Prediction of Serum Creatinine in Hemodialysis Patients Using a Kernel Approach for Longitudinal Data / 대한의료정보학회지

ObjectivesLongitudinal data are prevalent in clinical research; due to their correlated nature, special analysis must be used for this type of data. Creatinine is an important marker in predicting end-stage renal disease, and it is recorded longitudinally. This study compared the prediction performance of linear regression (LR), linear mixed-effects model (LMM), least-squares support vector regression (LS-SVR), and mixed-effects least-squares support vector regression (MLS-SVR) methods to predict serum creatinine as a longitudinal outcome.MethodsWe used a longitudinal dataset of hemodialysis patients in Hamadan city between 2013 and 2016. To evaluate the performance of the methods in serum creatinine prediction, the data was divided into two sets of training and testing samples. Then LR, LMM, LS-SVR, and MLS-SVR were fitted. The prediction performance was assessed and compared in terms of mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute prediction error (MAPE), and determination coefficient (R2). Variable importance was calculated using the best model to select the most important predictors.ResultsThe MLS-SVR outperformed the other methods in terms of the least prediction error; MSE = 1.280, MAE = 0.833, and MAPE = 0.129 for the training set and MSE = 3.275, MAE = 1.319, and MAPE = 0.159 for the testing set. Also, the MLS-SVR had the highest R2, 0.805 and 0.654 for both the training and testing samples, respectively. Blood urea nitrogen was the most important factor in the prediction of creatinine.ConclusionsThe MLS-SVR achieved the best serum creatinine prediction performance in comparison to LR, LMM, and LS-SVR.

Unintentional Injuries among the Elderly in Rural Areas and Their Related Behaviors / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Although the role of unintentional injuries as a cause of death in adults is known, there is limited knowledge about such adults’ behaviors. This study aims to investigate the frequency of and factors affecting unintentional injuries among the elderly living in rural areas and their related behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural areas of Hamadan County, Iran, in 2016. The sample consists of randomly selected 445 adults aged 60–75 years. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews, using questionnaires. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three participants (34.7%) experienced 166 injury occurrences. The injuries occurred more in females than in males. There were more mild and severe injuries (48.2% and 31.3%, respectively) than moderate ones (20.5%). The most frequent mechanism of injuries was accidental falls (64.5%). There was a significant relationship between using aid devices and injuries (P=0.001). Among the most applied injury preventive measures as reported by the elderly, crossing streets safely and the use of proper lighting at night had the highest percentages (81.5% and 69.7%, respectively). However, the use of protective handles and plastic flooring in bathrooms in order to prevent slipping had the lowest percentages (less than 1.0%). CONCLUSION: The injuries among the elderly in this study were important health concerns. Injury-related factors should be considered in the development of injury prevention programs.

The Effect of Educational Program on Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Educational program on quality of life (QOL) in menopausal women in 2016 in Hamadan, Iran. METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 100 postmenopausal women were randomly selected and allocated to case and control group (50 per group). Data collection tool included questionnaires of demographic information and Menopause QOL, which were completed by the samples before the intervention. In the case group, education program was run during 5 sessions for 45 to 60 minutes. Immediately and Three months after intervention, information were collected using questionnaire in both groups and they were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. RESULTS: The menopause women in both intervention and control groups had similar demographics. There was not a significant difference in the QOL mean scores in before of the intervention between the two groups of intervention and control in all dimension of QOL. There was a significantly difference in the mean of QOL scores between the two groups in immediately after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention in dimension of vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual and physical (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study recommend that a unit in health and treatment centers be established for training menopausal women about health care by holding didactic classes.

