Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted mental health, particularly exacerbating conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional disorders among hospitalized patients. This study examined the prevalence of COVID-19-related mental health issues and risk factors in hospitalized patients affiliated with MNUMS, compared to a control group. Aim: To assess the prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to identify their associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at hospitals under MNUMS, including the Mongolian-Japanese Hospital, Central Hospital, and the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. A total of 552 participants (399 case group, 153 control group) who were hospitalized were included. Depression (PHQ-9≥10), anxiety (GAD-7≥10), insomnia (ISI≥15), and PTSD (PCL-5≥33) were assessed using standardized scales. Analysis was performed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression (crude odds ratio [cOR]/adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]), adjusted for group, age, and sex. Results: In the case group, depression (23.1% vs. 13.7%, p=0.015, cOR=1.884 [1.124-3.156]), anxiety (16.8% vs. 11.1%, p=0.096), and any mental disorder (18.0% vs. 13.7%, p=0.225) were higher, while insomnia was lower (19.5% vs. 30.1%, p=0.008). PTSD was low overall (1.8% vs. 0.7%, p=0.333). Risk factors included female sex (p<0.001, cOR=0.362 for depression in males), younger age (p=0.004), unemployment (p=0.017), and prior trauma (p<0.001). COVID-19 symptoms (difficulty breathing) increased the risk of depression (p<0.001, cOR=2.828 [1.708-4.682]). Conclusion Hospitalization for COVID-19 increases the risk of depression and anxiety, modulated by demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups are essential.

Background: Tick-borne encephalitis is human viral infection involving the nervous system and transmitted by the bite of infected tick. The TBE Virus is distributed in different geographical areas by three widespread subtypes of the virus: The Far East, Europe, and Siberia. The Far East type has a mortality rate was 30-35%, the European type has a mortality rate of 2.2%, and the Siberian type has a mortality rate of 6-8% (A.G. Pletnev, 1998) [2].
In recent years, human cases of tick-borne infections have been reported in 19 European countries and four Asian countries (Mongolia, China, Japan, and South Korea) [3].
Human cases of tick-borne encephalitis, tick-borne rickettsiosis, and tick-borne borreliosis have been registered in Mongolia since 2005. Deaths have been reported year by year [5].
During 2005 to 2021, tick-borne rickettsiosis (71.6%), tick-borne encephalitis (17.3%) and tick-borne borreliosis (52.9%) were confirmed by epidemiological, clinical and laboratory tests at the NCZD.
Tick-borne encephalitis was registered in 63 soums of 15 provinces and 9 districts of the capital city, of which 90% were infected with tick bites in Selenge and Bulgan provinces. The average mortality rate is 4.9% (14), of which 28.6% in Bulgan province and 2.7% in Selenge province.
Tick-borne encephalitis is the leading cause of death in Bugat soum of Bulgan province and more infected men about 40 years of age [7]. Purpose : Collect ticks from selected soums of the provinces, identify tick species, species composition, distribution, tick densities, pathogens of tick-borne diseases, conduct population surveys to assess the risk of tick-borne infections, and identify tick-borne infections. Material and Method: Ticks were collected by flag from birch trees in birch forests and meadows with biotope and overgrown berries, determined morphological analyze and molecular biological investigation for detecting tickborne pathogens.
Questionnaires were collected from selected soum residents according to a specially designed randomized epidemiological and clinical survey card, collected information and forms were submitted to soum hospitals with a history of tick bites (according to clinical criteria). Serological tests were performed to detect IgG-specific antibodies to the collected serum mites. Result and conclusion Collected 121 ticks (120 I. persulcatus and 1 D. nuttalli) and not wound egg, larvae, nymphs. By molecular biological investigation detected 3.5% of I.persulcatus from Khutag-Undur soum of Bulgan province, 3.5% of anaplasmosis, and 14.1% of I.persulcatus mites from Bugat soum. 1.5% borreliosis, 3.1% anaplasmosis.
Detected DNA of 100% tick-borne rickettsiosis from D.nutalli ticks and determined circulation of infection among tick in Bugat and Khutag-Undur soums of Bulgan province.
247 people were surveyed, 56 blood serum from cases. Detected Q fever, erysipelas, and anaplasmosis, tick-borne borreliosis 3 (5.4%), tick-borne rickettsiosis 26 (46.4%), Japanese encephalitis 3 (5.4%), tick-borne encephalitis tick-borne rickettsiosis 6 (13.0%), tick-borne rickettsiosis tick-borne borreliosis 1 (1.8%), tick’s rickettsiosis Japanese encephalitis 1 (1.8%), tick-borne encephalitis tick-borne borreliosis 1 (1.8%).
By investigation, vaccination (88%) and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants (81%) were the most effective ways to prevent tick bites (81%) [15]. According to our research, the percent of population knowledge in Bulgan province was insufficient (40.9%) which there is a lack of information, training and advertisement among the population in the province.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence and mortality per 100,000 population in Mongolia is the highest in the world. The individual’s genetic factors and new genetic changes are considered an important effect on the origin and development cancer. We aimed to investigate whether p53R72P polymorphisms were associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Mongolian patients. Material and Method: p53R72P polymorphisms were evaluated in 80 controls and 38 HCC cases using a PCRrestriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results: The mean age was 58.5±13.6 years in the case group and 63.2±8.1 years in the control group. Hepatocellular carcinoma is most common in 50-59 (n=14, 36.8%) and 60-69 (n=14, 36.8%) ages. Of the HCC group, 4 (10.8%) were diagnosed with tumor at stage II, 23 (62.2%) at stage III, and 11 (27%) at stage IV.
The results revealed that the heterozygous (Arg/Pro (PR)) genotype of p53R72P increased statistically significant the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (OR=4.222, 95% CI 1.669-10.684) compared to the wildtype (R/R) genotype. (p=0.002). Moreover, the homozygous (Pro/Pro (P/P)) genotype of p53R72P increased the risk of carcinoma (OR=1.333, 95% CI 0.414-4.299) but not statistically significant. (p=0.63). Heterozygous (Arg/Pro (PR)) genotype of p53R72P in the tumor tissue was associated with a statistically significant (OR=3.3, 95% CI 1.274-8.57) increase in the risk of HCC (p=0.014). Pro/Pro (PP) genotype increased the risk of the carcinoma by 2.4 times (OR=2.44, 95% CI 0.865-6.908), but it was not significant. (p=0.092). Pro/Pro (PP) genotype of p53R72P in the tumor tissue compared to normal tissue of a case group increased the risk of cancer by 1.8 times (OR=1.833, 95% CI 0.472- 7.126), which was not statistically significant (p=0.382). Conclusion Taken together, Heterozygous (Arg/Pro (PR)) genotype of p53R72P increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Mongolians. Further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these results.

