Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Volume:16 Issue: 1, 2012

Aromatase inhibitors have been recently advocated as an inexpensive, effective, and low risk treatment in clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant patients. To evaluate the efficacy of letrozole in induction of ovulation in CC- resistant patients. This prospective clinical trial was carried out on 30 patients admitted to a private infertility clinic in Qazvin during 2009. Thirty patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and unexplained infertility who were resistant to CC entered the study. Inclusion criteria included age between 18-39, infertility more than 2 years, normal TSH, prolactin, spermogram, and FSH in the beginning of follicular phase and the exclusion criteria were history of pelvic surgery, presence of adhisions and every infertility factors except unovulation. After a washout period of 2 months, letrozole was given orally in doses of 2.5-7.5 mg on days 5-9 of the menstrual cycle. Dose increase was performed if there was no dominant follicle at lower dose. Follicular assessment was carried out by vaginal sonography on day 16 followed by administration of hCG if follicle>18mm was detected. Ovulation and pregnancy rate and the endometrial thickness on day of hCG administration were measured. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, paired t-test, and the Fischer’s exact test. Following administration of letrozole in three doses of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg, 3 (10%), 12 (40%), and 5 (16.7%) patients had follicle>18mm, respectively. The overall ovulation rate was %66.6. Among these patients, 16 (80%) had one dominant follicle and 4 (20%) with 2 but no twin pregnancy was present. Pregnancy took place in 5 patients (16.7%). Endometrial thickness was 11.5, 11.5 and 11.4 in doses of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg of letrozole, respectively. The findings of the present study showed that the induction of ovulation with letrozole in CC-failure is associated with ovulation and pregnancy in a significant number of patients. Regarding the low risk of multiple pregnancy and hyperstimulation syndrome, letrozole could be the first line treatment in CC- failure.

Postoperative shivering is a complication of general anesthesia. Shivering increases cardiac output, oxygen demand, and postoperative surgical incision's pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Diclofenac Na suppository on postoperative shivering. This was a case-control study performed on 140 women who were divided into two equal groups of 70 members each and marked as case and control groups. The case group received diclofenac Na supp 100mg, ten minute before the induction of anesthesia whereas the control group was given no such medication. Axillary temperature was measured before the induction and 1 hr after the extubation. Data were analyzed by SPSS and chi-square test. The incidence of shivering in case and control groups were (%27.1) and (%48.1), respectively. There was a significant difference between two groups (P=0.014). The mean temperature changes in case and control groups were (-0.18ºC±0.02ºC) and (-0.29ºC±0.029ºC), respectively. The difference between two groups was found to be significant, statistically (P=0.004). Our findings showed that diclofenac Na supp has the potential to effectively decrease the postoperative shivering while maintaining the body temperature more stable.

The u se of medicinal plants to reduce pain is important. Tanacetum parthenium has been introduced as an analgesic agent in traditional medicine and is widely used to relieve neuropathic pain and headache.

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium ethanolic extract on acute pain.

This study was carried out on 100 male mice weighing 30-35g. Acute pain was investigated using a hot plate test with set point 48 °C and cut off time of 30 seconds. In this experiment 100 mice were divided into 10 groups as follows: 1) control group; groups 2-6 received 10, 20, 30, 40 and 80 mg/kg of alcoholic extract, respectively; group 7 received 100 mg / kg ibuprofen; group 8 received 0.5 mg / kg morphine; group 9 received 0.5 mg / kg naloxone; and finally group 10 received naloxone and extract. Ethanolic extract of aerial parts was prepared by maceration method and later its analgesic effect was studied at different doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 80 mg/kg, i.p. The effect of ethanolic extract and fractions were compared with the analgesic effect of morphine and ibuprofen as standard analgesic drugs. Naloxone was used to study the opioid system. Data were analyzed by SPSS using Kruskal Wallis test.

Results obtained from this study showed that the ethanolic extract of Tanacetum parthenium produced an analgesic effect (P<0.05) at two doses of 30 and 40 mg/kg, i.p. The analgesic effect of extract was not lower than that of morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and ibuprofen (100 mg / kg) (P<0.05). Application of naloxone showed no inhibition on analgesic effect of the extract (P<0.05).

The analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium was also comparable to that of morphine and ibuprofen, both well known for their analgesic effects. Further investigations to establish a link between the analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium and particular phytochemicals, are recommended.

Disability and depression are important predictors of reduced quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This study was performed to assess the effect of disability and depression on the quality of life individuals with MS. This was a comparative study, performed on 53 individuals with MS and a group of healthy individuals following age and sex adjustment in the city of Qazvin in 2009. These people were compared using the quality of life questionnaire (SF-36 (, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using t-test, linear regression and multivariate analysis. Patients with MS had lower scores compared to the general population (healthy individuals) in subscale of the SF-36. The EDSS score was only predictive for physical functioning. Depression was significantly higher in those with MS than the healthy group (P<0.01). Considering the e ffect of disability and depression on quality of life in patients with MS, the application of dual methods of medical and psychological treatment to improve the quality of life in patients with MS is recommended.

sleep is one of the basic requirements of human and any disruption in the normal flow of sleep, in addition to causing psychological problems, can also reduce a person's performance. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between the sleep quality and body mass index in chemical warfare victims with bronchiolitis obliterans. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the respiratory clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital in winter of 2007. A total of 93 victims of chemical warfare with bronchiolitis obliterans referred to the respiratory clinic were selected by nonprobability and convenience sampling method. Body mass index, as a variable impact on quality of sleep, was evaluated for its relationship with sleep quality. Sleep quality was measured with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics including Spearman’s rank correlation, chi-square test, and the independent-samples t-test. Over 95% of subjects had undesirable sleep quality and the rest (4.4%) with desirable sleep quality. The mean BMI was 26.68±3.88. Of total population, 65.6% were overweight or obese. There was no significant correlation between sleep quality and BMI (P>0.05). A significant correlation between the psychological disorders and undesirable sleep quality was found (P<0.05). According to the data obtained, future studies regarding the psychological disorders and treatment protocols to improve the quality of sleep in chemical warfare victims are recommended.

Coronary artery disease is considered as the most important cause of death. Infection is regarded as risk factor of coronary artery disease as it could accelerate the development of atherosclerosis process through formation of inflammation. However, studies on Helicobacter pylori infection have produced contradictory results.

To investigate the coexistence of H. pylori infection and coronary artery diseases among patients in the city of Qazvin (Iran) during 2004-2005.

This was a case-control clinical trial carried out on a total of 80 individuals including 40 patients with coronary artery diseases (case group) and 40 patients without coronary artery diseases (control group) who were randomly selected for the study. All patients were tested for urease breath test and the data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 15 and the Fisher’s exact test.

Positive results for urease breath test were observed in 80% and 45% of case and control groups, respectively (P=0.005). Among married members of the case group, 39.4% of partners were also found to be positive for urease breath test whereas in partners of patients in control group it was 5.2%. The prevalence of H. pylori in partners of case and control groups was 83.3% and 38.46%, respectively. The difference in prevalence of H. pylori infection between the partners of both groups was found to be significant, statistically (P=0.0032).

Considering the significantly higher prevalence of coexistence of coronary artery diseases and H. pylori infection in partners, it could be concluded that H. pylori may play a role as a transmissible risk factor of coronary artery diseases among people.

In addition to effects of biological factors and physical risks on incidence and exacerbation of gastrointestinal ulcers, the coping strategies and attitudes are also considered as psychologically important factors affecting the creation and exacerbation of this disease as well as the disease-associated stress. The aim of this study was to compare the dysfunctional attitudes and types of coping styles of patients with peptic ulcers with those of healthy control group. This was a case control study carried out on all patients with gastrointestinal ulcers who were referred to three hospitals (Mostafa Khomeini, Imam Khomeini, and Dr Shariati) in Tehran during February-June 2010. Study population was consisted case (100 patients) and control (100 healthy relatives of patients and hospital staff) groups. Two groups were matched regarding the age, sex, educational level, and marital status. The research tools were three questionnaires on demographic characteristics, dysfunctional attitudes scale, and a list of coping styles questions. Data were analyzed by independent T and chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. There were significant differences in dysfunctional attitude variables, problem- and emotion-oriented coping styles between two groups (P<0.05). Moreover, patients in case group showed higher levels of dysfunctional attitudes and emotion-oriented coping styles whereas in control group the coping styles were mostly problem-oriented. Dysfunctional attitude had the highest share in explaining the peptic ulcer disease followed by problem- and emotion-oriented coping styles, respectively. According to the findings obtained in the present study, it seems that the people’s attitude towards themselves and the environment affects the creation and perception of stress. Thus, providing the patients with psychological interventions could lead to more favorable results when treating gastrointestinal ulcers.

