Pilot study of primary prevention and screening of primary Sjogren’s syndrome associated salivary and lacrimal gland lesions induced by harmful environmental factors and stress.
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Published in the JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL MEDICINE, 2010, № 3, pp. 45-50.
Tamar Chachibaia - Georgian Sjogren’s Syndrome Association
Dr. Aleksandr Aleksidze - O.Gudushauri National Medical Centre, Ophthalmology department
Ekaterine Aptsiauri, Inga Bulia, Nino Manjafarashvilii - Rare Diseases Alliance Georgia
Irina Aleksidze, Tina Gabashvili - Ophthalmological Clinic “Optimed”
Prof. Irine Zarnadze, Prof. David Zarnadze - Tbilisi State Medical University, Faculty of Public Health
Dr. Aleksandr Aleksidze - O.Gudushauri National Medical Centre, Ophthalmology department
Ekaterine Aptsiauri, Inga Bulia, Nino Manjafarashvilii - Rare Diseases Alliance Georgia
Irina Aleksidze, Tina Gabashvili - Ophthalmological Clinic “Optimed”
Prof. Irine Zarnadze, Prof. David Zarnadze - Tbilisi State Medical University, Faculty of Public Health
Abstract
The aim of “Georgian Sjogren’s Syndrome Association” is to perform screening and provide prevention of Sjogren’s syndrome in Georgia. In cooperation with the “Alliance for Rare Diseases of Georgia” we apply our joint efforts in the prevention of this disease among women population in Georgia.
Scope of event
With the support and assistance from the specialized ophthalmologic clinics we performed primary prevention and screening (pilot study) of susceptible individuals on 12 June 2010 during Rustavi Women’s Health Fair - Celebrating Healthy Women (organized by Peace Corps Georgia Volunteers and Young Initiators.
Primary (1o) prevention at the population, as well at individual i.e. patient-doctor communication level was performed to avoid initiation of pSS by means of declining impact of harmful environmental factors, such as smoking, long stay in air conditioning building and etc. Activities for primary prevention were undertaken, particularly:
I.Short presentation on the following topics: Age related hormonal changes, environmental factors and genetic predisposition in triggering primary Sjogren’s syndrome associated salivary and lacrimal gland lesions. Recommendations and measures on primary prevention. Role of stress in the development of autoimmune diseases. Stress management techniques. What is the benefit of prevention of autoimmune diseases for the women in their peri/post menopausal periods of life.
II. Training and informational leaflets- Primary Prevention for Sjogren's syndrome - recognition of the causes and outcomes of dry eye and mouth symptoms. There is no single cause of pSS. Researchers suggest that combined impact of several influential factors are culprits of the development of this disease. Among all factors particularly are important - harmful environmental conditions; age related hormonal changes is women and genetic predisposition. Bacterial or viral infections may become initiator factors to trigger disease among genetically suseptible individaulas. We can merely avoid infections mononuleosis by maintenance of elementary hygiene norms.
III. Health consulting - Hands-in questionnaire, to reveal complaints on dryness of eye and/or mouth. Examination of dry eye and dry mouth symptoms in susceptible population. Individual and population level primary prevention and screening (pilot study).
Results
Out of 85 examined patients 8 revealed combined dryness of eye and mouth, 7 - isolated eye, and 3 - mouth dryness.
To note it is important to perform pre-screening training of the stuff involved in health event. We compare time dedicated by ophthalmologist to each patient during health fair event in healthy women applied in this cohort study. Those, who were pre-trained to perform questionnaire vs. without preliminary training. Time dedicated to each patient was twice more in trained vs. untrained health care workers.
Conclusion: Based on the results of pilot study for the further study was chosen individual-level i.e. secondary screening and prevention at the patient-physician level versus population-level approach.
The aim of “Georgian Sjogren’s Syndrome Association” is to perform screening and provide prevention of Sjogren’s syndrome in Georgia. In cooperation with the “Alliance for Rare Diseases of Georgia” we apply our joint efforts in the prevention of this disease among women population in Georgia.
Scope of event
With the support and assistance from the specialized ophthalmologic clinics we performed primary prevention and screening (pilot study) of susceptible individuals on 12 June 2010 during Rustavi Women’s Health Fair - Celebrating Healthy Women (organized by Peace Corps Georgia Volunteers and Young Initiators.
Primary (1o) prevention at the population, as well at individual i.e. patient-doctor communication level was performed to avoid initiation of pSS by means of declining impact of harmful environmental factors, such as smoking, long stay in air conditioning building and etc. Activities for primary prevention were undertaken, particularly:
I.Short presentation on the following topics: Age related hormonal changes, environmental factors and genetic predisposition in triggering primary Sjogren’s syndrome associated salivary and lacrimal gland lesions. Recommendations and measures on primary prevention. Role of stress in the development of autoimmune diseases. Stress management techniques. What is the benefit of prevention of autoimmune diseases for the women in their peri/post menopausal periods of life.
II. Training and informational leaflets- Primary Prevention for Sjogren's syndrome - recognition of the causes and outcomes of dry eye and mouth symptoms. There is no single cause of pSS. Researchers suggest that combined impact of several influential factors are culprits of the development of this disease. Among all factors particularly are important - harmful environmental conditions; age related hormonal changes is women and genetic predisposition. Bacterial or viral infections may become initiator factors to trigger disease among genetically suseptible individaulas. We can merely avoid infections mononuleosis by maintenance of elementary hygiene norms.
III. Health consulting - Hands-in questionnaire, to reveal complaints on dryness of eye and/or mouth. Examination of dry eye and dry mouth symptoms in susceptible population. Individual and population level primary prevention and screening (pilot study).
Results
Out of 85 examined patients 8 revealed combined dryness of eye and mouth, 7 - isolated eye, and 3 - mouth dryness.
To note it is important to perform pre-screening training of the stuff involved in health event. We compare time dedicated by ophthalmologist to each patient during health fair event in healthy women applied in this cohort study. Those, who were pre-trained to perform questionnaire vs. without preliminary training. Time dedicated to each patient was twice more in trained vs. untrained health care workers.
Conclusion: Based on the results of pilot study for the further study was chosen individual-level i.e. secondary screening and prevention at the patient-physician level versus population-level approach.