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Aim: Perianal sepsis in Crohn's disease (CD) fistulas is managed with antibiotics and surgical drainage; a noncutting seton is used for an identified transsphincteric fistula tract. The optimal management following seton placement for initial control of perianal sepsis remains to be determined. Our main aim was to assess the success rates of curative surgery, seton removal or long‐term indwelling seton in patients with and without CD. Method: This was a retrospective cohort of consecutive patients with a perianal fistula treated with a noncutting seton between 2010 and 2019, including 83 CD patients and 94 patients without CD. Initial control of symptomatic perianal infection with a seton and subsequent healing and reintervention rates were compared between the three postseton management strategies. Results: A total of 177 patients, 61% male and 83.1% with complex fistulas, were followed for a median of 23 months (interquartile range 11–40 months). Immunomodulatory treatment was used in 90.4% of CD patients after seton placement. Good initial control of perianal infection was achieved with a seton in CD and non‐CD patients, at 92.9% and 96.7%, respectively (p = 0.11). Overall fistula healing or control for CD and non‐CD patients was, respectively, 64% and 86% (p = 0.1) after curative surgery, 49% and 71% after seton removal (p = 0.21) and 58% and 50% with long‐term seton placement (p = 0.72). Overall reintervention for recurrence was 83% in CD versus 53.1% in non‐CD patients during the follow‐up period (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Definitive surgery was possible in only a minority of CD patients. Long‐term seton management was an effective option in patients with CD with acceptable improvement and recurrence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity phenotypes can be regarded as an indicator of CVD risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of adolescents with different obesity phenotypes and the role of obesity phenotypes in prediction of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults. For this population-based cohort study, 2159 adolescents aged 11–18 years were included. Subjects were divided into four obesity phenotype groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to estimate the incidence of the MetS in adults after a median follow-up of 11·3 years. The incidence rate of the MetS in early adulthood was 111·6 (95 % CI 98·7, 126·3) per 10 000 person-years, with higher values in boys (210·1 (95 % CI 183·0, 241·3)), compared with girls (39·7 (95 % CI 30·2, 52·1)). In the age- and adult BMI-adjusted model, the hazard ratio of the MetS in adulthood for boys was 3·33 (95 % CI 2·08, 5·32) among MUO phenotype followed less than 6 years, 1·71 (95 % CI 1·01, 2·90) among MHO, and 2·52 (95 % CI 1·72, 3·68) among MUNW. All associations were attenuated in girls except for MUO phenotype followed less than 6 years (5·72 (95 % CI 2·14, 15·3)). In conclusion, MUNW and MHO phenotypes in boys, but not in girls, and MUO phenotype in both sexes with less than 6 years of follow-up increased the risk of adult MetS compared with MHNW. It seems that lack of obesity at least in boys does not protect them from MetS development in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To identify pre-operative factors that influence post-operative performance of a full-ring intra-corneal implant (MyoRing) for the management of keratoconus.Method: In a retrospective study, medical records of 70 keratoconus eyes of 70 consecutive surgical patients with a mean age of 28.54 ± 6.52 years, who underwent MyoRing implantation using the PocketMaker microkeratome (Dioptex GmbH), were included and analysed before implantation and for visual outcome. Variables assessed included age, gender, keratoconus shape, uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent and keratometry reading. After the last follow-up, the eyes were graded for MyoRing implantation performance into worst, moderate and best subgroups.Results: The mean values of uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent, manifest sphere and cylinder improved significantly post-operatively (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the mean spherical equivalent (p = 0.046) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (p = 0.001) between moderate and best subgroups. No statistically significant correlation was found between age, sex, keratoconus shape, keratometric values, corrected distance visual acuity and visual outcome.Conclusions: According to this new grading system for MyoRing implantation performance, pre-operative uncorrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent are considered as the most important indicators for surgical performance in MyoRing treatment of keratoconus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Abdominal obesity (AO) is a relative risk factor for cardiovascular events. We aimed to determine the 6-year incidence of AO and its risk factors among Tehranian adults.Design/Setting/SubjectsIn this population-based cohort study, non-abdominally obese participants, aged ≥20 years, were followed for incidence of AO. Cumulative incidence and incidence rate of AO were calculated for each sex. