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Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease with unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of granuloma in various organs with diverse pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. Regarding differences in the presentation of sarcoidosis in different geographical areas, the present study aimed to determine clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings of patients with sarcoidosis in the north of Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with sarcoidosis were enrolled, and demographic data in addition to disease manifestations including clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings were recorded. Results: A total of 58 patients with sarcoidosis were enrolled in the study. The mean age and disease duration were 51.10±10.2 and 3.07±2.7 years, respectively. 62.1% of patients were female. Clinical manifestations were: cough and dyspnea (55.2%), fever and weight loss (11%), arthritis (15.5%), dermatologic presentation (15.5%), and ophthalmic involvement (17.2 %). Abnormalities in liver, renal, and calcium levels are found in approximately 1-8% of cases. The ACE level was increased in 56.9 % of patients, especially in those who presented in summer and autumn. Chest CT abnormalities were found in 94.8 % of patients, more predominantly hilar and paratracheal lymphadenopathy in 84.5% and 74.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Although sarcoidosis presents with varying clinical, radiological, and laboratory features, knowledge of its epidemiology and the incidence of these features in different populations can aid in its diagnosis in a particular geographic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often affects women of childbearing age. Family planning consultation is a major aspect of medical care in these patients because of the risk of disease activation and poor pregnancy and fetal outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate contraceptive prevalence and consulting service in women with SLE. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 144 female patients with SLE, ages 15-50, who were presented to rheumatology clinics in Sari, north of Iran, were evaluated. The study was conducted between March 2019 and May 2020. Patients' clinico-demographic profile and fertility information were obtained. Disease activity and damage were assessed by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index (SDI). RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four SLE patients of childbearing age participated in this study. From 102 patients with the possibility of pregnancy, 36(35.2%) received contraceptive consultations in last year. Withdrawal was the most prevalent contraceptive method (41.7%), followed by permanent (11.8%), and barrier methods (9%). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, marriage duration, SDI or SLEDAI scores between the women who received or not received contraceptive counseling (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Many SLE patients did not receive adequate information about contraception, and it may be associated with many adverse effects on disease activity and pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, contraceptive consultation as an important aspect of patient's management is strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is an important biomarker to monitor patients after treated with radiation therapy (RT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the PSA data and prostate cancer recurrence using the joint modeling. Methods: This historical cohort study was performed on 422 prostate cancer patients. Inclusion criteria included: patients with localized prostate cancer referring to Cancer Institute in Tehran (Iran) from 2007 to 2012, and under radiation therapy. Joint model has two components or sub-models. We showed the results by parameter estimating the longitudinal sub-model and survival sub-model. EM algorithm, Newton-Gauss and Gauss-Hermit law were used for final model parameters. R software version 3.2 was used for statistical analysis. Results: In this study, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, out of 422 patients, the data on 314 cases were selected for analysis and the main result of joint model was obtained. PSA directly and significantly was associated with recurrence risk, therefore increasing 2.6 ml/lit PSA (one unit in transformed PSA) increases 39% recurrence risk (95% CI for RR: 1.09-1.77). Also, slope of PSA trend has significant association with prostate cancer recurrence risk (95% CI for RR: 1.05-1.41). Conclusion: This study showed a significant relationship between PSA, and its slope with the recurrence risk by joint model, with regard to the pathological, demographic and clinical features in the Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Siavash. Etemadinejad, Mahmoud. Mohammadian, Ahmad. Alizadeh-Larimi, Reza-Ali. Mohammadpour Background : Exposure to vegetable dusts is probable in many industrial and agricultural industries. Aim: The aim of this study was [...]