Immunohistochemical comparison of the expression of CD34 and CD105 in odontogenic keratocyst and dentigerous cyst

Statement of the Problem: Odontogenic keratocyst [OKC] is a developmental odontogenic cyst with specific histopathological features, high recurrence rate, and aggressive clinical behavior. Angiogenesis might be considered as an important factor for the growth, expansion, and distribution of this lesion

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the mean vascular densities [MVD] of OKCs and dentigerous cysts to evaluate their relationship with the biolog-ic behavior of these lesions

Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional analytical study, angiogenesis was assessed in OKC and dentigerous cyst by measuring the MVD. Immunohistochemis-try was carried out using CD34 and CD105. The results were analyzed with inde-pendent samples t-test. The data were analyzed, setting p value at 0.05

Results: The MVDs with the use of CD34 and CD105 markers were significantly higher in OKC compared to dentigerous cyst [p< 0.05]. In addition, MVDs obtained by CD105 in dentigerous cysts and OKC were significantly less than those based on CD34 [p< 0.05]

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be suggested that angi-ogenesis might be one of the possible mechanisms involved in higher aggressive biologic behavior and greater recurrence rate of OKC compared to dentigerous cysts

Effect of marital relationship enrichment program on marital satisfaction, marital intimacy, and sexual satisfaction of infertile couples

Background: Infertile couples only think of having children during their sexual intercourse, and their constant concern about this issue increases their stress level. Psycho-social and social stress leads to decreased life satisfaction, increased marital problems, and reduced sexual confidence. This study aims to determine the effect of enrichment program on marital and sexual satisfaction as well as marital intimacy among infertile couples

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 infertile couples in 2013 in Hamedan. The marital relationship enrichment program was taught to the experimental group during seven 90 minutes sessions. Enrich marital satisfaction, Linda Berg sexual satisfaction, and marital intimacy questionnaires were completed by both groups in 3 pretest steps immediately after the end of training sessions, and 8 weeks later. The results were analyzed in STATA11 software using t test, Chi-square, ANCOVA, RM-ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc test. To check the data normality, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used. P<0.05 was considered significant

Results: Comparison of mean scores related to pretest on the one hand and immediately after the test in 8 week later on the other hand showed marital relationship enrichment program significantly increased marital and sexual satisfaction [P<0.001] Also, mean score of marital intimacy immediately after the test [P=0.04] and 8 weeks after the test [P<0.001] significantly increased in comparison with the pretest under the influence of the program

Conclusion: Enrichment training can increase marital intimacy and also marital and sexual satisfaction in infertile couples [Registration Number: IRCT201604299014N97]

Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite activated with laser in intracanal smear layer removal: an SEM study

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite activated with laser in removing of the smear layer in the apical, middle, and coronal segments of root canal walls by scanning electron microscopy analysis

Methods: Sixty single-rooted human mandibular teeth were decoronated to a standardized length. The samples were prepared by using Race rotary system to size 40, 0.04 taper and divided into 4 equal groups [n = 15]. Group 1, irrigated with EDTA 17% and 5.25% NaOCl, groups 2, 3 and 4, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% NaOCl activated with Nd:YAG laser, respectively. Teeth were split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney tests. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: Five percent NaOCl LAI [laser-activated irrigation] showed best smear layer removal in test groups and the difference was statistically significant [P < 0.001]. Control group [EDTA 17% and 5.25% NaOCl irrigation] showed significantly better outcomes in comparative with test groups [P < 0.001]. In the apical third, compared to coronal and middle third, the canal walls were often contaminated by inorganic debris and smear layer

Conclusion: All different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite activated with laser have a positive effect on removing of smear layer. Sodium hypochlorite activated with laser removed smear layer more effectively at the coronal and middle third compared to the apical third

Evaluation of Related Risk Factors in Number of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Carpet Weavers in Iran

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common problem among carpet weavers. This study was undertaken to introduce affecting personal and occupational factors in developing the number of MSDs among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 862 weavers in seven towns with regard to workhouse location in urban or rural regions. Data were collected by using questionnaires that contain personal, workplace, and information tools and the modified Nordic MSDs questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by applying Poisson and negative binomial mixed models using a full Bayesian hierarchical approach. The deviance information criterion was used for comparison between models and model selection. RESULTS: The majority of weavers (72%) were female and carpet weaving was the main job of 85.2% of workers. The negative binomial mixed model with lowest deviance information criterion was selected as the best model. The criteria showed the convergence of chains. Based on 95% Bayesian credible interval, the main job and weaving type variables statistically affected the number of MSDs, but variables age, sex, weaving comb, work experience, and carpet weaving looms were not significant. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that occupational factors are associated with the number of MSDs developing among carpet weavers. Thus, using standard tools and decreasing hours of work per day can reduce frequency of MSDs among carpet weavers.

Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women in Iran: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVES: Menopause can have psychological, physical, and vasomotor symptoms along with sexual dysfunction and these symptoms can affect the quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this research was to determine and association the effective factors on QOL among postmenopausal Iranian women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 on 300 postmenopausal women in Hamadan, Iran. We used the Menopause-Specific QOL questionnaire (MENQOL) for measuring QOL in postmenopausal women. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores of QOL for vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual domains were 11.65 ± 5.93, 19.36 ± 1.20, 39.12 ± 1.95 and 11.02 ± 5.66, respectively. Higher scores had worse QOL. Using MENQOL scores, our study showed significant differences in QOL based on age, education level, financial status, number of children, employment, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: Menopause causes a decrease in QOL, which is dependent to age, work, BMI, financial status and number of children variables. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective intervention programs to improve QOL in postmenopausal women.

Application of censored quantile regression to determine overall survival related factors in breast cancer

Background: the occurrence and the mortality related to breast cancer [BC] in Iranian female population has increased over time. Although there are many studies on BC and related risk factors, however, the epidemiological aspects of this melanoma in Iranian females are uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between demographical and clinical factors on the shape of overall survival [OS] distribution in patients with BC

Methods: this historical cohort study was carried out using data from 522 participants with BC. Data were gathered from medical records of these patients admitted to Mahdieh Oncology Center of Hamadan Province, western Iran, from January 2000 to August 2011. Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to estimate the survival rates and, censored quantile regression [CQR] to provide in-depth insight in the multivariable association between prognosis factors and survival rates

Results: patients' follow-up ranged from around 3 to 197 months. One-, three-, and five-year survival rates were 90%, 73% and 62.5%, respectively. Results of CQR model showed that change in the age at diagnosis, number of involved lymph nodes and tumor size could significantly change the median and some other quantiles of OS

Conclusions: this study, confirm the importance of early detection of BC and usefulness of CQR because of possible changes in distribution family of survival time

Assessment of questionnaire measuring quality of life in menopausal women: a systematic review

Menopause is a natural part of the aging process in women and is defined as occurring 12 months after the last menstrual period marking the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause has a negative impact on the quality of life [QoL]. Various generic and specific questionnaires have been used for assessing different dimensions of QoL in menopausal women. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify those general and specific instruments, and to determine the factors that affect QoL in menopausal women. We assessed eight specific and three general tools and found that some general and specific instruments, such as the 36-item short form [SF-36] and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire [MENQOL], were mostly used for assessment. The specific tools available were diverse. Employment status and a high educational level in menopausal women were considered to be protective factors in improving QoL. Identification of predicting factors of QoL, such as body mass index, race, age, duration of menopause, and social and occupational variables can help to improve the QoL of these women allowing planning of psychological consultations and practical interventions

epidemiologic survey on the causes of infertility in patients referred to infertility center in Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan

Infertility is considered as a major health care problem of different communities. The high prevalence of this issue doubled its importance. A significant proportion of infertility have been related to environmental conditions and also acquired risk factors. Different environmental conditions emphasized the need to study the different causes of infertility in each area. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency causes of infertility in infertile couples. In this cross sectional descriptive study 1200 infertile men and women that were referred to infertility clinic of Fatemieh Hospital during 2010 to 2011, were examined. This center is the only governmental center for infertility in Hamadan. Sampling was based on census method. Information about the patients was obtained from medical examinations and laboratory findings. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics such as frequencies and the mean were used. The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility was 69.5% and 30.5% respectively. Among the various causes of infertility women factors [88.6%] had the highest regard. In the causes of female infertility, menstrual disorders, diseases [obesity, thyroid diseases, and diabetes], ovulation dysfunction, uterine factor, fallopian tubes and cervical factor had the highest prevalence respectively. The causes of male infertility based on their frequency included semen fluid abnormalities, genetic factors, vascular abnormalities, and anti-spermatogenesis factors, respectively. Etiology pattern of infertility in our study is similar with the many other patterns that have been reported by the World Health Organization. However, frequency of menstrual disorders is much higher than other studies that require further consideration

