prevalence

The escalating prevalence of moral harassment in the high-stress environment of the intensive care unit is impacting the overall health of nurses, ultimately putting patient health, safety, and even lives at risk. This issue is becoming increasingly significant. One common form of moral harassment is the misuse of authority within the treatment system. This study aims to determine the relationship between resilience and moral and power harassment in critical care nurses. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022-23. The study included a sample size of 106 critical care nurses in hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Sampling was carried out using a stratified random method. Data collection involved demographic, moral harassment, power harassment and resilience questionnaires. Analysis was performed using SPSS software version 19, with descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation test.  

The study revealed that the mean±SD resilience score for nurses overall was 89.01±19.50, with mean±SD for moral harassment at 16.99±14.54 and power harassment at 66.9±9.31. Spearman’s correlation coefficient test showed a significant and poor relationship between power harassment and moral harassment among nurses (p<0.001, r=0.647), as well as a significant and negative relationship between power harassment and resilience (p<0.001, r=-0.357), and moral harassment and resilience (p<0.001, r=- 0.387).

Resilience plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of power and moral harassment in the workplace, impacting the perceived health of individuals. Resilience helps explain the distress caused by power harassment and moral harassment in the workplace.

The production of alloantibodies as an immunological reaction to blood cell transfusion is a therapeutic challenge in patients with beta-thalassemia. Determining the rate of this event and its related factors is very important in managing blood transfusion. This study aimed to assess the prevalence rate and main determinants of red-cell alloimmunization in Iran’s selected sample of patients with beta-thalassemia.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 265 beta-thalassemia patients scheduled for regular blood transfusions in Imam Khomeini Complex Hospital and Children’s Medical Center as tertiary hospitals in 2021 and 2022. Along with baseline characteristics, special laboratory techniques also tracked the types of alloantibodies to red cell antigens. 

The overall rate of alloantibody positivity in thalassemia patients was 17.4%. The most common alloantibodies were anti-K in 10.6%, anti-E type in 4.5%, and anti-C in 2.3%. 

Overall, 17.4% of beta-thalassemia patients in our population may face red-cell alloimmunization. Phenotyping and blood matching for K, E, and C antigens in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia could reduce the rate of RBC alloimmunization.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal parasitic disease endemic to tropical regions and associated with severe complications and high mortality. Persistent challenges such as delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options highlight the urgent need for robust predictive epidemiological models. Study Design: This study was a secondary analysis conducted using cross-sectional data.

Sex-specific VL epidemiological data from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database and analyzed globally and across 98 endemic countries and regions. An enhanced illness-death model (IDM), incorporating remission, was applied to estimate the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of VL by 2040.

Globally, the global ASPR of VL decreased by 94.68% between 1990 and 2021. It is projected to decrease by an additional 72.55% by 2040, declining from 0.108 in 2021 to 0.030 (95% CI: 0.020, 0.043) per 100,000 population. In 2040, ASPR is expected to remain higher in males than in females (0.041 vs. 0.019). Tropical Latin America is projected to have the highest regional ASPR at 0.583 (95% CI: 0.565, 0.602). Western Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region expected to experience an increase, rising by 417.12%. Of 83 nations, 27 are expected to exhibit increasing trends, with Djibouti demonstrating the highest projected ASPR at 20.32 (95% CI: 5.25, 78.67), a 2050.59% increase from 2021 to 2040.

Despite global declines in VL prevalence, significant increases are expected in Western Sub-Saharan Africa and countries such as Djibouti, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Strengthening healthcare systems, improving vector control, and addressing sexspecific risks are crucial to maintain global progress.

Micronutrient deficiencies among university students may adversely influence their sleep quality, mental health, and memory function. The overarching purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between dietary micronutrient intake and memory performance, mental health, and sleep quality among medical university students.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 985 university students. The Food Frequency Questionnaire, Prospective & Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory were used to assess dietary intake, memory function, mental health, and sleep quality, respectively. An undirected network was constructed via the EBICglasso model, and a directed acyclic graph was developed employing a Bayesian network.

The average age of the students was 22.44 ± 1.95 years. Among these participants, 500 (50.76%) were female and 485 (49.24%) were male. Assessments showed that 485 (49.20%) participants had depression symptoms, 490 (49.70%) had anxiety symptoms, 620 (62.90%) had stress, and 535 (54.30%) experienced sleep disturbances based on the cut-off scores of the questionnaires. Network analyses identified zinc, magnesium, B-group vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin C as central nodes related to mental health, memory function, and sleep quality.

Zinc, magnesium, vitamin B2, vitamin D, and vitamin C emerged as key micronutrients associated with mental health, memory function, and sleep quality. These micronutrients represent promising targets for future clinical studies.

Given the importance of mental health during adolescence and the considerable prevalence of psychological problems among this age group, along with the limited epidemiological data available in South Khorasan province, Iran, the present research focused on determining the prevalence of internalizing and externalizing problems in regional school-aged adolescents and analyzing related demographic characteristics.

