In clinical practice, every year approximately 150,000 children are referred with short stature (SS) based on a cut-off of fifth percentile. The most important endocrine and treatable cause of SS is growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The lack of reliable data on the prevalence of GHD in India limits estimation of the magnitude of this problem. The diagnosis and treatment of GHD are hurdled with various challenges, restricting the availability of growth hormone (GH) therapy to only a very limited segment of the children in India. This review will firstly summarize the gaps and challenges in diagnosis and treatment of GHD based on literature analysis. Subsequently, it presents suggestions from the members at advisory board meetings to overcome these challenges. The advisory board suggested that early initiation of the therapy could better the chances of achieving final adult height within the normal range for the population. Education and awareness about growth disorders among parents, regular training for physicians, and more emphasis on using the Indian growth charts for growth monitoring would help improve the diagnosis and treatment of children with GHD. Availability of an easy-to-use therapy delivery system could also be beneficial in improving adherence and achieving satisfactory outcomes.

Interleukin 17(IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced mainly by Th17 cells. The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible association between IL-17 A genetic polymorphism at (-197A/G) and susceptibility to chronic and localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP) in an Indian population. The study was carried out on 105 subjects, which included 35 LAgP patients, 35 chronic periodontitis patients and 35 healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn from the subjects and analyzed for IL-17 genetic polymorphism at (-197A/G), by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A statistically significant difference was seen in the genotype distribution among chronic periodontitis patients, LAgP patients and healthy subjects. There was a significant difference in the distribution of alleles among chronic periodontitis patients, LAgP patients and healthy subjects. The odds ratio for A allele versus G allele was 5.1 between chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls, and 5.1 between LAgp patients and healthy controls. Our study concluded that IL-17 A gene polymorphism at (-197A/G) is linked to chronic periodontitis and LAgP in Indian population. The presence of allele A in the IL-17 gene polymorphism (-197A/G) can be considered a risk factor for chronic periodontitis and LAgP.

Archaea were detected commonly in severe periodontitis suggesting that these microorganisms might be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Merck Ltd, India.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease which often leads to disability. The complex etiology and progressive nature pose challenges in the management of patients with MS, particularly in developing countries like India. Lack of data on prevalence further complicates estimation of the magnitude of MS in India. There are various other challenges associated with management of patients with MS due to which the therapy is utilized by only a small segment of population in India. This article encapsulates the gaps and challenges in the management of patients with MS and presents suggestions and recommendations of the members of advisory boards held to discuss these challenges. The advisory board members suggested that an early diagnosis of MS and an early initiation of treatment are essential to achieve better results for tackling MS-related challenges. In addition, awareness and education about MS among people, regular training to physicians, emphasis on the use of revised 2010 McDonald criteria, and utilization of advanced diagnostic modalities in magnetic resonance imaging would help to achieve desirable as well as effective therapeutic outcomes. Further, access to an easy-to-use therapy delivery system could also be beneficial in attaining an adequate treatment adherence and related health benefits.

Introduction Tobacco in the form of Gutkha is commonly used in India. The present study was done to analyze the extent and pattern of alveolar bone loss (ABL) among gutkha chewers who were having chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods A total of 55 habitual gutkha chewers within the age range of 18 to 35 years with chronic periodontitis, who were otherwise healthy were recruited for the study. Fourteen full mouth intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiographs were taken for each individual (a total of 770 radiographs) with the help of radiovisiography. Kodak dental software was used to analyze and measure the alveolar bone loss at each proximal site and data were computed as percentage alveolar bone loss. Results Almost all the subjects had poor oral hygiene status. Clinical parameters of periodontal examination represented by clinical attachment level, probing depth, gingival bleeding index had positive correlation with frequency and duration of gutkha chewing. The study population had a mean alveolar bone loss of 17%. Mean bone loss was more severe in mandible 18.3% ± 2.6, when compared with maxillary arch 15.7% ± 3.7. Conclusion Maximum bone loss was observed with molars and incisors. Alveolar bone loss was more frequently found in mandibular arch as compared to maxillary arch. How to cite this article Warad S, Chaudhari HL, Ashok N, Kalburgi V, Kalburgi NB, Jenifer HD. Clinical Evaluation of Gutkha chewing and Pattern of Bone Loss in Periodontitis. World J Dent 2014;5(4):199-203.