1.Association of Lumbar Disc Herniation with selected morphometric parameters: An MRI-based study
Khishgee Ts ; Ariunbold G ; Khulan A ; Bolorchimeg B ; Delgerdala Khi
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;96(6):44-47
Background:
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is one of the leading causes of lower back pain and disability, significantly impacting public health and socio-economic well-being. International studies have shown that paraspinal muscle size and structure correlate with age, body mass index (BMI), and spinal disorders. However, comprehensive MRI-based research investigating the correlation between LDH and specific morphometric parameters in Mongolia remains limited.
Aim:
To evaluate lumbar disc herniation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare paraspinal muscle volume and subcutaneous fat thickness.
Materials and Methods:
An observational retrospective study design was conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 at Asraltmed and Orgil hospitals, enrolling 300 cases selected from 2,840 lumbar spine MRI scans based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data (age, sex, BMI) were collected alongside MRI metrics. LDH type, size, location, and severity were evaluated using axial, sagittal, and coronal views across T1WI, T2WI, and STIR/T2FS sequences. Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area (Multifidus, Erector spinae, Psoas) was measured on axial T1WI and T2WI sequences, while subcutaneous fat thickness was measured on sagittal T2WI sequences. LDH parameters were evaluated in relation to paraspinal muscle measurements, subcutaneous fat thickness, and BMI. Disc degeneration was classified using the Pfirrmann grading system, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 25.0.
Result:
The mean age of participants was 45.6±12.3 years. Higher BMI (r=0.41) and increased subcutaneous fat thickness (r=0.46) showed a significant positive correlation with LDH severity (p<0.001). Conversely, paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was negatively correlated with LDH severity (r=0.49, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, sex, BMI, subcutaneous fat thickness, and paraspinal muscle CSA were statistically significantly associated with LDH (p<0.01). Subgroup analysis by sex demonstrated similar correlations between paraspinal muscle size, subcutaneous fat thickness, and LDH severity in both male and female groups.
Conclusion
Lumbar disc herniation severity is associated with increased BMI and subcutaneous fat thickness, as well as decreased paraspinal muscle mass. Normalized muscle parameters reduce sex-related discrepancies and establish an effective MRI-based risk assessment approach.
2.Comparative Study of Brain White Matter Hyperintensity Burden in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Tserensugir A ; ; Oyuntugs B ; Gonshigsuren D ; Tuvshinjargal D ; Tovuudorj A ; Mungunbagana G ; Munkhbaatar D ; Delgerdalai Kh
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;95(5):253-256
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with cognitive impairment and structural brain alterations. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serve as critical neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease. However, research evaluating the WMH burden in the Mongolian population with T2DM using AI-based automated quantitative methods and comparing these findings with a control group remains limited. This research gap provides the rationale and necessity for the current study.
Aim:
To evaluate and compare the burden of brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) versus a control group.
Material and Methods:
This analytical cross-sectional, retrospective comparative study included participants aged 40 and older who underwent brain MRI at the Mongolia-Japan Hospital of MNUMS between 2019 and 2025. The T2DM group consisted of patients with a confirmed diagnosis, while the control group included individuals without diabetes or prediabetes. After excluding cases with major structural abnormalities, poor image quality, failed automated processing, or incomplete clinical data, 257 out of an initial 283 participants were included in the final analysis (T2DM: 71, Control: 186). 3D T1-weighted MPRAGE and T2-FLAIR MRI sequences were processed using Neurophet AQUA software (version 3.1) to assess total, deep, and periventricular Fazekas scores. Age- and sex-adjusted ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
A total of 257 participants (T2DM=71, Control=186) were analyzed. There were significant differences between groups in sex distribution (p=0.046) and age categories (p<0.001). The T2DM group exhibited significantly higher total and deep Fazekas scores compared to the control group (total Fazekas: aOR 10.81, 95% CI 5.20-22.49; deep Fazekas: aOR 8.21, 95% CI 4.32-15.60; both p<0.001). Increasing age was associated with higher total (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11, p=0.001) and deep (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08, p=0.037) Fazekas scores. Additionally, female sex was associated with higher total (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.04–3.63, p=0.036) and deep (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.08–3.51, p=0.026) Fazekas score categories.
