Journal of University Medical & Dental College

2025-03-25T09:05:21+00:00

Frequently misdiagnosed condition can be identified earlier by looking at phenotypic features

2025-03-25T09:10:57+00:00

Diabetes is a global epidemic affecting the quality of life of patients and their families. It doesn’t come alone, however opens the door of complications i.e. cardiovascular comorbidity. LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults) is a type responding to oral medication initially however there is unavoidable complete beta cell burn out in the years to come and time period does vary. Adhering to insulin sensitizers and avoiding sulphonyl urea might slow down the complete exhaustion of beta cells in these patients. Many a time’s poor blood glucose control in these patients is related to poor medication or dietary compliance, delaying the start of insulin. Instead primary healthcare physician needs to be aware of the phenotypic features (thin and lean patient in their 40s) of the LADA to identify the inevitable complete beta cell burn out requiring insulin at earlier stage in order to avoid complications.

Breast cancer mortality and prediction trends in Pakistani women: alarming public health concern

2025-03-06T06:13:44+00:00

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pakistani women. The incidence and mortality rates have been continuously increasing over the last three decades in the country. The number of estimated new breast cancer cases in Pakistan will increase to 66562 (R2= 0·9928) by the end of 2050. However, strengthening local collaboration between public authorities and clinical settings is a way forward for early cancer detection and proper treatment.

Facial metrics as predictors of occlusal vertical dimension: an anthropometric analysis

2025-03-06T06:29:15+00:00

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Accurate reconstruction of facial features from skeletal remains, especially the maxillofacial region, is crucial in forensic identification. Specific facial measurements from anatomical landmarks provide important correlations with the vertical dimension of occlusion for forensic experts and dental procedures. There is a gap in such a study in Sargodha, therefore the study was planned to evaluate the correlation & association of facial measurements with the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) amongst the students of Rai Medical College, Sargodha.

METHODOLOGY: The Observational Cross-sectional study engaged a cohort of 152 third-year MBBS students at Rai Medical College, Sargodha, comprising 74 males and 78 females. Institutional ethical approval was secured prior to the commencement of the research. Facial dimensions were meticulously evaluated, including the expanse from the corner of the eye to the angle of the mouth, the angle of the mouth to the tragus, and the Glabella to sub-nasion. The vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) traverse from the base of the nose to the chin was precisely measured using a modified digital Vernier caliper. SPSS version 27 was used to analyze statistical data.

RESULTS: One-sample t-tests confirmed that mean values for all variables were significantly different from zero. Significant correlations were observed between specific facial measurements but not with gender.

CONCLUSION: This study concludes the facial morphology and demographic characteristics, revealing significant differences in facial measurements across demographic groups.

Diagnostic accuracy of increased C reactive protein levels in distal ureteric stone ejection prediction using a CT scan as the gold standard

2025-03-07T08:02:55+00:00

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Numerous clinical urological diseases have been shown to benefit from CRP, such as the evaluation of renal injury in pyelonephritis, the determination of the severity of pediatric UTIs, and the prevention of voiding cystourethrography in cases of pediatric UTIs and vesicoureteral reflux. This study has been conducted to diagnose the accuracy of increased C reactive protein levels in distal ureteric stones.

METHODOLOGY: In total, 184 individuals with single distal ureteric stones were included. Patients with severe hydronephrosis, multiple ureteral stones, impaired renal function, pregnancy, single kidney, endoscopic procedures, or prior ureteric surgery history or concomitant ureteric anomalies were excluded. Each patient had a blood sample sent to the hospital laboratory to evaluate the serum levels of CRP (c-reactive protein). For four weeks, the researcher checked in with each patient once a week. After that, each patient had computed tomography, and the data was evaluated to determine whether or not ureteric stones were present.

RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of elevated C reactive protein levels are 92.39%, 95.51%, 92.63%, and 94.02%, respectively, when using a CT scan as the gold standard to predict the ejection of a distal ureteric stone (p-value = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: This study found that elevated C reactive protein levels have a fairly high diagnostic accuracy in predicting the ejection of distal ureteric stones.

Frequency of common types of congenital heart diseases in infants of diabetic mothers

2025-03-08T08:21:02+00:00

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Infants born to diabetic mothers are at a heightened risk of having congenital malformations. Congenital heart defects are one of the major health problems in such patients. This study was conducted to assess the frequency of common types of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM).

METHODOLOGY: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted at Children’s Hospital Lahore from 10th June 2022 to 9th December 2022. Through consecutive sampling, 160 IDM with CHD were included in the study. The CHD was diagnosed through echocardiography. Diagnostic tests, including pulse oximetry, chest X-rays, and electrocardiography (ECG), were carried out when necessary. Experienced consultant pediatric cardiologists conducted the echocardiography with the help of 2D color Doppler in M mode.