Health behavior is considered as one of the major determinants of health and self-efficacy is an influencing factor in behavior. Self-efficacy is a person`s belief over one’s abilities for doing a certain behavior. The aim of this study was to determine the self-efficacy of academic staff at Guilan University of Medical Science and its relation with demographic factors. A total of 203 faculty members at Guilan University of Medical Science participated in this descriptive study in 2008. Data were collected by a two-part questionnaire completed by the study population, and analyzed using independent t-test and one way ANOVA. The faculty members obtained an overall self-efficacy score of 84/1%. There was a significant relationship between the self-efficacy and both the number of children in family (P=0.05) and the monthly income (P=0.025). The self-efficacy rate of faculty members was desirable. Regarding the modeling role of academic staff for students, self-efficacy must be considered as an influential factor in health-promoting programs.

Impulsive and risky behaviors contain a wide range of undeveloped and pleasure seeking behaviors. One of the obese individuals’ problems is their inability to refuse taking forbidden foods. The aim of this study was to compare impulsivity and risky decision making between two groups of obese and normal weight individuals. The participants in this analytical study were consisted of 100 obese individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 30 Kg/m2 and 100 normal cases with BMI lower than 25 Kg/m2. Both groups were tested by two computerized tests including the impulsivity test (GO/NOGO) and the BART risky decision-making task which were used to test the participants’ impulsive behaviors and the degree of their risky decision-making, a Public Health questionnaire to evaluate an individual’s physical and psychological public health within the last month, and also a Daily Activity questionnaire to assess the participant’s daily physical activities and sports. Variables were transferred to SPSS software and analyzed by independent t-test. This study was performed in Tehran in 2011. Individuals with higher impulsivity failed to condone the immediate pleasures and choose the long term healthy behaviors. The number of false reactions and the time average spent on tasks were longer among obese individuals compared with normal weight people indicating the obese individuals were more impulsive and made more risky decisions in choosing appropriate behaviors and lifestyle. According to the results of this research, it is beneficial to introduce an impulsivity treatment as a cognitive cure for obesity to professionals. In this regard, it is not wise to only focus on physical and nutrition aspects of obesity treatment.

Well-being means the harmony in all dimensions of an individual. Dimensions of psychological well-being include independence, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationship, purposeful life, and self-acceptance. The present study was aimed to determine the factor structure of the three-question version of the Ryff psychological well-being scale. This was a cross-sectional study in which 330 students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences were selected based on a multistage random sampling. The participants responded to questions of the short version of Ryff psychological well-being scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Factor analysis showed that the multidimensional model of psychological well-being scale in its three-question version acceptably fitted with the data. Also, the factor analysis of this scale yielded four factors while two questions were deleted due to absence of load on any factor. The results obtained in this study were different from that of six-dimension model and only four factors extracted. However, due to presence of appropriate reliability, this scale could be a suitable tool to measure the psychological well-being among students.

Surgical smoke contains hazardous chemicals and biological agents. The use of standard surgical masks alone does not provide adequate protection against surgical smokes. Hence, the application of a local exhaust ventilation system to evacuate surgical smokes is recommended. To design, construct, and evaluate a portable local exhaust ventilation system to control electrosurgery smokes. This was an experimental study carried out at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, in 2010. A new local exhaust ventilation system containing a high efficiency air cleaner system, was designed, constructed, and evaluated in a simulated surgery process. When the distance between the system hood and the pollution sources was 5 cm and the air flow 22 cubic feet per minute, the total surgical smoke was attracted to the system hood at a velocity of 80 feet per minute. In a period of 60 minutes, the cleaning efficiency for particulate agents as well as the gasses and vapors emission was 99.77% indicating that the application of ventilation system prevented the entry of contaminants emission into the operating room. Based on results obtained through simulated surgery process, it was concluded that the ventilation system designed in this study completely blocked the emission of surgical smoke to air of operating room and personnel exposure.

