Journal Issue: Vol. 63 No. 286 (2025): JNMA
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Volume
63
Number
Issue Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
JNMA Print ISSN: 0028-2715; Online ISSN: 1815-672X
Journal Volume
Volume 63
(63)
Articles
Prevalence of Gingival Recession in the Nepalese Population Visiting Tertiary Care Hospital
(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Rijal, Arjun Hari; Napit, Ruben; Chhetri, Purnima Mahatara; Pandey, Sujata; Poudel, Sandhya; Ghimire, Pratistha; Adhikari, Bhojraj; Lamichhane, Simant; Humagain, Manoj
Abstract
Introduction: Gingival recession is the exposure of root surface by an apical shift in the position of the gingiva. Exposure of the tooth surface leads to caries of the root surface, abrasion, erosion, sensitivity, esthetic concern and interproximal plaque accumulation. So, the objective of the present study was to find out the prevalence of recession in Nepalese population and its etiological factors.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 participants for a period of December 2023 to February 2024 at Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Dhulikhel Hospital after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional review committee (Reference no: 229/23). Written informed consent was obtained and gingival recession and its associated factors were examined using well-formed proforma. Data were entered into Microsoft excel and descriptive statistics were reported.
Results: Out of total 350 participants, the prevalence of gingival recession was found to be 170 (48.56%, 95% CI= 43.33- 53.73). Among total participants 177 (50.57%) were male with gingival prevalence of 86 (48.58%) and rests were female with 84 (48.55%) prevalence. Similarly, 40-49 years age groups were mostly affected 62(72.09%) by gingival recession.There was highest prevalence with poor oral hygiene 48 (64.87%), use of hard tooth brush 31(67.39%), prosthodontic treatment 22(61.12%), subgingival restoration 7(70%) and due to papillary penetrating frenal attachment 3 (100%).
Conclusions: This study reported high prevalence of gingival recession among Nepalese adult population and there are multiple etiologies are associated with it.
Lived Experience of Patients Living with Glaucoma: A Qualitative Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Singh, Anjani Kumar; Thakur, Krishna Kumar; Mishra, Sumit Kumar; Pandit, Binita; Karn, Rajiv
Abstract
Introduction: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. There are limited qualitative study focusing on patients’ experience of glaucoma. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of patients living with glaucoma.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted involving eight patients from January 2024 to June 2024 at glaucoma department of an eye hospital after approval from the institutional review committee (Reference number: BEH-IRC/093/024), using in-depth interview. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with selected participants until data saturation was achieved. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Patients receiving glaucoma treatment for more than five years and willing to participate were included in the study.
Results: Out of the eight participants, seven were male with mean age of 43.12±12.86 years. Based on the interviews, seven main themes were identified. These include experiences and ideas about the moment they first noticed the condition, their emotional response after being diagnosed, a sense of relief after receiving accurate information, how they manage the disease, their sources of information, changes in their work life, and the involvement of family members in attending regular glaucoma checkups.
Conclusions: This study explored the experiences of patients living with glaucoma. Findings showed that the patients with early diagnosis, proper education with counseling, proper treatment and regular follow up preserved their visual function.
Contextual Adaptation, Translation, and Validation of the Affiliate Stigma Scale (ASS) among Primary Caregivers of Children with Physical Disabilities in Nepal: An Observational Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Banskota, Bibek; Bhatta, Deepa; Bhusal, Rajan; Yadav, Prakash Kumar; Banskota, Ashok Kumar
Abstract
Introduction: The experience of affiliate stigma can cause psychosocial problems among caregivers of children with physical disabilities, seriously affecting children’s care and rehabilitation. To measure this stigma, we aimed to adapt and validate the widely accepted Affiliate Stigma Scale in the Nepali language.
Methods: This study was conducted among 220 primary caregivers of children with physical disabilities, who presented at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children, Nepal, from April to June 2024. The original tool was adapted, translated, followed by experts’ reviews, and pretesting. The final Nepali version was then administered among conveniently selected participants through face-to-face interviews. Data analyses comprised different parts, including item analysis, reliability, validity analysis, and Exploratory Factor Analysis, performed using SPSS version 16.
Results: Item analyses revealed strong item-total correlations (r=0.31-0.76) for all 21 items except A3 (r=0.23). Critical Ratios indicated high discriminative power (CRs>3.0) for all items. The reliability test showed a strong Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.91), and odd-even split-half reliability (0.83 and 0.80). The tool exhibits high convergent validity (r=-0.33, p<0.001). Moreover, exploratory factor analysis results supported the three-factor structure of the original scale, though some issues were identified: item A3 not loading onto any of the three factors, some cross-loadings, and items from different domains grouping together.
Conclusions: Despite having the problematic structure of the scale, it was still found highly reliable and valid in measuring affiliate stigma among the study population.
Vaginal Neoplasm in a Breast Cancer Survivor: A Case Report
(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Roy, Baishali; Rathore, Ruchi; Singhal, Seema; Halder, Sholanki; Singh, Nilanchali
Abstract
According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, Carcinoma breast is the second most common malignancy worldwide after lung and ranks 4th in mortality worldwide. Breast cancer can metastasize to various organs. The incidence of vaginal metastasis in carcinoma breast is 1-2%. Here we present a patient with post menopausal bleeding with vaginal mass. She had a history of Triple negative carcinoma left breast 3 years back, treated by Modified Radical Mastectomy followed by chemo radiotherapy. Vaginal biopsy was suggestive of a metastatic carcinoma breast. MRI and PET CT showed isolated vaginal growth. Due to poor performance status and multiple medical comorbidities, decision was taken to treat her with single agent Paclitaxel 3weekly until disease progression. This case report points out the necessity for thorough gynaecological examination in a cancer survivor, either via clinical examination, routine PAP smear or imaging.
Clinical profile and outcome of Dengue fever in Medical Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Level Hospital: An Observational Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Koirala, Eliza; Deo, Gopendra Prasad; Adhikari, Shital; Gauli, Basanta; Bajracharya, Akriti
Abstract
Introduction: Dengue fever poses a significant public health challenge in Nepal, with increasingsevere cases requiring intensive care. Limited data exist on the clinical profile and outcomes of critically ill dengue patients in resource-limited settings. This study is aimed to characterize the clinical features, outcomes and complications of dengue patients admitted to a tertiary Intensive care unit in Nepal.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at from August to September 2024 after ethical approval. We enrolled 104 serologically confirmed dengue patients (aged ≥16 years) admitted to the Medical Intensive care unit. Exclusion criteria included co-infections with other tropical diseases. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory parameters (including platelet counts, liver enzymes), organ dysfunction (SOFA score), and outcomes were collected. Descriptive data analysis was used to report frequency, proportion, measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion based on nature of data.
Results: The cohort (median age 41 years, 54.8% male) exhibited severe manifestations: thrombocytopenia (median platelets count 49,000/μL; IQR: 30,250–85,000 per μL), hepatic injury 86 (82.7%); median AST 176.5 U/L, ALT 208.5 U/L), and moderate organ dysfunction (median SOFA score 4). Hypertension 27 (25.96%) and diabetes 23 (22.12%) were common comorbidities. Despite 22 (21.2%) developing multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, mortality was remarkably low 1 (0.96%).
Conclusions: Dengue fever cases peak during the month of August and September in endemic areas (Chitwan and surrounding district). Mortality could be reduced in severe dengue with appropriate critical care, highlighting the need to strengthen ICU capacity in endemic regions.