Assessment of the prevalence of types of head and neck cancer in a tertiary cancer center at Madurai, Tamil Nadu: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of types of head and neck cancer in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of types of head and neck cancer in Madurai, Tamil Nadu using a questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out for two months among 300 head and neck cancer patients at a tertiary cancer center in Madurai. A convenience sampling technique was used. The data were collected using a pretested, self-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software. RESULTS: Of 300 head and neck cancer patients, the mean age of the patients was about 51.04 ± 16.49 years. The majority of the patients were male (80%), employed (85%), and literate (65%). Among the head and neck cancer patients, 65% were tobacco users and 42.4% were alcohol consumers. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of head and neck cancer, and 79.7% were diagnosed at an advanced stage of said cancer, such as stages III and IV. CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge and awareness is a major cause of increasing prevalence of head and neck cancer in our country. It is most important to increase the knowledge and awareness of early symptom recognition and its seriousness among the general population.

Assessment of the perceived stress and burden of family caregivers of the head-and-neck cancer patients at a tertiary care cancer center: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a major life-threatening disease and has an impact on both patients and their family members. Caring for cancer patients may lead to several levels of stress which may affect their own health as well as their quality of life. AIM: To assess the perceived stress and burden of family caregivers of head and neck cancer patients (HNC) attending cancer care centre at a tertiary care centre, Tamil Nadu. OBJECTIVES: To assess the perceived stress and the burden among caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) respectively. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A Cross-sectional study was carried out for a period of three months among the caregivers of head and neck cancer patients at a cancer care centre, Madurai. A total of 200 caregivers were selected by Convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a pretested, self-structured, closed-ended questionnaire by face to face interview method. RESULTS: The study population consisted of Caregivers aged 21-60 years, mostly females (80%), spouses (54%), employed (57%) and uneducated (66%). Most of the caregivers were from lower socioeconomic status (66%) and those who are providing care for 1 to 6 months were more in number. In this study, 82% of caregivers reported high caregiver burden (CSI ≥7) and 67% of caregivers reported high stress (PSS ≥ 26 - 40). CONCLUSION: Caregivers are experiencing significant burden, particularly with respect to their physical and psychological well-being, economic circumstances, social and personal relationships.

The Benefit of Zinc Sulfate in Oropharyngeal Mucositis during Hyperfractionated Accelerated Concomitant Boost Radiotherapy with Concurrent Cisplatin for Advanced-Stage Oropharyngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers.

BACKGROUND: Radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis is a major problem causing widespread clinical symptoms and may interfere with treatment plans, ultimately jeopardizing patient outcome. Zinc supplementation may be considered beneficial in preventing acute toxicity during chemoradiation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis in Stage III and IV-A oropharynx and hypopharynx cancers treated by hyperfractionated accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy with weakly cisplatin. The objective behind the study is to know any changes in the onset, duration, and severity of oropharyngeal mucositis by implementation of oral zinc sulfate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is double-blinded randomized controlled assessment involving 120 patients (60 - control and 60 - experimental) treated with chemoradiation for oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. The experimental group received oral zinc sulfate 150 mg once daily during and after treatment, whereas the control group patients were given placebo. The categorical data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Pearson correlation. The Friedman test was used for comparison of oral mucositis grading between the groups. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found in the zinc-supported experimental group showing delay in onset, decrease in severity, and duration of oropharyngeal mucositis. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation could be beneficial in managing oropharyngeal mucositis during chemoradiation of head-and-neck cancers with no untoward side effects.

Association of COL1A2 (PvuII) gene polymorphism with risk and severity of dental fluorosis - A case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental fluorosis is a foremost public health problem in many countries, including India. Very few studies investigated gene polymorphism and risk of dental fluorosis. Genetic polymorphisms in Collagen Type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) gene, found to be linked with bone pathogenesis, may affect the tooth formation resulting in the vulnerability to dental fluorosis. AIM: To assess the association between COL1A2 (PvuII) gene polymorphism and risk as well as severity of dental fluorosis. METHODS: The present case control study was conducted among participants with (n = 60) and without (n = 60) dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis was assessed using Modified Dean's fluorosis index (1942). The PvuII polymorphisms (in exon 25) inside the COL1A2 gene were genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) procedure. Statistical analysis were carried out with Chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR) was determined with multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The genetic polymorphism in COL1A2 PvuII was found to be associated with the risk of dental fluorosis which was highly significant (p < 0.001). The odds ratio was 31.4 times [OR = 31.9, 95% CI: 3.9-48.7] higher for the homozygous PP genotype group and 4.0 times [OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.0-10.7] higher for the heterozygous Pp genotype. CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphism of COL1A2 was found to be associated with dental fluorosis. The present study provides an insight for identification of the population who may subsist at risk of developing dental fluorosis in their later life.

Assessment of malocclusion severity and orthodontic treatment needs in 12-15-year-old school children of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, using Dental Aesthetic Index.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to assess the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren in rural area of Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India, using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 1078 schoolchildren (12-15 years of age) who were selected by two-stage cluster sampling technique. Severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were assessed according to the DAI using a specially designed survey pro forma with the aid of the WHO's Oral Health Survey: Basic Methods. Based on the distribution of data, analysis of variance and unpaired student t-test were used. RESULTS: Out of the total of 1078 children examined, 528 (49%) were males and 550 (57%) were females. The results indicate that 82.74% of the schoolchildren were found with little or no malocclusion requiring no orthodontic treatment. The gender-wise distribution of DAI score among children aged 12 years had significant difference between males (20.43 ± 3.67) and females (21.62 ± 4.335) (P = 0.015) and children aged 15 years also showed highly significant difference among gender (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Malocclusion not only impacts the appearance of the person but also affects the self-esteem and psychological well-being. This is the first step in understanding the treatment need so that further steps can be taken in preventive and interceptive care.