A BSTRACT Introduction: Oral health is an important yet frequently overlooked aspect of antenatal care, with conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis posing a risk to pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess women’s awareness of oral health during pregnancy and their satisfaction with the information received at a tertiary care center in Germany. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 pregnant women in their third trimester at a university hospital. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University Medical Centre where the study was performed. Results: Only 54% of participants reported having received information on oral health during pregnancy. Of these, 32% were satisfied, and 5% were very satisfied with the information provided; however, only 13% could recall specific content. A significant association (ϕ =0.257) was observed between receiving information and the ability to recall preventive measures, representing a small-to-moderate effect size. Women who had received information were significantly more likely to report satisfaction ( P < 0.001). Notably, 11% of women reported avoiding dental treatment during pregnancy. Conclusions: Awareness of oral health during pregnancy remains limited, and there are gaps in patient education, even in settings with good access to healthcare. These results highlight the need to strengthen the integration of oral health education into routine antenatal and primary care in order to improve maternal health literacy and utilization of care.
A BSTRACT Background: Hypertension is a leading global risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. In Canada, nearly one in four adults is affected, yet control rates are declining due to complex guidance and variable targets. The 2025 Canadian guidelines, aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) HEARTS, define hypertension as ≥130/80 mm Hg, emphasizing practical primary care. This review evaluates adult management trends and identifies gaps affecting clinical outcomes. Methods: A systematic Web of Science search used “hypertension,” “high blood pressure,” or “elevated blood pressure” combined with “management” or “treatment.” Eligible studies were English, human-based, and had no year limits. Four reviewers independently extracted data on study design, demographics, management strategies, and outcomes. Descriptive statistics analyzed citation trends and emerging research areas. Results: The review included 50 highly cited studies (2002–2018), primarily from North America and Europe. Guidelines and consensus papers comprised 40% of the data. Pharmacologic therapy dominated—focusing on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics—while lifestyle interventions appeared in only 16%. Citation counts ranged from 120 to over 6,000, with major guideline reports being the most referenced. Common adverse effects included peripheral edema and electrolyte imbalances. Notable gaps included limited geographic diversity, low female authorship, and a lack of research on non-pharmacologic care. Conclusion: Primary care relies heavily on medications, leaving lifestyle strategies underutilized despite proven efficacy. Citation impact reveals regional and institutional disparities in research output. Future efforts should prioritize region-specific studies, digital health tools, personalized treatments, and multidisciplinary care to improve long-term blood pressure control and global health equity.
A BSTRACT Introduction: White-coat hypertension (WCH) is characterized by elevated blood pressure (BP) readings in clinical settings despite normal out-of-office measurements. Failure to identify WCH may result in misdiagnosis and unnecessary antihypertensive treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WCH and describe associated clinical characteristics and management patterns among adults attending a family medicine clinic in Dubai. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a family medicine clinic in a tertiary care hospital in Dubai. Medical records of adults aged ≥18 years with at least two elevated clinic BP readings (≥130/80 mmHg) or a recommendation for ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) or home BP monitoring (HBPM) were reviewed. Data on demographics, body mass index, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, BP measurements, and management strategies were collected and analyzed. Results: Among 100 patients, the prevalence of WCH was 29%. Median clinic BP readings were 144/90 mmHg initially and 141/85 mmHg on repeat assessment. Most participants were male (67%), middle-aged, and overweight or obese (80%). Comorbidities were present in 81% of patients. ABPM or HBPM was performed in 98% of cases. No significant associations were identified between WCH and demographic or clinical characteristics. Lifestyle counseling was the most common management strategy (68.9%), whereas antihypertensive therapy was prescribed in only 6.9% of patients with WCH. Conclusion: Nearly one-third of patients had WCH. These findings highlight the importance of ABPM and HBPM for accurate diagnosis and avoidance of unnecessary treatment. Lifestyle modification remains the primary management approach, and larger multicenter studies are needed to inform regional hypertension care.
A BSTRACT Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction, usually drug-induced, with significant morbidity and mortality. A 65-year-old woman presented with fever, painful oral ulcers, conjunctival redness, dysphagia, and rapidly progressive widespread skin lesions following initiation of gabapentin. Clinical examination revealed > 80% body surface area epidermal detachment with mucosal involvement. A positive pseudo-Nikolsky sign and skin biopsy showing full-thickness epidermal necrosis confirmed TEN. The SCORTEN score was 3, indicating a moderate risk of mortality. Gabapentin was immediately discontinued, and the patient was managed with systemic corticosteroids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid and electrolyte balance, nutritional support, and multidisciplinary care in the intensive care unit. Re-epithelialization occurred, and the patient was discharged after 22 days with residual pigmentary changes but no major sequelae. Early recognition, prompt withdrawal of the offending drug, and intensive supportive care are crucial in improving outcomes.
A BSTRACT Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased pressure on healthcare systems, making telemedicine an important tool for monitoring home-isolated patients while reducing disease transmission. Nutritional status plays a key role in immunity, disease severity, and recovery, but evidence among telemedicine-managed home-isolated patients remains limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the nutritional status and prevalence of comorbidities among home-isolated COVID-19 patients receiving telemedicine support and examined implications for family medicine and primary care practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 adults aged 18–59 years with confirmed COVID-19 infection enrolled in the eHealth and Telemedicine Program. Data regarding demographic characteristics, dietary preferences, food allergies, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities were collected through structured telemedicine consultations. Nutritional status was assessed according to the World Health Organization’s BMI criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Among the participants, 152 (54.3%) were female. Normal BMI was observed in 118 (42.1%) participants, while 106 (37.9%) were overweight, 40 (14.3%) were obese, and 16 (5.7%) were underweight, indicating a substantial burden of nutritional imbalance. Comorbidities were reported by 94 (33.6%) participants. Obesity was more prevalent among patients with comorbidities (42.6%) than among those without chronic diseases. Conclusion: Nutritional imbalance was highly prevalent among home-isolated COVID-19 patients receiving telemedicine support. The high burden of overweight and obesity, particularly among individuals with chronic diseases, highlights the importance of integrating nutritional assessment, lifestyle counseling, and metabolic risk screening into routine telemedicine and primary care services.