Immunohistochemical expression of mast cell in oral reactive lesions

Statement of the Problem: Soft tissue reactive lesions are the most common lesions of the oral cavity. Although many studies have shown the interaction of mast cells with fibroblasts and their participation in fibrosis, the role of mast cells in these lesions is not well understood

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mast cells [MCs] count in oral soft-tissue reactive lesions including peripheral giant cell granuloma [PGCG], peripheral ossifying fibroma [POF], irritation fibroma [IF] and normal oral mucosa

Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 50 samples including IF, PGCG, POF [14 cases for each group] and 8 cases of normal oral mucosa were stained with tryptase antibody through immunohistochemistry. The number of mast cells was counted in 5HPF containing maximum counts for each section stained with tryptase. Statistical analysis including Chi-square test and Tukey test with a significance level of 0.05 were considered

Results: The number of MCs was found to have increased in reactive lesions compared with normal oral mucosa. MCs count in the POF group was higher than the others

Conclusion: These findings suggest a possible role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of reactive oral lesions and induction of fibrous tissues. Chemical mediators released from mast cells might influence other cells, especially fibroblasts, to induce fibrosis

Determination of affected risk factors on time to recurrence and death in patients with postoperative gastric cancer using copula function

In survival studies when the event times are dependent, performing of the analy-sis by using of methods based on independent assumption, leads to biased. In this paper, using copula function and considering the dependence structure between the event times, a paramet-ric joint distribution has made fitting to the events, and the effective factors on each of these events would be determined. This retrospective cohort study was conducted from March 2003 to March 2007. The data collected from 256 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery and that the event time of the two outcomes of death and recurrence for them was recorded. Akaike Information Criterion [AIC] was used to determine of suitable parametric models. Moreover, applying copula function with regard to the relationships between the events, the effect of the risk factors of each of the two outcomes was determined. The data analysis was done using R2.12.1 software. According to the AIC criterion, the Weibull distribution had the best fitting in both of the event times. The median times for recurrence and survival of the patients were estimated 20.2 and 28.1 months respectively. Furthermore, with a fitting of Weibull distribution to the two event times using Clayton copula function, the variables of gender, tumor size and tumor pathological stage on survival, and tumor size and tumor pathological stage on recurrence were significant [P<0.001]. Applying copula function for determining specific risk factors of the semi-competing events produces suitable results opposite the common methods which are based on independent assumption of the events.

Heavy metals concentration in vegetables irrigated with contaminated and fresh water and estimation of their daily intakes in suburb areas of Hama-dan, Iran

This study was conducted to estimate the level of heavy metals accumulate in vegetables irrigated with contaminated water compared with those irrigated with fresh water in Hamadan, west of Iran in 2012. Sixty samples of different vegetables i.e., parsley, tarragon, sweat basil and leek irri-gated with contaminated water and thirty six samples from three different adjacent areas irrigat-ed with fresh water as control were analyzed to determine heavy metals. The concentration of heavy metals i.e., lead, cadmium and chromium were achieved using atomic adsorption spec-trophotometer. The mean concentration of lead, chromium and cadmium regardless of the kind of vegetables irrigated with contaminated water was 6.24, 1.57 and 0.15 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, metals uptake differences by the vegetables were recognized to vegetable differences in tolerance to heavy metals. Based on the above concentrations the dietary intakes of metals through vegetables consumption were 0.004, 0.0008 and 6E-05 mg/day in infants for lead, chromium and cadmium, respectively. The high concentration of these heavy metals in some vegetables might be at-tributed due to the use of untreated sanitary and industrial wastewater by farmers for the irriga-tion of vegetable lands. Therefore, treating of these wastewater and bioremediation of excess metals from polluted vegetation land could be considered.

