Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Development Of A Medication Compliance Determinant Instrument For Low-Middle Literate Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Ivans Panduwiguna, Rani Sauriasari, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Woro Riyadina, Fransiskus Samuel Renaldi

Kesmas

Diabetes, a leading cause of 6.7 million deaths in 2021, poses a significant challenge despite existing interventions. Non-adherence to treatment remains a barrier to diabetes management. However, a comprehensive instrument to assess medication adherence determinants in diabetes patients’ population in Indonesia with low-medium literacy levels and following the sociocultural characteristics of Indonesian society has been lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a valid and reliable instrument for measuring medication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients based on the Borg and Gall model. Through the input of an expert panel, a valid and reliable instrument was developed, which …

Effects Of Early Hospital-Based Palliative Care Consultation On Length Of Stay And Costs Of Care At Indonesian Tertiary Hospital, Rudi Putranto, Hamzah Shatri, Wulyo Rajabto, Sumariyono Sumariyono, Edward Faisal, Sihwastuti Sihwastuti

Kesmas

Despite the numerous benefits of palliative care for cancer patients, there have been few studies on palliative care services for terminal cancer patients, particularly near the end of life. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were differences in length of stay and cost of care associated with how early or late a patient received palliative care intervention. Another objective was to compare the length of stay and cost of care of those who received palliative care intervention and those who did not. This study used a cohort retrospective design at Hospital A, Jakarta, Indonesia, from January to December 2019. …

Risk Factors Of Worsening Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus In Patients At Two Tertiary Hospitals In Jakarta, Giri Aji, Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, Ratna Djuwita, Sukamto Sukamto

Kesmas

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical multiorgan autoimmune disease with a fluctuating and chronic disease course. As an emerging disease in this century, SLE will burden stakeholders and the country. This study was conducted to determine the prognostic factors for SLE worsening, especially in ambulatory patients. This ambispective study used logistic regression to view the risk factors for worsening SLE in patients. Anemia, age, body mass index, education level, employment status, marital status, hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressants were the independent variables in this study. This study concludes that anemia is statistically significant and, therefore, a risk factor for worsening SLE …

Maternal Factors Influencing Postpartum Depression In Indonesia, Nurhalina Sari, Nova Muhani, Friska Novira Maya Dewi

Kesmas

The estimated prevalence of postpartum depression differs in developed and developing countries. Due to the increasing number of cases in developing countries like Indonesia, postpartum depression has become a serious issue. This study aimed to identify factors influencing postpartum depression in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, in 2023 using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale instrument. This study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample size of 251 respondents, selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria using a purposive sampling technique. The multiple logistic regression results indicated that women with abortion records had a three times higher risk (95% CI = 1.394–7.648; p-value …

Analysis Of Climate And Environmental Risk Factors On Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Incidence In Bogor District, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Tria Rahmawati, Al Asyary, Fajar Nugraha

Kesmas

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is transmitted through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and is still becoming endemic in Bogor District. This quantitative correlation study with an ecological approach aimed to analyze how DHF incidence is influenced by climate factors, population density, Larvae Free Rate (LFR), and the area altitude factor. Secondary data were obtained from the Bogor Regency Health Office; the Central Bureau of Statistics of Bogor District; and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency. In this study, the spatial analysis method was also used, but only on the area altitude factor. The study’s results showed …

Artificial Intelligence In Cardiology: An Australian Perspective, Biyanka Jaltotage, Abdul R. Ihdayhid, Nick S. R. Lan, Faraz Pathan, Sanjay Patel, Clare Arnott, Gemma Figtree, Leonard Kritharides, Syed M. S. Islam, Clara K. Chow, James M. Rankin, Stephen J. Nicholls, Girish Dwivedi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Significant advances have been made in artificial intelligence technology in recent years. Many health care applications have been investigated to assist clinicians and the technology is close to being integrated into routine clinical practice. The high prevalence of cardiac disease in Australia places overwhelming demands on the existing health care system, challenging its capacity to provide quality patient care. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a promising solution. This discussion paper provides an Australian perspective on the current state of artificial intelligence in cardiology, including the benefits and challenges of implementation. This paper highlights some current artificial intelligence applications in cardiology, …