RESULTS:

The frequency of common CHD in infants born to diabetic mothers was as follows: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 43 (26.87%), Ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 34 (21.25%), Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 28 (17.50%), Patent foramen ovale (PFO) in 20 (12.50%), Atrial septal defect (ASD) in 18 (11.25%), and Transposition of great arteries (TGA) in 17 (10.63%) cases. There is a significant difference in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in different gestational ages, and a higher rate is seen in gestational age 40-42 weeks (p=0.018).

CONCLUSION:

In our study, PDA and VSD were the most frequent CHDs in IDM, followed by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These findings emphasize the need for early detection and screening in this high-risk group.

Design, development, and characterization of an oral push-pull osmotic pump for the controlled release delivery of norfloxacin

2025-03-13T08:35:20+00:00

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:Osmotic pumps are promising methods for controlled drug release. They are devices used for delivering drugs orally or through implantation. The primary aim of this research is to develop a Norfloxacin oral push-pull osmotic pump capable of providing a controlled drug release while ensuring that the release remains unaffected by the hydrodynamics and pH of the surrounding medium.

METHODOLOGY:The core tablet was fabricated using direct compression and subsequently coated with HPMC, PEG-400, sorbitol, and acetone as a solvent. Swelling polymers, specifically Guar Gum (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), Xanthan Gum (polysaccharide B-1459), and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose were also included in the fabrication of the core tablet, with NaCl serving as the cosmogenic.

RESULTS:The formulations exhibited favorable flow properties. Friability, hardness, and weight variation testing yielded values within limits, indicating satisfactory outcomes. The drug content uniformity ranged from 98.00% to 99.67%, indicating uniform drug distribution within the formulations. Thermal analysis suggested that the sample was thermally stable. Dissolution studies revealed an in vitro dissolution rate of 98.5% over 15 hours. Release kinetics analysis using four models indicated controlled drug release, with the value of regression (R2) confirming this observation and the n exponent suggesting non-Fickian diffusion.

CONCLUSION:Osmotic pumps offer zero-order drug delivery, ensuring steady-state drug release to maintain therapeutic levels for a more extended period; thus, they minimize side effects and improve patient compliance.

Correlation and prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with stress among undergraduates in private dental institutions of Lahore, Pakistan

2025-03-14T04:19:59+00:00

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oral ulcers, commonly associated with stress, serve as significant indicators of psychosomatic interactions impacting oral health. Stress is known to compromise the immune system, making individuals susceptible to various health challenges. This study aimed to explore the intricate connection between recurrent oral ulcers and stress among dental students in Lahore, Pakistan.

METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in multiple private dental colleges in Lahore. Non-probability consecutive sampling was employed, and the calculated sample size was 598. Data collection utilized a pre-validated questionnaire with two sets of closed-ended questions rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, and the Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were applied to assess the association between ulcers and stress.

RESULTS: Out of 598 participants, 51.3% reported a history of oral ulcers, with 7.82% of participants reporting current oral ulcers. Notably, 47.23% had oral ulcers within the past six months, and the majority (66.45%) experienced 2-6 ulcers per episode. The duration of ulcers predominantly ranged from 1-2 days (38.20%). Family history was significant (51.47%), and stress was identified as a major cause, especially during examinations (68.4%). Perceived stress scores were high among the previous history of oral ulcers group (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: This research reveals a compelling association between stress and recurrent oral ulcers, underscoring stress as a crucial factor. The results of this study will help to improve the quality of life of dental students, either by addressing their stress levels or by recommending appropriate remedies.

Survey of the side effects of most commonly administered covid-19 vaccines in population of Lahore

2025-03-19T09:07:48+00:00

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In December 2019, a virus, COVID-19, was identified in China, causing respiratory symptoms. Due to its contagious nature, it spread worldwide, and in 2020, the WHO declared the pandemic. The most effective way to deal with this situation was to develop vaccines, so various vaccines were developed in a short period of time. This causes the spread of various myths and misconceptions about its safety and side effects. The main objective of our study is to observe the side effects of various Covid vaccines.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey of 727 vaccinated individuals of age above 12 years from Lahore selected via convenient sampling was done between Oct 2022 to March 2023 by filling out the Google form and taking verbal interviews from Primary Health Care teaching center Nainsukh, Sadat Clinic Harbanspura and online questionnaire after gaining IRB approval number FMH-16/05/2022-IRB-1054).

RESULTS: The majority of the respondents received the Sinovac vaccine, followed by Sinopharm AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer-BioNTech. People receiving mRNA have more side effects than people receiving other vaccines. A wide range of symptoms was observed. 64.8% of them report pain at the injection site (p=0.00), while 57% report fever (P=0.00). Most of the symptoms range from mild to moderate intensity, and a minimal number of people require treatment for them.

CONCLUSION: Covid vaccine is generally safe and has mild to moderate intensity side effects.

