fatemeh zafar

The infantile colic is one of the most common complaints in the infancy; however, limited therapeutic approaches are described in the literature. Recently probiotics have been suggested as a potential strategy in the treatment of infantile colic. We conducted this study to investigate the efficacy of probiotics in relieving colic symptoms in Iranian infants. This double-blind clinical trial was performed among 70 infants aged 3 to 16 weeks with the presumed diagnosis of infantile colic according to Wessel criteria who were breastfed or formula fed. They were assigned at random to receive Pedilact® (Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) (N=33) or placebo (N=32). Demographic data were recorded in the questionnaires at the beginning of the study. The number of daily episodes of crying and fussiness, number of weekly crying days, and duration of crying were separately analyzed on 7, 21, and 30th  days of investigation. Baseline demographic data showed no statistically significant difference between intervention and placebo groups. Infants given Pedilact® showed a significant reduction in daily episodes of crying, duration of crying, and the weekly number of crying days at the end of the treatment period compared with those receiving placebo (P=0.000). On 21th day of the study, daily episodes of fuss and crying (P=0.032) and duration of crying reduced significantly in the intervention group in comparison to the placebo group (P=0.000). Administration of Pedilact® drop significantly improved colic symptoms by reducing crying and fussing times in breastfed or formula fed in Iranian infants with colic.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life (QoL). The goal of this study was to determine the QoL in patients with psoriasis and to investigate the correlation between the QoL, demographic data, and clinical severity of psoriasis.
This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to January 2015. One hundred patients with plaque type psoriasis from the Phototherapy Clinic of Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran were selected and asked to complete questionnaires. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) to measure the severity of psoriasis, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used for the assessment of the quality of life.
The total DLQI score of the all participants was between 0 and 29 with a mean score of 10.6 ± 6.4. The DLQI scores ranged from “very large” to “extremely large” in 45% of the patients. The mean score was 9.2 ± 6.6 in the male group and 12.1 ± 5.9 in the female group, which showed a statically significant difference (P=0.02). Other variables associated with an impaired QoL were age (P=0.002) and PASI (P=0.01). The impact on QoL was higher in younger patients, and in patients with higher PASI scores.
In conclusion, although psoriasis is a benign disorder, this study confirms our initial hypothesis that psoriasis significantly impairs the QoL, which is more pronounced in younger patients, women, and patients with a more severe disease (higher PASI scores).