Statement of the Problem: Prediabetic condition, which is characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) higher than normal might be associated with periodontitis. Early diagnosis of this condition might decrease consequent tissue damage caused by periodontitis. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between prediabetes and periodontitis. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 prediabetic patients screened by primary fasting blood sugar (FBS) test (100-125 mg/dL). Three subsequent blood tests including FBS, HbA1C, and oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) were performed for ultimate diagnosis of these patients. The periodontal health was evaluated by employing bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and plaque index (PI), Löe-Silness gingival index (GI), and pocket depth (PD). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. Results: The sample included 20 (19%) male and 88 (81%) female individuals with mean age of 49 years and mean BMI of 27.5. The mean FBS, GTT, and HbA1C were 107 MG/DL, 137MG/DL, and 5.9%, respectively. Clinical evaluation showed 33% of patients involved with periodontitis. The mean CAL, BOP, PI, PD, GI was 3.7, 0.62, 1.9, 2.1, 1.5, respectively (p< 0.05). A significant difference in periodontal index was found among patients with prediabetes. Moreover, in the patients with periodontitis, a statistically significant relationship between FBS and BMI, BOP and GTT, and finally between CAL and HbA1C was detected. Conclusion: Periodontitis is associated with prediabetic condition. While diabetes is an important risk factor for periodontitis, the risk of periodontitis would be greater if glycemic control is poor. Glycemic control in prediabetic patients can reduce the severity of periodontal disease. Early diagnosis and prevention is crucial to avoid the largely irreversible tissue damage that occurs in periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In this study prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori and its associated factors have been investigated in urban and rural areas of Sari. Background: Helicobacter pylori has an important role in gastrointestinal diseases including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. It is the most common infection in human population worldwide. Hence, the epidemiology of this infection in all parts of the world is of utmost importance. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 497 individuals ranging 15-65 years of age in Sari city and its surrounding rural residents. The sampling method was a cluster random sampling multi staged in stratified population by urban and rural areas. Questionnaires for personal and socio-economic data were filled. Blood samples were drawn and kept for analysis (IgG antibody ELISA for Helicobacter pylori). The data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software and Chi-square test and logistic regression were used. Results: The prevalence of helicobacter infection was 44.5% in the studied population. This prevalence was 41.3% and 47.8% in urban and rural areas, respectively. Just a significant association between the infection and the age of subjects was observed in multiple regression analysis (p=0.001). However, in univariate analysis the level of education was also significantly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (p=0.015). No other variable was associated with the infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of helicobacter infection has dropped significantly in the region in comparison with the previous studies during the last 15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psoriasis (Pso) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular involvement. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes a group of classic cardiovascular risk factors with pro-inflammatory condition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the frequency of MetS in Pso patients with and without arthritis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 Pso patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 48 Pso patients without arthritis and 48 age matched controls. The demographic, clinical and laboratory features of the subjects were compared. Disease activity, damage and functional activity were assessed using functional indices. The MetS was diagnosed according to the definitions of the 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP/ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The three groups were compared in terms of MetS components frequency. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 19) at a significance level of <0.05. Results: The mean ages of the Pso and PsA groups were 42.40±8.8 and 45.00±10.3 years, respectively. Based on the NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria, 21 (43.8%) and 26 (54.2%) Pso patients, 28 (58.3%) and 29 (60.4%) PsA patients, and 12 (25%) and 11 (22.9%) controls were diagnosed with MetS, respectively (P< 0.05). Furthermore, high waist circumference and hypertension were more prevalent in the PsA patients (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of MetS was found to be more prevalent in the Pso and PsA groups compared to the controls. The relationship between MetS and cardiovascular consequences highlights the importance of investigating the role of this condition in the management of patients, especially PsA cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iron deficiency anemia has been considered as an alarming sign of the possible presence of malignancy in the digestive tract. Inadequate assessment of such affected patients can lead to delay in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors especially colorectal cancers. Therefore the present study examined the upper and lower GI tract of postmenopausal women with iron deficiency anemia by GI endoscopy. Materials and Methods: Women aged over 45 years referred to Gastroenterology Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital were asked about their menstruation. Postmenopausal women with the anemia were enrolled. A list of laboratory studies were performed for all included patients. These laboratory studies included complete blood count (CBC), iron profile and stool examination for occult blood. 