SM Journal of Family Medicine

Current Issue

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Depression and Suicidality in Adolescence: The Impact of Maternal Depression and Early Childhood Neglect

The current study explores the impact of maternal depression and early childhood neglect on depression and suicidal ideation in adolescence. LONGSCAN data was used to assess adolescents and their caregivers (N=805). The sample was predominantly Black or African American. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale was used to assess maternal depression. Caregivers completed the depression subscale and a categorical indicator of suicidality from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Adolescents completed the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children. Neglect was confirmed from Child Protective Services data. When T-scores from the CBCL and TSC (ages 12 and 16) were treated as the outcome measures, MANCOVA was run with neglect as the independent variable and maternal depression as a covariate. When suicidal ideation served as the outcome, the effects of neglect and maternal depression were examined with logistic regression when suicidal ideation was the outcome. The effects of neglect on adolescent depression and suicidal ideation were significantly higher in those who were neglected. A significant positive relationship between maternal depression and adolescent depression at age 16 was revealed by caregiver report. Significant effects were also yielded between maternal depression and suicidal ideation, when children aged 12 assessed themselves. For every point higher on the (CES-D), the likelihood of suicidal ideation increased by 5%. These findings endorse that early neglect and maternal depression can impede the attainment of stage-salient psychosocial developmental goals, increasing the likelihood of adolescent depression and suicidal ideation. Reports by caregivers and adolescents are not always consistent, emphasizing the importance of risk reduction through psychoeducation and routine screening for neglect, depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents

Leanne Katz Levin¹,²*, Dasha Kotalic¹, Adair Roberts¹, Tamara Duke¹, James Vivian¹, Anthony Greene¹, and April Fallon¹


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Hyperbaric Oxygen Combined with PRF on the Repair Effects of Calcined Bovine Bone to Periodontal Bone Defects, Gingival Papillae Loss and the Expression of RANKL/OPG

Objective : To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) combined with Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) on thetreatment of periodontal bone defects and gingival papillae loss using calcined bone (CBB).

Methods : A total of 150 patients with chronic periodontitis and bone defects were selected and divided into three groups after calcined bone grafting: the HBO-PRF group, the PRF group, and the control group, with 50 cases in each group. The Gingival Index (GI), Periodontal Pocket Depth (PD), and Clinical Attachment Loss (AL) were recorded before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post operation. Gingival papillae height (GPH) and black triangles area (BTA) were measured. and keratinized gingival width (KGW) was measured at different time points. CBCT and periapical x ray were taken to measure bone density and bone filling, and the rate of bone improvement was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the expression of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Ligand (RANKL) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post operation.

Results : The HBO-PRF group showed significantly reduced of the GI, PD, and AL at 6 and 12 months post operation compared to the PRF group and the control group. The reduction in KGW was significantly lower than that of the PRF group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post operation. HBO-PRF group showed a significant increase in GPH and a significant reduction in BTA than control group, The HBO-PRF group had a significantly higher bone density and bone fill improvement at 6 and 12 months compared to the PRF group and the control group, and the GCF OPG was significantly higher than that of other groups, while RANKL and the RANKL/OPG were significantly lower.

Tie-Lou Chen1,2*#, Hui-Jie Lu3*, Ting-Lin Zhang4 , Bing Xu5 , Dong-Sheng Xu6 , Yan-En Wang1 , An-Xin Yue7 , Yi-Yi Pang8 , Chuan-Mei Huang1 , Zhi-Zen Quan1 , Xin-Yu Yang1 , Shi-Feng Wang9#, Da-Hai Tang10# and Yi-Jun Zhou11 , Wen-Jing Chen12


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The Impact of Remote Work on Job Stress: Evidence Bsaed Management Strategies

The adoption of remote work has significantly increased, offering benefits such as improved time management and work-life balance. However, it also brings challenges like blurred boundaries between work and personal life, reduced social interaction, and increased technology use, leading to heightened stress and burnout. This article reviews the impact of remote work on job stress and suggests evidence-based strategies for managing it. Key strategies include creating a dedicated workspace, maintaining defined work hours, using time management techniques, incorporating regular exercise and mindfulness, and fostering social interaction through virtual meetings. These approaches can improve well-being and productivity in a remote work setting.