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine the association of potential risk factors including age, BMI, dysmetabolic state, smoking, marital status, educational level and physical activity (PA).Results: A total of 5044 participants (1912 men) were followed for a median of 6 years. Mean age was 37·7 (sd 13·5) years at baseline, with mean BMI of 24·3 (sd 3·1) kg/m2 (men, 23·0 (sd 2·4) kg/m2; women, 25·0 (sd 3·2) kg/m2). During follow-up, 3093 (1373 men) developed AO with total cumulative incidence of 76·02, 83·59 and 70·90 %, for the whole population, men and women, respectively. Corresponding incidence rates were 96·0, 138·7 and 77·1 per 1000 person-years. The highest incidence rate was observed during their 30s and 50s, in men and women, respectively. Subjects with dysmetabolic state in both sexes, married women, men with lower PA and higher educational levels at baseline were at higher risk of AO.Conclusions: The incidence of AO is high among Tehranian adults, especially in young men. The risk factors for developing AO should be highlighted to halt this growing trend of AO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To develop body mass index (BMI) cut-offs for overweight and obesity based on international obesity task force (IOTF) definition in children in Tehran, and to compare these values with those of center for disease control (CDC) for local pediatric subjects in discriminating cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: Anthropometric and biochemical information of 1555 participants, aged 5 - 18 years, from phase IV of the Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS), were used to obtain local IOTF and CDC cut-offs. We used the LMS method to develop BMI curves matching the adult cut-offs at the age of 18 years for defining obesity and overweight based on the IOTF definition Using the CDC growth curves, overweight was define as 85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile, and obesity as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 22.2, 23.9 and 10.5%; and that of obesity was 7.8, 9.0 and 4.2% using international IOTF, local IOTF and local CDC criteria, respectively. IOTF curves better discriminated the presence of all cardiometabolic risk factors, compared with local CDC curves. Conclusions: Local IOTF cut-offs for children in Tehran are in agreement with international IOTF values and better discriminate the cardiometabolic risk factors in children compared with local CDC cut-offs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite their different cardiovascular consequences, little is known about predictors of metabolically healthy ( MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity ( MUHO). This cohort study was designed to address this question in participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Materials and methods Employing the Joint Interim Statement ( JIS) metabolic syndrome criteria to define MHO/ MUHO phenotypes, nonobese, otherwise healthy individuals, aged > 20 years ( n = 3489) were recruited and followed up for a median of 13·4 years. Results At the follow-up, MHO incidence rate in obese individuals was 36·6%. Comparing MHO vs. MUHO, female gender [odds ratio ( OR) = 3·28, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1·27, 8·46)], increased body mass index ( BMI; OR = 1·32, 95% CI: 1·12, 1·60) and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) levels ( OR = 1·04, 95% CI: 1·02, 1·07) were related to higher odds of incident MHO, while older age ( OR = 0·95, 95% CI: 0·92, 0·98), increased waist circumference ( WC; OR = 0·86, 95% CI: 0·81, 0·91), higher WC gain ( OR = 0·91, 95% CI: 0·87, 0·95) and increased diastolic blood pressure ( DBP; OR = 0·94, 95% CI: 0·91, 0·98) prevented progression towards MHO. Conclusions While baseline BMI and WC were detrimental for developing MHO vs. MUHO, gender was the strongest predictor of incident obesity phenotype in healthy nonobese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Some recent studies have shown stablity or declining trends in obesity while others still report increasing trends. The present study aimed to investigate the trends of obesity and abdominal obesity in Tehranian adults during a median follow-up of 10 years.Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: Community-based data collection from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS).Subjects: Participants from four phases of the TLGS from 1999 to 2011 (n 10,368), aged ≥20 years.Results: The crude prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity increased from 23·1% and 47·9% at baseline to 34·1% and 71·1% at the end of follow-up, respectively. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to analyse the correlated data and calculate the relative risks (RR). Risks of obesity and abdominal obesity increased over the whole study period for men (RR=1·62; 95% CI 1·49, 1·76 and RR=1·46; 95% CI 1·41, 1·52, respectively) and women (RR=1·24; 95% CI 1·19, 1·29 and RR=1·22; 95% CI 1·18, 1·27, respectively). These rising trends were observed in all subgroups regardless of age, marital status and educational level.Conclusions: Trends of obesity and abdominal obesity are increasing in Tehranian adults during a decade of follow-up in both genders and in all study subgroups. These results underscore the still growing obesity epidemic in the capital of Iran, calling for urgent action to educate people in lifestyle modifications and the need for effective preventive and educational strategies on obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate the efficacy and safety of Keraring 355° intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation aided by PocketMaker microkeratome for the correction of keratoconus. Patients underwent ICRS insertion using mechanical dissection with PocketMaker microkeratome and completed 6 months of follow-up. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refraction, topographic findings, safety, efficacy index, and adverse events were reported for six months postoperatively. We evaluated 15 eyes of 15 patients (12 men) with a mean age of 28.87 ± 6.94 years (range 21–49 years). At final postoperative examination, there was a statistically significant reduction in the spherical equivalent refractive error compared to preoperative measurements (−5.46 ± 1.52 to −2.01 ± 1.63 D, P< 0.001). Mean preoperative UCVA (logMAR) before implantation was 0.79 ± 0.48, and postoperative UCVA was 0.28 ± 0.15, P= 0.001. Mean preoperative BSCVA (logMAR) before implantation was 0.36 ± 0.21; at final follow-up examination BSCVA was 0.18 ± 0.9, P= 0.009. Mean K decreased from 48.33 to 43.31 D, P< 0.001. All patients were satisfied with ICRS implantation; 86.7% were moderately to very happy with the results. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were demonstrated. This preliminary study shows that ICRS (Keraring 355°) implantation is an efficient, cost-effective, and minimally invasive procedure for improving visual acuity in nipple type keratoconic corneas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The generalized estimating equations (GEE) which is a method for estimating and belongs to the population average models is used in correlated data analysis. For the GEE method researcher must make guess for the working correlation structure. A related method to GEE is the quadratic inference functions (QIF). We aimed to compare two methods via an illustrative example and to estimate the relationship between sex, marital status, age, educational level, smoking status and obesity in participants who aged 20-65 years old. Material and Methods: This study compares two methods to estimate the odds of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) as a function of age, sex, marital status, educational level and smoking status by using data from" Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS)" database which include 1106 households and 3203 participants aged 20-65 years. Results: The odds ratio estimates for two methods changed only slightly but the relative efficiency of parameter estimates from GEE and QIF was 1.23. QIF can produce sample size saving for a given power. Two methods showed that increased age, being a nonsmoker, lower educational level, and being married, as well as female sex were positively associated with obesity. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, QIF is better than GEE in the case of misspecification of the working correlation structure and provides more efficient parameter estimates than GEE method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There are very few studies that had a sample size sufficient to explore the association between factors related to low back pain in a representative sample of the Iranian population. Objective. To examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors, smoking, obesity, and low back pain in Iranian people. Methods. We used Iranian adults respondents (n = 25307) from the National Health Survey. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by using logistic regression. Results. Theprevalence of low back pain was found in 29.3% of the studied sample. High age, female sex, being married, obesity, low-economic index, being smoker, in a rural residence, and low educational attainment, all increased the odds of low back pain. Conclusions. Our findings add to the evidence on the importance of obesity in relation to low back pain. These results can be used as a basis to reinforce health programs to prevent obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. We aimed to study this condition and liver fibrosis in bariatric patients at baseline using ultrasound, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), and fibrosis index-4 (FIB-4). Methods: Adult patients with morbid obesity without other possible causes of liver pathology were evaluated. Liver biopsy was performed in a subset of patients. Diagnostic accuracy of tests was assessed using area under the receiver operating-characteristic curve (AUROC). Results: Overall, 1944 patients with mean age of 38.3 - 10.8 years and body mass index of 44.6 - 6.4 kg/m² comprised the study population. Liver Biopsyshowed features of NAFLDin 70%; 60.3% hadnonalcoholic fatty liver and9.6% steatohepatitis. Older age and higher transaminase levels were associated with higher NAFLD activity score. Fibrosis was present in 23.3% with the majority having F1. Ultrasound detected steatosis in 76.8%, with two-thirds having grade I to II fatty liver. Metabolic syndrome, hemoglobin A1c, age, and alanine transaminase were the strongest risk factors for fatty liver. Ultrasound showed an AUROC of 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.86) for NAFLD with a sensitivity and specificity of 72.5% and 68.2%, respectively (cutoff of grade II). For diagnosis of fibrosis, FIB-4 had an AUROC of 0.72 (0.58-0.86) with 93.3% sensitivity and 43.1% specificity (cutoff of 0.50). NFS failed to show a significant AUROC curve for diagnosing fibrosis. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed a high prevalence of NAFLD in morbidly obese patients. Despite this high prevalence, fibrosis was uncommon and low-grade. This study questions the use of current cutoffs for NFS and FIB-4 in all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : Obesity is a heterogeneous condition and risk of related health outcomes in different obesity phenotypes is a controversial subject. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in different abdominal obesity phenotypes during a decade-long follow-up. Methods : In this large population-based cohort, 7122 participants (42.7% men), aged ≥30 years, from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were enrolled. Abdominal obesity was defined using national waist circumference cut-off points of ≥89 cm for men and ≥91 cm for women. Metabolic health was defined as ≤1 components of metabolic syndrome (excluding waist circumference), using the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definition. Results : At baseline, 3745 individuals (52.7%) were abdominal obese and 23.5% ( n = 881) of these were categorized as “metabolically healthy abdominal obese” (MHAO). A total of 638 CVD events occurred during a median follow-up of 10 years (1999–2011). “Metabolically healthy non-abdominal obese” was considered as the reference group. After adjustment for various variables, MHAO individuals were at increased risk for CVD events compared with the reference group (HR: 1.64, CI: 1.09–2.47). Both the metabolically unhealthy phenotypes (with and without abdominal obesity) were also at increased risk. We also observed the same pattern using insulin resistance data for categorizing abdominal obesity phenotypes. Conclusion : Abdominal obesity and presence of metabolic derangements are both important risk factors for future CVD. MHAO may not be a benign condition regarding future CVD events, which highlights the importance of prevention and treatment of abdominal obesity, even in the absence of metabolic derangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed at evaluating the best body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) cutoffs related to cardio-metabolic risk factors and comparing the discriminative power of PBF and BMI for predicting these risk factors., Methods: In this cross-sectional study in phase V (2012-2015), 1271 participants (age ≥ 20 yr; 54.3% women) were enrolled. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used to estimate PBF. Joint Interim Statement criteria were used for defining metabolic syndrome (MetS). We compared PBF with BMI through logistic regression and area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Percent body fat cutoff points were > 25 in men and >35 in women., Results: Percent body fat and BMI cutoff points for predicting MetS were 25.6% and 27.2 kg/m 2 in men and 36.2% and 27.5 kg/m 2 in women, respectively. There were no significant differences between BMI and PBF area under the ROC curves for predicting MetS and its components, except for abdominal obesity in men and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in women in favor of BMI. Logistic regression analysis indicated that BMI in women was better for predicting MetS and its components, except for abdominal obesity. Moreover, BMI was equal or superior to PBF in men, except for low HDL and high triglyceride levels., Conclusion: Comparison of PBF with BMI showed that the use of PBF is not significantly better than BMI in predicting cardio-metabolic risks in the general population., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2022 Heidari Almasi et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dietary lentil capsules in patients suffering from dry eye symptoms., Methods: A randomized, triple-blind, interventional, placebo-controlled study was done. Sixty patients were randomized in two groups to receive either one capsule containing 500 mg of lentil powder or placebo daily for 3 months. UCVA, tear film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, tear film osmolarity, and OSDI score were recorded at baseline and 3 months after intervention. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS for Windows version 20 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA)., Results: In the lentil group, at baseline, the mean UCVA (LogMAR), OSDI, TBUT (S), tear film osmolarity (mOsm/L), and Schirmer (mm) scores were 0.104 (0.026), 22.66 (19.40), 10.31 (5.32), 301.07 (15.57), and 8.22 (6.87), respectively. These values were 0.101 (0.026), 20.85 (19.44), 13.04 (7.11), 299.81 (11.60), and 9.87 (10.11). In the placebo group, these values were 0.084 (0.027), 25.35 (20.08), 10.56 (4.95), 299.77 (15.09), and 9.35 (8.06) at baseline and 3 months later were 0.077 (0.027), 23.32 (22.90), 13.62 (6.30), 297.54 (12.08), and 8.64 (9.60), respectively. Three patients (one in the lentil group and two in the placebo group) experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms., Conclusion: Although consumption of 500 mg of lentil is safe, this amount is not sufficient for reduction of dry eye syndrome in 3 months. For more validation, a clinical study with increased dosage of lentil is proposed., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on two sets of criteria, namely the old criteria suggested in 2009 by the American Diabetes Association and new criteria of the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group. We also evaluated the predictive power of the risk