The current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced dentists to seek different options for delivering healthcare services other than the in-person direct examination in clinical practice. Teledentistry is one of the options for remote patient care and monitoring. Objective. The present survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and perception of the dentists in Pakistan regarding teledentistry as an emergent supportive tool. Materials and Methods. A self-administered, close-ended, and prevalidated survey questionnaire was used, comprising 21 questions, and distributed electronically via e-mail, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger to evaluate the knowledge and perception of dentists regarding teledentistry. The data collected was compiled in a systematic manner and analyzed in terms of frequency (yes/no). Results. Out of a total of 350 dentists, 325 responded to the questionnaire, and it was seen that 62.5% of them did not have knowledge about teledentistry prior to COVID-19. 65.8% of dentists considered the practice of teledentistry in nonpandemic situations in the future. Conclusion. In the present study, it was observed that most of the dental professionals had inadequate knowledge about teledentistry before COVID-19, but the awareness and perception regarding teledentistry were currently satisfactory among the dental professionals in Pakistan. This emerging trend gives a positive hope for the implementation of teledentistry in the healthcare setup of Pakistan in the near future, as it will prove to be beneficial for safe dental practice during times of pandemic and even after.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and histological features of endoscopic nodular gastritis (NG) in adult dyspeptic patients and its relation to Helicobacter pylori infection. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective endoscopic report review of 2,142 patients identified 67 patients with NG during the period from 1 September 2006 to 31 August 2007. A subset of 32 NG patients (group 1) who had had gastric biopsies during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and had been evaluated for H. pylori infection were compared to 32 age- and gender-matched dyspeptic patients. They had undergone endoscopy during the same period, which yielded normal results, and had available biopsies that were similarly evaluated for H. pylori infection (controls, group 2). Pertinent clinical data were obtained from the patients’ records. An experienced pathologist assessed the biopsies for the presence and grade of inflammation, activity, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, presence and density of H. pylori and presence of lymphoid follicles or aggregates. Results: NG was identified in 67 (3.1%) patients. On histological examination, group 1 had a significantly higher grade of gastritis (p < 0.001). The presence and density of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in group 1 (p < 0.001). The H. pylori density correlated significantly with the severity of gastritis (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). The endoscopic performance of NG on H. pylori infection had high specificity (96.8%) and positive predictive value (93.3%). Conclusion: This study outlined the clinicopathological features of NG identified among a cohort of dyspeptic patients in Kuwait and confirmed the close association with H. pylori infection. However, our study has a limitation in that histopathologic assessment of all NG patients was not feasible.
Background/Aim:Adenomatous colorectal polyps (ACPs) are known to be the precursor lesions for colorectal cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, endoscopic and pathological features of ACPs in patients referred for colonoscopy.Patients and Methods:The endoscopic and histological reports of adult patients who underwent complete colonoscopy in the gastroenterology unit of a regional Kuwaiti hospital between January 2008 and December 2008 were retrospectively studied. The specimens of polyps were reviewed by an experienced pathologist who was blinded to the clinical or endoscopic information. Non-neoplastic polyps were not included in the analysis.Results:Of 530 eligible patients (mean age, 45 years; male-female ratio, 2:1), 54 (10%) had 103 ACPs. Of the patients with ACPs (mean age, 57 years), 43 (80%) were males and 36 (67%) were Kuwaitis. Histopathological examination of the most significant polyp in each patient revealed that 40 (74%) polyps were tubular adenomas (TAs); 11 (20%), tubulovillous (TV) adenomas; and 3 (6%), villous adenomas. High-grade dysplasia was noticed in 4 (10%) adenomas. Fifteen (2.8%) of the 530 patients had advanced ACPs. Logistic regression analysis of some variables and their association with ACPs found that age (P<0.001; OR, 1.9; CI, 1.5-2.3), history of adenoma (P=0.001; OR, 6.4; CI, .2.1-19.4) and being Kuwaitis (P=0.029; OR, 2.1; CI, 1.1-4.1) to be independently associated with ACPs.Conclusion:The most common histological type of ACPs was tubular adenoma. Advancing age, being Kuwaiti nationals and prior removal of ACPs were significantly associated with the occurrence of ACPs.
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