Total serum cholesterol level in patients with major depressive disorder: Simple yet undermined

Human brain cholesterol acts as structural components of cellular membrane, synapse and dendrite formation.Researchers have found a possible association between low serum cholesterol levels and mood disorders though the literature from India in this regard is limited. To estimate serum levels of total cholesterol in patients with major depressive disorder. 75 patients of MDD were compared with equal number of age and sex matched controls. 5 ml of fasting sample of blood was obtained in a plain vacutainer to analyse total cholesterol level by Cholesterol oxidase-peroxidase method. Statistical analysis: The obtained results were tabulated and analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis, independent t-test, Chi-square test and area under the curve. The mean level of cholesterol in cases (158.85±61.22 mg/dL) which was significantly lower compared to the controls (182.71±40.98 mg/dL) with P <0.01. The symptoms of MDD negatively correlated with lower serum cholesterol level with odds ratio of 0.99. There was statistically significant lower level of cholesterol in the MDD group below 140 mg/dL compared to the control group with P <0.001. As the measurement of total serum cholesterol is simple and cost effective, it can be used as an important biochemical marker for MDD.

Occlusal reduction reduces postoperative pain after endodontic instrumentation

Pain management after root canal treatment is a very important issue in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal reduction on postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and tenderness to percussion. This was a prospective, randomized study conducted in Operative Department of dental section of Bahria Dental College and Hospital from June 2013 to May 2014. One hundred and ten posterior teeth with no or mild preoperative pain, sensitive to percussion requiring endodontic treatment were included in this study. After administration of local anesthesia, the root canals were instrumented, and an intracanal calcium hydroxide dressing was placed. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 55 each. In 1 group the occlusal surface was reduced [OR group], whereas in the other group the occlusal surface was not modified [no occlusal reduction, NOR group]. The patients were recalled after 24 hour, 2nd day and 3rd day to record their postoperative pain on the visual analogue scale. Data was analyzed by using Chi-square test. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between the 2 groups [P > .05] after root canal preparation and calcium hydroxide dressing. Occlusal surface reduction did not provide any further reduction in postoperative pain for teeth with irreversible pulpitis and mild tenderness to percussion compared with no occlusal reduction

Assessment of patient's satisfaction about dental treatment/ facilities provided by Bahria dental college hospital, Karachi

The study was carried out to know the attitude and satisfaction level of patients who came to dental OPD of Bahria Dental College and Hospital for treatment. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from March 2013 to August 2013. The patients were asked to fill the proformas which contained 10 questions to assess the areas which needed to be rectified. 392 patients were included in the study from both sexes, 147 were males and 245 were females with the mean age of 32.20 years with standard deviation +/- 11.03. Association between both genders and various aspects of Dental OPD were analyzed using Chi-Square test, at 95% CI that is < 0.05. Males were less satisfied in three areas as compared to females; 10 out of 147 males felt that operator or staff showed apathy towards them [p-value 0.009], 13.6% males did not want to refer their nearest kith and kin to Bahria Dental College and Hospital as compared to females [p-value 0.000], 19.04% males experienced delay in treatment due to power or water cut down or lack of materials as compared to females [p-value 0.000]. Females faced difficulty in two areas; 2% females felt problem in payment at the cash counter [p-value 0.094], 32.65% females thought there should be more signboards to guide the patients in finding respective departments as compared to males [p-value 0.000]. This study showed that majority of patients were satisfied about the dental treatment and facilities provided at this hospital