Performance Of Urinary Phenyl-Γ-Valerolactones As Biomarkers Of Dietary Flavan-3-Ol Exposure, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Sujata Shinde, Kevin Croft, Kevin Murray, Catherine P. Bondonno, Angela Genoni, Claus T. Christophersen, Keren Bindon, Colin Kay, Pedro Mena, Daniele Del Rio, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Phenyl- -valerolactones (PVLs) have been identified as biomarkers of dietary flavan-3-ol exposure, although their utility requires further characterization. Objectives: We investigated the performance of a range of PVLs as biomarkers indicative of flavan-3-ol intake. Methods: We report the results of 2 companion studies: a 5-way randomized crossover trial (RCT) and an observational cross-sectional study. In the RCT (World Health Organization, Universal Trial Number: U1111-1236-7988), 16 healthy participants consumed flavan-3-ol–rich interventions (of apple, cocoa, black tea, green tea, or water [control]) for 1 d each. First morning void samples and 24-h urine samples were collected with diet standardized throughout. For …

Doctor Of Nursing Practice Transformative Leadership Ai Assignment, Elizabeth Gotay

AI Assignment Library

Assignment Overview: In this assignment, students will delve into the complex realm of transformative leadership in nursing practice through a comprehensive case study analysis. Students will examine real-world scenarios and apply their knowledge of leadership theories, ethical considerations, and advanced nursing concepts to critically analyze the role of transformative leadership in achieving positive patient outcomes and fostering organizational change.

A Validated Lc-Ms/Ms Bioanalytical Method For The Pharmacokinetic Interaction Study Of The Effect Of Some Co-Administered Covid-19 Protocol Drugs On Pholcodine Containing Antitussive Mixture, Mennatullah Hesham Ahmed, Sally Mahmoud Tarek Mokhles, Ehab Farouk El Kady, Ekram Mohamed Hany

Pharmacy

The symptoms of the viral infection COVID-19, which range from mild to severe, can include fever, coughing, sore throats, malaise, headaches, and a loss of taste or smell. Fever and cough are the most typical symptoms of COVID-19, and in more severe cases, it can make breathing difficult. Hence, in this in-vivo study, we studied the effect of the simultaneous co-administration of COVID-19 treatment drugs (azithromycin, dexamethasone, and hydroxychloroquine) on the pharmacokinetics of the antitussive drugs combination: pholcodine, pseudoephedrine and paracetamol in rats. For the simultaneous determination of pholcodine, pseudoephedrine, and paracetamol in rat plasma, a UPLC-MS/MS technique was developed …

A Single Dominant Locus Restricts Retrovirus Replication In Ybr/Ei Mice, Helen A Beilinson, Amanda Sevilleja, Jessica Spring, Fernando Benavides, Vera Beilinson, Nickolas Neokosmidis, Tatyana Golovkina

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Differential responses to viral infections are influenced by the genetic makeup of the host. Studies of resistance to retroviruses in human populations are complicated due to the inability to conduct proof-of-principle studies. Inbred mouse lines, which have a range of susceptible phenotypes to retroviruses, are an ideal tool to identify and characterize mechanisms of resistance and define their genetic underpinnings. YBR/Ei mice become infected with Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus, a mucosally transmitted murine retrovirus, but eliminate the virus from their pedigrees. Virus elimination correlates with a lack of virus-specific neonatal oral tolerance, which is a major mechanism for blocking the …

Barriers To Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake: Role Of State Religiosity And Healthcare Professionals' Participation In A State Vaccine Program, Monalisa Chandra, Ikponmwosa Osaghae, Rajesh Talluri, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite the known benefits of preventing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers, HPV vaccine coverage is low in the United States. Grounded in Social Ecological theory, we assessed the macro-level (state) and meso-level (organization) factors associated with HPV vaccine initiation and up-to-date.

METHODS: Data from 2020 National Immunization Survey-Teen were used to study a sample of 20 163 US adolescents (aged 13-17 years). The data were collected from each teen's parents or guardians and health-care professionals. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV vaccine initiation was 75.1% and of remaining up-to-date was …

Nanodiscs: A Novel Approach To The Study Of The Methionine Abc Transporter System, Michael T. Winslow

Master's Theses

Membrane transporter proteins play the vital role of moving compounds in and out of the cell and are essential for all living organisms. ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) family transporters function both as importers and exporters in prokaryotes. MetNI is an E. coli Type I ABC transporter responsible for the uptake of methionine into the cytosol from the cell periplasmic space through the cell membrane to maintain intracellular methionine pools. ABC transporters, like other membrane proteins, are most often mechanistically and structurally studied in vitro, solubilized by detergents. However, detergent micelles may affect the conformational changes of membrane proteins relative to …

Exploring The Effects Of Christian Worldviews On Heart Rate, Stress, And Adjustment After Loss In Bereaved Individuals, Emma Radini Ratnavel

