Background: Dental caries is a worldwide spreader infectious decease. According to the present studies, the prevalence of the disease is highly dependent on the developmental of the country and its prevention strategies. By the World Dental Federation and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, dental caries prevalence is increasing every year in Mongolia, which is becoming one of the main problems in our country. According to studies, the most effective method of decreasing prevalence of caries is to have an oral health knowledge, provide caries treatment on early-stage and focusing more on prevention. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the oral health status among the groups aged between 5, 12, 35-44, 65-74. Materials and Methods: The study has consisted 3512 subjects who selected from 4 age groups (5, 12, 35-44, 65-74) and from 6 districts of Ulaanbaatar city and 5 provinces of Mongolia. The oral examination of each person was done by calibrated dentists according to recommendation of WHO, 2013. The statistical analysis was processed using statistical software system (Stata version 16.0). Result: The prevalence of dental caries and mean of Decayed, Missed, Filled, permanent teeth (DMFt), decayed filled primary teeth were 87.6%, 6.2±0.14 among 5 years old, 77.0%, 2.2±0.03 among 12 years old, 98.1%, 11.8±0.19 among 35-44 years old, 99.8%, 23.6±0.27 among 65-74 years old. The good oral hygiene index was 51.5%, 46.3%, 49.0% and 65.7%. The prevalence of gingivitis was 2.3%, 9.8%, 34.5%, 17.6% and of calculus 0.8%, 7.6%, 62.8%, 31.6%, respectively above groups. The percent of people with removable dentures among 65-74 years old was higher than among 35-44 years old. Conclusion Across multiple age groups, the prevalence and severity of dental caries remain high. Oral hygiene status is predominantly classified as fair to poor. Among adults, partial or complete tooth loss is common; however, the utilization of dental prostheses is low, indicating inadequate prosthetic rehabilitation and limited adaptation to tooth replacement.

Background: Functional constipation is a common condition in early childhood, with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 3%. In Mongolia, functional constipation has been increasingly diagnosed among young children, particularly those aged 2–6 years. The condition is associated with abdominal pain, bloating, painful defecation, stool retention behaviors, and long-term physical and psychological complications. Although pediatric Tuina massage is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a non-pharmacological intervention, evidence regarding its effectiveness remains limited in the local context. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic massage on stool frequency and stool consistency in children with functional constipation. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted between May and December 2025 at the “Bomborduk” Pediatric Traditional Medicine Center. Sixty children diagnosed with functional constipation (ICD-10 K59.04) were randomly assigned to a therapeutic massage group (n=30) or an exercise therapy group (n=30). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after one month using the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) and the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Result: The mean age of participants was 3.75±0.94 years, with no significant difference between groups. In the massage therapy group, CAS scores decreased from 8.23±2.39 to 3.17±2.36, while Bristol Stool scores improved from 1.33±0.48 to 3.00±0.87. Improvements were significantly greater in the massage group compared with the exercise therapy group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Therapeutic massage is a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention that significantly improves stool consistency and reduces constipation severity in children with functional constipation.

Background: Visual impairment may negatively affect children’s daily activities, educational opportunities, and hygiene practices, including their ability to maintain oral hygiene independently. Therefore, assessing the oral health status of visually impaired children is important for improving access to dental care services and developing preventive oral health programs. Aim: To compare the oral health status of visually impaired and sighted children. Materials and Methods: A total of 174 children from grades 1–12 of School No. 116 for visually impaired children and Logarithm School in Ulaanbaatar were included in this study. Oral examinations were conducted using an examination form developed according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2013) guidelines. The study was carried out using a descriptive cross-sectional design, and the collected data were statistically analyzed. Result: Among visually impaired children, the prevalence of dental caries was 77%, with a mean DMFT index of 4.4±3.8. Among sighted children, the prevalence of dental caries was 75.9%, with a mean DMFT index of 4.7±3.8. The prevalence of gingivitis was 18.4% in visually impaired children and 11.5% in sighted children. Oral hygiene status was predominantly classified as poor or fair among visually impaired children, whereas a good level of oral hygiene predominated among sighted children. Conclusion 1. The prevalence and severity of dental caries were similar between visually impaired and sighted children. 2. The prevalence of gingivitis was comparable between visually impaired (18.4%) and sighted children (11.5%). 3. Oral hygiene status was generally poorer among visually impaired children, while sighted children predominantly demonstrated good oral hygiene.