This descriptive cross-sectional study included 1,152 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (mean age = 15.42, SD = 1.65) from Birjand City. A multistage random sampling method was employed to select the participants. Data were collected using the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which measures internalizing and externalizing problems. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics were computed and comparative analyses were performed. Demographic variables such as age, gender, academic performance, school grade, and school type were also included in the analysis.

The prevalence of internalizing problems among the participants was 36.8% (95% confidence interval: 34.0 to 39.6), whereas externalizing problems were identified in 15.2% (95% CI: 13.0 to 17.4). Internalizing problems were significantly more prevalent among girls (40.1%) than boys (32%). However, no significant gender difference was found in externalizing problems (girls: 14.5%, boys: 15.8%). Emotional problems (28.6%) and hyperactivity (10.4%) were significantly more common in girls, while peer problems (61.7%) and conduct problems (17.5%) were higher in boys (P < 0.01). Adolescents with poor academic performance and those attending public schools reported higher levels of psychological problems (P < 0.01).

Internalizing problems are more common than externalizing problems among adolescents. The main risk factors include being female, poor academic performance, and attending public schools. Mental health programs and interventions should prioritize these high-risk subgroups to enhance preventive and therapeutic outcomes.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a progressive form of hair loss that requires prolonged medical treatment. The AGA causes psychological distress and is associated with cardiovascular comorbidities. Numerous studies have sought an association between male AGA and hyperlipidemia, but these lack substantial evidence, consistency, and uniformity. There are even fewer studies in females. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence and spectrum of dyslipidemia in both males and females with AGA.

The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of dyslipidemia in males and females with AGA, and to measure the levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TGs), TC/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio in cases with AGA.

From January 2020 to June 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 male and female patients aged 18 - 55 years with AGA at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Dermatology, KR Hospital, Mysuru. Fasting blood samples were collected to analyze serum lipids, including TC, TG, HDLs, LDLs, TC/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio. The data were then recorded for analysis and interpretation.

Statistically significant elevations in TG levels, LDL levels, TC/HDL ratio, and low HDL levels were found among all age groups. The variation in levels of TC, LDL, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was statistically significant with severe grades of AGA compared to mild-moderate grades. Acanthosis nigricans was more commonly observed in cases with deranged TG, LDL, TC, and VLDL levels. Low HDL levels were statistically significant among AGA cases with Grade 2 acne vulgaris.

A higher prevalence of lipid abnormalities was associated with AGA cases, especially in the severe grades. While treating AGA, particularly in male cases, clinicians should exercise caution and undertake early screening and treatment of hyperlipidemia to prevent atherosclerosis and its complications. Patients should also be advised regarding lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are among the most important medical errors that can lead to adverse effects, increased toxicity, or reduced treatment efficacy. The frequency and severity of DDIs vary across specialties. However, studies covering multiple specialties in Iran are few and not up-to-date. This study aims to fill this gap by offering a large-scale, multi-specialty analysis of DDIs in Iran using real-world e-prescription data.

This study analyzed pharmacological DDIs in 1,049,769 e-prescription records from Shiraz, Iran, spanning from November 2021 to February 2024. We used Lexicomp® DDI checker software and Python programming language to identify the most prevalent DDIs overall, the top contributing drug specialties for each of those DDIs, the specialties with the highest rates of potential DDIs, and the most prevalent DDI within each specialty.

The analysis revealed that 38.77% of prescriptions contained at least one C, D, or X DDI. Dexamethasone, ketorolac, quetiapine, and aspirin were the drugs most commonly involved. The most frequent DDIs occurred between aprepitant and dexamethasone, ketorolac, and naproxen, aprepitant and doxorubicin, prednisolone, and tacrolimus, and diclofenac sodium and ketorolac. The medical specialties with the highest incidence of D or X level DDIs were rheumatology, endocrinology, orthopedics, oncology, internal medicine, emergency services, and psychiatry. The average counts of D or X DDIs per prescription were 0.53, 0.41, 0.40, 0.40, 0.26, 0.24, and 0.23, respectively.

This study underscores the need for provider vigilance and proactive measures, such as training and e-prescription alerts, to ensure patient safety.

Congenital anomalies (CAs) significantly contribute to neonatal mortality and long-term disabilities. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of major CAs among live births in Birjand, Iran.

This study assessed the prevalence of major congenital anomalies among live births in Birjand, Iran.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 45,281 neonates from 2018 to 2022 using census sampling. Each neonate underwent a clinical examination, and data were collected using a researcher-designed checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Out of 65 cases, the most common anomalies were cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system anomalies, with 18, 16, and 15 cases, respectively. No significant association was found between the presence of anomalies and neonatal gender (P = 0.28), maternal nationality (P = 0.35), maternal age (P = 0.39), gestational age (P = 0.08), or birth season (P = 0.09).