Background: Headache is a common disorder among population. 47% of population of the world suffers from the primary headache. Due to the chronic lasting process of headaches, individuals lose productivity, get depression because of negative impact on people’s quality of life and economic status.
Headache disorders are amongst the top ten causes of disability in Europe [4]. Three of these (migraine, tension-type headache and medication-overuse headache) are important in primary care because they are common and responsible for almost all headache-related burden.
The burden is immense on workers, women and children in terms of missing work and school days. The personal and social burden of primary headache is high. Health, occupational, social, and psychological factors contributing to burden in people with disabling headache have not been fully unraveled. Headache disorders are not perceived by the public as serious since they are mostly episodic, do not cause death, and are not contagious. A large number of people with headache disorders are not diagnosed and treated: worldwide only 40% of those with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) are professionally diagnosed and only 10% of those with medication-overuse headache (MOH).
There are no studies on the burden and disability assessment in patients with primary headache in our country, therefore a need for conducting this study. Goal: The burden and disability assessment in patients with primary headache in Mongolian adults. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out from June to November of 2017. Participants aged 18-65 years old randomly were selected from four aimags of Mongolia and three districts of Ulaanbaatar city. They were visited by door to door calling and surveyed using the HARDSHIP and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. The diagnosis of headache was made using the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS-23 program, and level of depression in headache present patients was determined by odds ratio (OR). Study methodology introduced at Ethical review Committee of “Ach” Medical University and approved in 2017 (№17/3/2). Results: There were 2043 participants 39.7% and 60.3% of them were men and women respectively. The mean age of them was 38.0±13.4 years. 57.4% (n=1173) of participants had headache, and 27.4%, 30.0%, 11.2% and 7.5% of them had migraine, tension-type headache, chronic headache and medication overuse headache respectively. 42% of participants with headache had the median duration of suffering 7 years (IQR=3-13 years). Out of 1173 participants with headache 20.7% had depression. 23% of participants with migraine had depression whereas 68.2 % and 47% of participants with chronic headache and medicine overuse headache had depression respectively. Participants with migraine were 1.85 (OR: 1.85, CI: 95%, 1.39-2.47) times, with chronic headache 3.40 (OR: 3.40, CI: 95%, 2.04-5.67) times and medicine overuse headache 3.31 (OR: 3.31, CI: 95%, 1,50-7.30) times more likely to suffer from depression compare to participants with no headache.
People with migraine loses their productivity 10.6 days/m, with chronic headache 19.7 days/m, with MOH 20.3 days/ m. According the MIDAS (migraine disability assessment) people with migraine has mild disability, while people with chronic headache and MOH had middle score of disability. Conclusion The prevalence of primary headaches is high among Mongolian adults. These headaches cause disability, impair work, study and daily activities, decrease life quality, and brings unrecognized socioeconomic burden.

