Long-term treatment results of conventional and hypofractionation radiotherapy in postmastectomy cancer breast patients: A retrospective study from rural cancer center of Maharashtra, India.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the long-term treatment outcome of conventional and hypofractionation radiotherapy in postmastectomy cancer breast patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 postmastectomy breast cancer patients were included in this retrospective study, who were treated from 2012 to 2014 with chemotherapy and various fractionation radiotherapy schedules. Radiotherapy treatment records for study group-I received radiotherapy 4256 cGy in 16 fractions over 3½ weeks, group-II patients received 4005 cGy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks, and conventional radiotherapy group-III received 5000 cGy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. RESULTS: The median follow-up of patients from all groups was 60 months (range 9 to 111 months). There were 39 cases with disease failure, 13 (26%) in group I (42.56 Gy), 16 (40%) in group II (40.05 Gy), and 10 (20%) in group III (50 Gy). There were 4 locoregional recurrences (LRRs), two isolated, and 11 distant failures in group I, 3 LRRs (1 isolated LRR) and 15 distant failures in group II, and only one LRR and 9 distant failures in group III. The disease-free survival (DFS) were 74%, 60%, and 80%, respectively, in groups I, II, and III (P =0.044). CONCLUSION: The long-term results of this study show that hypofractionation radiotherapy in postmastectomy cases is well tolerated and acute and late side effects are also comparable to conventional fractionation. In our study, locoregional and distant failure seems slightly higher with hypofractionation schedules than in other studies, highlighting the need for more studies with long-term follow-up in postmastectomy patients.

Marathi translation, linguistic validation, and cross-cultural adaptation of speech handicap index and voice handicap index in patients of head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Background: Patient reported treatment outcomes is a better way to measure the quality of life (QOL). This study was undertaken to translate the speech handicap index (SHI) and voice handicap index (VHI) in Marathi language and its linguistic validation and cross-cultural adaptation in patients of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Methods: SHI and VHI were translated into Marathi with prior permission from the respective authors of original English questionnaire (RAs). The translation procedure for each tool included two forward translations (English to Marathi), the formation of first intermediate Marathi translation (FIT), two back translations (Marathi to English) of FIT, and interim Marathi translation (IT) formation. The second intermediate Marathi translation (SIT) was prepared after face validation of IT by a subject expert. Pretesting of SIT was done in 20 patients of HNSCC to validate linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation. By incorporating the patient's suggestions, the final Marathi translation was prepared and sent to primary authors for approval. Results: The grammatically and conceptually acceptable and face validated SIT was prepared and administered to HNSCC patients. The patients of the oral cavity and larynx were in SHI and VHI group, respectively (ten patients in each group). The questionnaire was well understood reflecting its linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation. Some of the patients suggested changes in a few words which were then corrected, rechecked with back translation, and final Marathi translated questionnaire was prepared. It was approved by RAs. Conclusion: Marathi translation of SHI and VHI are well accepted and comprehensible. It can be used for future studies.

Effectiveness of Interventional Reproductive and Sexual Health Education among School Going Adolescent Girls in Rural Area.

BACKGROUND: Most adolescents lack access to age- and sex-appropriate health information which is vital for young people to make informed decisions about their reproductive sexual health. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to study the effectiveness of the interventional reproductive and sexual health education on knowledge, attitude, and menstrual practices of school-going adolescent girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was an interventional study consisting of a pretest, intervention session, and posttest conducted among 400 school-going adolescent girls in a rural area of Maharashtra. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge, attitude, and practice median scores following intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age- and sex-appropriate health education programs can facilitate the development of healthy reproductive and sexual behavior patterns among adolescents through the enhancement of knowledge and development of right attitude.

Evaluation of the Prevalence and Severity of Periodontal Diseases between Osteoporotic and Nonosteoporotic Subjects: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases between osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 140 subjects (70 osteoporotic and 70 nonosteoporotic) age group of 35-70 years. Skeletal (calcaneal) bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by quantitative ultrasound technique (QUS) for T score values. Periodontal status was examined by plaque index (PI), bleeding index, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level. Digital panoramic and intraoral periapical radiographs (IOPA) were taken with fixed reference point for evaluation of bone interdental alveolar bone loss (ABL). The recorded data for T score, interdental ABL and periodontal status were subjected to statistical analysis for correlation and regression procedure. RESULTS: The prevalence of the periodontal diseases, in osteoporotic group 120 (54.5%) were with periodontitis and in nonosteoporotic group 100 (50%) were with periodontitis. Correlation of T score with age, PI, gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and ABL in nonosteoporotic group was found statistically not significant. The age was (r = -0.052) indicating positive association with weak correlation, The PI is (r 0.060) indicating positive association, the GI was (r = -0.053) indicating negative association with weak correlation, the PPD was (r = 0.070) indicating positive association with weak correlation, the CAL was (r = 0.133) indicating positive association with weak correlation, ABL was (r 0.027) indicating positive association with weak correlation. CONCLUSION: Calcaneal BMD was related to ABL and, to a less extent, to CAL, implicating osteoporotic subjects are at high risk indicator for periodontal diseases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Even though the pathogenesis of periodontitis and osteoporosis differs; these diseases have several common risk factors. Both may have a additive impact on patients, which requires concomitant medical and dental management which mandates simultaneous diagnosis of both. How to cite this article: Manjunath SH, Rakhewar P, Nahar P, et al. Evaluation of the Prevalence and Severity of Periodontal Diseases between Osteoporotic and Nonosteoporotic Subjects: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2019;20(10):1223-1228.