The American journal of medicine
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Multicenter Study
Effect of periodontal treatment on reducing chronic inflammation in systemically healthy patients with periodontal disease: a multicenter study.
We determined the effects and an accurate marker of periodontal treatment on serum interleukin (IL)-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) levels in systemically healthy individuals with periodontal disease. ⋯ Periodontal treatment effectively decreased serum IL-6 levels, independent of periodontal pathogen infection, in systemically healthy individuals with periodontal disease.
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Veterans may be especially susceptible to increased alcohol consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to evaluate trends in alcohol use among US Veterans prior to, during, and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ High-risk alcohol use among US Veterans has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic onset, and in the third year following pandemic onset, 15% of Veterans overall and over 20% of young Veterans ages 18-39 years reported high-risk alcohol use.
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and latent tuberculosis infection are associated with a significant global burden, but both are underdiagnosed and undertreated. We described the screening patterns and risk factors for co-infection with latent tuberculosis and HBV within a large healthcare system. ⋯ Latent tuberculosis risk is elevated among HBV patients, and vice versa. Risk of co-infection was highest among persons born in high-incidence countries and Asians. These findings support recent guidelines to increase HBV and tuberculosis screening, particularly among persons with either infection.