Journal Issue: Volume: 56, No. 213, Sep-Oct, 2018
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
JNMA Print ISSN: 0028-2715; Online ISSN: 1815-672X
Journal Volume
Articles
Risks to Living Kidney Donors - Current Perspectives
(Nepal Medical Association, 2018) Shrestha, Badri Man
N/A
Status of Tobacco Smoking and Diabetes with Periodontal Disease
(Nepal Medical Association, 2018) Gupta, Sujaya; Maharjan, Anjana; Dhami, Bhageshwar; Amgain, Pratikshya; Katwal, Sanjeeta; Adhikari, Bidhya; Shukla, Ashutosh
Abstract
Introduction: Periodontitis is multifactorial disease that along with dental caries remains one of the commonest cause of tooth loss worldwide. Effective management requires clear understanding of risk factors. Smoking has a dose-dependent effect on periodontium. Similarly, individuals with diabetes have severe forms of periodontal diseases. We aim to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease in dental patients in relation to smoking and diabetes.
Methods: The study was conducted among 522 patients visiting the Periodontics Department, Kantipur Dental College. Individuals willing to participate had to sign an informed consent and undergo interview and clinical examination. Data collection, done on a structured proforma, was analysed using SPSS 20.0.
Results: Prevalence of periodontitis was 372 (71.3%), diabetes 33 (6.3%) and smoking as 138 (26.4%). Hypertension was observed in 64 (12.3%) patients and family history of diabetes among 94 (18%). Among the 372 periodontitis patients, smoking behaviour was present in 120 (32.3%), diabetes in 32 (8.6%), family history of diabetes in 72 (19.4%) and hypertension in 62 (16.7%). Conversely, 120 (87%) smokers, 33 (97%) diabetics, 72 (76.6%) with family history of diabetes, 62 (96.9%) hypertensive, 216 (41.4%) male and 156 (29.9%) female participants had periodontitis. Smoking behaviour was more in males: 115 (39.4%) compared to 23 (10%) females.
Conclusions: Periodontitis was significantly associated with smoking, diabetes, hypertension and age. It is recommended that tobacco cessation and diabetes control be promoted as an integral component of periodontal therapy and oral health be included as an essential element of general health when conducting national health surveys.
Keywords: Diabetes; Pack years; Periodontitis; Prevalence; Risk factors; Smoking.
Cephalic Index in Indigenous Tharu Community
(Nepal Medical Association, 2018) Khatun, Sanzida
Abstract
Introduction: Cephalic index is an important parameter for differentiation of race and sex which varies significantly on the basis of hereditary, geographical, racial, sexual and other factors. It is a morphometric expression of different forms of head. The objective of this research was to evaluate the cephalic index of people of indigenous Tharu community of Biratnagar, Nepal and to determine different head types.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which maximum head length and breadth of 100 adult Tharu people living in Biratnagar were measured using spreading caliper and scale. The cephalic index was obtained from these values using Hrdlicka’s method.
Results: The mean cephalic index of the study population was 75.99±4.97. The mean cephalic indices of males and females were 76.22±5.14 and 75.78±4.85 respectively. The most common head type observed was dolichocephalic type 47 (47%). It was followed by mesocephalic type 37 (37%), brachycephalic type 13 (13%) was less common and least common was hyperbrachycephalic type 3 (3%).
Conclusions: Long head (dolichocephalic) type is more common in Tharu population in both the genders, whereas, broad head (brachycephalic and hyperbrachycephalic) type is present in very few people.
Dietary Practice among the Patients with End Stage Renal Disease undergoing Maintenance Haemodialysis
(Nepal Medical Association, 2018) Lamichhane (Dulal), Sangita; Thakurathi, Manasa Thapa; Dulal, Ram Krishna; Karki, Shreejana; Raut, Krishna Bahadur
Abstract
Introduction: Several studies on the nutritional status of chronic kidney disease patients living on haemodialysis revealed high prevalence of malnutrition (18-94%). A hospital-based study in Nepal revealed 66.7% mild to moderately malnourished and National Kidney Center reported common protein-energy malnutrition problem among haemodialysis patients. As almost all patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis looked malnourished, this study was carried out to explore prevailing dietary knowledge and practice of the patients.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 471 patients undergoing haemodialysis from June 2015 to July in 2015 was carried out. After stratification through a systematic random sampling method, 40 (67%) patients from National Kidney Center and 20 (33%) from Bir Hospital were selected, interviewed face to face by using structured questionnaire. Ethical and institutional approval and patients’ consent were obtained.
Results: The level of knowledge score found to be medium and practice score was even low. Seventy percent knew about renal diet but only 36 (60%) believed in it. After having kidney disease 42 (70%) had changed their dietary practice. Surprisingly, 38 (63.3%) said they ate the food what the other member in their family ate.
Conclusions: Considerable limited knowledge (medium) and practices (low) scores were found. Had they have taken adequate dietician’s support, they might have taken right kind and right amounts of foods and benefitted in controlling potassium, phosphate and protein at the recommended level. Plant-based diet could assist in end stage renal disease in a number of ways: an edge of protection against diet cost, reduce inter-related co-morbidities or complications (hypertension and diabetes).
Attitude Towards Mental Illness Among Medical Students And Interns of a Medical College
(Nepal Medical Association, 2018) Prasai, Astha; Sharma, Shubash Chandra; Rijal, Rika; KC, Shreeyanta
Abstract
Introduction: Mental health and physical health are interconnected. Attitude of medical professionals towards mentally ill affects the quality of care the patient receives. Today’s medical students are tomorrow’s medical practitioner. We conducted a study in a teaching hospital to assess the attitude towards mental illness among medical students and interns.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was performed in 265 students in Kathmandu Medical College in August, 2017. Opinion about Mental Illness (OMI) questionnaire developed by Cohen and Struening was used.
Results: Of the total participants, 49.8%(132) were male and 50.2%(133) were female. Medical students were more authoritarian, more benevolent and believed that mental illness is like any other medical illness. They showed neutral attitude in terms of social restriction of mentally ill and interpersonal relationship as a cause of mental illness.
Conclusions: Positive attitude was seen only in terms of benevolence and mental hygiene ideology. Effective teaching and training programs is necessary to bring in positive attitude change towards mentally ill among medical students.