Comparison of small area techniques for estimating prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among Iranian's southern adolescents

Mental disorders may lead to several complications in adolescents' people whose compensation is very difficult and sometime impossible. They are prone to emotional problems. Therefore, knowing prevalence of diseases and valid statistical technique is necessary to plan for prevention and control of diseases. In this cross-sectional study; direct, synthetic, and post-stratified estimation as small area methods were used to compute mental disorder symptoms [MDS] prevalence with county-level reference among adolescents in south of Iran. We conducted Mental Health Study data [MHS] conducted in Bushehr Province, southern Iran in 2005 for individual-level classification of MDS [n=2584]. Students were in grade 9, 10 and 11, and enrolled with complete satisfaction. The synthetic method was superior to the direct and post-stratified technique with respect to discrepancy statistics such as MSE and width 95% confidence interval [MSEs[synthetic]=0.001, MSEs[post-stratified]=0.010, MSEs[direct]=0.100]. In addition, the width range of 95% confidence intervals for all county estimates was 9.7% to 65.3% based on in direct methods. Besides, the width range of 95% confidence intervals for all county estimates under post-stratified and synthetic method was 16.7% to 62.2% and 11.8%-25.1%, respectively. Hence, we could categorize prevalence of mental disorder symptoms in Bushehr's counties into five categories based-on synthetic methods. Maximum and minimum prevalence belongs to Geneveh [0.403] and Dashty [0.398] counties, respectively. The MHS cannot be used as a valid source of county-level mental health prevalence data and the small-area method such synthetic method should be used to estimate prevalence of mental disorder symptoms in county-level. Furthermore, the synthetic method improved MDS prevalence more than direct and post-stratified methods

assessment of affected factors on cytomegalovirus and rubella virus prevalence in females in Hamadan, Iran

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] and rubella are considered as dangerous viral infections to the fetus. The findings of this research can clear the possible progress made thus far toward prevention in this part of the country. The data of all referees to genetic center of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, including the rubella and CMV tests were recorded in questionnaires and analyzed by logistic regression models. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to assess the affected factors on CMV and Rubella separately. STATA and SPSS16 statistical software were used with setting P-value as 0.05. Logistic regression analysis indicates a statistically significant relationship between CMV IgM and on occupation [P=0.045], pregnancy [P=0.03] and years of referring the patients [P<0.001]. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that job was significantly affected on the CMV infection [OR [95% C.I] = 1.71[1.1-2.83]]. Univariate logistic regression showed that age [P=0.001], the residential area [P=0.03], pregnancy [P=0.03], the marital status [P=0.022] and years of referring the patients [P<0.0001] has a significant effect on rubella IgG. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis also showed that residential status [OR=1.77] and age [OR=0.63] were significantly affected on the Rubella infection. The high level of IgG positivity against rubella in females may highlight the considerable impact of increasing public vaccination in this part of Iran. Also, the current data demonstrating frequency of primary infections with CMV in females which support the conclusion that regular prenatal screening tests is justified

Prenatal care behaviors status among pregnant women using by BASNEF model

The aim of the study was to determine the prenatal care behaviors status among pregnant women using by BASNEF model. This Descriptive-Analytical study was carried out on 360 pregnant women in their 28th-42th week of pregnancy, attending health care centers for the study using random sampling selection method. Data-gathering tools consisted of a 2-part questionnaire: demographic variables and one scales for measuring prenatal care based on the BASNEF constructs. Inferential and descriptive statistics via SPSS-16 software was used for data analysis. The subjects reported 92.5, 94.3, 62.7, 73.4 and 90.2% of receivable scores of attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention, enabling factors and prenatal care behaviors scores, respectively. In liner regression, factors influencing prenatal care behaviors were subjective norms, intention and enabling factors [p< 0.05]. Regarding the results, status of prenatal care behaviors are related meaningfully indicating that pregnant women should be considered as vulnerable group

Knowledge of General Dentists and Senior Dental Students in Iran about Prevention of Infective Endocarditis / 전남의대학술지

