Complications and their severity in patients of conventional metal ceramic fixed dental prosthesis: a clinical study

The aim of this study was to present the frequency of biological and technical complications and its severity related with metal ceramic fixed partial dentures [FPDs]. Total 245 abutments of 140 patients presented with complications in their FPDs were examined. The mean age of the patients was 42 years [range 23-83]. 66.1% and 33.8%complication were found in the FPDs provided by qualified and unqualified persons respectively with an average 5.4 years length of services. Among the biological complications caries were present in 21.2% [52] of the abutment teeth; 13.06% [32] had periapical problems, 12.65% [31] periodontal problems and 2.85% [7] had abutment fracture. Sixty eight out of 245 abutments with a decementation problem indicated a the major technical complication, whereas 25 with esthetic problem, 15 had occlusal problems. The primary technical complication decementation was associated with wrong preparation. Varying severity grades of complications, grade I 27.3%, grade II 35.1% and grade III 37.5% were observed. In conclusion majority of the FPDs having complications were provided by unqualified and were of grade II and III. The common complications were de-cementation, dental caries, periodontal disease and periapical problems

Comparison of methods for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis

To determine the laboratory method that best predicts Bacterial Vaginosis. Descriptive Observational study. This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Sindh Medical College [DUHS] and Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from Jan. 2005 to Feb. 2007. A total of 150 randomly selected women were included in this study from OPD of various tertiary care hospitals and family planning clinics of the city. In this study we compared and calculated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of positive and negative tests for wet mount, Gram stained vaginal smears and Gardnerella vaginalis [G.vaginalis] cultures with clinical sign Amsel's criteria [Gold standard], for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis [B.V]. We diagnosed 54 [36%] cases of bacterial vaginosis by Gram's staining method, 61 [41.7%] cases by Wet Mount method, and 42 [28.0%] cases by Amsel's criteria and 47 [31.3%] cases by culturing. Amsel's criteria were comparable with other laboratory tests for diagnosis of BV. Culture was laborious, expensive and least sensitive method

Oral self screening among students of dow university of health sciences

To determine the frequency of awareness of oral self screening in terms of clinical site and practice towards addiction among the students of health sciences according to low and high fees status. Qualitative study, KAP-study. Dow University Campuses, from November 2008 to March 2009. Twelve hundred and fifty undergraduate and graduate [male/female] medical students, filled oral self assessment questionnaire distributed among medical undergraduate and graduate students of the affiliated institutes of the Dow University of Health Sciences divided into those with low and high fees status according to annual tuition fees [less or more than 40,000 Rs]. The students were mainly asked about their practices towards addiction include smoking and chewing tobacco and identification of sites effected. White /red striae, ulceration and/or epithelial erosions were detected under oral self examination for preneoplasia. SPSS-13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Low and high fees college showed contrasting results for addiction among students of DUHS. Addictions prevailed among high fees students group includes betel nut [7.7%], cigarette [3.2%], sheesha [3.1%], quid [3%], 1.1% gutka and 0.7% cigar [0.7%]. Compared to betel nut [5%], quid [3.2%], sheesha and cigar [1.5%] each, cigarette [1.2%] and gutka [0.5%] for low fees group of students at DUHS. Intra oral lesions i.e. [ulcer, striae, erosions] were more frequent on gingiva [1.2%] in the low fees group, compared to 0.2% among high fees students group. Angle of mouth had 0.5% frequency for low and 0.7% for high fees group respectively. Tongue lesions were 1.7% for low and 1.0% for the high fees group students. Buccal mucosa had 1.0% and 1.2% lesions respectively for the low and high fees group. Palate lesions were 1.2% for low and 0.8% for high fees group. Floor of the mouth presented 0.7% lesions for high compared to 0.2% lesions for the low fees group students. Gingiva showed slightly higher prevalence of lesions for the low fees group students of DUHS. The patterns of addictions were also different according to the socioeconomic status

Predictive accuracy of intrapartum cardiotocography in terms of fetal acid base status at birth

To find out the predictive value of intrapartum Cardiotocograph [CTG] in terms of fetal acid base status at birth in women undergoing emergency caesarean section for a suboptimal CTG trace. Observational study. At the MCH Centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from June 2004 to July 2005. All women undergoing emergency caesarean section for a suboptimal intrapartum CTG were recruited in the study. Immediately after the delivery of the baby a segment of umbilical cord was doubly clamped at a distance of 10 cm, and 2 ml of arterial cord blood was taken in a heparinized syringe for arterial blood gas indices analysis. All CTG tracings were reviewed using FIGO guidelines and compared for fetal arterial blood gas indices. Of the 57 patients who underwent cesarean section due to suboptimal CTG, 51 [89%] had suspicious trace while 6 [11%] had pathological trace. Positive predictive value of CTG was 18% for fetal hypoxia, 21% for fetal hypercarbia., 26% for fetal acidosis and 37% for base excess. Predictive value of suspicious trace for similar blood indices was 13%, 13%, 17% and 35% respectively. For pathological trace, predictive value was 50%, 83%, 100% and 66% and respectively. Based on the results, it is concluded, that the suspicious CTG trace has low predictive value in terms of fetal acid base status at birth and needs to be complemented with other diagnostic modalities before undertaking any operative intervention. Pathological CTG on the other hand is highly predictive of fetal acidosis at birth warranting immediate intervention