Search

Introduction: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is one of the most common endocrine complications in major thalassemia patients. IGT prevalence in patients with thalassemia major has been differently in different studies in Iran, about which no total estimate can be proposed. Hence, this meta analysis study aimed to investigate IGT prevalence in major thalassemia patients in Iran. Methods: This study was a systematic review based on electronic databases including Magiran, Iranmedex, SID, Medlib, IranDoc, Scopus, PubMed, Sciencedirect, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, Springer, Online Library Wiley as well as Google Scholar search engine without any time limitations up to 2015. All the potentially relevant papers were reviewed independently by two investigators using the standard key words. Then, all the reviewed studies that had inclusion criterion were evaluated. In order to statistically analyze the study data, random effect model was used via Stata software (Ver.11.1). Results: 1346 subjects were examined in 13 studies. IGT prevalence in patients with thalassemia major was estimated 9.6 %( CI: 95%, 6.6-12.5) in Iran. The IGT prevalence in male and female major thalassemia patients were 6.5 %( CI: 95%, 1.6-11.3) and 10.2 %( CI: 95% , 6.1-14.3), respectively. Conclusion: IGT Prevalence was demonstrated to be really high in patients with thalassemia major. As a result, implementing screening programs seems to be necessary in regard with early diagnosis of endocrine disorders especially IGT in these patients. Furthermore, it is recommended that annual glucose tolerance test be taken within such patients.

Infertility is a serious health issue in the world affecting approximately 8-10% of couples worldwide. The meta-analysis study was performed to assess the prevalence and etiologic factors associated with infertility in Iran. We made sure that the implementation of study and reporting the results were consistent with the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines, respectively. All stages of the research were conducted by two authors, and the disagreement at each stage of the research was resolved by consensus. On January 1, 2020, we started a detailed literature search on international online databases, and Iranian Online databases, as well as specialized journals, several authentic international publishers and Google Scholar. We reviewed the reference list of identified articles for missed articles and then searched online for them. Data analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence using a random effects model. The lifetime infertility prevalence was found to be 11.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.6-14.7] and the current infertility was evaluated to be 3.7% (95% CI: 3.2-4.3). The prevalence of primary infertility (based on 45 articles consisting of 51,021 samples) as well as secondary infertility (based on 13 articles consisting of 35,683 samples) in Iran were estimated to be 18.3% (95% CI: 15.4-21.6) and 2.5% (95% CI: 1.6-4.0), respectively. The prevalence of female, male, both and unexplained causes was estimated to be 32.0% (95% CI: 27.6-36.8), 43.3% (95% CI: 38.2-48.6), 12.5% (95% CI: 9.6-16.2) and 13.6% (95% CI: 10.2-17.8), respectively. The prevalence of causes related to ovulation, uterine tubes, and endometriosis in infertile women was estimated to be 54.0% (95% CI: 45.6-62.2), 15.5% (95% CI: 11.3-21.0), 6.2% (95% CI: 3.5-10.6), and 5.4% (95% CI: 2.5-11.3), respectively. In summary, the estimate of infertility burden in Iran did not change between 1990 and 2017 and its prevalence remains high. This research presents a unified and up-to-date overview regarding the burden of infertility in Iran.