Clinical and laboratory findings of a group of Iranian patients with oral lichen planus

Statement of Problem: Lichen planus [LP] is a chronic disease that affects skin and mucous membranes. Lesions of oral lichen planus [OLP] can persist for a long time. Varying prevalence rates of oral lichen planus have been reported in different parts of the world, while information regarding the epidemiology of this disease in Iran is incomplete

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of oral lichen planus in a group of Iranian patients and compare the results with similar conducted studies in other populations

Materials and Method: In this descriptive study data were collected from charts of 158 patients In Kerman, Iran [1997-2005] over 8 consecutive years. For each patient, age at presentation, gender, chief complaint, duration of chief compliant, previous treatment, current medications, skin involvement and a complete medical history has been recorded. A number of possible etiologic factors and possible presence of diabetes or liver disease also analyzed. Laboratory evaluations consisted of glucose tolerance test [GTT] and liver function tests [LFT]. This data were analyzed by SPSS version 12 statistical software

Results: The mean age of study population was 41.16 years. Subjects were predominantly female [65.1%]. Liver function tests [LFT] were abnormal in 19.6% of cases. Disturbance of glucose metabolism and fasting blood sugar was also higher than normal limit in10.8% and 2.9% of cases respectively. Atrophicerosive lesions were found in 17 of the cases. In 50 patients the lesions were exclusively keratotic and in 91 the lesions were atrophic-erosive and keratotic. Most oral lesions were multifocal [88.6%], with the buccal mucosa being the most common location in each clinical form [87.3%]. Duration of oral lesions ranged from 0.4 to 20 years with a mean of 1.54 year

Conclusion: This study showed that epidemiological and clinical features of the disease in Kerman are similar to those mentioned in literature. Also, in this study LFT and GTT were abnormal in 19.6% and 10.8% respectively

Low incidence of colorectal cancer in Kerman province, Iran

In Iran colorectal cancer [CRC] incidence varies among various places. But we do not have any validate data that deeply explored the difference of CRC in Kerman province by national average. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of colon cancer within a 12-year period in Kerman province and to find whether the incidence of CRC in Kerman compared with the total incidence found in Iran. Data on colorectal cancer was collected from all histopathology departments around the Kerman Province during 1991 - 2002 retrospectively. The crude and age-standardized incidence rates per 1 million populations were calculated based on the 1996 census data and the population growth rate. During this study total number of 551 new cases of colorectal cancer in Kerman province had been diagnosed. Age Standardized Rate of colon cancer in males and females were 50 [95% CI: 44-56] and 53 [95% CI: 46-59] cases per 1,000,000 population per year, respectively. The risk ratio in females relative to males was not significant in any type of colon cancer. We did not find any difference for each year during the entire study period. The ASR of colorectal cancer in Kerman province was quite lower than the average rate in the whole country. This study showed that, the risk of acquiring colon cancer was constant. We concluded that the risk of colorectal cancer in Kerman province was much lower than the entire country

Epidemiological aspects of head and neck cancers in a group of Iranian population

Head and neck cancers occur in a wide variety of tissue types and sites, resulting in a complex range of malignancies cared y physicians in multiple specialties. Epidemiologic aspects of head and neck cancer in Iran have not been studied adequately. The aim of this study was to represent epidemiological aspets of head and neck cancers in Kerman province in Iran. In this retrospective epidemiological study, a total of 2211 cases of heads and neck cancers were diagnosed in period 11-year. Data on all malignant head and neck cancers were included in this study. Information was obtained from the records of the 18 departments of histopathology in Kerman province. The five most common sites were skin of the head and neck [46.81%], lymph nodes of head and neck [13.98%], larynx [13.48%], oral cavity and pharynx [12.2%], and thyroid [6.20%]. Paranasal sinuses were the least common. The incidence rate of head and neck cancers was 10.12/100000 cases. Geographical or regional variations in the prevalence of head and neck cancer indicate that the socio-cultural lifestyles of a population play an important role in head and neck carcinogenesis. This study showed that the incidence rate of head and neck cancers was lower than that in many other countries. However, comparison between our findings with some other studies shows a relation consistency

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

Epidemiological aspects of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Kerman province, south eastern Iran