Conclusion
Assessment of WMH burden using AI-based automated quantitative MRI processing revealed that T2DM is significantly associated with higher total and deep Fazekas scores. This association remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. These findings suggest that AI-based MRI processing is a suitable method for the objective, quantitative, and standardized assessment of brain WMH burden associated with T2DM.
3.Oral hygeine status of children with henoch-schonlein purpura (HSP) disease
Khash-Orgil Ts ; Oyuntsetseg B ; Ayanga G
Mongolian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics 2022;32(2):2324-2327
Oral hygeine status of children with henoch-schonlein purpura (HSP) disease
Backround: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) disease is an inflammatory disease in which capillaries, venules, and arterioles are dominated by microvessels due to the accumulation of Ig-A immunity in the walls. Eighty percent of children with HSP have chronic infections such as chronic tonsillitis, otitis media, dental caries, and gingivitis.1-8 However, no research has yet been conducted to determine the prevalence and severity of tooth decay in children with Shenlein-Genoch disease, and to assess gingivitis and oral hygiene.
Materials and methods: The survey was conducted from 50 children with the HSP from the Department of Cardiovascular Connective Tissue Pathology of Pediatric Consultant Polyclinic of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health and was conducted in using cross-sectional survey accordance with the number 07- 2021/3, Principles of the Research Ethics Review Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences and, the results of the study were processed using the statistical software SPSS 25.
Results: The prevalence of tooth decay among children with HSP was high at 95% for mixed dentition and 100% for each stage of primary and permanent dentition, while the intensity of tooth decay was 7,304.64 (caries+ fillings+extraction/ tooth) during primary dentition, 7,303.46 (caries+fillings / tooth) + (caries+fillings+extaction / tooth) during mixed dentures and 11,294.13 (caries+fillings+extraction / tooth) during permanent dentition. It is noteworthy that the level is very high at all.In the study of children with gingivitis, 50% of them had gingivitis with primary dentition, 60.9% with mixed dentition, and 58.8% with permanent dentition. The proportion of healthy children without gingivitis was 50% for primary dentition, 39.1% for mixed dentition, and 41.2% for permanent dentition.
The proportion of “good” condition in the study was 30% for primary dentition, 39.1% for mixed dentition, 35.3% for permanent dentition. The “mean” rate was highest for 70% for primary dentition, 56.5% for mixed dentition and 58.8% for permanent dentition. The “insufficient” rate was 4.3% for mixed dentition and the lowest for 5.9% for permanent dentition.
Conclusions:
1. The prevalence of tooth decay among children with HSP was high at 95% for mixed dentition and 100% for each stage of primary and permanent dentition, while the intensity of tooth decay was 7,304.64 (caries+ fillings+extraction/ tooth) during primary dentition. 7.303.46 (caries+ fillings+extraction/ tooth)+ ( caries+ fillings+extraction/ tooth) during mixed dentition and 11.294.13 (caries+ fillings+extraction/ tooth) for permanent dentition means that all of the level is at high intensity.
2. In the study of children with gingivitis, 50% of them had gingivitis with primary teeth, 60.9% with mixed teeth, and 58.8% with permanent teeth. The proportion of healthy children without gingivitis was 50% for primary dentition, 39.1% for mixed dentition, and 41.2% for permanent dentition. However, there is a statistically significant result (p <0.001) of the more increase in tooth plaque of poor oral hygiene the more increase in gingivitis.
3. The proportion of “good” condition in the study was 30% for primary dentition, 39.1% for mixed dentition, 35.3% for permanent dentition, the “mean” rate was 70% for primary dentition, 56.5% for mixed dentition and 58.8% for permanent dentition. The “insufficient” rate was 4.4% for mixed dentition, or the lowest for 5.9% for permanent dentition. There were no statistically significant differences (p> 0.05) between oral health and the HSP status of the children in the study. According to the results of the survey, it is observed that the oral health status among the respondents is insufficient.