Introduction: Gastric cancer is still one of the most leading causes of mortality in the world. The highest mortality rate of gastric cancer is estimated in Mongolia. South Korea and Japan, where leading the incidence of gastric cancer, mortality rates are observed in 51th and 31nd rank respectively. In Mongolia, gastric cancer is the second leading site, after liver cancer. Goal: We aimed to determine the cause of late diagnosis of gastric cancer and to evaluate supply of upper endoscopy devices and human resource for gastric cancer in the general hospital of provinces and districts. Materials and Methods: In this study, 84 patients suffering from gastric cancer (42 patients in III, IV TNM stage; 42 patients in I, II TNM stage)were investigated in National Cancer Center, Mongolia. A survey questionnaire which included age, gender, education, income, risk factors and clinical questions was detected from all patients. And we conducted study of supply of upper endoscopy devices and human resource for gastric cancer in general hospitals of from 21 provinces and general hospitals of 6 districts by questionnaire. Results: Seventy three(86.9%) patients were over 50 years old and the highest rates of gastric cancer were in group of 61-70 years (40.5%). From the results, the reason to visiting hospital was significantly different between two groups. 55.1% of patients suffering from early-stage gastric cancer were voluntarily diagnosed by upper endoscopy. In contrary, 55.8% of patients suffering from late-stage gastric cancer have visited the hospital due to worsening symptoms or dysphagia and vomiting. Factors such as age, gender, education, employment status and income had no significant effect on late diagnosis of gastric cancer. In totally 24(89%)general hospitals out of 27 had upper endoscopy devices and 22 (81.5%) hospitals had endoscopist. Although 75% of total general hospitals conduct annual cancer screening, 64% of them do not perform the endoscopy in annual screening. Conclusion In our country, late diagnosis of gastric cancer is related to the attitudes of patients for preventing and screening disease. Therefore, it is important to improve the health education of the population and to develop healthy, right attitudes and practices. And the study revealed that general hospitals have insufficient for upper endoscopy devices and human resource.

This study investigates cochlear implant surgical and Audio Verbal Therapy (AVT) practice patterns of patients with hearing loss (HL) based on data of “Aid” ENT Clinic and Speech Therapy Unit of School of Dentistry, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) between 2009-2018. Our aim was to describe and collect related data on surgical interventions, using cochlear implant for patients with severe hearing loss and their involvement in the AVT sessions. Hospital based registry data by audiologistwere retrospectively investigated. Descriptive statistics are used to describe the basic features of the data in the study. In total 78 patients had cochlear implantation surgery with chronological age between 2 months and 55 years. From total subjects 46 (54.59%) were male and 32 (33.41%) female. The distribution of etiology for the hearing loss showed that the majority of hearing loss 47 (60%) had due to infectious diseases, other diseases or injury, 25 (32%) congenital and 6 (8%) unknown causes. Documentation and proper registration is essential for better outcome of cochlear implantation surgery, especially teamwork of speech therapist doing AVT and audiologist in charge of fitting. Furthermore, epidemiological studies are important for evaluation and monitoring of interventions by every specialists included in the treatment team.