A significant association was found with maternal residence (P < 0.001), with rural mothers having a higher rate of anomalies (0.38%) compared to urban mothers (0.10%). The prevalence of CAs was 14.3 per 10,000 live births, which is lower than in other regions of Iran.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver disorders worldwide, particularly in children. Iranian children are also at risk of developing NAFLD and its complications due to rising obesity and sedentary lifestyles. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of NAFLD among Iranian children based on body mass index (BMI) distribution, gender, and NAFLD grades through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The study was designed and conducted following the PRISMA guidelines for article search, validation, selection, data extraction, and reporting. English and Persian language databases were searched up to 1 January 2025. All retrieved articles were evaluated and reviewed. Meta-analysis of the results was performed using CMA software, and findings were reported following the Garrard approach.

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, covering a total of 10,138 Iranian children between 2009 and 2023. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of NAFLD in Iranian children was 23.3%. The prevalence based on BMI was 3.9% for children with moderate BMI, 14.4% for overweight children, and 44.1% for obese children. Boys were more affected by NAFLD than girls (35.1% versus 22.4%). The study also showed that 18.3% of children had grade I NAFLD, while 3.8% were diagnosed with grade II.

Fatty liver disease is prevalent among children and is nearly as common as in adults. Diet and reduced physical activity are major risk factors for NAFLD, making their management essential for the prevention and treatment of the condition.

Due to the adverse consequences of depression and anxiety during pregnancy for both mothers and fetuses, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

International databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, in addition to Google Scholar, were searched up to November 11, 2022. All studies that investigated the prevalence of depression and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Studies that used non-random sampling methods, case reports, studies that did not provide sufficient data for analysis, low-quality studies, and those that had estimated depression and anxiety after childbirth were eliminated. The Cochrane Q Test and the I2 index were utilized to determine the heterogeneity of the studies. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14, with statistical significance set at P<0.05.

A total of 27 studies conducted on 44573 participants were investigated. The results showed that the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic was 27% and 25%, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and major depression was 23%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. Finally, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety was 20%, 14%, and 5%, respectively.

Approximately one out of every three pregnant women suffered from depression, and one out of every four suffered from some degree of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the evolving cultural landscape and increased awareness of self-knowledge, particularly sexual identity, societal attitudes towards the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual people (LGBT) community, specifically Gender Dysphoria (GD), remain complex and often characterized by misconceptions. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of individuals who identify as GD, and assess their level of understanding regarding gender identity. This study aims to determine the epidemiology of patients with GD in the forensic medicine of East of Iran in 2018-23.

In this cross-sectional study, clients with complaints of GD were investigated at East of Iran Forensic Medicine in 2018-2023. After receiving the permission to access the files archived in the branches of examinations and the Forensic Medicine Commission, the demographic and clinical information of the individuals was recorded in the attached checklist. Descriptive statistics for the study variables were presented in tabular and graphical formats.

This study delves into the characteristics and experiences of 344 individuals seeking gender reassignment surgery, with the peak number of inquiries occurring in 2020 and 2021. Of the mentioned individuals, 138 were deemed ineligible for GD. The findings revealed that the majority of these individuals (65.4%) are female, with an average age of 24.22 years. Striking differences were observed in education, field of study, occupation, and psychiatric history between female and male applicants.

This study highlighted significant increase in gender dysphoria disorder, particularly among women and single individuals with diploma and post-graduate education in the East of Iran province. This trend reflects significant cultural shifts.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common disease with an estimated overall prevalence of 3% based on findings from a recent meta-analysis. Due to the lack of a reliable Persian questionnaire for the diagnosis of RLS, this study aimed to translate and evaluate the content validity and reliability of the Persian version of the modified-Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnostic Questionnaire (m-RLS-DQ).

The m-RLS-DQ, a reliable and accurate tool for diagnosing RLS was selected. Three bilingual physicians translated it into Persian, then unified by the fourth expert. Eight specialists evaluated the content validity using a Likert scale for relevance. Reliability was tested by administering the final version to 10 RLS the patients. 

The reliability index (i.e., Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) was also obtained as 0.78. The content validity was determined with the help of Microsoft Excel software, showing a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.98.

In this study, the appropriate validity and reliability of the Persian version of m-RLS-DQ was confirmed.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is characterized by neurological symptoms that are incompatible with known neurological diseases. This disorder can be disabling, imposing a significant burden on patients, society, and the healthcare system. There is limited data on the epidemiology of FND in Iran. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and manifestations of FND in Iran.

Electronic databases, including Embase, ISI, Google Scholar, PubMed, IranDoc, and the Scientific Information Database, were systematically searched in 2024 using keywords related to the epidemiology of FND in Iran. Additionally, other scientific reports, such as national survey reports and dissertations, were reviewed. After screening and assessing the articles, eligible studies were included in the review. A meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model.

A total of 578 articles were screened from which 20 full-text articles were assessed. Finally, nine studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. Of these, three were conducted in psychiatric wards, four in general hospitals and non-psychiatric departments, one in a neuropsychiatric service, and one in community and school settings. The reported prevalence of FND across these studies ranged from 3.2 to 8.2%.

Seizures were the most common manifestation of FND. The prevalence rate of FND varied across studies depending on the study setting and methodology.