Objective: The aim of this study is to report the prevalence and risk factors of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) in patients attending Piramird dental speciality for seeking dental treatment. Study design: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among patients (n=1100) who were visiting the department of oral medicine at Piramird dental speciality center in Sulaimani from December 2011-February 2012. The age range of the patients were between 10-79 years, with mean age of (34.27±14.14). 446 (44.6%) of participants were males and 554 (55.4%) were females, with male/female ratios of 0.80:1. All individuals had to answer specific questions including personal data (age, sex), level of education, occupation and smoking habit; etc. Additional questions were related to the risk factors that might be related to the condition. Chi Square test was used to analyze the data. Result: The life time prevalence of RAU experience was 28.2% (n=282). It was highly significantly more common among females (31.76%) (p<0.004). The most commonly affected age group was 20-29 years (36.28%). The highest prevalence of RAU experience was seen among mere students (36.8%); Among non smokers there were highly significantly more patients with RAU experience (30%) than in heavy smoker patients (12.22%), (p=0.000). 34.4% of patients had family history of RAU. Lips and buccal mucosae were the commonest sites of ulcerations (73.10%), and the major risk factor was stress (43.3%). Conclusion: This study has provided information about the epidemiologic aspects of recurrent aphthous ulceration, Based on the finding of this study, RAU is a common, recurrent painful oral ulceration. This study point to the importance of a thorough history taking to identify the patient’s main risk factors to get preventive measures, therefore treatment will be tailored for each patient accordingly. And the author concluded that stress was the major risk factor, thus, stress-management interventions suggested to be beneficial in reducing RAU recurrence episodes. Key words:Recurrent aphthous ulceration, prevalence, stress.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients and explore the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with this condition. Patient and Methods: The prevalence of xerostomia and its associations were investigated among patients (n=1132) who were visiting the department of oral medicine at shorish dental speciality in sulaimani city. The age range was between 10-79 years. 512 (45.2%) of participants were males and 620 (54.8%) were females. The data collected were age, sex, systemic diseases, medications and habit of smoking. Logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to investigate the association of xerostomia with age, systemic diseases and medications and Chi Square test was also used to analyze the data. Results: Prevalence of xerostomia was 16.07%. Prevalence of xerostomia was significantly higher among females (19.51%) than males (11.91%) (P=0.001). The most common diseases with the highest prevalence of xerostomia were psychological disorders (57.14%) followed by diabetes mellitus (53.84%), neurological disorders (40%), thyroid disorders (37.5%) and hypertension (36.48%). The most common medication with the highest prevalence of xerostomia was antihistamine (66.66%) followed by psychotherapeutic medications (60%), pain medications (55.88%), endocrinologic agents (51.21%), antidyslipidic agents (50%) and antihypertensive medication (38.98%). Xerostomia was significantly associated with ageing (OR: 1.02, P=0.000), systemic diseases (OR: 2.80, P=0.000) and medications (OR: 5.17, P=0.000). There was a high prevalence of reported symptoms of xerostomia and these symptoms were more prevalent among females, Prevalence of xerostomia was higher in heavy smoker patients (19.48%) than non smoker patients but not significantly (16.14%) (p= 0.44). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients; xerostomia was significantly more prevalent among females and significantly associated with age, systemic diseases and medications; xerostomia adversely affects oral functions; dentist must be familial with sign and symptoms of xerostomia and can have an active role in the management of xerostomia and preventing or treating complications. Key words:Ageing, medications, xerostomia, prevalence.

No abstract

No abstract

The gingiva is a target of autoimmune diseases and about 10% of patients with oral lichen planus have the disease confined to the gingiva, clinically named desquamative gingivitis. The purpose of this paper is to describe 59 year-old female with atrophic-erosive gingival lichen planus that was presented to the Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry at Sulaimani University service for evaluation of persistent pain, associated soreness and burning of her gingiva for 3-4 years, which were localized for anterior maxillary region. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of atrophic-erosive oral lichen planus. The treatment prescribed for the patient was topical and systemic corticosteroid (prednisolone). Substantial improvement was observed in the gingival lesion with reduction in erythema in some regions and complete resolution of pain. The results presented allow the authors to consider the association between local and systemic corticosteroid as a potential therapy for atrophic-erosive gingival lichen planus.