Awakening Awareness: Study assesses Impact of Communication on Pain Perception in Anesthetized ICU Patients

Recent study aimed to explore the impact of verbal communication on the consciousness level, pain, and agitation of anesthetized patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The researchers conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 70 anesthetized patients in an ICU setting in Iran.

Methodology

The patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received verbal communication twice daily for 10 days, and a control group that received routine ICU care without verbal communication. The researchers used validated tools to measure the patients’ level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale), pain (Behavioral Pain Scale), and agitation (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale) before and after the intervention.

Results

The results showed that the intervention group experienced a significant improvement in consciousness level, reduction in pain, and decrease in agitation compared to the control group over the 10-day period. Before the intervention, there were significant differences between the groups in consciousness level and agitation, but not in pain. After the intervention, the trends over time revealed that the verbal communication group had greater improvements in all three outcomes compared to the control group.

Conclusion and Implications

The researchers suggest that the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the verbal communication intervention make it a valuable nursing practice to facilitate the recovery process and enhance the quality of care for anesthetized ICU patients. However, they acknowledge the need for larger studies to confirm these findings, given the small sample size and potential confounding variables inherent in the unique ICU patient population. Overall, the study provides evidence that structured verbal communication by nurses can positively impact the clinical status of sedated, critically ill patients.

Key Points

Here are the 6 key points from the research paper:

1. The study explored the impact of verbal communication on the consciousness level, pain, and agitation of anesthetized patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

2. The study used a double-blind randomized controlled trial design with 70 anesthetized ICU patients in Iran, divided into an intervention group that received verbal communication twice daily for 10 days and a control group that received routine ICU care.

3. The researchers used validated tools to measure the patients’ level of consciousness, pain, and agitation before and after the intervention.

4. The results showed that the intervention group experienced significant improvements in consciousness level, reduction in pain, and decrease in agitation compared to the control group over the 10-day period.

5. The researchers suggest that the verbal communication intervention is a simple and cost-effective nursing practice that can facilitate the recovery process and enhance the quality of care for anesthetized ICU patients.

6. The researchers acknowledge the need for larger studies to confirm these findings, given the small sample size and potential confounding variables in the unique ICU patient population.

Reference –

Ali Talebi et al. (2025). Effect Of Nurse’S Verbal Communication On The Level Of Consciousness, Pain, And Agitation In Anesthetized Patients Admitted To The Intensive Care Unit: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial. *BMC Anesthesiology*, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03071-5.

Powered by WPeMatico

Fetal exposure to vape liquids linked to changes in skull shape, reveals study

In utero exposure to two liquid ingredients in e-cigarettes – minus the nicotine that drives addiction – can alter skull shape during fetal development, a new study in mice has found.

In a series of experiments, pregnant mice were exposed to a combination of two liquids used to create vaping’s throat hit and smoke plume. Compared to two other experimental conditions, the offspring of mothers exposed to a specific ratio of these compounds weighed less and were born with narrowed facial features and shortened skulls.

The finding was surprising to researchers not only because no nicotine was present, but because the ratio of chemicals that produced the skull defect was designed by the e-cigarette industry to be a safer available option than the proportions in earlier products.

“This had no nicotine, and it’s still having effects on the development of the skull in our model, which was not anything we expected,” said lead study author James Cray, professor of anatomy in The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

The research was published recently in the journal PLOS One.

Cray’s developmental biology lab has studied the effects of in utero exposure to nicotine on head and face development for years, reporting in 2020 that exposure to nicotine through breastmilk caused skull defects in mice. About 3% of babies are born annually with a birth defect, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and alterations to the head and neck are among the most common – particularly cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

In this study, the team was developing a model to serve as an experimental control for comparison to animals exposed in utero to nicotine through vaping.

Pregnant mice were exposed to either filtered free air or two humectants – hydrating substances that function as carriers of other e-cigarette contents – at differing concentrations: 50% each of propylene glycol and glycerol (also called vegetable glycerin), or 30% propylene glycol and 70% glycerol (30/70 PG/VG).

Because propylene glycol in e-cigarettes has been linked to increasing uptake of nicotine, Cray said, “a lot of companies have moved toward getting away from a high percentage of propylene glycol toward more glycerol, trying to position this as a safer alternative.”