Economic evaluation is one of the measures of decision making for providing efficient services. To calculate the cost outcome of students’ screening program in the city of Komijan. This was a descriptive analytical study carried out on all first grade students of different educational courses including primary schools, guiding schools, and high schools. The cost-unit method was used to calculate the cost followed by analysis of data using the Excel software. Screening program showed that 0.1% of total students had diabetes, 0.2% cardio-vascular disorders, 0.26% asthma, 3.07% anemia, 32% pediculosis, 0.1% tinea, 18.33% dental caries, 0.54% hearing problems, 6.42% optic problems, 0.8% behavioral (otism) disorder. The total cost of students’ screening program was 164495020 Rials and the average cost equal to 88773 Rials. The minimum cost of detection a single disorder among the students of primary, guiding, and high schools was associated with dental disorders which was equal to 4736, 7037, and 12268 Rials, respectively. The maximum detecting costs for a single disorder were for speech disorders among the students of primary schools (3500301 Rials) and hearing disorders in students of guiding schools (2075018 Rials) and high schools (3900784 Rials). The students’ health screening program within the rural and urban regions of the city of Komijan is cost-effective and thus could be continued.

Infective endocarditis is a rare condition that can occur as a result of invasive dental procedures in susceptible patients. In order to prevent this event, appropriate antibiotics must be prescribed for the susceptible patients. The present study was aimed to assess the general Dentists’ knowledge and practice regarding the prophylaxis of infective endocarditis prior to dental procedures in the city of Qazvin during 2010-2011. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on 91 general dentists in the city of Qazvin through census sampling method followed by assessing their knowledge and practice using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic variables, heart disease, and the dental procedures requiring antibiotic prophylaxis and specific antibiotic regimen for different patients. The participants’ knowledge scores were determined by summing the total questions answered correctly. Data were analyzed by central tendency indices, student t test, ANOVA, and Tukey multiple comparison test. The mean knowledge score of the dentists regarding the prophylaxis against infective endocarditis was 15.95 compared to the maximum total score of 28 (standard deviation: 3.04). Seventy two respondents (79.1%) showed moderate (10-18 scores) and 19 (20.9%) with good knowledge (19-28 scores). No significant differences regarding the knowledge scores were noted between two genders or the years after graduation. However, the dentists aged 40 years or older had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to those aged 31-40 years (P<0.05). This study showed that the general dentists of Qazvin have moderate knowledge on prophylaxis against infective endocarditis, suggesting more continuous education programs have to be scheduled.

Deep vein thrombosis is one of common cardiovascular diseases caused by formation of clot in a vein. Incorrect lifestyles such as prolonged immobilization, unsuitable nutrition, tobacco use, and substance abuse (alcohol, narcotic) are considered as important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. This analytical study was designed to determine the type of lifestyle among inpatients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of Qazvin hospitals in 2010. Patients were selected through convenience sampling and evaluated by life style self-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential (chi-square) statistics. According to our data, incorrect lifestyle was observed in many of patients.

This interventional study was carried out to determine the effect of education workshop on interns’ knowledge of Qazvin Medical School over childhood nutrition and growth monitoring in 2003-2004. All medical trainees (191) doing their health course on childhood nutrition and growth monitoring were selected. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by Macnemar test. Based on results obtained in the present study, while 6.8% of interns were classified as having good knowledge before taking part in education workshop it reached to 63.9% after intervention (P<0.05).Furthermore, the two other groups of participants initially categorized as having intermediate (30.9%) and poor (62.3%) knowledge before the intervention decreased to 28.2% and 7.9%, respectively (P<0.05). Results from this study emphasize on the necessity of holding workshop for medical students to promote their knowledge and experience associated with nutrition and growth monitoring chart.