Background: Dental caries is a preventable disease influenced by individual behavior, dietary habits, lifestyle, and health literacy. According to data from preventive health screenings initiated in Mongolia in 2022, dental caries accounted for 77.7% of 258,008 suspected conditions identified among children aged 0–17 years. Reducing the prevalence and severity of dental caries in children requires strengthening primary health care systems that emphasize the prevention and early detection of oral diseases and the provision of oral health education, rather than focusing solely on the treatment of existing dental caries. Aim: To assess the policy environment and implementation context of oral health care within primary health care in Mongolia and to identify key challenges and priority areas for improvement. Materials and Methods: A policy document review was conducted. The study included legal and policy documents governing primary health care as of 2026, together with relevant statistical data on oral diseases, health workforce, and financing. The collected information was categorized into key domains and synthesized and compared using an analytical matrix. Result: The current policy environment for primary health care in Mongolia does not yet provide all the conditions necessary to deliver equitable and prevention-oriented oral health services to the population. In particular, residents of soums and villages have limited access through their local health facilities to comprehensive services for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral and maxillofacial conditions. The inclusion of prevention, early detection, and primary oral health care within the “Healthy Teeth” initiative represents a positive policy development; however, mechanisms to ensure effective implementation remain insufficient. Although the Health Insurance Fund covers the costs of selected dental treatments for children and pregnant women, oral health care remains costly for other age groups, creating a considerable financial burden and limiting access to necessary services. Conclusion Reducing the burden of oral and maxillofacial diseases in Mongolia requires a transition from a treatment-oriented system toward primary health care based on prevention, early detection, and oral health education. Oral health care should be integrated into primary health care, with improved access at the soum and village levels and comprehensive strengthening of the health workforce, financing, and implementation mechanisms.

Background: In the treatment of early gastric cancer, patients suitable for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are selected on the basis of endoscopic findings and biopsy results, while the final diagnosis is confirmed by examination of the resected specimen. Aim: To examine the discrepancies between clinical and pathological findings before and after ESD. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified 335 lesions treated by ESD for early gastric cancer at the National Cancer Center between 2020 and 2025, compared the endoscopic, biopsy and pathological findings, and identified the factors associated with discrepancy. Result: At least one of the three pre-treatment parameters was discordant in 175 lesions (52.2%). Of the 249 lesions judged to be ulcer-free on endoscopy, 51 (20.5%) were ulcerated histologically, while 28 lesions were overestimated (P<0.05). Underestimation of ulceration was more likely in lesions located in the upper or middle third of the stomach (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.22–3.99) and in lesions measuring ≥20 mm (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.00–2.84). Of the 110 lesions diagnosed as high-grade dysplasia on biopsy, 36 (32.7%) contained adenocarcinoma in the resected specimen, one of which was of undifferentiated type. Of the remaining 18 undifferentiated lesions, 6 (33.3%) had been diagnosed as differentiated type before treatment. Submucosal and lymphovascular invasion were associated with a tumor size of ≥20 mm (OR 3.58 and 3.15) and undifferentiated histology (OR 4.47 and 7.56); all P<0.01. Conclusion A significant discrepancy was observed between the pre- and post-ESD clinicopathological findings.

Background: CagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A protein) is an oncoprotein produced by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium implicated in gastric carcinogenesis. CagA has been identified in all H. pylori strains isolated from patients with gastric cancer. To date, comparative studies investigating the genetic diversity of the cagA gene at the international level remain limited, and its pathogenic mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Aim: To characterize the global and regional diversity of the cagA gene in H. pylori, and to evaluate the relationship of its prevalence and genotypic variants with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: This molecular epidemiological study analyzed 9,276 H. pylori genomes from human hosts across 93 countries that were publicly available in international databases as of November 2024, together with 300 newly generated whole-genome sequences of H. pylori isolates from the Mongolian population that had not previously been deposited in public databases. To determine the genetic diversity of this oncogene, comprehensive genome bioinformatics analyses were performed, including genomic, phylogenetic, genotypic, and in silico protein analyses. Result: After quality control, 7,150 H. pylori genomes were included in the final analysis. Overall, 80.9% (n=5,783) of H. pylori strains were found to harbor the cagA gene, with the highest prevalence observed in Asia and the lowest in Europe. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial genotypic diversity of cagA and marked geographic variation in its distribution. Specifically, five distinct CagA protein types were identified, two of which represented previously undescribed novel types. The distribution of CagA types was found to correlate more strongly with the incidence of gastric cancer than the mere presence of cagA-positive H. pylori. Conclusion The majority of H. pylori strains in human populations worldwide harbor the CagA oncoprotein, with an overall prevalence of approximately 81%. Differences among CagA types may contribute to regional variation in gastric cancer risk. The diversification and evolutionary changes of the cagA gene may reflect recent processes of genetic admixture, which in turn shape its geographic and ethnic distribution as well as its pathogenic potential.