Female mice were exposed to these three different conditions at a rate of one puff per minute, four hours per day on five days each week during the roughly 20-day pregnancy.

The cranial width and height of mouse pup skulls were scanned two weeks after birth. The analysis showed statistically significant reduced measures in the offspring of pregnant mice exposed to the presumed safer 30/70 PG/VG mixture compared to mice exposed to free air and the 50/50 formula.

“What we see is a consistent narrowing of all of the facial features, and the same thing as we move back into the cranium as well. So globally they’re narrower and a little bit shorter-headed, which does mimic some observable changes that we see in children,” Cray said. “We also saw a bit of a reduction in weight. These animals were within the normal range of an animal that age, but they still weighed less.”

The findings were consistent across several litters of mice and in both biological sexes.

“The 50/50 mixture had no dramatic statistical changes – and that’s where we were looking for the difference. We thought heavier propylene glycol should be causing more effects, and it was the exact opposite,” Cray said.

The Food and Drug Administration began regulating electronic nicotine delivery systems in 2016, but has faced legal pushback from e-cigarette companies – which prevailed in a June 20 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that makes it easier to sue the FDA over efforts to block products from the market. In April, the court sided with the FDA’s crackdown on sweet-flavored products after a major increase in teen vaping.

Though researchers continue to study the health effects of multiple ingredients detected in e-cigarettes, many unknowns remain as the products grow in popularity.

“The majority of users are young adults and teenagers, so we are talking about people who are in peak reproductive years. And with development of the head happening very early in fetal development, people could be using these products and not even realize that they are pregnant, which is of great concern,” Cray said.

“This is a small study that speaks to the possibility that nicotine-free vaping is not safe. And it’s a sign that we probably should study the nicotine-free products as much as we study the nicotine-laden products.”

Reference:

Ethan Richlak,Logan Shope,Ethan Leonard,Leslie Sewell,Tyler Maykovich,Amr Mohi,Roy A. Miller,Matthew W. Gorr,Loren E. Wold, In utero exposure to electronic cigarette carriers alters craniofacial morphology, PLOS One, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327190

Powered by WPeMatico

Artificially Sweetened Drinks in Pregnancy Linked to Higher Gestational Diabetes Risk: Study

Australia: Researchers have found in a new study that frequent intake of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy was associated with an 88% increased risk of gestational diabetes.

The investigation, published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, was led by Bereket Gebremichael of the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), the team explored whether consuming artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) before conception or during pregnancy influences the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and preterm birth (PTB).
Researchers analyzed health information from 3,653 women and applied a generalized linear mixed model, along with an augmented inverse probability weighting estimator, to evaluate both the relative risk and the average treatment effect. They defined frequent consumption as five or more ASB drinks per week.
The study led to the following findings:
  • Among women with preconception exposure to artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs), the incidence was 9.1% for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), 6.7% for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and 4.3% for preterm birth (PTB).
  • For women consuming ASBs during pregnancy, the incidence rates were 8.6% for GDM, 7.5% for HDP, and 4.0% for PTB.
  • Frequent ASB intake during pregnancy was associated with an adjusted relative risk of 1.88 for GDM.
  • The adjusted relative risk was 1.59 for HDP and 1.22 for PTB.
  • The average treatment effect of frequent ASB consumption compared with none was 0.06.
While the relationship between pregnancy, ASB intake, and GDM was clear, the connections to HDP and PTB remained uncertain. Similarly, exposure to these beverages before conception showed no definite association with any of the pregnancy outcomes studied.
The researchers highlighted a potential dose–response trend: the more artificially sweetened drinks consumed during pregnancy, the greater the risk of developing GDM. Importantly, this relationship appeared to be partly mediated by maternal body mass index (BMI). In other words, higher ASB consumption might contribute to weight gain during pregnancy, which in turn elevates the likelihood of gestational diabetes.
These findings carry significant public health implications. They suggest that reducing artificially sweetened beverage intake during pregnancy could help lower GDM risk, especially when combined with efforts to manage maternal weight gain. The authors emphasized that while their data reveal a strong link between ASB intake and GDM, more research—particularly prospective cohort studies and randomized clinical trials—is needed to confirm causality and to guide nutritional recommendations for expectant mothers.
“Frequent consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy was strongly associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes. In contrast, associations with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth remain inconclusive. The study highlights the importance of counseling women on beverage choices and weight management as part of comprehensive prenatal care,” the authors concluded.
Reference:
Gebremichael, B., Begum, M., Bianco-Miotto, T., Zhou, S. J., & Lassi, Z. S. (2025). Preconception and pregnancy artificially sweetened beverage consumption and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes: Findings from the Australian longitudinal study on women’s health. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 227, 112422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112422

