Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding leprosy among general practitioners at Hyderabad

To assess the level of knowledge, social attitude towards patients, and diagnostic and management capabilities of general practitioners [KAP] regarding leprosy, practicing at Hyderabad, Pakistan. Cross-sectional study. Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, during October to December 2007. A pre-tested and well-structured questionnaire consisting of 54 questions was administered to general practitioners working at various areas in Hyderabad. The questions were grouped under different headings and covered clinical features, common and uncommon presentations, complications, referral practices and stigma. The sum of correct answers marked by doctors was taken to classify the respondents. The doctors who responded correctly for upto 10 questions were assigned level 1 [poor], from 11 to 25: level 2 [average], from 26 to 40: level 3 [good], while those who marked correct answers for more than 40 questions were assigned level 4 [excellent]. Chi-square test was used to determine significance at p < 0.05. A total of 200 doctors were surveyed. Fourteen doctors [7%] had poor knowledge of disease [number of correct answers less than 10], 32 [16%] had average [number of correct answers between 11 and 25], 140 [70%] doctors good [number of correct answers between 26 and 40] while 14 [7%] had excellent [number of correct answers more than 40] knowledge of the disease. There is inconsistency and deficiencies in the knowledge, referral pattern and treatment of leprosy among general practitioners, which needs to be improved by conducting awareness activities

Generalized eruptive histiocytosis presenting with warty lesions on face

Generalized eruptive histiocytosis is a benign proliferative disorder of non-Langerhans cells. It is a very rare disease. The disease presents with soft to firm fleshy papules on face, neck and upper trunk. Biopsy is often needed to make the diagnosis because of its rarity and diverse presentation. There is tendency for the disease to regress spontaneously without treatment. Treatment, if any needed, suffices to topical modalities. We report here a case of generalized eruptive histiocytosis which presented with lesions of dual morphology. This is a very rare disease with diverse presentation being reported first ever in our country

Serum androgen levels and their relationship to pattern and severity of hair growth in hirsute women presenting at private centre in Hyderabad

To determine the frequency of raised serum androgen levels in hirsute women and their relationship to the pattern and severity of hair growth in patients presenting at private cosmetic center at Hyderabad. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in a private cosmetic and aesthetic centre, Hyderabad, from January, 2007 to December, 2007, 65 consecutive patients of hirsutism attending the centre were enrolled. Twenty normal women of similar ages [mean age 23.60 +/- 2.90 years] without signs of hirsutism and with normal menstrual cycle were also included as control group. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Duration, pattern, and severity of hair growth [Ferriman-Gallwey score], weight, body mass index, acne and sebhorrhea were also evaluated. Serum testosterone, serum androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels were assessed in all patients and controls. Correlation between serum androgen levels and pattern and severity of hair growth was determined. Chisquare test was applied to determine p value. A total of 65 patients were enrolled in study. Their ages ranged from 16 to 45 years [mean age 24.49 +/- 6.44 years]. Thirty nine [60%] patients had normal androgen levels without evidence of significant endocrine abnormality. These were assigned idiopathic category. 26 [40%] patients had modest elevations of serum androgens. Among them, 21 had polycystic ovaries. Patients having modest to greatly elevated androgen levels [serum testosterone] had severe hirsutism with Ferriman-Gallwey scores [F-G score] >/= 8. [p

Relief of dental hypersensitivity with the use of sodium fluoride gel and an antihypersensitivity tooth paste separately or in combination

Evaluation of effects of a single application of sodium fluoride gel, use of a desensitizing tooth pastes alone or in combination, was the aim of this study. Sixty, very cooperative patients with generalize sensitivity of unknown origin were selected and divided into three groups of twenty each. First group was given a single application of sodium fluoride gel [Septodont]. Second group was advised Humdard Peelu tooth paste. While the third group was given the same tooth paste after an application of fluoride gel. All the patients were assessed the next day, after one week, six week and six months time. The statement of the patient was only criterian considered for the effectiveness of the treatment to compile the results. An immediate relief of symptoms was observed for the 1[st] and 3[rd] groups. While the 2[nd] group got benefit after a week time. The 2[nd] and 3[rd] group enjoyed a long lasting benefit, while some among the 1[st] group needed retreatment. Sodium fluoride gel application followed by regular use of Humdard Peelu tooth paste may be recommended to get long term relief from the dentinal hypersensitivity

Effect of single application of sodium fluoride gel to the hypersensitivity of teeth