4.The prevalence and type of congenital cleft of the lip and palate in mongolia, affiliation of the patients
Bulgan B ; Chudurbat G ; Erdenetsogt J ; Tserendulam D ; Altangerel B ; Khash-Orgil Ts ; Erdenesaikhan M ; Ayanga G
Mongolian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics 2022;32(2):2334-2339
The prevalence and type of congenital cleft of the lip and palate in mongolia, affiliation of the patients
Background: The prevalence of congenital cleft lip and palate is different internationally. There are some research papers which identifying the rate of this abnormality in Mongolia, the latest one shown the result that one cleft case for 1072 live births (Ayanga GN et all, 2012).
Aim: to determine/update the prevalence and types of congenital cleft lip and palate in Mongolia
Materials and methods: we include the data from all cleft patients who were born between 01 of January, 2011-31 of December, 2021 to this survey retrospectively. We used the e-history for cleft patients, which developed by the department of Maxillofacial surgery since 2011.
Results: Totally 1308 cleft patients included to our survey. The prevalence is one cleft cases for 652 live births in Mongolia, and 34,1% is cleft of the lip, 41,4% is cleft of the lip and palate, and 24,5% is cleft palate only of all cases. Also the rate was differently among provinces, as one for 429 live births in Khuvsgul province, and one for 1223 live births in Uvs province.
Conclusions: the prevalence of cleft lip and palate in Mongolia 1000:1.5 or one for 652 live births. The highest rate established in Khuvsgul province, and the lowest in Uvs province.
5.EVALUATION OF PREMEDICAL CURRICULUM
Orgil J ; Tuvshinjargal Ts ; Oyungoo B ; Ser-Od kh
Innovation 2018;12(2):12-16
BACKGROUND. Since the implementation of Pre-medical curriculum the first students have successfully finished their courses. However, formative and summative evaluation of the curriculum hasn’t been done. The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between satisfaction level and knowledge acquisition of the students.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study was completed at School of Bio-medicine of MNUMS and Division of Education and Policy. We have studied correlation of grade point average (GPA), integrated final exam score, and general admission test/entrance examination test scores (Chemistry and Biology test scores) of total of 395 students’.
RESULTS. A total of 395 students’ 4 types of test scores have been used in this study. Out of 395 students, 68 (17%) male, 327 (83%) female and 317 (80%) medical and 78 (20%) health sciences pre-medical students. Results have shown that, both general admission test score and university pre-medical GPA had a direct, average line correlation. In other words, students who have had a higher general admission test score; have scored higher GPA scores at university. The comparison of GPA with the integrated final exam score has shown a direct, average line correlation, which proves the validity of the GPA.The highest factor among was the teacher methodology skills scoring 4.0. The lowest factor was teaching facilities and student lesson load scoring 3.7.
CONCLUSION. The satisfaction level is higher the average. The student GPA, general admission test score, both have a direct or average line correlation.
6.To introduce the principles of evidence-based medicine
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2018;185(3):138-146
Since 1990s years Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) was very important in the world, especially in
developed countries, as well as, in UK, USA and others. The emergence of evidence-based practice
has to be one of the success stories of the 1990s. In the space of more twenty years the movement
has had a significant impact on health care and health policy. Especially, in the UK there are centres,
amongst others, for evidence-based medicine, evidence-based child services and mental health services. The depth of influence within UK evidence-based medicine has been paralleled by a breadth of expansion internationally. The movement has rapidly become a global phenomenon transcending national boundaries. An international network to support the development of EBM has developed swiftly in the form of the Cochrane Collaboration, which now has centres in the UK and continental Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Over the last few years evidence-based medicine’s approaches have been developed in most health
fields, including evidence-based therapy, surgery, gynecology, pediatry, dentistry, nursing, public
health, physiotherapy and mental health. Progress has not stopped there: uniquely it would appear
that an approach originating in medicine is being advocated and adopted in more distant fields of
professional activity, including social work, probation, education anf human resource management.
The development of EBM was thus based on three principles: 1) Doctors must be taught how interpret
and use research findings. 2) Doctors must be helped to use research to inform practice throughout
their careers. 3) Research findings must be disseminated to doctors in more efficient ways.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is seen as consisting of five explicit steps:
1. First, the clinician, faced with a patient or group of patients, constructs a specific question concerning
their care. This could relate to the diagnosis of the problem, the prognosis or likely outcome of
the problem, the most effective treatments and their possible side-effects, or the best method of
delivering services to meet patients’ needs.