Epidemiologic aspects of oral and pharyngeal cancers in Iran have not been studied adequately. We evaluated age-adjusted incidence rates by sex using pathological confirmed cases between 1991 and 2002 in Kerman Province, south eastern Iran. The information of cases was collected actively from all of the 18 histopathology departments around the province. The standardize risks were estimated using standard world population and the risk ratio for age and sex were estimated using negative binomial model. The total number of newly diagnosed malignant oral and pharyngeal cancers was 334, represented 3.1% of all newly diagnosed cancers. The age-adjusted incidence rate for oropharyngeal cancers was 2.21 cases per 100 000 populations per year. The results suggested that those age 40 and over were 18.1 times more likely to develop oral and pharyngeal cancer than the younger group. The risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancers was 1.75 times more common in males than females. This study showed that the overall incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancers in Kerman Province was lower than that in most parts of the world. The lower incidence might be due to behavioral differences such as low consumption of alcohol, chewing tobacco, and spicy foods

[Prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and it's relation with anxiety in medical, dental and pharmaceutical students]

Oral Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers [RAS], are among the most common oral mucosal ulcerations. The association of RAS with psychological factors has been reported in some of the previous studies. However, the results of these researches are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and its relationship with anxiety in medical, dental and pharmaceutical students. In this study, the prevalence of recurrent aphthous ulcers, in 550 medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutics students of Kerman medical university, and the relationship between lesions and students' anxiety, were evaluated. Cattel anxiety questionnaire was used to assess the amount of anxiety. Another questionnaire was used, in order to evaluate the aphthous ulcers. T and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results showed that, 107 of 550 students [19.4%] had a positive history of oral recurrent aphthous ulcers. According to the patients' statements, mental stress, use of certain food, and exam induced stress, were the most important effective factors to aggravate the aphthous ulcers. The mean adjusted score of anxiety, anxiety intensity and mean rank of anxiety, in case group, were significantly higher than control group [P<0.001]. These results showed significant difference between the two groups for the gender [P<0.05]. According to the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and its relationship with anxiety, prevention of anxiety or anxiety reduction should be noticed in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Assessment of awareness of recommendations for prevention of bacterial endocarditis among a group of 136 Iranian dental and medical students

Bacterial endocarditis is a serious disease that could occur after invasive dental procedures. Despite a large number of papers written about the knowledge of prevention of bacterial endocarditis among health care workers in western countries, little is known about awareness of this subject among practitioners and students in other countries. The purpose of the present study was to assess the knowledge of recommendations for prevention of bacterial endocarditis among a group of Iranian dental and medical students. A multiple choice test that included 15 questions about bacterial endocarditis and antibiotic prophylaxis was developed. The questionnaires were distributed to 136 dental and medical students who had passed a theoretical course about bacterial endocarditis successfully in the past. Success was defined as correct answers to at least 8 of the 15 questions. Of 136 students participating in this study, 34 [25%] passed the test successfully. The pass-rate of dental students [38%] was significantly higher than that of medical students [13.5%] [P < 0.05]. The mean mark of dental and medical students was 6.74 +/- 2.28 and 4.81 +/- 2.1, respectively [P < 0.05]. No significant difference in success rates or mean marks found according to sex or age in the present study. The results of the present study demonstrate an important lack of knowledge regarding prevention of bacterial endocarditis among a group of Iranian dental and medical students and the need for improved education in this field

Malignant salivary glands tumors in Kerman province: a retrospective study

Malignant salivary glands tumors [MSGTs] are uncommon cancers. The most common site of these cancers is the parotid gland. Some investigations show these cancers preference for males than females. The majority of MSGTs arise in sixth decade of human life. According to the literature review for the present work, there is a few epidemiological researches about MSGTs in Iran and especially there isn't any study in Kerman province. So the aim of this study was investigation the incidence, sex, age, histological types, and site distribution of MSGTs in the Kerman province during the time period from March 1991 to March 2002. Documents and records of 70 patients with MSGTs diagnosed from March 1991 to March 2002 were reviewed. The patients' records were analyzed based on gender, age, location, and histopathological type of the tumor. Data were analyzed by SPSS-13.5 statistical software using t-test, chi-square, and ANOVA tests. During this period of time, 70 cases [43men, 27 women] of MSGTs had been diagnosed. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common cancer [30%] and the parotid was the most affected site [70%]. The age range was 10-86 years old with the overall mean age of 50.18 +/- 17.97. Despite a considerable volume of literatures written about MSGTs in many countries, the incidence of these cancers haven't as yet been thoroughly documented or analyzed in Iran. However, comparison between the findings of this study with the results of other investigations showed a relative consistency