MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of epilepsy patients from the neurology clinic, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Kuala Lumpur. The dental assessment included the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) criteria, as well as the plaque and periodontal status by dentists.
RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were recruited. The median age of onset of epilepsy was 16 (IQR 7-30) years, with generalised seizures at 59.6% and focal seizures in 40.4% of patients. Fair or poor oral health was present in 59 (39.1%) and gingivitis was seen in 65 (43%). The median DMFT decayed (D), missing (M) and filled teeth (FT) was 3 (IQR 1- 7). The median age of patients with fair or poor oral health was older (40 years, IQR 31-51) than the patients with excellent or good oral health (33 years, IQR 26-45), (p=0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that carbamazepine (Odds Ratios, OR: 3.694; 95% Confidence Intervals, 95%CI: 1.314, 10.384) and hypertension (OR 6.484; 95%CI: 1.011, 41.594) are the risk factors for fair or poor oral health. Phenytoin use is 4.271 times more likely to develop gingivitis (OR 4.271; 95% CI: 1.252, 14.573).
CONCLUSION: Factors that contribute to fair or poor oral health include age, antiseizure medications like phenytoin and carbamazepine, and hypertension. Effective preventive strategies should be implemented to maintain oral health in epilepsy patients.
METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study where 25 male in-patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz. Demographics, clinical data and CT images of these patients were reviewed by 2 senior radiologists.
RESULTS: In total there were 25 patients (all males; mean age [±SD], 21.64±2.40 years; range, 18-27 years). Patients with abnormal chest CT showed a relatively low normal absolute lymphocytes count (median: 2.2 x 109/L) and absolute monocyte count (median: 0.5 x 109/L). Lactate dehydrogenase was elevated in 5 (20%) of the patients. The procalcitonin level was normal while elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, platelet and C-reactive protein were common. Baseline chest CT showed abnormalities in 6 patients. The distribution of the lesions were; upper lobe 3 (12%) lower lobe 3 (12%) with peripheral distribution 4 (16%). Of the 25 patients included, 4 (16%) had ground glass opacification (GGO), 1 (4%) had a small peripheral subpleural nodule, and 1 (4%) had a dense solitary granuloma. Four patients had typical CT features of COVID-19.
CONCLUSION: We found that the CT imaging showed peripheral GGO in our patients. They remained clinically stable with no deterioration of their respiratory symptoms suggesting stability in lung involvement. We postulate that rapid changes in CT imaging may not be present in young, asymptomatic, non-smoking COVID-19 patients. Thus the use of CT thoraxfor early diagnosis may be reserved for patients in the older agegroups, and not in younger patients.