Dental hypersensitivity is a worldwide problem that involves almost every body at some stage of life. Periodontal problems, attritions, abrasions, erosions of dental necks and dental treatment procedures etc. are the major causes of the dental hypersensitivity. Different modalities have been and are being used to reduce the discomfort of the patients. Nowadays a number of toothpastes are available for reduction of the problem with variable results. The problem if reduced is reduced at a slow speed with this toothpaste. A prompt relief is a genuine demand of the patient. Anything, which is simple to use, and effective immediately, is the need of day. Present study was designed to calculate the efficacy of Sodium Fluoride [NaF] gel in relieving dental hypersensitivity of different origins. 184 patients coming with a complaint of general dental hypersensitivity due to [1] Gingivitis/ Calculus [2] Periodontal Therapies [3] Abrasions and Erosions etc. were included. In this study NaF gel was applied all around, all of the teeth with the help of disposable syringe. Patients were recalled the next day, after one week, two week, and 4 week time. The relief of symptoms was assessed by the patient's verbal response. There was a prompt relief of symptoms in all of patients. 75% of the patients felt good relief [75 -100% reduction] of discomfort after 4 weeks time. 17% of patients had moderate relief [50-75% reduction] after 4 weeks while only 7% had poor relief [less than 50%]. The results were analyzed by t-test and Carl Pearson coefficient of correlation tests. Application of NaF gel might be a good single application agent for relief of dental hypersensitivity. Toothpastes may be used in conjunction with NaF gel application

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as lupus panniculitis

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is an autoimmune disease that presents in diverse ways. Panniculitis is not a common presentation of SLE. Its overall incidence is estimated to be 1-3%, occurring predominantly in women. The lesions have predilection for the fatty areas of body such as shoulders, hips, thighs and face. We present here a case of a young female who visited us with the complaint of soft tissue swellings over buttocks, shins, arms and face. The swellings appeared to be ordinary abscesses at first sight. She also had history of arthralgia and low grade fever. Laboratory examination demonstrated high litres of antinucleal antigen and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies in serum which led us to suspect lupus panniculitis. Histopathology revealed features of lobular panniculitis with lymphohistiocytic infiltrate deep in the subcutis. We report this case because this is a rare presentation of lupus erythematosus

Caries and periodontal status of students from two posh area Boys schools of Multan

Caries and periodontal status of 12-15 years old students in relation to the brushing habits, food habits and income was calculated in this study. The objectives of this study include: 1. Finding prevalence of carious, filled and lost teeth and the severity of the gum diseases in 12-15 years old students of upper class families. 2. Co-relate these problems with the socioeconomic status, frequency of meals and the brushing habits. Twelve to fifteen years old male students of two posh schools, were selected and examined in the daylight with mouth minor and a blunt probs during the period not extending from August 2006 to August 2007. Findings were recorded on a Performa, which was already completed by the volunteers for their personal data. The average DMFT of the 304 subjects was 1.171 while average involvements of gums were 4.05 sexants. 53.3% of the participants had zero DMFT while only 7.2% had healthy gums. More frequent brushing had a negative effect both to DMFT and periodontal involvements. Better socioeconomic status and less frequent meals had positive effect to the DMFT score and gum involvement. It is strongly felt that the people need a better dental education program at govt. level. The brushing methodology has to be taught more effectively

Oral health status; very low income strata of population

Oral health, although an important aspect of the general health, unfortunately is an ignored aspect, by almost all population strata. Poverty, lack of education and lack of public awareness programs add to the dilemma. Evaluation of the oral health, tooth cleaning devices and at the top, awareness about such devices, among the most ignored and deprived group of population. The evaluation of oral hygiene of the poor railway coolies, was the objective of this study. A very simple proforma in Urdu was designed. It included some questions about personal data, tooth cleaning habits, the devices used for the purpose and the reasons for not using the tooth brush. DMFT and the periodontal conditions were then noted in the same proforma. About 120 coolies agreed to participate in the study. Examination was made in day light with a mirror and a blunt probe. The age varied from 15-60 years. There was about 100% periodontal involvements, while DMFT increased with age [0.75 to 12.5]. About 49.5% used brush, 41.5% miswak, 5.3% tooth powder, while 3.5% did not use any of these. Tooth brush users had least DMFT while powder users had the maximum. Of the non brush users 50.9% of people could not buy brush, 33.9% did not like it while 15.09% were ignorant of it. Poverty, illiteracy and lack of dental awareness are the major causes of dental / periodontal problems. The tooth brushing techniques must be taught to the public

Carious-missing-filled teeth and periodontal status; 12-15 years old boys from a government school of multan

Objectives of this study were to find the extent of dental and periodontal diseases in 12-15 years old school children and to find the co relation with the socioeconomic status, brushing habits and number of meals. 160 students of 12-15 years age of a government school were examined for this purpose and a proforma was filled for socioeconomic status, food habits and brushing etc. The examination was performed in day light using a dental mirror and a blunt probe. The records were made in the proforma by an assistant. The DMFT was 1.67 in average. The poor group [N: 22] 2.4, the middle class [N: 132] 1.5 Those claiming once a day brushing showed better DMFT score [1.8] while those claiming twice daily brushing had more DMFT score [2.1]. More frequent meals were related to more DMFT [1.86] as compared to less frequent meals [0.8]. The periodontal health was better in middle socioeconomic status than the poor group. Once a day brushing and less frequent meals were related to better gums. Only 8.1% of total 160 participants assessed were having healthy gums while 47% had zero DMFT score. Although the DMFT scores are not very high but there is a need to have dental education programs involving all strata of population for better understanding and better prevention of diseases. Brushing technique has to be taught more tactfully and-elaborately so as to further minimize DMFT and to reduce periodontal problems