Iranian Journal of

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Background & Objectives: Arsenicosis is a serious environmental disease caused by chronic exposure to arsenic- usually from drinking water. Signs and symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning include hyperkeratosis, hyper- or hypopigmentation, and ulcers. Also, the incidence of cancer is increased in the exposed population. There is some evidence of high arsenic levels in drinking water in the village of Ghopuz, located in Hashtrud District, East Azerbaijan province. We evaluated the genetic and health effects of chronic arsenic exposure in the residents of Ghopuz.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study we determined the prevalence of hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation and hypertension in Ghopuz village. The study involved 101 individuals in Ghopuz and 107 in the adjacent village of Mayan, who were all visited by a trained physician. A total of 46 blood samples were collected for kariotyping. The level of heavy metals in water was determined by the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) method.
Results: We detected high arsenic levels in the drinking water at Ghopuz (mean concentration in water = 1.03 mg/L). There were chromosomal defects in the exposed group. Mean systolic blood pressure at Ghopuz (137mmHg, 95% CI: 132-142) was significantly higher than in Mayan (107, 95% CI: 99.9-114). Also, mean diastolic blood pressure at Ghopuz (82, 95% CI: 79-85) was significantly higher than in Mayan (71, 95% CI: 66-75). Hyperkeratosis was 34 times more frequent in the exposed population (OR = 34, P< 0.001). Also, hyperpigmentation was significantly more frequent in the exposed population (OR = 2.4, P < 0.007).
Conclusions: Water arsenic and nitrate levels at Ghopuz were higher than the maximum permissible levels. The prevalence of skin lesions and hypertension is increased at Ghopuz village due to arsenic exposure. There is also some evidence of chromosomal defects in the exposed group. Affected people need appropriate medical care, and safe drinking water should be provided to reduce arsenic exposure.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA Background & Objectives: There is little known about the relation between metabolic syndrome and fiber intake are available in Iran. We evaluated the relation between total, and various types and sources of dietary fiber and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, 2457 adults, aged 19-84 years were studied. Total dietary fiber intake and its types and sources were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, Anthropometric, and biochemical measurements were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to definition by Iranian National Committee of Obesity.
Results: In the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, intakes of total (OR: 0.53 95% CI: 0.39-0.74), both soluble
(OR: 0.60 95% CI: 0.43-0.84) and insoluble dietary fiber (OR: 0.51 95% CI: 0.35-0.72), fruit fiber
(OR: 0.51 95% CI: 0.37-0.72), legume fiber (OR: 0.73 95% CI: 0.53-0.99) and cereal fiber
(OR: 0.74 95% CI: 0.57-0.97) were inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome. There was not significant association between using vegetable and nut fiber and prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Total dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble fibers, and especially fruit and legumes fibers, reduce the metabolic syndrome among adults in Tehran.

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Background and Objectives: Reproductive factors are in close relationship with breast carcinogenesis. This matched case-control study was conducted to study the association of reproductive risk factors with the risk of breast cancer (BC) among women in Tehran and northwest of Iran.

Methods: This hospital-based case-control study was performed on a total of 432 patients diagnosed with BC with confirmed histopathology who were recruited from hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences between 2007 and 2012, and 543 regionally matched controls without a prior history of BC.

Results: The average number of pregnancy and breast-fed children were significantly higher in cases than controls (P<0.01). The duration of breast-feeding was longer in patients (18.0±8.4 months) than controls (16.0±9.1; P<0.001). Most of the patients were diagnosed with BC above the age of 48 years old which was higher than the mean age of the recruited matched controls. Older age was associated with a 3.87 higher risks of BC development (95% CI: 2.94-5.10). The higher frequency of lactation in patients was significantly associated with the elevated risk (OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.62-3.04). The duration of breast-feeding within14-24 months was correlated with OR=0.52 to protect BC development during the reproductive age
(<48 years) (95% CI: 0.32-0.86). 

Conclusion: High frequency of pregnancy, lactation, and older ages at first pregnancy are associated with the risk of BC, while older age at puberty, menopause, and longer duration of breast-feeding (age above 48 years) have inverse associations with the risk of BC.

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Background and Objectives: Congenital anomalies are also known as birth defects and congenital disorders. Congenital anomalies occur in about 3-7% of the newborn babies worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of congenital anomalies and their determinants in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 1395.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in all infants born in 1395. The data were analyzed with the SPSS software version 20 using Binary logistic regression.

Results: Of 5455 births in Isfahan hospitals, 121 neonates were diagnosed with major congenital anomalies. The total incidence of major congenital anomalies was 2.2 per 100 births. The results showed a statistically significant relationship between maternal blood group, consanguinity, sex and height of infant with congenital anomalies in newborns (P <0.05). Moreover, 26.7% of all abnormalities were related to limbs and the lowest percentage was related to genetic abnormalities, digestive system, anus, and spine with an incidence of 0.7% for each.

Conclusion: More attention should be paid to premarital genetic counseling in order to identify the consanguinity factor as a risk factor for genetic abnormalities. Moreover, pregnant women should be educated about the timely intake of micronutrients to control abnormalities.

 

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