Powered by WPeMatico

More than half of elderly patients presenting to emergency trauma clinic had at least one psychiatric disorder: study

A limited number of studies have examined the psychiatric morbidity in older adults presenting to emergency departments, but no data is available from emergency trauma clinics.

Kanika Sethi et al conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among elderly patients presenting to the Emergency trauma setting. The article has been published in ‘ Indian Journal of Orthopaedics.’

A cross-sectional study, with a convenient sampling technique was used. 206 elderly patients presenting to the emergency trauma clinic were evaluated for psychiatric diagnosis as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. A trainee psychiatrist made diagnosis. Pa were also assessed on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (uCCI) (Updated), Adult Comorbidity Evaluation–27, Frail–VIG Index, and Visual Analogue Scale Numeric Pain Distress Scale.

The key findings of the study were:

• Delirium was the most common diagnosis (24.3%), followed by major depressive disorder (8.7%) and followed by dementia (8.5%), generalized anxiety disorder (2.4%), psychotic disorder (0.9%) and Bipolar I disorder (0.5%).

• The most common substance use disorder was tobacco use disorder (11.2%), followed by alcohol use disorder (9.25%).

• A significantly higher proportion of those with psychiatric morbidity were males, were employed, from nuclear families and of older age.

• Those with psychiatric morbidity had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index score, adult comorbidity index, frailty index score, and severity of pain.

• Those with delirium had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index score, adult comorbidity index score, frailty index score, and score on visual analogue pain scale compared to without delirium.

The authors concluded that – “Over half of the older patients presenting to emergency trauma clinic had at least one psychiatric disorder. There is a need to re-organize the emergency trauma clinic service and psychiatric evaluation should be one of the integral components of the emergency set-up.”  

Further reading:

Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidity Among the Elderly Patients Presenting to Emergency Trauma Setting: An Exploratory Study

Kanika Sethi et al

Indian Journal of Orthopaedics (2025) 59:635–643

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-025-01342-4

Powered by WPeMatico

Acute Kidney Injury Before or During ECMO Linked to Higher Mortality, Study Finds

Germany: A large retrospective analysis has revealed that acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication in patients receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for acute respiratory failure, with severe forms linked to lower chances of hospital survival regardless of when the injury occurs. The study was published online in Kidney360 on August 1, 2025.

The study, led by Clemens Wiest and colleagues from the University Hospital Regensburg in Germany, examined outcomes in 500 patients who underwent VV-ECMO between November 2014 and December 2021. The median age was 55 years, and women made up 30% of the cohort. Overall, 64% of patients developed AKI during their hospital stay. Among them, 182 patients had kidney injury before starting ECMO, while 158 developed it during ECMO therapy. A smaller subgroup experienced AKI both before ECMO and again after an initial recovery.

The key findings of the study were as follows:

  • Patients with AKI before ECMO initiation had higher inflammatory marker levels and required larger doses of norepinephrine at treatment start, indicating more severe underlying illness.
  • Those who developed AKI during ECMO often showed clinical signs of sepsis and unstable blood pressure, with lower mean arterial pressure and higher CRP levels in the days before diagnosis.
  • Overall survival to hospital discharge was 67%, with AKI patients having significantly lower survival rates (60.9%) compared to those without AKI (77.8%).
  • Severe AKI (KDIGO stage 3) was independently associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death, regardless of whether it developed before or during ECMO.
  • Long-term survival among hospital survivors was 92.5%, with age being the only independent risk factor for reduced post-discharge survival.
  • Propensity score matching showed that AKI onset during ECMO was more closely linked to disease severity and septic episodes rather than ECMO-specific factors such as blood flow rates or cell-free hemoglobin levels.

