. Dislipidemia is one of the major manifestation of thyroid disease process due to alteration of metabolic parameters which are also seen in metabolic syndrome. Though oxidative stress has been implicated in both processes, controversial results have been obtained. Objective. To determine the status of lipid peroxidation product (Lpx) in the study group and identify the association of different components of metabolic syndrome. Material and Methods: 102 patients comprising of 60 healthy euthyroid controls and 42 hypothyroid patients served as the study group. Blood samples were collected for fasting blood sugar, renal parameters, lipid profile, tri-iodothyronin (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Level of lipid peroxidation in the samples was determined by monitoring the level of thiobarbituric acid like substances (TBARS) like substances. Results. The demographic parameters were significantly altered in hypothyroid patients. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure amongst both the groups was observed to have higher mean value in hypothyroid patients. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the hypothyroid was significantly higher than euthyroid control groups. The most frequent alteration in the hypothyroid patients was rise in SBP (95 %), Hypertriglyceridemia (50 %) and raised waist circumference (48 %) and DBP (42 %). A fourfold rise in Lpx was observed in hypothyroid subjects (p0.001). Robust positive association was observed between TSH and Lpx. Multiple linear regressions revealed strongest and statistically significant association between serum serum thyroid stimulating hormone and waist circumference. Conclusion. The hypothyroid patients have significant higher degree of oxidative stress and the components of metabolic syndrome. They are the candidates for preventive health intervention.

A case-control study to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis as compared to age and sex matched controls

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Psoriasis is an immune mediated chronic inflammatory dermatosis and it is associated with high risk of cardiovascular events. Aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with disease severity in patients with psoriasis.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a case control study which included 150 cases of chronic plaque psoriasis and 150 healthy controls. All subjects underwent detailed history and clinical examination including measurement of blood pressure and waist circumference and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score. Fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were tested following overnight fasting. Various parameters of metabolic syndrome were compared in two groups using chi square test and fisher’s exact test. Statistical analysis of the data was done using epi-info ^TM software.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was more common in patients of psoriasis than in control (56.67% vs. 17.33%; p&lt;0.0001). Psoriatic patients had higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (57.33% vs. 27.33%; p=0.0037), elevated blood pressure (32% vs. 12%; p=0.0001), elevated fasting blood sugar level (62% vs. 22%; p&lt;0.0001), hypertriglyceridemia (44.66% vs. 32%; p=0.0326), low level of HDL cholesterol (64% vs. 21.33%; p&lt;0.0001 and alcohol abuse (22.22% vs. 14.66%; p=0.0154).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The findings in our study demonstrated a robust association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome and its components, irrespective of psoriasis severity.</p>

A Cross Sectional Study on Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Lung function Parameters

Chronic hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2 DM) is associated with ongoing damage, dysfunction, and failure of many organs, particularly the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, lungs, blood vessels and the diabetic patients may have considerable reductions in lung functioning. Diabetes Mellitus, Peak Expiratory Flow, and Fasting Blood Sugar are some of the terms used in this study. One hundred T2 DM patients, ranging in age from 30-70 years old and of either gender, were submitted to spirometry, vital parameters were recorded, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were evaluated, and healthy controls were a matched. Diabetics forced vital capacity (FVC) ranged from 1.51 to 4 (Liters) with a mean of 2.4 ±0.6SD, whereas controls' FVC ranged from 2.2 to 4.74 with a mean of 3.14 ±0.7SD and a significant P value. (P<0.001) diabetics peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) ranged from 188 to 459 (liters per minute) with a mean of 288 ±70SD, whereas controls PEFR ranged from 243 to 571 with a mean of 373±74 and a significant P-value. When compared to male diabetics, the PEFR in female diabetics was 239 ±38SD with a significant P-value. Spirometric parameters in male diabetics were found to be insignificant when compared to healthy controls (P <0.001). In both sexes, HbA1c and FBS were shown to be extremely significant when compared to controls. Variable PEFR in healthy controls and in the lung function was found to be impaired in female diabetics, but male diabetics had a normal PEFR.