Background: Children with disabilities experience long-term impairments in one or more developmental domains, including cognitive, communicative, motor, behavioral, sensory, and self-care functions, often requiring continuous support in daily life. These children are particularly vulnerable to poor oral health due to a combination of factors such as limited motor coordination, dependence on caregivers, longterm medication use, and unfavorable dietary patterns. Consequently, they are at increased risk for dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral infections. In Mongolia, oral health disparities among children with disabilities remain insufficiently explored, and evidence-based data on their treatment needs are limited. Addressing this gap is essential for planning targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies. Aim: To evaluate the oral health status and determine the dental treatment needs of children with disabilities in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 888 children with disabilities attending special education schools in Ulaanbaatar. Oral examinations were performed following ethical approval (No. 2023/3-06) from the Research Ethics Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Dental caries was assessed using dmft/DMFT indices, and oral hygiene status was evaluated using a plaque index. Data were analyzed using Stata 16.0, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Result: The overall prevalence of dental caries was 85.5%, indicating a substantial disease burden. Caries prevalence and mean experience were 66.7% and 5.28±4.58 (dmft) in primary dentition, 86.2% and 5.23±3.75 (DMFT + dmft) in mixed dentition, and 83.6% and 5.44±4.00 (DMFT) in permanent dentition. Oral hygiene assessment showed that only 9.8% of children had good hygiene, whereas 46.3% exhibited poor oral hygiene, which was consistently associated with higher caries levels across diagnostic groups. Notably, 83.3% of children had at least one untreated decayed tooth or caries-related complication, reflecting a considerable unmet treatment need. Conclusion 1. The prevalence of dental caries among children with disabilities in Ulaanbaatar was 85.5%. Specifically, during the primary dentition stage, the prevalence was 66.7% with a mean caries experience of 5.28±4.58 (dmft). In the mixed dentition stage, the prevalence increased to 86.2% with a mean caries experience of 5.23±3.75 (DMFT+dmft). During the permanent dentition stage, the prevalence was 83.6%, with a mean DMFT score of 5.44±4.00. 2. Assessment of oral hygiene status using the plaque index revealed that 9.8% of the children had “Good” oral hygiene, 43.9% had “Fair” hygiene, and 46.3% had “Poor” oral hygiene. 3. The caries profile was predominantly characterized by untreated decayed teeth, and a strong direct association was observed between dental caries and oral hygiene status. Overall, 83.3% of the children required oral healthcare services and treatment, with the highest needs observed among those with permanent dentition, males, and children with intellectual disabilities.

Background: Likert-scale questionnaire data is widely used to evaluate satisfaction; however, in practical applications, both high classification accuracy and model interpretability are essential requirements. Rule-based machine learning methods provide the opportunity to satisfy both criteria simultaneously. Despite the rapid growth of research using machine learning for classification and prediction in recent years, there is a scarcity of studies employing the C5.0 classification algorithm for Likert-scale satisfaction data, which serves as the rationale for this study. Aim: To implement the C5.0 classification algorithm using a 10-fold cross-validation method to predict two levels of satisfaction (High/Medium) and to evaluate the model’s performance and interpretability. Materials and Methods: he study was conducted at the Department of Physics and Informatics, School of Bio-Medicine, MNUMS, utilizing satisfaction survey data from graduates majoring in Health Information Technology. Data consisting of four Likert-scale variables (V1–V4) were used. The C5.0 model was trained using a parametric grid search and evaluated within a 10-fold cross-validation framework using accuracy and a confusion matrix. Furthermore, IF–THEN rules were extracted from the final rule-based model, and the decision logic was visualized in the form of a flowchart. Results: The results indicated that the rule-based C5.0 model was selected as the optimal model, demonstrating stable performance throughout the cross-validation process. The confusion matrix results showed high precision in identifying the “High” satisfaction class. Among the generated rules, it became evident that variables V4 and V2 have the most significant influence on determining satisfaction levels. Conclusion Utilizing the C5.0 algorithm within a cross-validation framework enables effective and intelligible classification of satisfaction based on Likert data. It was confirmed that the rule-based structure offers distinct advantages for model interpretation and decision-support applications.