The authors noted that while ECMO is a life-saving intervention for severe respiratory failure, the occurrence of AKI signals a more critical underlying disease state and is an important prognostic indicator.

They wrote, “AKI onset before VV-ECMO therapy is linked to the severity of the underlying disease. AKI onset during VV-ECMO is less due to ECMO-related factors but also to the severity of the disease and septic episodes.” The findings underscore the importance of early recognition and management of AKI risk in ECMO patients, with close monitoring for signs of sepsis and hemodynamic instability. Preventive strategies, timely interventions, and tailored post-ECMO follow-up could help improve patient outcomes.

Reference:

Fuchs, Franziska1,*; Wiest, Clemens1,*,#; Philipp, Alois2; Foltan, Maik2; Schneckenpointner, Roland1; Dietl, Alexander1; Lunz, Dirk3; Fisser, Christoph1; Müller, Thomas1; Lubnow, Matthias1. Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An Observational Retrospective Analysis of Risk-factors and Outcome. Kidney360 ():10.34067/KID.0000000920, August 1, 2025. | DOI: 10.34067/KID.0000000920 

Powered by WPeMatico

Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading Benefits in Liver Resection: Study

Findings from a new retrospective analysis suggest that preoperative oral carbohydrate administration reduces insulin resistance and enhances recovery quality in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic liver resection. Researchers observed that patients who received carbohydrates before surgery experienced faster gastrointestinal recovery, lower insulin resistance, reduced inflammation, and improved quality of recovery scores compared to those given only water. The study included 110 patients, divided into a control group (n=55) and a research group (n=55). Both groups received fluids the evening before and 2.5 hours prior to surgery, but the control group consumed distilled water, while the research group received equivalent volumes of carbohydrate solution. Outcomes assessed included blood glucose, insulin levels, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), recovery quality (QoR-15), inflammatory and immune markers, and liver function.Results showed clear benefits for the carbohydrate group. These patients reported a significantly lower incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Key recovery milestones, such as time spent in post-anesthesia care, first rectal exhaust, and first feeding, were achieved sooner. Importantly, insulin levels and HOMA-IR values were significantly lower on postoperative days 1 and 3 in the carbohydrate group, indicating better metabolic regulation. The study also highlighted broader recovery improvements. QoR-15 scores, which reflect overall quality of recovery, were consistently higher in the carbohydrate group, with a steady upward trend during the postoperative period. By day 3, inflammatory markers and liver function indicators were lower, while immune cell markers were elevated, suggesting enhanced immune recovery. Statistical analyses confirmed a positive correlation between preoperative carbohydrate intake, improved insulin sensitivity, and recovery outcomes. According to the authors, preoperative carbohydrate loading represents a simple, safe, and effective strategy to optimize surgical outcomes in laparoscopic liver resection patients. By minimizing insulin resistance and supporting immune and metabolic balance, carbohydrate administration could become an important component of enhanced recovery protocols.

Keywords: preoperative carbohydrate loading, insulin resistance, laparoscopic liver resection, recovery quality, HOMA-IR, QoR-15

Reference:

Li, Hongqiong, et al. “Oral Carbohydrate Intake Before Selective Laparoscopic Liver Resection Reduces Insulin Resistance and Enhances Recovery.” American Journal of Translational Research, vol. 17, no. 8, 2025, pp. 6080-6091.

Powered by WPeMatico

Higher Vitamin D Levels Lowers Dementia Risk, Finds Frontiers Study

A recent new meta-analysis published in the journal of Frontiers in Neurology suggests that higher serum vitamin D levels may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia. This research analyzed data from over 53,000 participants across 22 observational studies to clarify the relationship between vitamin D and cognitive decline.

The study systematically reviewed data from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase up to October 2024. This included studies spanning diverse populations and geographic regions, with participants monitored for the onset of dementia in relation to their blood vitamin D concentrations.

The individuals in the lowest vitamin D category underwent a 49% higher risk of developing dementia when compared to the individuals with the highest levels. This translated to a relative risk (RR) of 1.49 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.32 to 1.67. Heterogeneity among the studies was moderate (I² = 37.8%), which indicated some variation in the effect across different populations but reinforcing the overall trend.