103 postmenopausal women with iron deficiency anemia according to laboratory tests were interviewed and their clinical and biochemical variables were recorded. All of the study patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. The endoscopic findings were recorded regarding the presence of GI lesions causing iron deficiency anemia or the lack of them. Results: A total of 103 patients participated in this study. Endoscopy revealed a source of iron deficiency anemia in 90.3% of the study population. Upper and lower GI tract lesions were found in 73.8% and 51.5% of the patients, respectively. The most frequent lesions in the upper GI endoscopy were severe gastroesophageal reflux disease involving 34 patients (33%) followed by gastric erosions in 31 cases (30.1%) and duodenal ulcer in 15 cases (14.6%). Conclusion: In postmenopausal women with iron deficiency anemia as in men, it is necessary to examine the GI tract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are used extensively for managing the osteoporosis. There are some controversies on atypical fractures of femur that associated with increase in cortical thickness (CT) and BPs' use. In this study, the effects of alendronate consumption were studied on femoral CT as a predictor for atypical fracture. Methods: Forty nine post-menopausal women aged 50-70 years with osteopenia-osteoporosis who were treated with alendronate 70 mg/week for at least one year were compared to 49 controls for CT in subtrochanteric region of femur by hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and hip Xray. CT and its ratio were measured at 3.5 and 4.0 cm below the tip of the greater trochanter (GT) and 0.5 cm below lesser trochanter (LT) in DXA and at 9.5 and 10.5 cm of GT and 1 cm of LT in Xray. Results: In this study, 98 women participated whose mean age and age at menopause were 60 (17±5.6) and 49 (40±2.7) years, respectively. Duration of BP consumption in alendronate group was 1.76±1.38 (1-10) years. No difference was seen in the mean of CT and its ratio between the alendronate and control groups in BMD scan or X-ray. The best correlation between two imaging modalities was in cortical ratio in 3.5 cm of GT in BMD scan and 9.5 cm of GT in X-ray. Conclusion: Alendronate treatment did not appear to increase femoral CT throughout the detection limits of BMD scan or X-ray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reliability and validity of health assessment questioner have been shown for rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis in Iranian patients. Having an instrument for measuring of pain and disability is needed for evaluation of patients and disease course in studies. So this study was designed for evaluating of validity and reliability of Persian HAQ in osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: From 177 patients with hand and/or knee osteoarthritis, 100 patients were chosen according HADS score equal or less than 7. Short Form of Health Survey (SF-36), pain and disability according Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Persian version of Health assessment questioner (HAQ) were completed. HAQ was re-evaluated after one week. Correlation between Persian HAQ, SF 36 and VAS and test-retest reliability were evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and VAS for pain was (r=0.75, p=0.001) and for SF 36 was (r=0.70, p=0.001). Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and HAQ 2 was 0.93 for hand OA, 0.96 for knee OA and 0.94 for all patients (r= 0.92, p=0.001). HAQ had a good internal consistency in osteoarthritis (Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.87). Criterion and structure validity used in study. Conclusion: This study has shown good validity reliability for Persian HAQ in Iranian patients with osteoarthritis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Mortality is a natural and critical event and always has been intentioned as a biological, demographic, social and economic phenomenon. One of the dimensions of mortality reviewing is checking causes of death and determining life expectancy. Some causes of death lead to severe reduction in life expectancy. In this survey, the value of gain in life expectancy of 28 provinces in Iran was estimated after elimination of each death cause. Materials and methods: This study was based upon number of deaths in 2010 in Iran except two Tehran and Isfahan Provinces which was prepared by the ministry of health, treatment and medical education. Results: The importance of causes of death was determined using multiple decrement life tables which are based on theory of competing risks and effect of cause elimination on the gain in life expectancy. All the calculations in this survey were done by SAS version 9.1. Unintentional injuries and cardiovascular diseases were the most important risks for men. Elimination of unintentional injuries and cardiovascular diseases lead to 2.17 and 1.23 years gain in life expectancy at birth for men. And for women, cardiovascular diseases were the most important risks so that elimination of the risks leads to 1.23 years gain in life expectancy at birth. Conclusion: Gain in life expectancy was different for causes of death and age groups. Elimination of cardiovascular diseases and events leads to most years gain in life expectancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients meet psychiatrists 5 to 10 years after onset of OCD .Its relatively high prevalence ratio and the delay in seeking help suggest that patients with OCD may seek help at non-psychiatric clinics. The present study was undertaken to provide some epidemiological data on the prevalence and severity of OCD in dermatological patients. The participants included 265 consecutive patients with primary dermatologic chief complaint. They were visited by a dermatologist and diagnosis of dermatological lesion was done according to ICD-10. All patients were visited by a psychiatry resident and were screened for OCD using the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID-I). If the diagnosis of OCD has been made, the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale(Y-BOCS) was used to evaluate the severity of OCD. To analyze the data student t-test for quantitative variables and X2 tests for categorical variables. From the total of 265 patients, 24 (9.1%) met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for OCD and 9 (37.5%) with OCD had previously been diagnosed with OCD, however, only three were treated pharmacologically. The most symptoms were pathological doubt (29.1%), fear of contamination (29.1%) and washing (54.16%). Severity of OCD according to Y-BOCS was evaluated among patients with OCD. Six (25%) were found with subclinical OCD, 11(45.8%) had mild OCD, six (25%) had moderate OCD, and one (4.2%) was detected with severe OCD. prevalence of OCD in dermatology clinic was higher compared with general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]