Assessing the frequency of dental pain and its associated factors in 11-14 years old children

Objective: the purpose of this study was to assess the frequency, characteristics and other factors affecting dental pain in 11-14 years old school children in Islamabad, Pakistan

Methods: a cross sectional survey was carried out in May 2015 to assess the frequency of dental pain in 11-14 years old school children attending government and private schools in Islamabad, Pakistan. Total samples consisted of 526 school children from 9 randomly selected government and 9 from private schools. Two hundred and seventy three children from government schools and 253 children from private schools participated in the study. Response rate was 83.65%. A standardised questionnaire comprised of 15 questions related to demographics and pain experience was completed by the children

Results: the frequency of dental pain in 11-14 years old school children was 29.1% in Islamabad, Pakistan. The frequency of dental pain in males was 30.2% and in females it was 27.6%. In this study, dental pain in the last six months was not significantly associated with gender in children [p=0.618]. Similarly dental pain was not statistically significantly associated with the type of school in which the child was studying [p=0.302]. However dental pain was significantly related to occupation of father [p=0.027]. The children, whose fathers had jobs as labourers, had a higher frequency of dental pain than fathers with white-collar jobs. Almost 36.7% of the children reporting dental pain described the intensity of pain as discomforting and 28.1% of children had mild pain. The pain did not radiate to the surrounding area in 36.7% of the children. The pain radiated to surrounding area to mild and moderate extent in 41.4% and 13.3% of children respectively. It was found that eating from the side of mouth with dental pain had no effect on the severity of pain in 15.6% of children. Almost 13.3% of children claimed that eating made the pain moderately more severe

Conclusion: overall the frequency of dental pain in children was 29%. Dental pain was not associated with gender of the school child. Efforts should be directed to determine the cause of dental pain in school children. Prevention of dental pain can be done by promoting oral health in children to reduce the impact of dental pain on quality of life

Comparison of endodontic sealers in terms of their sealing ability

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the apical sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate and glass ionomer cement by a dye penetration test. It was carried out at Queen Marry and Westfield College, University of London during 2010-2011 session. Time duration was 6 months. A total of 16 samples of elephant tusk dentine [ivory] were prepared and finished for dye penetration test. Mineral trioxide aggregate and glass ionomer cement were mixed and placed in the prepared samples and were left overnight to set. Then two coats of nail varnish was applied onto the set material and allowed to dry. The samples were then suspended in methylene blue dye for 72 hours. Once dyed the samples were sectioned longitudinally and assessed microscopically with a stereomicro-scope. The dye penetration in the samples was assessed for two endodontic sealers. It was found that mineral trioxide aggregate showed a mean dye penetration value of 7.625mm as compared to mean dye penetration value of glass ionomer cement 3.875mm

Dyslipidaemia in Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Patients with and without Microalbuminuria

To determine the association of dyslipidemia in newly diagnosed diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria. Cross sectional study. The study was conducted from December 2009 to July 2011 at Medical Unit 1, Pakistan Railway Hospital, Islamic International Medical College [IIMC] Rawalpindi. A cross sectional study was carried out in Medical Unit 1 Pakistan Railway Hospital Rawalpindi. The newly diagnosed diabetic patients i.e. the patients who have not yet been given any treatment, of both genders, without overt-proteinuria were included in the study. A proforma was filled indicating their bio-data, history and clinical examination and laboratory investigations which included fasting blood glucose, urinary albumin and lipid profile. If albumin was negative with dipstick, a sample of urine was sent for microalbuminuria. Frequency of dyslipidaemia in patients with and without microalbuminuria was determined. Out of the 317 newly diagnosed diabetic patients screened for microalbuminuria, 43 patients [13.5%] had microalbuminuria while 274 patients [86.6%] did not have microalbuminuria. Out of these patients with microalbuminuria, 58.8% [i.e 24] of patients had dyslipidaemia. Among microalbuminuria negative patients only 36% [i.e101] of patients had dyslipidaemia. The dyslipidemia, occurs more frequently in newly diagnosed diabetics who have micro-albuminuria than those without micro-albuminuria

Patient Compliance in Systemic Hypertension and to Identify Causes of Non-Compliance

To assess patient compliance in systemic hypertension and to identify the causes of non-compliance. A descriptive observational study. The study was conducted in the Department of Medicine Unit I and Unit II at Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi, for 1 month from 5th of September, 2012 to 5th of October, 2012. Semi structured interviews of 32 patients with primary hypertension who were admitted in medical ward were done along with their blood pressure readings and their compliance was assessed. Morisky 8-item medication adherence questionnaire1 was used to assess the adherence to anti-hypertensive medication. Scores of less than 3 out of 8 were termed as compliant while scores of 3 or more were termed as non-compliant. Non-compliance was defined as missing at least two days of medications per week. This definition was arrived at from the general understanding that a minimum compliance of 80% is needed to achieve an adequate reduction in blood pressure in the treatment of hypertension.2 Among 32 patients, 18 were male while 14 were female with mean age of 56 years. Twenty six out of thirty two [81.25%] patients did not comply with their antihypertensive medications. In majority of the patients [42.3%], misperception about disease and management due to inadequate education by health care providers was found to be the cause of non-compliance. Other causes were considering medication unnecessary [15.3%] or ineffective [11.5%], forgetting to take them regularly [11.5%], unaffordable drug prices [11.5%] and unpleasant side effects [7.7%]. Patients compliance in hypertension was sub-optimal and misperceptions of the disease and its management seemed to play a major role for non-compliance. Physician-patient relationship, effective communication and better understanding of the disease can result in adequate control of hypertension and its complications

Frequency of latent tuberculosis among diabetics and non-diabetics

To determine the frequency of latent tuberculosis among diabetics and non-diabetics. Adescriptive cross sectional study. At Unit II, Department of Medicine, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from October 1,2009 to March 30,2010. Across sectional study was carried out in MUM, BBH Rawalpindi. All patients, male and female, both diabetic and non diabetic, above the age of 18 years, presenting in Out-Patient department for regular check up or follow up were included in the study. Mantoux test was carried out in all patients to find out the frequency of latent tuberculosis in diabetics and non diabetics. A total of 286 patients were initially inducted in the study. However by the end of study, 20 patients dropped out as they lost follow up. So 256 patients were finally included in the study. Amongst them 131 were diabetics i.e., 51.2% and 125 were non diabetics i.e., 48.8%. One hundred and seventeen were male i.e., 45.7% and 139 were female i.e., 54.3%. Mantoux test was carried out in all patients both diabetic and non diabetic. Out of 256 patients Mantoux test was positive in 33 patients i.e., 14.8%. Among diabetics Mantoux test was positive in 27 patients i.e., 10.5%. While among non diabetics Mantoux test was positive in 11 patients i.e., 4.3%, with a p value of .008.This shows that latent tuberculosis is more common in diabetics than non diabetics. Latent tuberculosis is more common in diabetics than non diabetics. Treatment of latent TB in diabetics may have a beneficial impact on TB control

Serum alfa fetoprotein levels in patients with acute viral hepatitis

Alfa Fetoprotein is a non specific marker of hepatic regeneration following any damage to hepatocytes. Repeated estimation following acute hepatitis may serve as a marker of recovery, however it does not point towards any specific disorder causing hepatitis