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Biomedical subjects

R Kanerva

Publications and source records attributed to R Kanerva.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Bulimia and tooth erosion.

Eating disorders are often associated with regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth and dental erosion. In this study the dental status was evaluated in bulimic patients. Thirty-five bulimics, diagnosed in the Outpatient Departments of Psychiatry and Adolescent Psychiatry of the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, and 105 controls matched for age, sex, and educational level were examined clinically, and the factors associated with dental erosion and caries were evaluated in an interview. Severe dental erosion and dental caries were significantly commoner among bulimics than controls. Bulimics commonly had a low salivary flow rate, but other apparent risk factors of dental erosion did not differ from those of controls. A feeling of dry mouth was commoner among bulimics than controls, and bulimics had an increased tooth sensitivity to cold and touch. More should be done to protect teeth from dental erosion among bulimics, because loss of tooth tissue remains even if the eating disorder disappears.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Life events and other risk factors for somatic symptoms in adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine mental health risk factors related to somatic symptoms, common in adolescence. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Ten schools, corresponding approximately to US senior high schools, in two cities in Finland. SUBJECTS: A total of 1429 adolescents with no serious disease or injury during the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Frequent or rather frequent occurrence of two or more symptoms was reported by 44% of the female students and 28% of the male students during the past 6 months. Regression analyses showed that among female students, somatic symptoms were associated positively with serious illness or injury in the family, an increased number of arguments between parents, and breaking up with boyfriends or girlfriends; among male students, symptoms were associated with an increased absence of a parent from the home and trouble with siblings; and among both sexes, they were associated with failing examinations. Among male students, changing to new schools was associated with fewer symptoms. Symptom scores associated positively with trait anxiety, trait depression, an immature defense style, and alcohol or drug use among both sexes. Among male students, smoking was associated with more symptoms, and among female students, high self-esteem was associated with fewer symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mental health risk factors are strong correlates of somatic symptoms among adolescents with no serious disease. Follow-up studies are needed to clarify the predictive value of these factors.

Adolescent↗