The dimensional and morphological assessment of the frontal sinus in sex estimation among different populations

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to determine the dimorphic potential of the frontal sinus (FS) index, area, and the combination of both variables to ascertain its accuracy in sex discrimination among Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese.

METHODS

A retrospective study analyzed the digital standardized lateral cephalometric of 654 Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese adult patients (116 females, 102 males; age range 17-40 years). The following FS parameters were analyzed: The maximum height, width, and area of the FS, and the ratio of height and width was calculated as the FS index. The measurements were analyzed using logistic regression analysis for the FS index, area, and combined FS index and area.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean values of the FS index and the area between females and males in each population. The highest frequency of bilateral absence of FS was detected among females, specifically in Chinese (6.6%). Logistic regression equation derived from the present study differentiated between sexes with higher classification percentages for the FS index and area with 62.4%, 75.2%, and 78.4% among Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese subjects, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study highlight the implications of the combined FS index and area as a reliable approach in sex estimation in forensic science whenever both the FS structure and lateral cephalometric are available.

Exploring ethnic differences in understanding of self-rated health among persons of Turkish, Bosnian and German origin

OBJECTIVE

Self-rated health (SRH) is a widely used indictor of the subjective health status in population-based studies. However, differences in the reporting style across ethnic groups may limit the predictive ability of SRH for objective health outcomes. As part of the preparation phase of the UPWEB (understanding the practice and developing the concept of welfare bricolage) project, this study explored ethnic differences in the understanding of self-rated health among persons of Turkish, Bosnian and German origin, living in two northern Germany cities, Bremen and Hamburg.

RESULTS

Thirty persons, 10 per ethnic group, aged 32-82 years, took part in the assessment based on cognitive interviewing. All three ethnic groups defined SRH as the absence or presence of visible or non-visible disturbances and/or deviations from the norm, the ability or limited ability to act as well as the result of specific behaviours. However, only participants from the two migrant groups referred to community cohesion and religious or traditional beliefs as aspects of their SRH, indicating a systematic difference in the understanding of this question.

Morphology, incidence of bridging, and dimensions of sella turcica in different racial groups

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to assess the morphological appearance, incidence of bridging, and linear dimensions of the sella turcica (ST) in Bosnian and Iraqi subjects, and to identify associations of sex, age, and racial group with the size of the ST.

METHODS

The digital standardised lateral cephalograms of 360 Bosnian and Iraqi patients (116 female, 64 male; age range 8-28 years) were retrospectively analysed. The following ST-related parameters were analysed on the lateral cephalograms: sella morphology, sella bridging, and sella size. The data were correlated with sex, age, and race.

RESULTS

The ST exhibited a normal morphology in most subjects of both races (86.7%). The frequency of partial bridging was found in 38.9 and 37.2% of Bosnian and Iraqi subjects, respectively. A significant correlation was detected between the length of the ST and sex in both the Bosnian and Iraqi subjects (p < 0.05). A direct correlation was present between patient age and the size of the ST in both races at the 0.01 and 0.001 levels for depth, length, and diameter. When race was compared with sella size, a significant difference was found in the length and depth of the ST (p <  0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Similarities were found between Bosnian and Iraqi subjects in the morphology, incidence of bridging, and linear dimensions of the ST. Length was the only parameter significantly associated with sex, age, and racial group. These findings could be used as reference standards for studying the ST in both races.

Validation of the Disease-specific Questionnaire MSQoL-54 in Bosnia and Herzegovina Multiple Sclerosis Patients Sample

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to validate Bosnian translation of disease specific quality of life measure MSQoL-54 which is widely used in practice.

Material and Methods:

Previously translated and culturally adopted MSQoL-54 questionnaire used in this study has been provided and licensed by Optum Inc. The questionnaire was validated in 62 MS patients seen at Neurology clinic at University Clinical Center Sarajevo, during April 2016 until May 2016. Internal reliabilities of Bosnian version MSQoL-54 were assessed for multiple item scales by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Clinical validity was assessed comparing means of the two summary MSQoL-54 scores by the EDSS score. Pearson’s (r) correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the composite scores and the main clinical and demographic variables.

Results:

Patients’ participation was satisfactory and all scales fulfilled the usual psychometric standards. Highly significant inverse relationship was found between both composite scores and clinical characteristics of the disease and the EDSS. The lowest internal consistency reliability is found on social function scale (0.743), overall quality of life (0.782) and pain (0.833). The highest internal consistency reliability is found on role limitations due to physical problems (0.959), physical health (0.962) and role limitations due to emotional problems (0.966). The mean value of MSQoL-54 PHC (Physical Health Composite) and MHC (Mental Health Composite) were 49.82±18.90 (36.05-61.38) 51.84±22.22 (34.93-70.20) respectively. Our study has shown that the Bosnian version of MSQoL-54 is easy to administer and well accepted by patients and may be useful as clinical outcome measures in patients with MS.