This research conducted a dose–response analysis to explore whether incremental changes in vitamin D levels corresponded to measurable differences in dementia risk. The findings revealed a linear association, for every 10 nmol/L increase in serum vitamin D, the risk of dementia decreased by approximately 1.2% (RR = 0.988, 95% CI: 0.982–0.994).

While this effect is relatively small at the individual level, this research note that the public health implications could be more significant in populations with widespread vitamin D deficiency. No evidence of non-linear effects was observed, suggesting that risk reduction follows a steady, proportional pattern rather than a threshold effect.

This study examined subgroups to assess whether the association varied by age, sex, geographic location, or study design. Across these comparisons, the inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and dementia risk remained consistent, lending robustness to the findings. Other factors, like diet, sun exposure, and underlying health conditions, could also influence dementia risk.

Overall, the analysis reinforces the potential link between vitamin D and cognitive health, highlighting a small but consistent protective effect. These findings emphasize that while maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is important for overall health, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm whether supplementation could directly reduce the risk of dementia.

Source:

Huang, Y., Chen, Y., Wu, Y., Wu, Y., Dai, X., Feng, J., & Li, X. (2025). Association of vitamin D with risk of dementia: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Frontiers in Neurology, 16(1649841). https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1649841

Powered by WPeMatico

Interferon alpha Nasal Spray Reduces COVID-19 Risk in Cancer Patients: Study

A new study published in the journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases showed that daily use of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) nasal spray significantly lowered the risk of COVID-19 infection in adults with solid-tumor or blood cancers compared to a saline placebo. 

Previous research has demonstrated the role of IFN pathways in COVID-19 protection, with nasal IFN-α being useful in preventing influenza and rhinovirus, 2 respiratory viruses that are acquired in the community. This trial assessed whether giving adult cancer patients a daily nasal spray of IFN-α would lower their risk of contracting COVID-19 or other community-acquired respiratory viral infections.

The participants in this study were randomized 1:1 to receive either a normal saline placebo or a daily 40 000 IU IFN-α nasal spray. To test for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, parainfluenza, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, picornavirus, human metapneumovirus, seasonal coronavirus, and/or SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen, participants who experienced influenza-like symptoms self-collected nose swabs. Incidence of COVID-19 and/or other respiratory viruses within 90 days of randomization were co-primary outcomes.

A total of 433 individuals were randomly assigned to either IFN-α (n = 217) or a placebo (n = 216). When compared to the placebo group, the IFN-α group had a lower incidence of COVID-19 (8.3% vs. 14.4%), suggesting a 40% lower chance of infection (relative risk [RR]:.60; 95% credible interval [CrI]:.33–.97).

In both groups, the incidence of other respiratory viral infections was 5.1% (RR: 1.12;.43–2.34). The incidence of COVID-19 was 7.7% in the IFN-α group and 16.0% in the placebo group (RR:.50;.26–.84) in the per-protocol cohort (n = 389), whereas the incidence of other respiratory viruses was 4.6% and 5.7%, respectively.

There was no difference by underlying malignancy, but subgroup analysis showed decreased COVID-19 in the IFN-α group for ages <65 years (RR:.48;.20–.92), female sex (RR:.44;.19–.85), and COVID-19 vaccinated (RR:.50;.26–.82). Hospitalization, death, and secondary endpoints of severity did not vary. IFN-α was safe and well tolerated.

Overall, prophylactic use of intranasal IFN-α nasal spray was safe and beneficial in lowering the incidence of COVID-19 in adult cancer patients. In addition to immunization and monoclonal antibodies, IFN-α may be a preventative approach against COVID-19.

Source:

Yong, M. K., Thursky, K., Crane, M., Spelman, T., Mahar, R. K., Simpson, J. A., Scott, A. M., Harrison, S. J., Szer, J., Pellegrini, M., Lingaratnam, S., Pang, K. C., Tennakoon, S., Sim, B. Z., Blyth, E., Gan, H. K., Quach, H., McIntosh, M. P., Page, H., … Slavin, M. (2025). Interferon-α nasal spray prophylaxis reduces COVID-19 in cancer patients: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical Infectious Diseases: An Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America,. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf409

Powered by WPeMatico

Mediterranean diet could reduce gum disease, reveals study

People living in the UK and following a diet close to the Mediterranean diet are more likely to have better gum health, with potentially lower amounts of gum disease and inflammation.

