Assessment and correlation of anxiety, depression and serum cortisol levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis and leukoplakia: A clinicohematological study.

Context: Potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) of the oral cavity like oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and leukoplakia are known to be caused due to addictive habits, while serum cortisol is accepted to be a stress hormone. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess and correlate the anxiety, depression and serum cortisol levels in habit-associated PMDs such as OSMF and leukoplakia and compare it with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients were included in the study and were divided into three Groups, namely Group I (OSMF), Group II (leukoplakia) and Group III (control group). Serum cortisol levels and severity of anxiety and depression using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were recorded and correlated. Results: A significant correlation existed between serum cortisol level and levels of both anxiety and depression between Group I and II as compared to the control group. Conclusion: There exists a definite correlation between serum cortisol levels and the levels of anxiety and depression in patients with leukoplakia and OSMF, with increasing levels of serum cortisol and higher values in both the HAM-A and HAM-D scales in patients with both OSMF and leukoplakia. PMDs such as leukoplakia and OSMF have an established cancer-causing potential. Anxiety and depression although prevalent are underdiagnosed and poorly understood. Hence, a holistic approach in the treatment of such pathologies including hematological investigations and psychological evaluation should be mandatorily made a part of the workup and treatment plan.

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the prevalence of oral manifestation in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Karnataka, India.

OBJECTIVES: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a highly lethal, progressively epidemic viral infection characterized by profound impairment of the immune system. Oral manifestations are common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected AIDS patients, and are usually the first indicator of symptom and disease progression. The main objective of the current study was to compare the prevalence of oral manifestations in HIV patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) with those, not on HAART therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 patients diagnosed as human immune virus sero-positive. These patients were divided equally into two groups (50 each); Group I patients on HAART and Group II patients who were not on HAART. Information regarding age, sex and cluster of differentiation 4 cell count was obtained from the medical records. Oral examination was done, and findings were recorded by using internationally accepted presumptive clinical criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square statistical test. RESULTS: The presence of oral manifestations was significantly decreased in subjects on HAART (32%) compared to those who are not on HAART (56%). The most common oral lesions detected in patients on HAART were increased oral hyper-pigmentation (14%), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (8%), non-specific ulcerations (4%), pseudo-membranous candidiasis (2%), periodontitis (2%) and xerostomia (2%), whereas in non HAART oral hyperpigmentation (10%), pseudo-membranous candidiasis (8%), angular cheilitis (4%), and erythematous candidiasis (4%) and Periodontitis (14%) were more prevalent. CONCLUSION: The number and severity of oral manifestation decreased, and even there was a change in the type of oral manifestations on HAART, which may be because of the improvement in immunity gained by the therapy.

Comparison of lip prints in two different populations of India: Reflections based on a preliminary examination.

BACKGROUND: Dental records, fingerprint, and DNA comparisons are probably the most common techniques used for a person's identification, allowing fast and secure identification processes. However, sometimes it is necessary to apply different and less known techniques such as lip prints. The potential of lip prints to determine sex has been well exhibited and documented. However, very few studies have been conducted using lip prints for population identification. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predominant lip print patterns in males and females in relation to Kerala and Manipuri population and also to compare the lip print patterns between these populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised of 60 subjects, which included 30 each from Kerala and Manipuri. Lipstick was applied evenly, and the lip print was obtained by dabbing a strip of cellophane. The classification scheme proposed by Tsuchihashi was used to classify the lip print patterns and the data were statistically analyzed using the z-test for proportions. RESULTS: Type 4 and Type 5 lip print patterns were predominant in males, whereas in females it was Type 1 and Type 1'. Type 1 pattern was most common in both the populations, with an incidence of 28.33%. Furthermore, Type 1 pattern was found to be more in Kerala females and Manipuri males when compared to their counterparts. Type 1 was most common in upper right, upper left, and lower left quadrants whereas in lower right quadrant, Type 1' and Type 4 were predominant in Kerala and Type 5 in Manipuri population. CONCLUSION: Difference between the lip print patterns in two populations exists, although subtle. However, larger sample size is necessary to derive concrete conclusions.