Mariola Pérez-Marqués* 


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Parents’ Experiences of Family and Daily Life after Their Child’s Stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Implications for Practice and Research

Parents of critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units often experience significant trauma, stress and long-term consequences, even if their child makes a full recovery. These include acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-intensive care syndrome in both parents and children. Swiss authors analyzed parents’ experiences and needs after the traumatic stay and their return to everyday life. The results show three phases, guided by trust and involvement in the treatment process during the stay, and processing after the stay, which are interrelated  and influence each other so that normality can return to everyday life, processing after the stay. The return to everyday life is facilitated by a support program such as aftercare and debriefing, especially for families whose children have fully recovered. Targeted interventions and supporting programs throughout the course of treatment could be of great benefit to these families by addressing their emotional, psychological and practical needs.

Sandra Stalder¹,⁴, Daniela Händler-Schuster¹-³, and Franzisca Domeisen Benedetti¹*


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Clinical Study of Hyperbaric Oxygen Combined with PRF on the Repair Effects of Calcined Bovine Bone to Periodontal Bone Loss, Gingival Tissue Defects and the Expression of RANKL/OPG

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) combined with Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) on the treatment of periodontal bone defects, keratinized gingival width (KGW) and gingival papillae height using calcined bone (CBB).

Methods: A total of 150 patients with chronic periodontitis and bone defects were selected and divided into three groups after calcined bone grafting: the HBO-PRF group, the PRF group, and the control group, with 50 cases in each group. The Gingival Index (GI), Periodontal Pocket Depth (PD), and Clinical Attachment Level (AL) were recorded before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post operation. CBCT and periapical x ray were taken to measure bone density and bone filling, and the rate of bone improvement was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the expression of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappa B Ligand (RANKL) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post operation, and the Keratinized Gingival Width (KGW) was measured at different time points.

Results: The HBO-PRF group showed significantly reduced of the GI, PD, and AL at 6 and 12 months post operation compared to the PRF group and the control group. The reduction in KGW was significantly lower than that of the PRF group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post operation. The HBO-PRF group had a significantly higher bone density and bone fill improvement at 6 and 12 months compared to the PRF group and the control group. The GCF OPG was significantly higher than that of other groups, while RANKL and the RANKL/OPG were significantly lower.

Conclusion: (Implied from the results) HBO combined with PRF significantly improves periodontal bone defects, KGW, and gingival health compared to PRF alone or calcined bone grafting alone. This is associated with increased bone density, bone fill, OPG expression, and decreased RANKL expression.

Conclusion: The combination of HBO and PRF can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of calcined bone in repairing periodontal bone defects, and promote periodontal bone regeneration. And increase the KGW and the gingival papillae height, and improve black triangles. The mechanism is related to its regulation of the RANKL/OPG signaling pathway, balancing the osteoclastic and osteoblastic processes by HBO and PRF.

 

Tie-Lou Chen¹²#, Hui-Jie Lu³*, Ting-Lin Zhang⁴, Bing Xu⁵, Dong-Sheng Xu⁶, Yan-En Wang¹, An-Xin Yue⁷, Yi-Yi Pang⁸, Chuan-Mei Huang¹, Zhi-Zen Quan¹, Xin-Yu Yang¹, Shi-Feng Wang⁹#, Da-Hai Tang¹⁰# and Yi-Jun Zhou¹¹, Wen-Jing Chen¹²


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Factors Influencing the Willingness of Family Members of Potential Organ Donors to Donate Organs: A Scoping Review

Background: Global observatory on donation and transplantation (GODT) is recognized as the most comprehensive source of data on organ donation and transplantation. GODT data shows that 157,494 solid organ transplants will be performed globally in 2022, an increase of 9.1% from 2021, but still less than 10% of the total global organ demand. Family members play a key role in deceased organ donation decisions. If the deceased expressed the will to donate organs before death, the relatives’ decision-making is likely to be consistent with that of the deceased. If the deceased did not express explicitly before death or could not make the decision to donate organs due to the specificity of the disease, the family members of the deceased acted as the decision-makers. Therefore, this study provides a scoping review of studies related to the willingness of family members of potential organ donors to donate organs, analyzes the current status of the studies and the factors affecting them, and provides references and bases for improving the status quo of a serious imbalance in the ratio of organ supply to demand.