Background: According to the 2024 national health statistics of Mongolia, colorectal cancer accounts for 5.1% of all newly diagnosed cancers, with 74.1% detected at an advanced stage. Although population-based screening programs have recently been implemented, no studies have established a risk factor–based scoring system with an optimal cut-off value or evaluated its clinical utility in resource-limited settings in Mongolia. Aim: To develop a modified APCS (mAPCS) scoring system and evaluate its clinical applicability for colorectal cancer screening. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and February 2026 at the outpatient clinics of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences and the Mongolia–Japan Hospital. A total of 447 eligible participants were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were obtained, and six categories of questionnaires (demographic data, APCS risk score, behavioral factors, medical history, and medication use) were administered. Eleven participants declined colonoscopy; therefore, 436 participants underwent colonoscopic examination, with histopathological evaluation performed when indicated. Results: A total of 436 participants were included, of whom 282 (64.7%) were female, with a mean age of 54.8±11.5 years. Colorectal adenomas (advanced and non-advanced) and colorectal cancer were detected in 199 (45.6%) participants. Among them, 43 (21.6%) had advanced colorectal neoplasia. Multivariable regression analysis identified age ≥55 years (OR 4.8), BMI ≥28 kg/m² (OR 3.6), and a family history of colorectal cancer (OR 3.1) as independent risk factors for advanced neoplasia. The optimal cut-off value for the mAPCS score was 4, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 41.7% (sensitivity 97.7%, specificity 35.6%). Conclusions 1. Age ≥55 years, BMI ≥28 kg/m², and a family history of colorectal cancer were identified as independent risk factors for advanced colorectal neoplasia. At a cut-off value of ≥4, the mAPCS scoring system demonstrated high sensitivity (97.7%), low specificity (35.6%), high negative predictive value (99.2%), and low positive predictive value (14.2%). 2. Therefore, the mAPCS scoring system may serve as a useful tool for risk stratification and efficient allocation of limited resources in colorectal cancer screening.

Background: Lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis (LFJOA) is a degenerative joint disease and a common cause of chronic lower back pain. Despite its clinical prevalence, LFJOA has received limited research attention compared to other spinal pathologies. It is characterized by joint space narrowing, cartilage degeneration, and osteophyte formation, often associated with mechanical stress and age-related changes. The integration of traditional Mongolian medicine especially osteopathic techniques has shown promising results in managing musculoskeletal conditions. Among these, the technique of traction combined with acupoint alcohol spray and manual osteopathic manipulation is increasingly applied in clinical practice. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of lumbar traction combined with acupoint alcohol spray and osteopathic manipulation in alleviating symptoms of LFJOA, improving lumbar function, and enhancing quality of life. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 60 patients diagnosed with LFJOA. Participants were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n=30) receiving combined therapy or a control group (n=30) receiving standard spine rehabilitation exercises. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Working Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. Data were collected before and after a four-course treatment regimen and analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: In the treatment group, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for chronic low back pain decreased from 5.60 to 0.33, indicating an approximately 94.1% reduction in pain. In the control group, the VAS score decreased from 5.60 to 4.33 (p=0.001). Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the treatment group showed a decrease from 38.10 to 12.43, representing an approximately 67.4% reduction (p<0.001). In the control group, the ODI score decreased from 37.27 to 33.17, corresponding to an approximately 11.0% reduction. The Work Ability Index (WAI) score in the treatment group increased from 25.37 to 38.23, demonstrating an approximately 50.7% improvement (p<0.001). In the control group, the WAI score increased from 25.33 to 27.67, corresponding to an approximately 9.2% increase. Conclusion Manual therapy in the treatment of chronic lumbar facet joint pain has been shown to reduce pain, significantly decrease limitations in muscle function, and improve work capacity with statistically significant results.