J Formos Med Assoc
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Patients with serum antigastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity may have vitamin B12 deficiency and some oral symptoms. This study assessed the changes of serum GPCA titer in GPCA-positive patients after effective vitamin B12 treatment. ⋯ Regular and continuous effective vitamin B12 treatment can reduce the relatively higher serum GPCA titers to significantly lower or undetectable levels in GPCA-positive patients.
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The Taiwan National Health Insurance program has allocated a specific fund for dental services to patients with specific disabilities (PSDs); however, the trends and the quality are unknown. In this study, we conducted quantity analyses and quality assessments of dental service use among PSDs using a nationwide population-based database. ⋯ During 2010-2012, only 3-4% of patients with disabilities had access to dental services, mostly provided to younger PSDs. Teeth of PSDs had higher refilling rates and unfinished endodontic sessions than the general population. We suggest that a more comprehensive dental care system is necessary to improve the quantity and quality of dental services, especially in middle-aged and older PSDs.
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Erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) patients with desquamative gingivitis (DG) are sometimes encountered in our oral mucosal disease clinic. This study assessed hematinic deficiencies and anemia statuses in antigastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA)-positive EOLP patients with DG (GPCA+/DG+/EOLP patients). ⋯ We conclude that GPCA+/DG+/EOLP patients may have vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, and an abnormally high blood homocysteine level. In addition to pernicious anemia, GPCA+/DG+/EOLP patients may sometimes have normocytic anemia or iron deficiency anemia.