factors of GDM., Methods: Pregnant women from three outpatient clinics in Tehran, Iran, participated in this cross-sectional observational study. During the first perinatal visit, demographic data, medical histories, weight, and height of mothers were recorded. The mother's fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. The prevalence of GDM, based on the two criteria, was estimated and its predictive factors were investigated., Results: Of 1,117 pregnant women, 156 (15.6%) and 71 (7.1%) patients had GDM based on the new and old criteria, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that older age at pregnancy (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.006 - 1.107; P = 0.03), higher body mass index (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.15 - 1.3; P < 0.001), family history of diabetes (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.11 - 3.5; P = 0.02), and history of macrosomia (OR = 7.8; 95% CI: 1.96 - 30.9; P = 0.004) were independent predictive factors for GDM., Conclusions: Using the new criteria, the prevalence of GDM increases by 2.2 folds compared to the old criteria. Several factors can independently predict the occurrence of GDM., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interests:The authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019, International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.)

Background: We aimed to investigate the trend of childhood obesity in Tehranian population during a median follow-up of 10 years., Methods: Within a prospective cohort study, using data collected from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), 1406 participants, aged 3-11 yr were selected and monitored in 4 phases: phase I (1999-2001), phase II (2002-2005), phase III (2006-2008) and phase IV (2009-2011)., Results: Total prevalence of obesity in children increased from 5.5% to 9.4% from phase I to IV. Performing GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) analysis, relative risk of obesity was calculated, comparing each phase to its previous phase: phase II in reference to phase I (RR=1.06, CI=1.04-1.08), phase III in reference to phase II (RR=1.01, CI=1.00-1.03) and phase IV in reference to phase III (RR=0.96, CI=0.94-0.98). Between group difference was significant in all subgroups (age, gender, parental obesity) except parental education. Test of interaction for effect of time was insignificant in all subgroups except for the age group. For children younger than 7 yr old at phase I, trend of obesity throughout the study was higher compared to those with 7 yr of age and older at phase I., Conclusion: During a decade of follow-up, trend of obesity was rising in this Tehranian children in both genders, especially in younger children. Any preventive interventions for stopping this trend should focus on early stages of childhood., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests., (Copyright© Iranian Public Health Association & Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Context: The prevalence of overweight and obesity are increasing worldwide and have frequently been associated with health risks. This review highlighted several studies regarding obesity, outlining contributions of over a span of almost two decades in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS)., Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was undertaken to retrieve articles related to all aspects of obesity from the earliest available date up to January 30, 2017., Results: Prevalence of excess weight, including overweight and obesity were 20.8 and 63.6% among those aged below and above 20 years, respectively. TLGS found a high incidence of obesity with higher incidence in women among Tehranian adults; the cumulative incidence of obesity was 31.3, 38.1 and 23.4% for the whole population, women, and men, respectively. In children and adolescents, younger non-obese 7 - 9 years old, compared to 10 - 11 year olds are at greater risk of obesity. Prevalences of abdominal obesity in men and women were 52.8% and 44.4% respectively. Similar to generalized obesity, a high incidence of abdominal obesity was observed; the total cumulative incidence of abdominal obesity was 76.0% (83.6% for men and 70.9% for women). Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically healthy abdominal obese (MHAO) are two important obesity phenotypes. People with these phenotypes have different risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and mortality. In the TLGS participants, MHO was found in 2% and 7.7% of the whole and obese population, respectively, whereas MHAO phenotype was reported in 12.4% and 23.5% of the whole and abdominal obese population. In these unstable conditions, during the long term follow up the metabolic risks developed in nearly half of the individuals. During a 12-year follow-up, incident CVD did not increase in the MHO phenotype compared to metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW) individuals, but the risk of CVD events had increased in all metabolically unhealthy phenotypes. However in another report, over a 10-year follow-up, MHAO phenotype had an increased risk for CVD in comparison to the reference group, metabolically healthy non-abdominal obese (MHNAO) individuals., Conclusions: The TLGS studies bridged the significant gap in knowledge regarding prevalence, incidence, trends, morbidities and mortalities for obesity among Iranian population.