Findings from a King’s College London study indicate that people not following a Mediterranean – style diet tended to have more severe gum disease, especially if they consumed red meat frequently.

In these patients, the researchers observed higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

However, patients whose diets were rich in plant-based food which are typical of a Mediterranean diet, such as legumes, vegetables, fruits and olive oil, showed lower levels of various inflammatory markers.

The research, published today in the Journal of Periodontology, evaluated 200 hospital patients enrolled in the King’s College London Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Biobank by performing dental exams, taking blood samples, and asking them about their diets through questionnaires.

The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing major diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers.

There is substantial evidence showing that diet might play a role on human health by affecting the immune system and moderating inflammation. This depends on the composition of molecules in the diet, which include macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals. Plant-based diets can contain more of these molecules which can lead to lower inflammation.

Dr Giuseppe Mainas, first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London, said: “Our findings suggest that a balanced, Mediterranean-type diet could potentially reduce gum disease and systemic inflammation.

“We observed that there may be a connection between periodontal disease severity, diet, and inflammation. These aspects should be holistically considered when assessing the treatment for periodontitis in patients. Our research offers an important starting point that can lead to more research to better understand the relationship between foods intake and gum disease.”

Professor Luigi Nibali, lead author and a Professor of Periodontology from King’s College London said: “There is emerging evidence about the role that a balanced diet might have in maintaining a periodontal healthy status. Our research shows the potential effect that a nutrient-dense, plant-rich diet could play in improving the nation’s gum health. Nevertheless, more investigation is needed to develop personalised approaches to help people manage their gum health.” 

Reference:

Giuseppe Mainas, Giuseppe Grosso, Jason Di Giorgio, Joshua Hurley, Meaad Mohammed Alamri, Gaetano Isola, Mark Ide, Luigi Nibali, Relationship between Mediterranean diet and periodontal inflammation in a UK population: A cross-sectional study, Journal of Periodontology, https://doi.org/10.1002/jper.70016

Powered by WPeMatico

Dental Caries and BMI have bidirectional association among Deprived Adolescents, suggests study

Adolescence is a critical period for both oral and overall health, with nutrition, growth, and dental development closely interlinked. New evidence has shed light on a bidirectional association between dental caries and body mass index (BMI) among adolescents living in deprived communities, underscoring the complex interplay between malnutrition and oral disease.

Researchers have found that adolescents with persistently low BMI are at higher risk of developing dental caries. Poor nutritional intake in underweight individuals may weaken enamel integrity and compromise immune response, leaving them more susceptible to oral infections. At the same time, repeated dental pain and infection may further impair dietary intake, reinforcing a cycle of poor growth and oral ill-health. On the other end of the spectrum, the study also revealed that adolescents experiencing increasing caries and related oral infections were more prone to higher BMI z-score increases over time. This may reflect greater consumption of sugar-rich diets, which not only contribute to caries progression but also predispose to excess weight gain. Thus, dental caries may act as both a marker and contributor to adverse nutritional trajectories in deprived populations. These findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated strategies that simultaneously address malnutrition and dental caries in adolescents, particularly those in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings. Interventions should integrate dietary guidance, caries-preventive oral care, and community-based health promotion programs. Schools may serve as key venues for screening and implementing preventive measures such as fluoride varnish application, oral hygiene education, and healthier dietary policies. The study emphasizes that tackling either condition in isolation may be insufficient. Instead, holistic, integrated approaches targeting both oral health and nutrition could reduce the burden of caries, improve growth outcomes, and contribute to long-term health equity. Further longitudinal research is warranted to refine causal mechanisms and design interventions that can break this harmful cycle.

Keywords
dental caries, body mass index, BMI z-score, adolescents, deprived communities, malnutrition, oral health, nutrition, bidirectional association, public health strategies

Reference
Patel R, Singh A, O’Malley L, et al. Bidirectional association between dental caries and body mass index among deprived adolescents: findings from a prospective cohort study. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2025. doi:10.1111/cdoe.12987

Powered by WPeMatico