A comparative analysis of oral hygiene practices and daily dietary habits between dental and Allied health sciences students: An observational study

2025-03-19T09:06:43+00:00

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Oral hygiene and dietary habits play important roles in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Undergraduate students of allied health sciences and dentistry need to have adequate knowledge of diet and nutrition. This study aims to find out the Oral hygiene practices and daily dietary habits of dental and Allied health sciences students in order to assess their knowledge and health priorities.

METHODOLOGY:

Dietary and oral hygiene practices of 224 (n=112) undergraduate dental and Allied Health Sciences students from two local dental colleges were surveyed for this cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling technique. A semi-structured close-ended questionnaire was employed to collect data after taking informed consent. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. The results are presented as percentages and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS:

The comparison of oral hygiene practices among undergraduate BDS and AHS students using a semi-structured closed-ended questionnaire showed statistical significance in different variables, including routine brushing (p<0.05), dental flossing (p=0.004), and dental consultation (p=0.048), indicating that dental students were more conscious about oral hygiene than the AHS group. In contrast, the comparison of dietary habits of both undergraduate groups did not show any significant difference, except for fruit and vegetable intake. Allied Health students showed better intake of fruits and vegetables (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Dental students demonstrated better oral hygiene practices compared to Allied Health Sciences students, reflecting greater awareness and adherence to the recommended oral care routines. However, Allied Health students exhibited better dietary habits, particularly with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables. These findings suggest the need for targeted educational interventions to address gaps in oral hygiene and dietary habits among undergraduate students in both fields.

Significance of questioning in nursing education – insights from neophyte students of nursing colleges in Islamabad and Peshawar

2025-03-20T07:15:43+00:00

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Questioning is a fundamental pedagogical approach essential for cultivating creativity, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking skills. Its significance is particularly pronounced in healthcare education, where it substantially influences life-and-death decisions. This study examined novice undergraduate nursing students' perspectives on the efficacy of questioning in classrooms at three nursing colleges in Islamabad and Peshawar.

METHODOLOGY: A descriptive qualitative study recruited twelve neophyte undergraduate nursing students from three nursing colleges using an extreme sampling strategy. The study duration was 6 months (May 2020 to October 2020). Teachers were approached to nominate the students who usually ask questions or do not ask questions. In-depth individualized interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide by the primary researcher. Data was manually content analyzed. Ethical approval (Letter No 113-933-2020) and written informed was obtained.

RESULTS: The interviews of twelve nursing students revealed several advantages of questioning in relation to enhancing learning, building confidence, and strengthening interpersonal relationships. They also envisioned the application of questioning strategy in their clinical practice. Students' and teachers’ training in asking and handling questioning is recommended respectively.

CONCLUSION: Questioning is a fundamental skill that contributes to the holistic development of nursing students and prepares them for their roles in patient care and healthcare team collaboration. Nursing educators should prioritize the development of questioning ability among students, particularly those from backgrounds where rote learning is prevalent.

Role of Orthodontic Treatment, Faculty & Practitioners in Influencing Career Choices of Dental Students of Faisalabad Medical University

2025-03-21T07:20:51+00:00

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The number of orthodontic patients is increasing owing to various treatment and patient-related factors. This increased demand requires more orthodontists in the community. To determine the proportion of dental students interested in orthodontics, the significance of orthodontic-related encounters, and the contribution of orthodontic professors and practitioners as inspiration for student career decisions.

METHODOLOGY: It was a cross-sectional web-based survey. 163 students from Faisalabad Medical University's Dental Institute took part, and ethical approval was obtained. (ERC/FMU/2022-23/certificate No.48.

RESULTS: The majority of students (65.6%) knew an orthodontist in their community, and 31.9% had assisted in orthodontic practice. Students who had interactions with orthodontists, orthodontic residents, and hands-on experience with orthodontics were more likely to be interested in an orthodontic career. Advancements in the field of orthodontics also significantly influenced students' interest (p <0.001). The mean motivation level for orthodontic education was 27.0 ± 6.20, indicating good motivation among dental students. Students with the highest interest in an orthodontic career had significantly higher motivation scores (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of practical experience, exposure to the field, and innovative technologies in fostering students' interest and motivation for a career in orthodontics.

Trends and insights in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cognition research

2025-03-25T06:55:43+00:00

Currently, wide range of experimental exploration on NAFLD engraved our brains that this disease is spreading at its rapid pace. This experimentation has covered researches of decades till 2023, determining the burden of disease on society. It included 243 articles which were targeted using the keywords linked to NAFLD and cognition. VOS software viewer was used, generating a linkage among author keywords. It showed that the utmost work in this domain is contributed by United States, making it the top contributor. Distinguished keywords involve "metabolic regulation," "metabolic comorbidity," "metabolic hepatopathy," "liver and psychological health," All these themes communally increases our understanding in the regard of complicated links among lifestyle, genetics, liver health, and cognition inside the framework of NAFLD. These findings suggests valuable understanding for emerging all-inclusive healthcare approaches addressing physical and mental well-being.