Lena Schuster

Bio: Lena Schuster is an academic researcher from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. The author has contributed to research in topics: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health & UDMA. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 77 citations.

Functional outcome in patients with advanced head and neck cancer: surgery and reconstruction with free flaps versus primary radiochemotherapy

Abstract: The objective was to compare functional outcome in patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with (a) surgical resection and reconstruction with microvascular free flaps (MVFF) followed by radiochemotherapy versus (b) primary radiochemotherapy (RCT) on the basis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) from WHO. This was a cross-sectional, multi-institutional study. The outcome measures included ICF Core Sets for HNC, the EORTC-QLQ, modules c30 + hn35 and the University of Washington-Quality of life Questionnaire (UW-QOL). Analyses included descriptive statistics, ranking exercises, and regression analyses in a cumulative logit model; 27 patients were treated with MVFF and 22 with RCT. Global Quality of life scores suggested a slightly better functional outcome for the surgical approach. The majority of ICF categories (81/93, 87%) did not show a difference in functional outcome between the two treatment approaches. In the remaining 12 ICF categories, n = 3 body structures were more affected in the MVFF group, while n = 3 body functions, and n = 6 activities/participations were more problematic in the RCT group. This included oral swallowing and weight maintenance functions as well as social relationships, acquiring a job, and economic self-sufficiency. In addition, nine contextual environmental factors were more relevant to the RCT group. Both treatment approaches seemed appropriate to advanced HNC from the perspective of functional outcome. The influence of treatment modalities on the social and economic lives of cancer survivors needs to be explored further. In order to guide rehabilitation according to patients' needs, the ICF offers a multidimensional view comprising body structures, body functions, and activities and participation in life.

How much do resin-based dental materials release? A meta-analytical approach (vol 27 pg 723, 2011)

Abstract: OBJECTIVES Resin-based dental materials are not inert in the oral environment, and may release components, initially due to incomplete polymerization, and later due to degradation. Since there are concerns regarding potential toxicity, more precise knowledge of the actual quantity of released eluates is necessary. However, due to a great variety in analytical methodology employed in different studies and in the presentation of the results, it is still unclear to which quantities of components a patient may be exposed. The objective of this meta-analytical study was to review the literature on the short- and long-term release of components from resin-based dental materials, and to determine how much (order of magnitude) of those components may leach out in the oral cavity. METHODS Out of an initial set of 71 studies, 22 were included. In spite of the large statistical incertitude due to the great variety in methodology and lack of complete information (detection limits were seldom mentioned), a meta-analytical mean for the evaluated eluates was calculated. To relate the amount of potentially released material components with the size of restorations, the mean size of standard composite restorations was estimated using a 3D graphical program. RESULTS While the release of monomers was analyzed in many studies, that of additives, such as initiators, inhibitors and stabilizers, was seldom investigated. Significantly more components were found to be released in organic than in water-based media. Resin-based dental materials might account for the total burden of orally ingested bisphenol A, but they may release even higher amounts of monomers, such as HEMA, TEGDMA, BisGMA and UDMA. Compared to these monomers, similar or even higher amounts of additives may elute, even though composites generally only contain very small amounts of additives. A positive correlation was found between the total quantity of released eluates and the volume of extraction solution. SIGNIFICANCE There is a clear need for more accurate and standardized analytical research to determine the long-term release from resin-based materials. Several guidelines for standardization are proposed.