Ivan Alajbeg

Bio: Ivan Alajbeg is an academic researcher from University of Zagreb. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Opiorphin. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 63 publications receiving 699 citations. Previous affiliations of Ivan Alajbeg include University Hospital Centre Zagreb.

Efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device for xerostomia relief: a multicenter, randomized trial.

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device, consisting of stimulating electrodes, an electronic circuit, and a power source, in treating xerostomia. The device delivers electrostimulation through the oral mucosa to the lingual nerve in order to enhance the salivary reflex. Methods The device was tested on a sample of patients with xerostomia due to Sjogren's syndrome and other sicca conditions in a 2-stage prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. Stage I was a double-blind, crossover stage designed to compare the effects of the electrically active device with the sham device, each used for 1 month, and stage II was a 3-month open-label stage designed to assess the long-term effects of the active device. Improvement in xerostomia severity from baseline was the primary outcome measure. Results A total of 114 patients were randomized. In stage I, the active device performed better than the sham device for patient-reported xerostomia severity (P < 0.002), xerostomia frequency (P < 0.05), quality of life impairment (P < 0.01), and swallowing difficulty (P < 0.02). At the end of stage II, statistically significant improvements were verified for patient-reported xerostomia severity (P < 0.0001), xerostomia frequency (P < 0.0001), oral discomfort (P < 0.001), speech difficulty (P < 0.02), sleeping difficulty (P < 0.001), and resting salivary flow rate (P < 0.01). Conclusion Our findings indicate that daily use of the device alleviated oral dryness, discomfort, and some complications of xerostomia, such as speech and sleeping difficulties, and increased salivary output. The results show a cumulative positive effect of the device over the period of the study, from baseline to the end of the trial.

Oral burning symptoms and burning mouth syndrome-significance of different variables in 150 patients.

Abstract: Objectives: Despite the extensive amount of published literature upon burning symptoms in patients with clinically healthy appearance of the oral mucosa, as well as burning mouth syndrome (BMS) itself, they both remain still cha- llenging topics. The aim of this study was to determine the real prevalence of "true" BMS in comparison to other patients with burning symptoms with clinically healthy appearance of the oral mucosa and then to compare "true" BMS patients with healthy controls regarding gastritis and intake of anxiolytics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Study design: In 150 patients with burning symptoms of clinically healthy oral mucosa, local and systemic investigations were performed and they included detection of candidal infection, salivary flow rate, presence of oral galvanism and parafunctional habits as well as complete blood count, serum ferritin, serum glucose levels, serum antibodies to Helico- bacter pylori together with detailed medical history with special regard to medication intake. After "true" BMS patients were identified they have been compared to the controls with regard to the presence of gas- tritis and the intake of anxiolytics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Results: Our results show that gastritis were significantly more present among "true" BMS patients and that they also significantly more intake anxiolitics, when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Our findings might lead to the conclusion that every "true" BMS patient should be referred to the gas- troenterologist and psychiatrist.

The influence of dental status on masticatory muscle activity in elderly patients.

Abstract: Aims. The objective of this study was to determine whether the elevator and depressor muscle activity during five minutes mastication is affected by the presence of the prosthetic appliance in eld erly patients. Methods. Thirty edentulous subjects (EG) and 30 age-matched dentate subjects (DG) were studied. Surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings were obtained from the anterior temporal muscle (T), masseter muscle (M) and from the submandibular group in the region of the anterior belly of the digastrics muscle (D) on the left (L) and right (R) side. Muscle activity was registrated during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at the intercuspal position, maximal opening (Omax), and during five minutes of mastication. Elevator muscle activity during mastication was expressed in percentages of the maximal muscle activity in intercuspal position and depressor muscle activity was expressed in percentages of maximum opening. By using mixed ANOVA design, the effect of three factors was investigated: the factor of muscle with six muscles involved, the factor of time (five minutes of mastication), and the factor of dental status where some participants had their own natural dentition whereas others had complete dentures. Results. The results revealed significant effects of factors muscle and time (pP<0.001 for factor "muscle" pP<0.001 for factor "time"). The muscle was not significant by group interaction (p=0, 254), whileThe time by group interaction was significant (pP=0, .046). In EG muscle activity gradually decreased during the whole five minute interval of mastication, while in DG it decreased more rapidly from the 1st to the 3rd minute and then it increased till the 5th minute. There was also a significant effect regarding the presence of natural teeth or complete dentures (pP<0.034). Complete denture wearers had higher muscle activity relatively to % of MVC or % of Omax than dentate subjects. Conclusions. Muscle activity during five minutes of mastication depends greatly of the presence of the prosthetic appliance, since edentulous subjects had to use higher potentials of muscle activity (% of MVC or % of Omax) than age matched dentate subjects and were unable to increase activity at the end of mastication. The difference in chewing patterns and activity between complete denture wearers and dentate subjects should be explained to the patients prior to the prosthetic treatment in order to put their expectations into right perspective.

Sarcoidosis

Abstract: 结节病易误诊,据王洪武等~([1])收集国内18篇关于此病误诊的文献,误诊率高达63.2%,当然有误诊就会有误治,如孙永昌等~([2])报道26例结节病在影像学检查诊断的第一印象中拟诊结核5例,其中就有2例完成规范的抗结核治疗,为此应引起临床对本病诊治的重视。