Methods: According to the scoping review methodology, the computer system searched databases such as Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Internet, with a timeframe from the construction of the library to June 1, 2024, and the literature was categorized and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Altogether 18 articles were included in the literature, and 6 themes were summarized: 1)sociodemographic factors, 2)brain death and organ donation system and regulations factors, 3)organ donation coordination and communication factors, 4)factors related to healthcare professionals, 5)factors about organ donation knowledge and attitude, 6)others.

Conclusion: The willingness of family members of potential organ donors to donate organs is influenced by multiple factors, the most common influencing factors include: attitude towards organ donation, traditional view and organ donation system and regulations. In order to increase the organ donation rate, the people and departments concerned should take effective measures to improve the serious imbalance between the supply and demand ratio of organs.

Chu Gao¹#, Yao Lifeng²#, Fang Yanyu¹, Li Siqi¹, Chai Yufei¹, Yi Xiaoyan³, Qin Jia⁴* and Dai Yaqin⁴#

 


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Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Management via Teledermatology Compared to In-Person Encounters

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by follicular occlusion and inflammation that leads to pustules, nodules, papules, or abscesses in the axilla, buttocks, or groin with significant morbidity

Sydney DeVore, Tito Oyekweli, and Joseph C. English III*


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Medical Ethics, A Necessity: Professor Gonzalo Herranz

To know Prof Gonzalo Herranz is to participate in a common feeling in which respect and admiration intermingle. It generates a remarkable capacity of attraction. In the broad field of bioethics, he is a clear example of scientific truth in the usual medical action with the patient, and in the international leadership that points out the points of biological authenticity. His tenacious effort in the search for scientific truth along with the defense of a humane and close attitude towards the patient makes it convenient to disseminate his work as it constitutes a reference for the level of quality that is required in medical performance.

Juan Llor Baños


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Quarantine, Epidemic Containment, Infected and Safe Spaces: Yellow Fever in Gibraltar, 1828

Two centuries ago, quarantine measures were used to combat the yellow fever epidemic in Gibraltar, a colonial outpost and garrison town. These measures foreshadowed similar practices used today to mitigate Covid-19. Authorities took advantage of a highly compliant population to impose measures which many today would consider draconian in nature to control, monitor and contain the population during the five-month epidemic. Statistics drawn from official day-to-day reporting show that the policy of the forced encampment of the vulnerable was effective in lowering both yellow fever sick and death rates. The yellow fever mortality rate for those in the Town was significanly lower with43.73 per 1000 living compared to 21.06 per 1000 living in the encampment (Z = 7.68, p = <0.0001). The morbidity rate showed a similar differential with 233.17 sick with the fever per 1000 as opposed to 43.14 per 1000 for those in the camp (Z = 38.11, p = <0.0001).

Sawchuk LA


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How Community Pharmacists Can Make a Difference in Black Health: Black Bioethics and the Ethics of Empathy and Care

Pharmacists stand at the forefront of patient interaction and medication management in the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare and health equity. A Doctor of Pharmacy is a “doctor” who is uniquely positioned to influence health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities and medical deserts. This paper explores how the integration of empathy and care ethics into pharmacy practice can empower pharmacists to address the social, political, and moral determinants of health to the character of their work. By fostering a deeper understanding of these determinants, pharmacists can become pivotal agents of change, promoting equity, trust, and improved health outcomes in marginalized populations. This approach not only enhances patient care but also contributes to the broader mission of reducing health disparities and fostering a more inclusive healthcare system.

David Augustin Hodge, Sr.*