METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, stoma output, and dietary intake upon discharge, hospitalization, and readmission within 30 d of discharge.
RESULTS: A total of 29 participants were recruited, with 72.4% having moderate malnutrition risk. Patients who received partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) fiber reported lower stoma output with firmer output consistency than patients who received standard care (SC) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Patients who received PHGG achieved higher energy, protein, and soluble fiber intake than did the SC group (P < 0.01) upon discharge. There was a significant inverse association between soluble fiber (PHGG fiber + dietary soluble fiber) intake and ileostomy output (r, -0.494; P = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum fiber acts as an agent to hold water, reduce the speed of gastrointestinal tract transit, increase effluent viscosity, and potentially decrease water losses. Supplementation with PHGG fiber appeared to minimize ileostomy output and improve clinical outcomes among postoperative ileostomy patients. This needs to be evaluated further with a randomized controlled trial to confirm this preliminary finding.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among lifelong residents (n = 1,155) aged 9 and 12 years old living in fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas. Malaysian children aged 12 years were born when the level of fluoride in the public water supply was 0.7 ppm while those aged 9 years were born after the level was reduced to 0.5 ppm. Fluorosis was blind scored using standardized photographs of maxillary central incisors using Dean's criteria. Fluoride exposures and other factors were assessed by parental questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared analyses, and logistic regression.
RESULTS: Fluorosis prevalence was lower (31.9 percent) among the younger children born after the reduction of fluoride concentration in the water, compared to a prevalence of 38.4 percent in the older cohort. Early tooth brushing practices and fluoridated toothpaste were not statistically associated with fluorosis status. However, the prevalence of fluorosis was significantly associated with parents' education level, parents' income, fluoridated water, type of infant feeding method, age breast feeding ceased, use of formula milk, duration of formula milk intake, and type of water used to reconstitute formula milk via simple logistic regression. Fluoridated water remained a significant risk factor for fluorosis in multiple logistic regression.
CONCLUSIONS: Fluorosis was lower among children born after the adjustment of fluoride concentration in the water. Fluoridated water remained as a strong risk factor for fluorosis after downward adjustment of its fluoride concentration.