Evaluation of normal saline gel and ozone therapy effects on soft and hard tissue health in dental implant surgery

A recent study has shown that the use of ozone therapy while placing dental implants is effective in minimizing systemic inflammation, pain, and plaque deposition among dental implant recipients. The results of this study were published in the Indian Society for Dental Research. 
Forty adult patients scheduled for implant placement were split into two groups: case group of twenty patients received ozone therapy, while the control group of twenty patients received normal saline and gel during the procedure. Inflammation and pain were monitored on the first- and the seventh-day, as well as at three- month intervals, by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and evaluating visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. At three months, soft tissue outcomes were assessed in terms of gingival index, plaque index, and pocket depth, while crestal bone loss was evaluated using radiographs.
Significantly higher mean CRP levels were observed in the control group in comparison to the case group on first and seventh day follow-ups (P value < 0.05). Additionally, mean VAS scores for pain were lower in the case group at all follow-ups, with statistical significance only on first day (P value = 0.061). The plaque index was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group at the final follow-up (P value = 0.011). No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of crestal bone loss. 
The above study demonstrated that the application of ozone therapy has proven to be successful in decreasing systemic inflammation, pain, and plaque deposition in patients who have undergone dental implant procedures. 
 

Postoperative urethral stricture prevention through irrigation with 5-fluorouracil using a modified urinary catheter

A recent study indicated the effectiveness of the antiproliferative drug 5-fluorouracil when paired with a modified catheter in relation to the development of postoperative urethral strictures. The findings of this study were published in the journal, Medicina (Kaunas). 
In this study, there were 246 male subjects (average age of 70.0 ± 8.0 years). The main study group comprised 124 patients who, along with the standard therapy, were subjected to lavage with a 5-fluorouracil solution (1000 mg/20 mL per 500 mL of 0.9% isotonic saline solution) utilizing a modified 3-way urethral catheter. Monitoring of laboratory, clinical, and instrumental parameters was performed at ten days, three months, and six months following the surgical procedure.
Throughout the follow-up period, the IPSS scale was used to assess the severity of dysuria symptoms in patients. The main group exhibited a significant decrease in stranguria and ischuria, along with a longer interval between urinations, urinary incontinence, straining before urination, and reduced intermittent urination compared to the control group. Both study groups reported an improvement in their quality of life. Additionally, there was a notable decrease in the maximum urinary flow rate in the main study group (p value < 0.001). In the control group, urethral strictures and stenosis cases increased from four to nine after three and six months, respectively. Only one patient in the main study group had infravesical obstruction [0.8%] (χ2 = 3.855, p value < 0.05).
The above study demonstrated the effectiveness of the antiproliferative medication 5-fluorouracil in combination with an adapted catheter in relation to postoperative urethral stricture development.
 

Cough Severity Linked to Poor Asthma Control and Lower Quality of Life in Severe Asthma Patients

A recent study from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry reveals that cough severity significantly affects asthma control and quality of life in patients with severe asthma. While wheezing is traditionally emphasized in asthma management, the study highlights the clinical importance of cough as an underrecognized yet impactful symptom.

The cross-sectional analysis included 498 patients, with cough and wheeze severity assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results showed that cough scores were generally higher than wheeze scores, with 22.5% of patients reporting more severe cough symptoms.

Both cough and wheeze severity were strongly correlated with patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ), and the EuroQoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) index.

Although wheeze severity demonstrated slightly stronger correlations with these outcomes, cough still showed significant associations with reduced asthma control and quality of life in multivariate analyses, even after adjusting for other factors.

These findings underscore the need for clinicians to prioritize cough assessment alongside traditional asthma symptoms. By addressing cough severity, healthcare providers may improve overall asthma management and enhance quality of life for patients with severe asthma. Further research is necessary to explore targeted interventions for cough in this patient population.

Lubiprostone Demonstrates High Efficacy in Treating Functional Constipation in Adolescents and Children

This randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy and safety of lubiprostone for treating functional constipation (FC) in pediatric patients, addressing the limited data available for this age group. 
A total of 280 patients aged 8-18 years were randomly assigned to receive either weight-based lubiprostone (n = 140) or conventional laxatives such as lactulose, bisacodyl, or sodium picosulfate (n = 140) over 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week post-treatment follow-up.
Results showed that 91.4% of patients in the lubiprostone group achieved significant improvement in constipation compared to 34.3% in the conventional therapy group (p < 0.001), with effects sustained after discontinuation. A quarter of lubiprostone-treated patients experienced their first spontaneous bowel motion within 48 hours of initiation. 
Additionally, 75.7% of the lubiprostone group maintained Bristol stool forms of 3 or 4 during the final 4 weeks of treatment and throughout the follow-up period, compared to 35.7% in the conventional group (p < 0.001). No severe adverse reactions or treatment discontinuations occurred; mild, self-limiting colicky abdominal pain and headache were the most common side effects.
Lubiprostone is shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for pediatric FC, potentially redefining the management of constipation in adolescents and children.
 

Nonopioid Medications Recommended for Acute Dental Pain Management Over Opioids, Suggests New Clinical Guidelines

A new evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American Dental Association, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes nonopioid medications as the preferred treatment for acute dental pain. 
Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the guideline provides recommendations for managing pain following tooth extraction and for temporary relief of toothache associated with pulp or periapical diseases in adolescents, adults, and older adults.
The panel's review examined the effectiveness of various analgesics, including opioids, nonopioids, and local anesthetics, and found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alone or combined with acetaminophen, offer superior pain relief and have fewer safety concerns compared to opioids. 
Opioids, while sometimes necessary, should be reserved for cases where nonopioid treatment is inadequate or contraindicated.
The guideline underscores the risks of routine opioid prescribing, particularly in adolescents and young adults, advocating for extreme caution to avoid unnecessary exposure. This approach aims to improve pain management while mitigating the potential for opioid misuse, aligning with broader public health efforts to reduce opioid-related harm.
Clinicians are advised to prioritize nonopioid therapies as the first-line treatment for dental pain, ensuring safer, more effective pain control for patients undergoing tooth extraction or dealing with temporary dental issues.