Prevalence of recurrent herpes labialis in Western Maharashtra.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a disorder with serious health and social consequences and which affects most of the adults. However, high degree of research paucity pertaining to its prevalence was observed, especially from India. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of RHL in western Maharashtra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 1368 patients of either sex, satisfying the inclusion criteria, were included in the study after screening 34,560 patients for RHL lesions. Demographic data such as age, gender and risk factors, namely stress, menstruation and common cold, were recorded. Further, data regarding history of itching, fever, malaise and burning on lips followed by vesicles and frequency of lesions and duration were also recorded. After clinical examination site, size and nature of lesion were noted on a clinical pro forma. Results were compared statistically, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were in the age group of 30-39 years, with a female predominance (63.89%) (male:female = 0.33:0.59). Stress (43%) was the most common risk factor in the occurrence of RHL, followed by disturbed menstruation cycle (21%). Most of the patients had two episodes of RHL (42.4%), whereas some had just one episode of recurrence (25.4%) in the past 1 year. The most commonly occurring location for RHL was upper lip (47%), especially the left side (19.1%) and right side (18.2%) of the upper lip. The overall prevalence rate of RHL in our study was 3.9%. CONCLUSION: An established prevalence (3.9%) of RHL occurs among patients in western Maharashtra.

Prevalence of oromucosal lesions in relation to tobacco habit among a Western Maharashtra population.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the number and types of oromucosal lesions (OMLs) in relation to tobacco habits in patients who attended the outpatient department. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1730 patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were interviewed and screened for tobacco habits (smoking and smokeless). Clinical oral examination was conducted with diagnostic instruments using the Color Atlas of Common Oral Diseases as a guide for diagnosis. When clinical features were not diagnostic, a biopsy was done. RESULTS: Of the 1730 outpatients, 975 (56.3% ) individuals used tobacco in one or other forms and 687 (70.4%) of these had OMLs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide important information on the prevalence of OMLs in patients seeking dental care. This provides baseline data for future studies on the prevalence of oral lesions in the general population.

Age estimation by modified Demirjian's method (2004) and its applicability in Tibetan young adults: A digital panoramic study.

CONTEXT: Estimation of the age is a procedure adopted by anthropologists, archeologists and forensic scientists. Different methods have been undertaken. However none of them meet the standards as Demirjian's method since 1973. Various researchers have applied this method, in both original and modified form (Chaillet and Demirjian in 2004) in different ethnic groups and the results obtained were not satisfactory. AIMS: To determine the applicability and accuracy of modified Demirjian's method of dental age estimation (AE) in 8-18 year old Tibetan young adults to evaluate the interrelationship between dental and chronological age and the reliability between intra- and inter observer relationship. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Clinical setting and computerized design. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 300 Tibetan young adults with an age range from 8 to 18 years were recruited in the study. Digital panoramic radiographs (DPRs) were evaluated as per the modified Demirjian's method (2004). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson correlation, paired t-test, linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Inter -and intraobserver reliability revealed a strong agreement. A positive and strong association was found between chronological age and estimated dental age (r = 0.839) with P < 0.01. Modified Demirjian method (2004) overestimated the age by 0.04 years (2.04 months)in Tibetan young adults. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that, the modified Demirjian method of AE is not suitable for Tibetan young adults. Further studies: With larger sample size and comparision with different methods of AE in a given population would be an interesting area for future research.