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endothelial surface of the heart and heart valves with serious, even fatal, complications and that often requires long-term and expensive treatment. Dental procedures may lead to IE in high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the knowledge of general dentists and dental students concerning the prevention of IE in Hamadan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the awareness of general dentists and dentistry students concerning the prevention of IE was evaluated during 2010. A questionnaire was prepared and administered to 58 final-year dental students and 96 general dental practitioners in Hamadan. A total of 154 persons completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of some demographic questions and questions about awareness of IE in three sections. The gathered data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and independent t-tests. The gathered data showed that dentistry students answered the questions about awareness of the prevention of IE more correctly than did general dentists. The overall knowledge of endocarditis prophylaxis among students and dentists was about 65% and 56%, respectively. The students' knowledge was better because 94.9% of the students had desired (acceptable) and relatively desired knowledge; this result for dentists, however, was 82.3%. In our study, the overall awareness level of the study population was moderate. Dentist and students believed that patients with prosthetic valves and previous IE were the most common cardiac disease cases that required prophylaxis. The most common prophylactic regimen was in accordance with the guidelines of the American Heart Association and was a single dose of 2 g amoxicillin 1 hour before treatment. The results indicated that gender had no effect on the level of knowledge; however, there was a statistically significant relationship between age and level of knowledge.

Knowledge of General Dentists and Senior Dental Students in Iran about Prevention of Infective Endocarditis / 전남의대학술지

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endothelial surface of the heart and heart valves with serious, even fatal, complications and that often requires long-term and expensive treatment. Dental procedures may lead to IE in high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the knowledge of general dentists and dental students concerning the prevention of IE in Hamadan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the awareness of general dentists and dentistry students concerning the prevention of IE was evaluated during 2010. A questionnaire was prepared and administered to 58 final-year dental students and 96 general dental practitioners in Hamadan. A total of 154 persons completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of some demographic questions and questions about awareness of IE in three sections. The gathered data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and independent t-tests. The gathered data showed that dentistry students answered the questions about awareness of the prevention of IE more correctly than did general dentists. The overall knowledge of endocarditis prophylaxis among students and dentists was about 65% and 56%, respectively. The students' knowledge was better because 94.9% of the students had desired (acceptable) and relatively desired knowledge; this result for dentists, however, was 82.3%. In our study, the overall awareness level of the study population was moderate. Dentist and students believed that patients with prosthetic valves and previous IE were the most common cardiac disease cases that required prophylaxis. The most common prophylactic regimen was in accordance with the guidelines of the American Heart Association and was a single dose of 2 g amoxicillin 1 hour before treatment. The results indicated that gender had no effect on the level of knowledge; however, there was a statistically significant relationship between age and level of knowledge.

Awareness of general dentists and senior dental students of Hamadan city [Iran] about prescribed drugs in dental procedures

Every day, numerous people undergo dental treatments, and if required different drugs are prescribed by dentists. Some patients have systemic disorders, so dentists must have correct information about drug prescriptions and drugs that are to be used by their patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the awareness of dentists and dentistry students about using drugs in dentistry. In this cross-sectional study, the awareness of general dentists and dentistry students about drugs used in dentistry were evaluated during 2009-2010. A questionnaire was prepared and completed by 58 final year dental students and 96 Hamadan general dental practitioners for a total of 154 completed questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of some demographic questions and questions about their awareness and their main information resources about drugs. Gathered data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Independent t-test statistical analysis. More questions about drug awareness were answered by dental students than general dentists. Dentistry students answered the question about awareness of drugs used in dentistry more correctly than did general dentists [64.96% versus 56.73%, respectively] P<0.001. The assessment of general dentists and dentistry students indicated that the awareness of dentistry students was much better, and the difference was statistically significant. Overall, 94.9% of students had to some extent desirable and completely desirable awareness, while this level for general dentists was about 82.3%. The awareness level of general dentists about drugs which are used in dentistry is moderate. An inverse relationship between job experience and the score of awareness shows that the awareness of dentists has not updated along with experience and there is no serious follow-up in this field. This issue indicates the necessity of retraining courses for dentists about drugs prescribed in dentistry