Gabapentin for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Gabapentin in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Anticonvulsant drugs are regarded as useful treatment of neuropathic pain. In this study the efficacy and side effects of Gabapentin in comparison with Carbamazepine for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated. The study was interventional and cross over comparison. Fifty six patients with Trigeminal neuralgia were administered Gabapentin in comparison to fifty seven control group with Carbamazepine. The clinical trial comprised of two phases of 4 weeks each with three days of washout period. The final titration dose for Gabapentin was 900mg and Carbamazepine 1200mg. the efficacy of these medications was determined by visual analogue scale [VAS] and side effects were recorded through marking of profiles encountered on initiation as well as termination of each of two phase of clinical trial. The Gabapentin benefited 55% [31/56] of the patients with pain relief [p<0.05] in contrast to 50% [29/57] who obtained relief of pain from Carbamazepine as control on visual analogue scale assessment. It was concluded that Gabapentin is more effective and safer drug for the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Prevalence of chronic orofacial pain in a clinical sample

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of patients suffering from chronic orofacial pain but did not respond to any conventional therapy and therefore were referred to the Department of Oral Medicine, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. One hundred and eighty nine patients with overage age 39 years with persistent orofacial pain were recruited in this study. [135 females and 54 males]. The differential diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical examination and by applying the criteria laid down by International Association for the Diagnosis of Pain. Analysis showed the following results; Patients suffering from tempo mandibular disorders [TMD] 72[38%], trigeminal neuralgia [TN] 45 [23%], burning mouth syndrome 24[12.6%], atypical facial pain 18[9.5%] Dental pain 15[7.9%], tension type headache 6[3.17%], oro pharyngeal tumors 9[4.7%]. After diagnosis the patients showed relief from pain when appropriate treatment was provided except nine patients which were suffering from tumor

association between oral lichen planus and HCV infection

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible epidemiological relationship between Oral Lichen Planus [OLP] and Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] infection in Peshawar. This case control study was conducted on three groups of patients who were investigated for HCV infection. Group I [78 Patients clinically and histological confirmed OLP were tested for HCV infection.Group II [78 Patients] control group seeking treatment for other mucosal lesions were screened for HCV infection. Group III [1809 patients] volunteers control group consisted of healthy persons who came to Khyber college of dentistry, Peshawar for dental treatment were also screened for HCV infection. In group I, 1[1.28%] patients were found HCV positive with age range of 30-65 years. In group II, 2 [2.86%] patients were HCV positive while in group III, 56[3.09%] patients were HCV positive. The weak association between OLP and HCV infection was seen in these patients. The result was not significant in the participants P>0.05. This study suggested that no clear relationship could be established between OLP and HCV infection in Peshawar

Vitamin B12 for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The purpose of this study was to confirm the beneficial effects of Vitamin 12 in the treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. This study was conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar on 65 patients suffering from Recurrent Aphthous stomatitis. The patients were randomly divided in to two groups A sublingual dose of Vitamin B12 500 mcg and 1000 mcg was administered to the two groups for 6 months. There were 35 patients in Group-I who were given l000mcg Vitamin B 12 sublingually while in Group-II, 30 patients were given 500 mcg Vitamin B 12 sublingually for 6 months at bed time. The parameter has been recorded in each group on monthly basis for 6 months. The level, duration of pain, the number of outbreak and the size of ulcer was considerably reduced in patients who were treated with Vitamin B 12 l000mcg irrespective of blood Vitamin 12 level as compared to patients taking 500 mcg Vitamin B 12. There was no Recurrent Aphthous stomatitis in Group-I at the end of 6 months while in Group-II there was 30% relief. Thus Vitamin B 12 1 000 mcg sublingually in the treatment of Recurrent Aphthous ulceration is a safe, effective, inexpensive and low risk treatment regardless of serum Vitamin B 12 level in the blood

Treatment of oral lichen planus with topical tacrolimus and triamcinolone acetonide ointment - a comparative study

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of topical Tacrolimus ointment with that of Triamcinolone Acetonide ointment on patients suffering from oral lichen planus. A total of sixty patients [53 females and 07 males, means age 48 years; 30 patients per groups] were treated with Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppresor drug and Triamcinolone acetonide for three months in a randomized clinical trial. Thirty patients [group 1] were treated with topical Tacrolimus [0.1%, 0.003%] ointment four times daily and thirty patients [group II] were treated with Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% ointment four times daily. The clinical effects were graded after 1, 2, and 3 months of treatment. Visual analogue scale 0-10 was used to access the severity of pain before and after treatment. In group 1, Sixteen patients showed healed lesion, 10 showed improvement and 4 showed no improvement. In group II, 5 were healed, 9 patients showed 50% improvement and 16 showed no improvement. No side effects of these drugs were reported in these patients. Topical tacrolimus ointment induced a better initial therapeutic response than Triamcinolone acetonide ointment. However, relapse occured in 12 cases within 6-8 weeks of the cessation of the therapy