Validation of a Persian version of the oral health impact profile [OHIP-14]

The oral health-related quality of life indicators are increasingly used to measure the impact of the oral conditions on quality of life. One of the most used indicators in the Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP- 14], but it has never been applied in Iran. The aim of this study was to validate the usage of OHIP-14 among Iranians. A cross-sectional study was performed in Kerman [Iran]. A consecutive sample [n=400] of the Kerman Dental School Clinics attending patients participated in this study. All participants self-completed the translated OHIP-14. Reliability analyses, validity tests, and responsiveness were carried out to evaluate the psychometric properties of the OHIP-14. The reliability coefficient [Cronbach's alpha] of the OHIP-14 was above the recommended 0.7 threshold and considered excellent [alpha: 0.85]. The coefficient of the test-retest reliability measured by ICC was 0.88 [CI 95%:0.80- 0.93]. Poorer oral condition was strongly associated with OHIP scores of the patients, supporting construct validity. More-over, for evaluation of responsiveness, the ES was measured to be 0.43 and the SRM was 0.67. The Persian version of OHIP-14 is a precise, valid and reliable instrument for assessing oral health-related quality of life among Persian population

Association between gastric helicobacter pylori infection and periodontal disease

Colonization of Helicobacter pylori [Hp] in the oral cavity may increase in the presence of the periodontal disease. It has been suggested that one of the possible mechanisms of reinfection is the recolonization from dental plaque. The purpose of this study was to determine whether periodontal disease was associated with Hp infection. Sixty-five consecutive patients [34 males and 31 females] undergoing endoscopy for investigation of dyspepsia were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The mean age of the patients was 41.3 +/- 13.5 years. Periodontal examination and Rapid Urease Test [RUT] were done for all of the participants. Statistical analysis was done, using Chi-square test. 53.8% of the patients had periodontal disease and 61.5% of them had gastric Hp infection. There was no statistically significant association between periodontal disease and gastric Hp infection [p=0.455]. This study revealed that the presence of periodontal disease in patients with gastric Hp infection could be and independent status

Referral patterns and medical malpractice in patients with oral mucosal lesions before attending in oral medicine clinic of Kerman dental faculty

Unfortunately, many physicians and even dentists are unaware of existence of oral medicine practitioners. This fact leads to high incidence of medical malpractice in patients with oral mucosal lesions before visiting by the specialist of oral medicine. These malpractices might lead to not only imposing high expenses on the patients but also may waste the time and money which cause irreparable side effects. To our knowledge this is the first detailed Iranian study which its aim is to evaluate medical malpractice involving patients with oral mucosa lesions. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, clinical charts of patients attending in the oral medicine department complaining of oral mucosa disorders [during 1998-2005] were reviewed. Finally after collection of information from all charts through data forms, the diagrams were drawn with the use of SPSS. V.I 7 version. Information of 753 charts were reviewed. 45% of patients first seen by physicians and 36/2% by dentists. Majority of patients were examined by otolaryngologists, dermatologists, maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists. The average period of time between the initiation of disease and professional examination of patients was 24/05 +/- 4/14 months. Malpractice seen in 37/6% of patients, most commonly in the forms of avoiding of neglecting necessary referal and biopsy mostly performed for Lichen planus and Pemphigus vulgaris. Medical malpractice had the significant relationship with types and numbers of the lesions [P<0/05]. In this study high percentage of medical malpractice and long period of time between initiation of symptoms and referring to the specialist in oral medicine shows that inevitable efforts is needed to change referral patterns and treatment procedures in oral dis. for medical malpractice prevention

[Prevalence of pregnancy tumor in pregnant women]

Pregnancy tumor is a lesion affecting pregnant women between 3-9th months of pregnancy. This lesion often causes hemorrhage and sometimes pain, difficulty in eating, nutritional problems and anxiety. Prophylactic treatments during pregnancy are considered as preventive measures. Since there is a relationship between pregnancy tumor and level of oral hygiene, the frequency of this lesion varies in different populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pregnancy tumors in women admitted to Kerman maternity hospitals. In this descriptive study, 745 pregnant women were examined. A questionnaire was designed to record the data including demographic characteristics, number of deliveries, oral hygiene and dental visits. An intraoral examination was done to find the pregnancy tumors. Student T-test, Chi-square and ANOVA test were used to compare the relationships between different variables. The results showed that pregnancy tumors were found in 31 [4.2%] pregnant women. The anterior maxillary gingiva was mostly affected, and most lesions [83.9%] bled easily during examination. There was a significant relationship between the use of dental floss and the number of yearly dental visits with the occurrence of pregnancy tumor [p<0.05]. Based on the results of this study and considering the role of periodontal disease on the well-being of the fetus, providing pregnant women with some information about the importance of oral hygiene during pregnancy is necessary. Adequate knowledge should be given to gynecologists and obstetrics and midwives in order to persuade them to refer their patients to dentists at the proper time for seeking preventive treatments and oral hygiene instruction

[Taste threshold of four main tastes between healthy and diabetic individuals]

Diabetes mellitus is a famous metabolic disease with many serious complications. Some studies have documented taste changes in patients with diabetes mellitus and researchers evaluated the change in sweet taste perception in these patients but because of diabetes neuropathy, there is possibility to change in the perception of all four primary tastes. The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold for primary senses of tastes in diabetic patients in comparison with non-diabetics. This single-blind case-control study was implemented on ninety-six diabetic patients who attended Kerman Shahid Bahonar hospital and 99 healthy volunteers for detection of taste sensitivity for four primary tastes. Taste thresholds were detected by whole mouth taste method and use of five concentrations for each taste. The data were analyzed by Mann-whitney and spearman's tests. Statistical analyses indicate taste threshold measured for each taste yielded normal range for all tastes in diabetic group [0.032 molar for sucrose, 0.032 for sodium chloride, 0.001 molar for citric acid and 0.00001 molar for quinine hydrochloride] but there was a significant difference in perception of sweet taste between two groups [p=0.002]. Also there was a significant relationship between perception of bitter taste and gender and age in diabetic group [p=0.019, p=0.047]. Decreased sweet taste sensitivity may result in an increased preference for glucose in diabetic patients and may contribute to increased sugar use between them and leading to poor prognosis of the disease