MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Role of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis: A systematic review

Vohra F, Akram Z, Safii SH, Vaithilingam RD, Ghanem A, Sergis K, et al.

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther, 2016 Mar;13:139-147.
PMID: 26184762 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.06.010

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis (AgP).
METHODS: The addressed focused question was "Is aPDT effective in the treatment of AgP?" MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ISI Web of knowledge and Google-Scholar databases were searched from 1977 till May 2015 using combinations of the following keywords: antimicrobial; photochemotherapy; photodynamic therapy; photosensitizing agents; AgP; scaling and root-planing (SRP). Reviews, case reports, commentaries, and articles published in languages other than English were excluded.
RESULTS: Seven studies were included. In 5 studies, aPDT was performed as an adjunct to SRP. Laserwavelengths and duration of irradiation ranged between 660-690 nm and 60-120 s, respectively. Laser power output as reported in 2 studies was 75 mW. One study showed significant improvement in periodontal parameters for subjects receiving aPDT as an adjunct to SRP as compared to treatment with SRP alone at follow up. However, comparable periodontal parameters were reported when aPDT as an adjunct to SRP was compared to SRP alone in the treatment of AgP in one study. One study showed comparable outcomes when aPDT was compared to SRP in the treatment of AgP. In two studies, adjunctive antibiotic administration to SRP showed significantly better outcomes when compared to application of adjunctive use of aPDT to SRP.
CONCLUSION: aPDT is effective as an adjunct to SRP for the management of AgP, however, further randomized clinical trials with well defined control groups are needed in this regard.
Fulltext Is Serum Uric Acid Level Associated with Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Alkhudir D, Al-Herz A, Saleh K, Alawadhi A, Al-Kandari W, Hasan E, et al.

Open Access Rheumatol, 2023;15:223-230.
PMID: 38026718 DOI: 10.2147/OARRR.S418814

BACKGROUND: An association between serum uric acid (UA) and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has not been well studied. We describe RA patients with high and normal UA and study its association with RA activity.
METHODS: Adult RA patients from the Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases (KRRD) were studied from February 2012 through March 2022. Patients with documented UA levels were included. UA of >357 µmol/L (6mg/dL) was considered high. Statistical comparison and correlation were made using multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: Overall, 1054 patients with documented UA. A total of 158 patients (15%) had high UA level with a mean of 409± 44.4µmol/L. The mean age for the high UA group and low UA group were 59.3 ± 10.7 years and 54.5 ± 12.4 years, respectively (p<0.001). 49.4% were female in high UA group, and 62.2% were female in low UA group, respectively (p<0.05). Logistic analysis showed an inverse relation between DAS28 and UA, as lower DAS28 score was associated with higher UA level (p=0.032) OR 1.39. There was a direct relation with HAQ, creatinine and UA. A higher HAQ is associated with a higher UA level (p=0.019) OR 0.78. High creatinine level is also associated with high UA level (p<0.001) OR 0.24. The use of antirheumatic drugs was similar among patients with high and normal UA.
CONCLUSION: RA patients with a higher UA had a lower disease activity despite using similar antirheumatic drugs. The reasons behind this association need to be further studied.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced DAS28 index among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Case study from KRRD

Alawadhi B, Alsaber A, Shatawan I, Al-Herz A, Setiya P, Saleh K, et al.

Int J Rheum Dis, 2023 Dec;26(12):2430-2440.
PMID: 37784239 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14928

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that mostly affects the synovial joints. It has been hypothesized that dietary and other environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of RA and its severity.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to measure the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on the disease activity scores (DAS28) among patients with RA.
METHODS: Adult patients who satisfied the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for RA from major hospitals in Kuwait were evaluated. A cross-sectional study conducted on 754 RA patients visits aged (21-79) years. Patients were evaluated using the DAS28. Patients' levels of adherence to the MedDiet are assessed using a validated 14-item Questionnaire (paper or web-based). The data was analyzed using both multivariate and univariate statistics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the statistical relationship between MedDiet and RA disease activity.
RESULTS: The finding suggests that a MedDiet can have a positive impact on DAS28 among patients with RA. In the DAS28 cohort (DAS28
Fulltext Therapeutic role of immunomodulators during the COVID-19 pandemic- a narrative review

Al-Hajeri H, Baroun F, Abutiban F, Al-Mutairi M, Ali Y, Alawadhi A, et al.

Postgrad Med, 2022 Mar;134(2):160-179.
PMID: 35086413 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2022.2033563

The emergency state caused by COVID-19 saw the use of immunomodulators despite the absence of robust research. To date, the results of relatively few randomized controlled trials have been published, and methodological approaches are riddled with bias and heterogeneity. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, convalescent plasma and the JAK inhibitor baricitinib have gained Emergency Use Authorizations and tentative recommendations for their use in clinical practice alone or in combination with other therapies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are predominating the management of non-hospitalized patients, while the inpatient setting is seeing the use of convalescent plasma, baricitinib, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, sarilumab, and corticosteroids, as applicable. Available clinical data also suggest the potential clinical benefit of the early administration of blood-derived products (e.g. convalescent plasma, non-SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobins) and the blockade of factors implicated in the hyperinflammatory state of severe COVID-19 (Interleukin 1 and 6; Janus Kinase). Immune therapies seem to have a protective effect and using immunomodulators alone or in combination with viral replication inhibitors and other treatment modalities might prevent progression into severe COVID-19 disease, cytokine storm and death. Future trials should address existing gaps and reshape the landscape of COVID-19 management.