Honors Scholar Theses

The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between Christian values, perceptions of God, and physiological stress, assessed through heart rate, among individuals who are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one. Previous studies have analyzed various physiological effects on the body. There are very few studies that examine the correlation between Christian values and heart rate in bereaved participants. To explore these topics further, this study analyzes 59 undergraduate students who have recently lost a loved one, identify as a Christian, and are at least 18 years old. The participants' perceptions of God and …

Association Between Insurer Connectivity In Appalachian Population Health Networks And Preventable Hospitalizations: Evidence From Kentucky, Rachel Hogg-Graham, Kelsey R. Gatton, Rick Ingram, Glen P. Mays

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Addressing complex health and social needs requires cross-sector collaboration to deliver medical, social, and population health services at the community level. Capacity in community health and social services networks may be constrained in regions like Appalachia due to the combined effects of rurality and persistently poor health and social outcomes. One way that cross-sector networks serving low-resource communities can expand their capacity is by engaging partners, like health insurers, who can leverage resources from outside the local area.

Purpose: This study examines insurer connectivity in cross-sector networks across Kentucky’s geographic regions and the association between connectivity and the probability …

The Ninth Myth Of Appalachia, Randolph Wykoff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Many stereotypes afflict our much-maligned region, and the Jonesborough­­–Washington County History Museum displays eight of these "myths of Appalachia." Here, our Editor-in-Chief suggests a ninth—that the people of Appalachia "do not care" about their health—and argues that regional health disparities result not from apathy but from a confluence of socioeconomic factors.

Patient Engagement In Patient Portals In Appalachia V. Surrounding U.S. Census Regions: An Analysis Of Hints (Health Information National Trends Survey) Data, 2017–2020, Heather Lea Tudor, Rick Ingram, Sarah Wackerbarth

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Those living in the Appalachian Region face a greater number of significant health disparities than residents of other areas of the U.S. Patient portals can decrease disparities, increase health literacy, and improve health outcomes.

Purpose: This study explores if those living in the Appalachian Region are offered access to and use their patient portals differently than those in the surrounding U.S. Census regions. Additionally, the study aims to determine if there was a difference in reported reasons for the non-use of patient portals.

Methods: A secondary analysis was completed using data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National …

Self-Reported Consumption Of Bottled Water V. Tap Water In Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Kentucky, Jason W. Marion

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Quantitative studies on drinking water perceptions in Appalachia are limited. High-profile water infrastructure failures in the U.S. and Eastern Kentucky, coupled with human-made and natural disasters in the Appalachian Region, have likely impacted opinions regarding tap water.

Purpose: To use existing unexplored data to describe baseline tap water v. bottled water consumption in Kentucky.

Methods: Telephone-based cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2013 Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) directed by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Among many items in KHIP, self-reported consumption of bottled water over tap water, reasons for bottled water use, and demographic data were obtained. …

Archival Single-Cell Genomics Reveals Persistent Subclones During Dcis Progression, Kaile Wang, Tapsi Kumar, Junke Wang, Darlan Conterno Minussi, Emi Sei, Jianzhuo Li, Tuan M Tran, Aatish Thennavan, Min Hu, Anna K Casasent, Zhenna Xiao, Shanshan Bai, Lei Yang, Lorraine M King, Vandna Shah, Petra Kristel, Carolien L Van Der Borden, Jeffrey R Marks, Yuehui Zhao, Amado J Zurita, Ana Aparicio, Brian Chapin, Jie Ye, Jianjun Zhang, Don L Gibbons, Ellinor Sawyer, Alastair M Thompson, Andrew Futreal, E Shelley Hwang, Jelle Wesseling, Esther H Lips, Nicholas E Navin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a common precursor of invasive breast cancer. Our understanding of its genomic progression to recurrent disease remains poor, partly due to challenges associated with the genomic profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials. Here, we developed Arc-well, a high-throughput single-cell DNA-sequencing method that is compatible with FFPE materials. We validated our method by profiling 40,330 single cells from cell lines, a frozen tissue, and 27 FFPE samples from breast, lung, and prostate tumors stored for 3-31 years. Analysis of 10 patients with matched DCIS and cancers that recurred 2-16 years later show that many primary …

Prediction Of Factors For Patients With Hypertension And Dyslipidemia Using Multilayer Feedforward Neural Networks And Ordered Logistic Regression Analysis: A Robust Hybrid Methodology, Wan Muhamad Amir W Ahmad, Mohamad Nasarudin Bin Adnan, Norhayati Yusop, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Farah Muna Mohamad Ghazali, Nor Azlida Aleng, Nor Farid Mohd Noor

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Hypertension is characterized by abnormally high arterial blood pressure and is a public health problem with a high prevalence of 20%–30% worldwide. This research combined multiple logistic regression (MLR) and multilayer feedforward neural networks to construct and validate a model for evaluating the factors linked with hypertension in patients with dyslipidemia.

