Galen Medical journal
Volume:2 Issue: 2, 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of glucocorticoid-induced Diabetes mellitus (GIDM) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) under glucocorticoid therapy. Patients with SLE who had received high-dose glucocorticoid therapy (prednisolone≥1 mg/kg/day) at Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals were recruited during 2006-2011. A total of 81 patients with SLE were evaluated. 21 patients (25.9%) of them developed GIDM after high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. Univariate analysis of data showed that old age, family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and use of Mycophenolate mofetil were factors that would increase the likelihood of GIDM. In summary, GIDM was developed among 25.9% of patients with SLE after high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. Old age, family history of DM and use of Mycophenolate mofetil were determined to be factors responsible for increasing the risk of developing GIDM.

Retakes of intra oral radiographs happen frequently in dental practice although radiographic courses train dental students in consecutive semesters. To reduce the patient exposure as much as possible it is mandatory to reduce the number of retakes both in radiology clinics and educational centers. 3188 periapical radiographs taken by bisect-angle technique was evaluated in this cross-sectional study to assess the frequent errors necessitating retakes. Views were taken by fourth year dental students using bisect angle method. Errors were tabled according to site and type. The four major errors that were found in the study included incorrect film placement (35.4%), cone cutting (18.2%), incorrect horizontal angulation (16.6%), and incorrect vertical angulation (14.4%). The distribution of technical errors by anatomic location was identified. Maxillary molar area was the most occurring site for errors. These results suggest that educational programs may be re-evaluated to make the best benefit of educational courses involving both dental and hygiene students.

Guidelines recommend that exercise training can beconsidered for medically stable outpatients with heart failure; thus, this study sought to determine the effect of exercise on quality of life in patients with heart failure.Patients and In this cross sectional study 160 patients were included and divided into 2 groups (n=80). Intervention group performed the exercise (poly striding), 30 minutes three times a week, for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the exercises have not been followed for six months; SF36 Questionnaire was filled to assess the quality of life for the individuals in both groups in three steps: before the intervention, and 3 and 6 months after. After completion of questionnaires, quality of life was compared between the two groups and all the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean ages of the intervention and control groups were 61.65±17.5 and 64.116±17.4 years, respectively. Control group had significant decrease in quality of life at different stages of the study. Quality of life was significantly better in the intervention group comparing to the control group three months after the intervention despite the lack of significant difference before the intervention and after 6 months. Results showed a positive effect of exercise on quality of life in patients but the failures and lack of continuity did not improve the overall quality of life of patients as compared with their condition before the exercise. Overall, regular exercise is recommended for these patients.

This study evaluates the accuracy of renal ultrasonography (US) in the detection of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) compared to voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 131 children with urinary tract infection. Ultrasound findings were considered to be suggestive of VUR if a “pelvocalyceal dilatation”‚ “retrovesical ureteral dilatation” and/or an “increase in one or both kidneys’ size” were reported. Ultrasound findings were positive for VUR in 5 of 24 patients with confirmed VUR on VCUG, and were negative in all of 107 patients without VUR on VCUG. Altogether, of the 131 children‚ 24 had reflux on VCUG, 19 (79%) of who had no sonographic findings suggestive for reflux. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in Suggesting VUR were 20% and 100%, respectively. The results of this study showed that ultrasonography cannot accurately detect or predict vesicoureteral reflux. This outcome should be mentioned by clinicians in evaluation of patients with complaints which are suggestive for VUR.

Celiac disease (CD) is a rare malabsorption syndrome mainly occurring in childhood which is now recognized as the most common food intolerance disease in the world. CD is associated with a wide spectrum of extra intestinal manifestations. Neurological involvements of CD were first attributed to malabsorption due to changes in the mucosal architecture of the small intestine. Neurological manifestations were more frequent in middle-aged adults, but were rare in children. The most common central nervous system manifestations include cerebellar malfunctions, seizures, dementia, multiple sclerosis like presentations, motor neuron diseases, headaches, movement disorders, and neuro-psychiatric presentations. On the other hand, the peripheral nervous system involvement includes different types of peripheral neuropathies and muscular involvements. In this study, we embarked on a short review to go through the neurological presentations and problems of CD

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of life skills training of mothers of elementary school children on behavioral problems of children in Isfahan. In a cross-sectional study, individuals were enrolled by a multistage cluster sampling from 5 educational districts in Isfahan and 90 students who had behavioral problems were distinguished and included. The individuals were divided into case and control groups. The life skills were presented to the mothers of the case group during 9 sessions. Groups were compared regarding pre-test and post-test results. The results showed that life skills training of mothers in the case group caused significant decrease in behavioral problems of children in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). This study demonstrated that life skill knowledge can help mothers to control their children’s behavioral problems and these sessions are suggested to be presented routinely at elementary schools.

Osseous metaplasia is defined by the presence of heterotopic normal bone tissue in a soft tissue. Metaplastic ossification is a rare event in nasal polyps. The authors describe a rare case of bone formation in nasal polyp of a 28-year-old man with chronic right-sided nasal obstruction without history of trauma or allergy symptoms. To our knowledge, this finding has been reported in a few cases in the English medical literature.

It is mostly organic diseases that are considered when a neurological sign or symptom is present in the history of a patient; however, there may be psychiatric problems also present which could be missed. We report a case to discuss the possibility of the presence of an organic or psychiatric underlying disorder when facing neurological problems.We report a case of chronic headache accompanied by vertigo and multiple medical problems including nystagmus and abdominal pain without any significant findings on physical exam that was diagnosed to have a somatization disorder (Not Otherwise Specified or NOS).We did not find any documents regarding the presence of true nystagmus as a functional, factitious or psychosomatic disorder; however, voluntary nystagmus has been reported in some cases with a series of fast (saccadic) back-to-back eye movements, without any interval or slow phase. It is recommended that psychiatrists and neurologists search for a psychiatric disorder as well; even if the problem is supposed to have an organic nature like nystagmus or vertigo, especially when associated with a prolonged, resistant, or unusual course.