ABSTRACT
Introduction Caregivers of individuals with head, neck, and face cancer play a pivotal role in providing support, yet they face distinct challenges. This study aims to explore caregiving experiences and consequences among this population. Methods A multicentric cross-sectional study involving 200 caregivers using a convenience sampling method was conducted in Pune. Caregivers involved in patient care were included in head, neck, and face cancer. The Cancer Caregiving Consequences Inventory (CaTCoN) questionnaire was utilized to assess various dimensions of caregiving. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional review boards. Results The demographic profile revealed that 89% of caregivers were spouses/partners, primarily females (77%), aged 25-40 (81.5%), and urban dwellers (68.5%). Caregivers were predominantly married or cohabiting (100%) and had children (95%). Most had a graduate-level education (97.5%) and were employed full-time (82.5%). The mean scores from the CaTCoN questionnaire highlighted substantial caregiving responsibilities, with significant associations found in multivariate regression analysis. Spouses/partners showed stronger correlations with increased workload, personal growth challenges, financial difficulties, and the need to maintain an everyday life. Conclusion This study comprehensively explains caregiving consequences among head, neck, and face cancer cases. The predominance of spouses/partners as caregivers emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address their unique challenges. The study highlights the demanding nature of caregiving, with potential positive outcomes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak in 2019 took the entire world by a storm with the medical fraternity struggling to understand and comprehend its complex nature. A number of patients who are COVID positive have reported oral lesions. However, there is still a lingering question, whether these lesions are because of coronavirus infection or they are secondary to the patient's systemic condition. This article aims to report the oral findings of an observational study of 713 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A singlssswe-institution, short-term observational study was conducted on patients admitted to Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre, Lavale, Pune who were positive to coronavirus, who presented varied oral findings such as herpes simplex, candidiasis, geographic tongue, and aphthous ulcer. RESULTS: A total of 713 patients, 416 males and 297 females, who were positive to coronavirus, were screened from April 2020 to June 30, 2020, for oral ulcers. In this group, nine patients reported oral discomfort due to varied forms of oral lesions ranging from herpes simplex ulcers to angular cheilitis (1.26%). CONCLUSION: This study supports the hypothesis that oral manifestations in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 could be secondary lesions resulting from local irritants or from the deterioration of systemic health or could be just coexisting conditions. No specific pattern or characteristic oral lesions were noted in a study of 713 COVID-positive patients in our study to qualify these lesions as oral manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to cephalometrically determine the center of the anteroposterior curve of occlusion, and its relation to standardized landmarks, to establish a suitable occlusal curve for the restoration of maxillary and mandibular arches in a selected local population. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this was the first cephalometric study identifying variations occurring in the anteroposterior curve in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients (40 males and 40 females) with Angle's Class I occlusion and normal growth pattern were selected. Landmarks were established following tracings on standardized lateral cephalograms. The center of the occlusal curve was determined, and its distance from the nasion, lachryma, and orbitale was statistically compared using ANOVA, post hoc and proximal matrix tests in males and females. In addition, a relationship between the depth of occlusal curve and the condyle was established. RESULTS: The mean distances of the center from nasion, lachryma, and orbitale (statistically significant) were 11.15 mm ± 5.65 mm, 18.68 mm ± 8.6 mm and 33.10 mm ± 10.13 mm for females (P < 0.001) and 9.7 mm ± 4.69 mm, 16.80 mm ± 6.45 mm and 31.22 mm ± 8.51 mm (P < 0.001) for males, respectively. Depth of the curve and distance from the condyle had an inverse corelation. CONCLUSION: Nasion is closest to the center of the curve of occlusion in both females and males followed by lachryma and orbitale. Hence, nasion can be considered as a point of reference clinically while determining anteroposterior curve of occlusion.