Methods: A total of 1000 data entries from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia and advanced computational statistical modeling methodologies were used to evaluate seven traits associated with hypertension. R-Studio software was utilized. Each sample's statistics were calculated using a hybrid model that included bootstrapping.

Results: Variable …

Premenstrual Syndrome Levels And Eating Attitudes Among University Students, Ceyda Bahadur, Dilara Ergen, Nesibe Yildiz, Eda Dokumacioglu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the combination of physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms that characterize the week leading up to menstruation, and it can last for a few days. This study aimed to investigate irregular PMS, eating attitude behavior, and body mass index values among university students.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 140 Artvin Coruh University students studying Nutrition and Dietetics. The study includes questions from three separate sections. The first section contains a sociodemographic characteristic form, the second section consists of the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and the third section includes the 26-item Eating Attitude Test …

Relationship Between Plasma Fluoride Levels, Glutathione Peroxidase Activity, Hemoglobin, And Abortion In Rural And Urban Pregnant Women From Settat (Morocco), Lalla Asmaa Katir Masnaoui, Abdellatif Rahim, Habiba Bouchab, Bouchra El Amiri, Boubker Nasser, Essamadi Abdel Khalid

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma fluoride and hemoglobin levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and abortion among rural and urban pregnant women from Settat province (Morocco).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from rural pregnant women who had not undergone abortion (N = 224), rural pregnant women who had an abortion (N = 38), urban pregnant women who had not undergone abortion (N = 163), and urban pregnant women who had an abortion (N = 14).

Results: The highest (p < 0.01) plasma fluoride levels and the lowest (p < 0.01) GPx activity were observed in rural pregnant women. In all participants, plasma fluoride levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001), and the GPx activity was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in pregnant women who had an abortion compared with those who did not undergo such process. No significant difference was observed between the hemoglobin levels of all participants. Furthermore, abortion was positively correlated with plasma fluoride levels (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with GPx activity (p < 0.001) in rural participants.

Conclusions: Rural pregnant women had higher plasma …

Evaluation Of Self-Confidence In Women With Chronic Disease, Sebahat Atalıkoğlu Başkan, Sevinç Kose Tuncer, Demet Güneş

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Self-confidence, which is an important emotional need in women, affects women's quality of life. This research was conducted to evaluate the self-confidence of women with chronic diseases.

Methods: This study was conducted at the internal medicine clinic of Erzincan Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital in Turkey between August 2019 and June 2020. The sample consisted of 339 female patients with chronic diseases who agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using information form and the Women’s Self-Confidence Scale.

Results: The mean total score of the participants was 136.40 ± 24.92. …

Related Factors With Self-Management Behaviors Among Patients With Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Study In Myanmar, Yoon Zarchi Wint, Jiraporn Lininger, Sirirat Leelacharas

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Self-management behavior is key to managing patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is effective in slowing disease progression in impoverished Burmese patients with CKD. This study aimed to outline the association of personal and environmental factors with the self-management behaviors of people with predialysis CKD.

Methods: Using convenience sampling, this cross-sectional study included 84 individuals with predialysis CKD from two private hospitals in Myanmar. The interviewer-administered questionnaire included demographic information, the Health Literacy Short Form-12, the CKD knowledge questionnaire, the self-efficacy questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the self-management behavior questionnaire. This …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Psychometric Properties Of The Arabic Version Of The Academic Nurse Self-Efficacy Scale, Junel Bryan Arre Bajet, Jonas Preposi Cruz, Ejercito Mangawa Balay-Odao, Jennifer Mesde, Nahed Alquwez, Khalaf Alotaibi, Sheerween Cacanando

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Students’ academic self-efficacy is greatly associated with their academic performance. An effective instrument is needed to assess academic self-efficacy in the Saudi context. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Academic Nurse Self-Efficacy Scale-Arabic version (ANSE-A) given to student nurses and the associations between the students’ demographics and overall ANSE-A scores.

