ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a mental disease that can drastically affect oral health. Hence, this remains a significant factor that affects oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Assessing the OHRQoLin schizophrenic patients is one of the primary needs. The oral health impact profile is an impressive range of instruments that assesses the impact of oral conditions on well-being and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 100 schizophrenic individuals were randomly selected from the Psychiatry Department of Government Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India, and grouped into two groups: (a) Group I with.group-based sessions and (b) Group II with one-on-one interactions. Inclusion criteria: (a) Individuals who received the clinical confirmatory diagnosis of schizophrenia, (b) Patients who regularly reported to the psychologist for periodic evaluation, and (c) Patients who could follow instructions. Exclusion criteria: (a) Patients or their caregivers who were unwilling to participate in the study, (b) Patients with any other mental health disability other than schizophrenia, (c) Patients with muscular or nervous system disorders, and (d) Patients who could not follow instructions. Patients were educated on the modified Bass technique, and mean ± standard deviation plaque scores were compared at the baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square analytical test and paired "t-test." Statistically significant differences were observed in plaque scores in both groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Educational training tools help in improving oral health in schizophrenic patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The curve of Spee is a naturally occurring phenomenon in the human dentition. Leveling the curve of Spee can affect the Frankfort-mandibular plane (FMP) Angle and thus the lower anterior facial height. This study examined the degree of change in FMP angle after leveling the curve of Spee in different malocclusion groups. METHODS: In this study, 75 patients who were aged >14 years and had undergone fixed appliance therapy using a 0.022-slot MBT bracket system were included. The pre- and post-treatment casts and lateral cephalograms of the patients were divided into three groups, namely Class I, II, and III malocclusions, with 25 patients in each group. The curve of Spee and FMP angle were measured before and after orthodontic treatment, and their correlation was evaluated. RESULTS: After leveling the curve of Spee, the FMP angle decreased in Class I and II groups and increased in Class III group. These results were statistically significant except in Class I malocclusion group. A mild positive correlation was observed between the curve of Spee and FMP angle in Class I and III malocclusion groups and a negative correlation in Class II malocclusion group. CONCLUSION: The change in FMP angle, following the leveling of the curve of Spee, in Class II and III malocclusion group, is attributed to alterations in lower anterior facial height. The study observed a mild positive correlation between the curve of Spee and FMP angle in Class I and III malocclusion groups and a negative correlation in Class II malocclusion group.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Locally advanced head and neck cancer is generally incurable and has a short survival rate. This study aimed to evaluate symptom relief, disease response, and acute toxicity after palliative hypo-fractionated radiotherapy and long-term survival in affected patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 to December 2011, 80 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed as having stage III or stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 1-3, were offered palliative radiotherapy (20 Gy/5Fr/5 Days). Later these patients were evaluated on 30th day after completion of treatment for disease response based on World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria and palliation of symptoms using symptomatic response grading and acute toxicities by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Many patients were given post radiation therapy (RT) palliative chemotherapy for appropriate palliative care and a few patients were selected for further curative RT. The overall survival was also evaluated among this group of patients with last follow up date of 1st May, 2014. RESULTS: The most common presenting complaint was pain followed by dysphagia. Most patients (60-70%) had appreciable relief in their presenting symptoms. A good response was observed in the majority following palliative RT; a few patients had progressive disease and some had stable and regressed disease. None of the patients experienced radiation toxicity that required hospital admission. Almost all showed grade one and two acute skin and mucosal toxicity one month after completion of treatment. The mean survival days for patients given only hypofractionated palliative RT was 307 days, those with post palliative RT and palliative chemotherapy was 390 days and patients who went on to receive further palliative RT and curative RT dose had significantly overall survival of 582 days. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced head and neck cancer should be identified for suitable palliative hypofractionated radiotherapy to achieve acceptable symptom relief in a great proportion of patients and should be followed by palliative chemotherapy or curative RT in suitable cases for long-term symptom-free survival.
