ABSTRACT
Introduction: There is a notable shift in the attitude of the admission, review, diagnostics, and follow-up of patients for all the medical sectors and of particular interest of cancer patients. The present study aimed to elaborate on the identification of patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs); the diagnostics, the triage, and the best treatment plan were all evaluated and at the same time compared with the years before the pandemic at a tertiary care center that caters to various other patients also. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational clinical study was conducted at the tertiary care center that catered to all the medical specialties. The demographics, the patient characteristics, the surgeries performed, complications, mortality, and readmissions were evaluated and compared with the pre-coronavirus disease (COVID) time. Results: There was a significant difference in the complications for the pre-COVID time when the groups were compared for the matched pair. Conclusion: The proper screening and triaging of the patients will help in the early intervention of the patients with the HNCs.
ABSTRACT
Background & Objectives: Because of the inflammatory response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and periodontitis risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes are high. There is a limited number of studies available in the literature regarding the association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in HIV infection. So the main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) associated with periodontitis among HIV seropositive pregnant women. Methods: The study sample consists of 216 HIV seropositive pregnant women with complete dental and medical history and the appointment for the follow-up visit was made after the delivery to assess the baby's health.Gingivitis and periodontitis were assessed based on the bleeding on probing and clinical attachment levels at the first visit. Results: In our study, the majority of 96 (44.44%) of the gingivitis cases belong to "moderate gingivitis" and the majority of 62 (28.70%) of the periodontitis cases were found to be in the mild periodontitis category. The relative risk for women with gingivitis or periodontitis having a preterm birth, low birth weight, and PTLBW was not statistically significant. The trend of risk ratios was found to be increased over the severity of periodontitis. Conclusion: This study shows an association between adverse neonatal outcomes with moderate and severe periodontitis. But these results were not statistically significant. This study implicates the importance of oral health care in HIV-positive pregnant women.