Background: Headache disorders are most prevalent public-health problem. Worldwide, among the adults 46% suffer from primary headache, where the migraine presents 11% and tension type headache (TTH) presents 25%. Recently, one type of the primary headache, medication overuse headache tends to increase. Nowadays, there is no sufficient study about primary headache in Mongolia. So that, it is necessary to investigate prevalence, clinical type and risk factors of the primary headache. Purpose: To study prevalence and risk factors of primary headache in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from June to November of 2017. Participants aged 18-65 years old were randomly selected from four provinces and three districts of Ulaanbaatar city. The diagnosis of headache was made using the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS-23 program. Results: A total of 2043 participants (812 men and 1231 women) were reviewed. The participant’s average age was 38.6±13.4years. 1350 (66.1%) participants reported recurrent headache within the last 1 year. Of the total study population, the prevalence rate of primary headache was 1305 (63.9%). Number of people who suffered from migraine was 494 (24.2%), significantly greater in female than male participants (p=0.0001), with most frequent attacks at age 26-45 years. The risk of migraine associated with sex, education and family history (p=0.001). 592 (29.0%) of participants had TTH, mean age of them was 37.7±5.24, significant high rate in female than men, risk of TTH depends on education and job. The medication overuse headache was diagnosed at 116 (5.7%), 29.4% in men and 70.5% in women with average of 45.6±11.4 and 43±12.7 respectively. Among the participants 38.6% used medications, 28% people had one drug, 8.5% two drugs and 2% used three or more drugs. Use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) made up major percent in headache patients. Increased frequency of medication and multidrug affected to medication overuse headache (p=0.008). Conclusion More than half of studied population had primary headache. Migraine was in 24.2%, TTH in 29.0% of people, and associated with sex, education and family history. Use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs made up major percent in headache patients.

Background: The primary headache disorders are one of the most common complaints among children and adolescents. Migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) are the most frequently types of primary headache, with prevalence of approximately 9.1% for migraine and 10–24% for TTH among children.
The aim of this study was to determine the 1-year prevalence and some risk factors of primary headache disorders in school-aged children. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, school-based survey consisting of semi-structured questionnaires was administered to randomly select aged 6-11 years using stratified multistage cluster sampling during the period from April to June 2018. The questionnaire of primary headache was based on International Classification of Headache Disorders-III criteria. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS, version 21. Student’s T-test, chi-square test and analysis of variance were used for comparisons when appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: We surveyed totally 635 participants; the one-year prevalence of all types of headache was 54.6%. Prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache was 3.0% and 5.4%, respectively. Elucidated biometric and socio-demographic risk factors showed statistically significant difference in prevalence of migraine: type of household, life situation and residential quarter. Conclusion Our study found that frequency of prevalence of primary headaches among the school-aged children is relatively high and comparable with other countries.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) (OMIM#143890) is the most common metabolic autosomal disorder. The prevalence of the homozygous FH has been reported as 1 in a million in the general population, compared to much more mild form heterozygous FH with prevalence of 1 in 200-500. Mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), proprotein convertase subtilin/kexin9 (PCSK9), and low-density lipoprotein receptor adapter protein 1 (LDLRAP1) genes have been linked to FH. These mutations result in a disorder in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) catabolism, and significantly increasing the levels of LDL-C, total cholesterol in serum, leading to specific clinical signs such as tendon xanthoma, corneal arcus, cardiovascular diseases, and early death from coronary heart disease if left unattended. Therefore, there is an ardent need for early diagnosis followed by aggressive therapeutic intervention and lifestyle modification. Currently, FH can be diagnosed either clinically or genetically. There have three main clinical diagnostic criteria for FH: the US MedPed Program, the Simon Broom Register Group in the UK, and the Netherland’s criteria. The occurrence of so many different LDLR mutations and their widespread distribution throughout the gene imposes severe practical limitations on simple genetic screening. Indeed, exon by exon sequencing of LDLR and other genes in each patient is the best screening genetic methods of choice. Although the hypercholesterolemia associated with FH can be controlled with cholesterol-lowering drug therapy (statins and other), patient response can vary quite widely.

Gastric cancer has been and still considered one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality and it continues to be a major public health issue. The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Mongolia is the highest in the world. For this reason, this paper provides the information about current status of gastric cancer in Mongolia in the first section. Morbidity and mortality of gastric cancer increased steadily during the last decade. In the second section we overview the most important factors that can accelerate the risk of gastric cancer. Evidence from case-control, cohort studies and meta-analysis have suggested that the risk of gastric cancer is related to several factors including genetics, Helicobacter pylori, other factors related to the environment and lifestyle. Risk factors could have different effects on the onset and the evolution of gastric cancer.