The effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on the illness perception and Psychological Symptoms in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on the Illness Perception (IP) and Psychological Symptoms (PS) for Patients in primary care with an active symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The present design is a clinical trial that uses the pre-test and post-test design with a control group. MBCT as an evidence-based psychotherapeutic intervention and Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI), is an 8-week course developed for patients with relapsing depression that integrates mindfulness meditation practices and cognitive therapy. This semi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest and control group. Diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of patients with RA were all patients with RA who visited the clinic of Jam Rheumatology Centers and met other inclusion criteria in Mashhad in the spring of 2018. Therefore, 28 patients were randomly selected from the diagnostic group. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group (14 individuals in each group) and then were post-tested after two months. The data were collected using the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21 scores) which were completed by the participants. The data were analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of pre-test (before MBI) and post-test (after MBI) in the experimental group compared to the control group, and MBCT had a significant effect on the perception of the disease and the psychological syndrome in the experimental group compared to the control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that MBCT is effective on IP and psychological syndrome and can be used as an MBI method to reduce the illness perceptions in people with RA. The future researches with longer pursuing period's efficacy continuation are suggested.

Diagnostic value of two modes of cone-beam computed tomography in evaluation of simulated external root resorption: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: Field of view and voxel resolution of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) might affect the diagnostic capability. This study was performed to compare between the standard and HiRes zoom modes in the diagnosis of external root resorption (ERR) using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty three small cavities (0.25 mm depth and 0.5 mm diameter) were simulated on the buccal, lingual, and proximal surfaces at three different levels of 16 roots of teeth. After covering the root with nail varnish, the roots were inserted in the sockets and the model was placed in a water-containing lacuna. CBCT scans were taken in both standard and HiRes zoom modes using NewTom VG (QR srl Company, Verona, Italy). Then, an observer assessed the images to determine the presence or absence of the cavities. This process was repeated by increasing the size and depth of cavities to 0.5 mm depth and 1 mm diameter. Data were analyzed by McNemar test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratio in evaluation of the simulated cavities were calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two imaging modes in diagnosing the shallow cavities (p=0.02).The sensitivity of the standard zoom in detecting the shallow cavities was lower than that of the HiRes zoom. The likelihood ratio of the HiRes zoom was higher in the diagnosis of both cavity types. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that a smaller voxel size in the HiRes zoom mode of CBCT is preferred for diagnosis of ERR.

Intraosseous neurofibroma and concurrent involvement of the mandible, maxilla and orbit: report of a case.

Neurofibroma is an autosomal dominant disorder which has major criteria such as hyperpigmentation (cafe-au lait spots), cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors and bone deformities. In this report, a case of multifocal intraosseous neurofibroma in a 16-year-old male with right facial asymmetry, multiple unerupted maxillary posterior teeth and a previous history of infratemporal and orbital neurofibroma is presented. The majority of reported cases occurred in the posterior portion of the mandible and a limited number in the maxilla. Cone beam CT (CBCT) was performed for better evaluation of the extension and form of the maxillary and mandibular lesions. This report presents a rare situation of simultaneous peripheral neurofibromatosis (NF) and multifocal intraosseous NF in the mandible, maxilla and orbits and also focuses on advanced imaging findings of bony and soft tissue neurofibroma.

Assessing joint space and condylar position in the people with normal function of temporomandibular joint with cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The optimal position of the condyle in glenoid fossa is a fundamental question in dentistry. There is no quantitative standard for the optimal position of mandibular condyle in the glenoid fossa in our population. The purpose of this study is to assess the position of the condyle by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in patient with normal function of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, CBCT images of 40 class I skeletal patients (15 males and 25 females) without history of TMJ disorders were selected. Next, the anterior, superior and posterior joint spaces (Ajs, Sjs, Pjs) were measured on the two true central sagittal slices. Then medial (M) and lateral (L) joint spaces on true coronal view were measured in the right and left sides, separately. After that, P/A ratio, S/A ratio and M/L ratio were calculated. Finally, a paired t-test and independent samples t-test were employed for analysis. RESULTS: The centric position of the condyle in glenoid fossa was more common (92.5%) than other positions. Significant differences in Ajs, Sjs, Pjs, Mjs and Ljs values between two sides were observed (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, Sjs showed statistically significant differences between the sexes (P = 0.05). P/A ratio and S/A ratio had significant differences between two sides but not between those sexes. CONCLUSION: The assessment of joint spaces in right and left sides should be done independently. Overall, the measured joint spaces except Sjs are not different in two sexes. The data from this study could be a useful and comparable reference for the clinical assessment of condylar position in patients with normal functional joints.

Comparison between cone beam computed tomography and panoramic radiography in the assessment of the relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted class C mandibular third molars.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiographic evaluation of impacted third molars is essential to determine the proximity to the mandibular canal to minimize the risk of nerve injury. Our study aim was to evaluate the relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted mandibular third molars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare findings therein with panoramic radiographic signs. METHODS: CBCT images were taken from 29 patients having 43 Class C impacted mandibular third molars whose panoramic radiographs showed a close relationship between the mandibular canal and mandibular third molars. We evaluated their tomographs to determine the course of the canal, its proximity to the root, any narrowing of the canal, the presence of root grooving or hooks and the proximity of the root to the cortex. A Chi-square test was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The lingual course of the canal was the most frequently detected course in all panoramic findings. Contact of the tooth with the canal was observed in all cases in which panoramic signs of deviation of the canal and darkening of the roots were found. The frequency of observing the narrowing of the canal in CBCT as compared to seeing the presence or the absence of canal narrowing in panoramic radiographs was significantly different (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: CBCT provides more precise diagnostic information to determine the relationship of impacted third molars to the canal. Deviation of the canal and darkening of the roots in panoramic view can be highly valuable to predict the risk of nerve injury.

Direct digital radiography versus conventional radiography for estimation of canal length in curved canals.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the conventional and digital radiography in the estimation of working length in mandibular molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty molar teeth were selected and divided into three groups in the basis of canal curves (0-15°, 15-30°, >30°). After the placement of a 15 K-file, radiographs were taken with a conventional film (F-speed) and a digital sensor. Canal lengths were measured in these images by two observers. Statistical analysis was performed with repeated measures of ANOVA and paired sample t-test with 95% confidence. RESULTS: There was a high inter-observer agreement on the measurements of working length in conventional and digital radiographs. There was no significant difference between the mean values of measurements in conventional and digital radiography. Moreover, there was no significant difference between conventional and digital radiography with the actual values in the basis of canal curves. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of conventional and digital radiography in the determination of the working length was in an acceptable range.