THE ASSOCIATION OF BODY MASS INDEX, BLOOD PRESSURE AND FASTING BLOOD SUGAR WITH GENDER IN THE UNITED NATIONS STAFF OF LIBERIA

Objective: To determine the association of body mass index, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar with the gender in the UN staff of Liberia. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Level-II Hospital Monrovia, Liberia, from May to Aug 2017. Methodology: This study was conducted in the United Nation staff of Liberia, at level-II Hospital, where, routine medical check was conducted and anthropometric measurements as well as blood pressure and fasting blood sugar values were noted. Body mass index, fasting blood sugar and blood pressure values were recorded and fasting blood sugar and blood pressure values were compared for its relationship with varying body mass index values. Result: Total 300 individuals were monitored, out of them 226 (75.3%) were males and 74 (24.7%) were females. Mean weight of males was found to be 81 ± 14.6 Kg and for females 72.5 ± 11.6 kg there was found statistically significant (p<0.001) in both male and female and There was no significant difference of gender with Fasting blood glucose (p=0.395), systolic blood pressure (p=0.281) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.425). Conclusion: Significant association was seen between body mass index and blood pressure in both males and female as well as for fasting blood sugar in males. Hence, simple measurement of body mass index can be used as important health prognostic marker and thus can be used in regular routine medical assessment for maintaining and following healthy living.

IN VIVO STUDY OF GLUCOSE AND PROTEIN LEVELS USING THE DIABETIC WISTAR RAT MODEL

Background and Aims The diabetic animal model was developed as a type for studies in vivo because of the death rates in many countries associated with the prevalence of diabetes, this disease is a respecter of no person. This study assessed and compared total protein and albumin concentration, basal fasting blood sugar and post induction fasting blood sugar levels in rat model. Methods Qualitative and Quantitative test and analysis were carried to assess the levels of albumin and total protein and their absorbance levels were read and recorded in g/dL, while the fasting blood sugar was determined using the glucometer strip method at intervals and recorded in mg/dL. Group A served as the negative, non-diabetic control for the study and they were fed normally with water without inducing diabetes while Group B served as the positive control, diabetic untreated group where Diabetes mellitus was induced using 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan and left untreated. Results Plasma total protein in diabetic Wistar rat (8.44 ±4.39 g/dl) did not change significantly (P>0.05) compared with the control Wistar rat (10.04 ± 4.14). However, the level of 1-week post-induction FBS in diabetic Wistar rat (475.75 ± 66.74 mg/dl) was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to that of the control (85.0 ± 6.7 mg/dl). Conclusions Protein levels may not change within a week after developing diabetes mellitus and as such should not be the sole biomarker to test for diabetes.

Physical and Blood Examining Characteristics of Shift Workers Nurses in Pandemic COVID-19

Shift work is a rotating work time outside normal working hours, either rotating with the shift work division method; this shift work can cause changes in metabolism, immunological status, and oxidative status, which will cause inflammation due to changes in circadian rhythms. During this Covid-19 pandemic, nurses who are mostly women in providing 24-hour service also continue to do shift work. There are several risk factors that might be in the Covid- 19 pandemics, such as age, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to look at the physical characteristics of female workers who worked shifts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of the study on 40 nurses who worked at Al Ihsan and Muhamadiyah Hospitals West Java showed that 50% were over 31 years old, 97.5% of people had worked >5 years, 80% of people worked in the room, the results were as follows: 97.5% systolic blood pressure normal, diatolic 97.5% normal, BMI less 1.5%, normal 40%, excess 32.5%, 25% fat; Fasting blood sugar 92.5% normal, normal ESR 31 people 97.5%, normal cholesterol as much as 100%, normal triglycerides 95%, aerobic capacity (Vo2max) average 35.15±3.18, while cGMP levels 14.28( 1.4-67.7). These results indicate that there are risk factors for COVID-19, such as high BMI and abnormal fasting blood sugar.