Methods: Quantitative and descriptive methods were applied. The study was conducted from January to July 2022 at Shaqra University with 200 nursing students as the convenience sample. For content validity, the item-level content and scale-level content validity indices were utilized following the averaging method. We …

Risk Factors Associated With Occupational Stress Among Malaysian Construction Professionals, Nur Syafiqah Fauzan, Nur Alia Farahanin Mohd Tajuddin, Neroshini Thanarejee, Dayana Hazwani Mohd Suadi Nata, Ezrin Hani Sukadarin, Mirta Widia

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Construction industries that focus on project-based nature, pressure, and long hours may lead to job-related stress among workers. In many emerging nations, robust economic growth plans generate occupational depression, anxiety, and stress among construction industry personnel. This study aims to determine the relationship between these items and the risk factors (demographic) among Malaysian construction professionals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 173 Malaysian construction professionals. A DASS-21 questionnaire is used to survey eligible respondents.

Results: Findings show that construction professionals have a high level of stress (54.9%), anxiety (48.5%), and depression (37%). Gender is …

Association Between Rs2787094 Genetic Variants In Adam33 Gene And Asthma In Indonesian Population: Preliminary Study, Kencono Viyati, Kinasih Prayuni, Yenni Zulhamidah, Intan Razari, Rika Yuliwulandari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Asthma is a multifactorial disease that encompasses a multitude of genetic and environmental factors. One such factor is the disintegrin and metalloprotein-33 (ADAM33) gene, which is correlated with asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Previous studies conducted on Asian populations have reported a significant association between rs2787094 polymorphism in the ADAM33 gene and asthma.

Methods: Our study involved 153 Indonesian participants. TaqMan genotyping assay was used to analyze rs2787094 polymorphism in the ADAM33 gene.

Results: No significant association was detected between the allele and genotype frequencies of rs2787094 and asthma in the case and control subjects (p …

The Prevalence Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Racial And Ethnic Minority Adolescents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Chinenye Lynette Ejezie, Lara S Savas, Casey Durand, Ross Shegog, Paula Cuccaro

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescents has steadily improved over the past several years. However, research conducted to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this positive trend in HPV vaccine initiation among racial and ethnic minority adolescents is limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting changes in the US health-care sector affected the increasing HPV vaccine initiation among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adolescents aged 13-17 years.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design to examine data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (2019-2021), logistic regression and moderation analysis were used to model race-specific variations …

The Biocompatibility Of A Ginger-Containing Herbal Toothpaste On Developing Zebrafish Embryos, Simge Meseli, Unsal Veli Ustundag, Perihan Seda Ates, Ismail Unal, Ebru Isik Alturfan, Dilek Tağtekin, Funda Yanikoglu

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

The biocompatibility of toothpaste in an oral cavity should be approved by clinical trials. Nowadays, herbal toothpaste is increasing in popularity due to its natural ingredients. Being genetically similar to humans, zebrafish are used in potential toxicity testing. The zebrafish embryotoxicity test is a fast and straightforward method to study chemical toxicity during embryogenesis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate if there was any biocompatibility of the toothpaste on zebrafish embryos.

Methods: Adult AB strain zebrafish were used according to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee protocols. Normally dividing, spherical embryos were exposed to herbal toothpaste with ginger (Gumgumix, Turkey) …

The Successful Management Of Non-Healing Extraoral Draining Sinus Of Odontogenic Origin: A Report Of Two Cases, Eason Soo, Nurul Ain Ramlan, Sarah Husna Khairulzan, Rifqah Nordin, Muhammad Syafiq Asyraf Rosli

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Extraoral draining sinus of odontogenic origin usually lacks intraoral symptoms, thus it may be diagnosed as a cutaneous lesion. It is rare and may be confused with a wide variety of diseases for example furuncle, pericoronitis in relation to the mandibular third molars, parotid fistula, preauricular sinuses, periapical and periodontal pathology, and many more. Patients might seek treatment from their physician as they are not aware of its odontogenic origin and these cases usually are misdiagnosed and leading to inappropriate treatment.

Objective: To discuss the detailed management of two cases of extraoral draining sinus that were successfully treated.

Case Reports: …

Oral Leukoplakia: Diagnosis And Management Revisited, Isaäc Van Der Waal

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

The definition of oral leukoplakia has not much changed during the past five decades and is still a definition by exclusion of ‘known’ lesions. Therefore, a diagnosis of leukoplakia is not always a straightforward one for the clinicians and, to some extent, also for the pathologists. The traditional clinical classification in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous leukoplakia may just be simplified into leukoplakia (thin and thick/verrucous) and erythroleukoplakia. In spite of numerous reported predictive molecular and genetic parameters of malignant transformation, the presence and grade of epithelial dysplasia as assessed by histopathological examination is still the most important one. Of the various …