2. The second stage consists of finding, as efficiently as possible, the best evidence to answer the
clinical question.
3. Third, the clinician evaluates the evidence for its validity and usefulness.
4. Fourth, the results are applied to the specific parient or group of patients.
5. Finally, the outcome of the intervention is evaluated.
The aim of EBM is to bring into clinical practice and the fourth stage of the process involves applying
the research findings to the care and management of individual patients. The application of clinical research to the care of individual patients presents a core challenge for EBP. The process of evaluation
is central to evidence-based medicine. Clinicians using EBM are encouraged to evaluate continually
their own performance in relation to their use of EBM and are encouraged to evaluate the validity and
importance of clinically relevant research.
But introducing evidence-based medicine’s principles has been needed to very long time in the Mongolian health sector. Especially, we have been needed in a special policy for developing EBM. Also
we have need to knowledge and detailed informations about EBM and it’s principles. Because, in our
country should be stimulate this activity.
7.HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA MIGHT BE A MARKER OF GANGRENOUS/PERFORATED APPENDICITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Buyantugs Ts ; Taivanbat J ; Nasanbat G ; Orgil N ; Erkegul B ; Odonchimeg B ; Bayarsaikhan B ; Davaadorj N ; Lkhagvabayar B
Journal of Surgery 2016;20(2):18-24
Introduction: Delayed or wrong diagnosis
in patients with appendicitis can result in
perforation and consequently increased
morbidity and mortality. Serum total bilirubin
may be a useful marker for appendiceal
perforation. The aim of this study was
to determine and compare pre-operative
total bilirubin level and other diagnostic
tools (patient age, duration of symptoms,
Alvarado score, white blood cell, C-reactive
protein, ultrasound and contrast enchanced
CT scan) in cases of acute appendicitis in
order to improve the clinical decision making.
Materialsand methods: We identified
102 patient with acute appendicitis after
excluding those with other causes of
hyperbilirubinemia among the 180 patients
that underwent a laparoscopic or an open
appendectomy from June, 2011 to March,
2015 in UB Songdo Private Hospital.
These cases were also subjected to
liver function tests and clinical diagnosis
was confirmed perioperatively and postoperatively
by histopathological examination.
According to histological results, these cases
were classified two groups: positive(acute
appendicitis with perforation and/or
gangrene) and negative(acute appendicitis
without perforation or gangrene). Their
clinical and investigative data were compiled
and analyzed. Statistical analysis was
performed using independent sample t test,
Chi square test, and direct logistic regression.
The level of significance was set at P< 0.05.
Results: Serum total bilirubin was found
to be significantly increased(1,5mg/dL) in
case of negative group and much higher
(3,6mg/dL) in cases of positive group (P
<0.001). The level of total bilirubin was
higher than 3 mg/dL in cases of gangrenous/
perforated appendicitis while in cases with
acute appendicitis it was lower than 3 mg/
dL. Also Alvarado score (P <0.01), C-reactive
protein (P <0.001) and contrast enchanced CT
scan (P <0.05) were statistically significant
diagnostic tools for acute appendicitis.
Conclusion: Assessment of preoperative
total bilirubin is useful for the differential
diagnosis of gangrenous/perforated
appendicitis.
8. HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA MIGHT BE A MARKER OF GANGRENOUS/PERFORATED APPENDICITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Buyantugs TS ; Taivanbat J ; Nasanbat G ; Orgil N ; Erkegul B ; Odonchimeg B ; Bayarsaikhan B ; Davaadorj N ; Lkhagvabayar B
Journal of Surgery 2016;20(2):18-24
Introduction: Delayed or wrong diagnosisin patients with appendicitis can result inperforation and consequently increasedmorbidity and mortality. Serum total bilirubinmay be a useful marker for appendicealperforation. The aim of this study wasto determine and compare pre-operativetotal bilirubin level and other diagnostictools (patient age, duration of symptoms,Alvarado score, white blood cell, C-reactiveprotein, ultrasound and contrast enchancedCT scan) in cases of acute appendicitis inorder to improve the clinical decision making.Materialsand methods: We identified102 patient with acute appendicitis afterexcluding those with other causes ofhyperbilirubinemia among the 180 patientsthat underwent a laparoscopic or an openappendectomy from June, 2011 to March,2015 in UB Songdo Private Hospital.These cases were also subjected toliver function tests and clinical diagnosiswas confirmed perioperatively and postoperativelyby histopathological examination.According to histological results, these caseswere classified two groups: positive(acuteappendicitis with perforation and/organgrene) and negative(acute appendicitiswithout perforation or gangrene). Theirclinical and investigative data were compiledand analyzed. Statistical analysis wasperformed using independent sample t test,Chi square test, and direct logistic regression.The level of significance was set at P< 0.05.Results: Serum total bilirubin was foundto be significantly increased(1,5mg/dL) incase of negative group and much higher(3,6mg/dL) in cases of positive group (P<0.001). The level of total bilirubin washigher than 3 mg/dL in cases of gangrenous/perforated appendicitis while in cases withacute appendicitis it was lower than 3 mg/dL. Also Alvarado score (P <0.01), C-reactiveprotein (P <0.001) and contrast enchanced CTscan (P <0.05) were statistically significantdiagnostic tools for acute appendicitis.Conclusion: Assessment of preoperativetotal bilirubin is useful for the differentialdiagnosis of gangrenous/perforatedappendicitis.
9.The improvement of the health sector’s management
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2013;165(3):54-60
Learning objectives: After reading this article, readers of the journal should be able to:1. Get information about some aspects of the health sector’s structure and it’s management in the world;2. Understand about current situation of Mongolian health policy (fragmentation of national health policy; but steel has absence of policy on primary health care and medical care);3. Get a short information about health strategic objectives of the official documents: “Millenium Development Goals-Based Comprehensive National Development Strategy of Mongolia” (2007-2021); “Master Plan of Mongolian Health Sector” (2006-2015)4. Understand some ideas for improving management of Mongolian Health Sector on implementation of health strategic objectives, defined by the above mentioned official documents.Summary: Now, in our country, as well as in many countries of the world, has been increased a role of improving health policy and management of the health sector for it’s development. Firstly, we have been needed to Integrated National Health Policy; Secondly, we should be given a more attention to realization of health strategic objectives, already defined by the official documents, which approved in high levels (Mongolian Parliament and Government). The author of this article had trying to some own ideas for improving management of national health sector.
10.To improve quality and influence of health research on the practice
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2013;166(4):48-51
Recently, we had participated in the International Workshop on IT solutions for Health Research Governance and Management, which held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has led and supported the development and implementation of integrated IT-based health research management systems in Cambodia, Fiji, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. The workshop is proposed for these 6 countries to share experiences and to explore next steps to achieve sustainable IT-based solutions in health research governance and management. During this workshop we – all participants actively discussed about that how IT can facilitate better and more efficient health research and how to improve research governance and management in each country.Depending on challenges in these fields for Mongolia we all, especially all health science organizations and whole researchers should be thinking seriously about next issues: 1) To improve a collaboration between health research organization and medical practical organization; especially to increase a laboratory technical and technological levels and quality of analyses; in this field should be given more attention from two sides (science and practical sides); 2) To give an attention on improvement of theoretical knowledge and research skills for young doctors and young researchers, regularly; 3) To improve a processes related to improvement of research theme, methodology and involvement of researchers to research projects; 4) To give emphasis on problems related to the clinical trials and ethical issues, previously; 5) To give a more attention on detailed planning of any research work and monitoring, auditing it’s implementations; 6) Most important is documentation or reporting and approvals of any health research work’s results; for this to use of IT solutions, widely; 7) For these goals: a) to improve “MongolMed” online system and increase it’s regular using; b) to build “The Mongolian Health Research Portal”, immediately. Because, today throughout have been needed in emerged development of evidence-based medical practice, but in our country has been continued a health research-medical practice gap.
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