S Noori Hekmat, H Hashemi, Aa Haghdoost, M Haji Aghajani , Gh Janbabaee, A Maher, A Javadi, R Rahimisadegh, S Emadi, Mr Rajabalipour, R Dehnavieh, H Haghighi,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The distribution of specialists is important in two ways: geographical and specialty. In this study, we provided a description of the distribution of specialists in Iran in 2016 and its estimates in 2026.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2016 to estimate the number of specialists in 2026. Data were gathered through a census of specialists working in each of 439 cities in the country, including those in public and private sectors. Coefficient of variation and the number of specialists in 100000 populations were applied as distribution measures.
Results: In the year 2016, there were 46 specialists per 100,000 populations, and it is estimated that considering the full-time equivalent index of 1.2, 63 specialists per 100,000 populations will be required in the year 2026. The highest and lowest ratio of specialists per population in the year 2016 was reported in Tehran (89 per 100,000 populations) and Jiroft (10 per 100,000 populations), respectively. The gynecologist group and geriatric specialists group were the largest (4747 specialists) and smallest group (4 specialists), respectively.
Conclusion: There was a considerable disparity between different regions of the country in terms of access to specialists. Furthermore, the ratio of specialist per population in different specialty groups varied from one province to another. Upon implementation of the Iran Roadmap, according to 2026 estimates, this dispersion will be reduced to some extent; however, part of the dispersion related to the regionalisation pilicy.
V Kohpeima Jahromi , R Dehnavieh, Mh Mehrolhasani,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Due to lack of proper health system coverage in cities, the urban family physician program began as pilot in two provinces in Iran. Decision on developing the program to other provinces requires a comprehensive assessment. The study aimed to evaluate the program in Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 in two provinces (Fars and Mazandaran). The data of 141 family physicians working in health centers and 710 patients were collected using a questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling method was used for the samples. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: 81% of the workload of family physicians in a week was patient visits. Co-payment in second and third levels was a real obstacle for some patients. The majority of the patients could receive their required healthcare facilities in up to 40 minutes. Software programs were infrequently used. Patients were visited by their physicians 5.5 times in a week. The mean duration of each patient visit was less than 10 minutes in 80% of the cases. Referral rate was reported by 14% (Fars= 21.8%, Mazandaran= 4%). 30 out of 45 medical devices were available to family physicians on average.
Conclusion: Although the program has been successful in areas such as access to health services and comprehensiveness of care, there are some challenges in coordination and continuity of care. Therefore, it is suggested that the root causes of these challenges be resolved prior to extending this program to other provinces.
V Yazdi Feyzabadi, R Seyfaddini, M Ghandi, Mh Mehrolhasani,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Health and human rights are two inseparable and interrelated elements, whose provision and assurance enhance welfare in any society. Definition of welfare, human rights, and health as indicators of welfare development is controversial which is done in accordance with different approaches and discourses. Although the WHO definition is currently the only definition of health agreed upon by the member states of the Organization, it has been subject to criticism by the international society. In general, the most important criticisms include ambiguity, ideality, limitlessness, lack of comprehensiveness, lack of weighting to aspects of health, being non-operational, reductionism, and lack of a precise definition of the normal condition and disease. These criticisms would expose health systems to some challenges such as increased expectations of people, rapidly growing health expenditure, inconsistent expansion of technology-based systems, increased vulnerability to corruption, and equity and efficiency issues. Identifying and examining these criticisms can lead to a more informed decision to redefine health according to the favorable and context-sensitive discourse of the health doctrine in each country. This short review briefly describes the context and the most important criticisms of the WHO definition of health. Eventually, some policy suggestions are presented for redefining health according to Islamic-Iranian discourse.
F Heydarpour, A Akbari Sari, M Mohebali, S Bokaie,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis encompasses a wide range of clinical complaints from skin injury to fatal visceral infections. Detailed information about the economic burden of the disease can help health care decision makers to estimate the magnitude of the problem, economic advantages obtained from the prevention of this disease, resource allocation, and disease management. The study was conducted to determine the economic burden of leishmaniasis in humans and animals in Iran in 2013.
Methods: The cost unit was determined through public service tariffs determined by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and interviews with experts, and service costs were calculated by multiplying the cost unit for one person by all infected cases. The course of the disease and the services provided to patients were obtained from the review of the literature and records and interview with experts.
Results: The economic burden of leishmaniasis was estimated more than IRR 213 billion ($6,700,000). Moreover, 39%, 27%, 18%, and 16% of the costs were related to indirect costs, direct medical costs, indirect medical costs, and dogs, respectively. The average direct medical cost of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis was IRR 3381186 ($106) and IRR 9392832 ($295) per person, respectively.
Conclusion: The economic burden of leishmaniasis compared to some diseases such as hydatid cyst showed a smaller number( 232.3 million$). It is recommended that IIranian health politicians consider the economic burden of other diseases.
M Shakiba, Ma Mansournia, H Soori,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Standard methods for estimating exposure effects in longitudinal studies will result in biased estimates of the exposure effect in the presence of time-dependent confounders affected by past exposure.
In the present review article, we first described the assumptions required for estimating the causal effect in longitudinal studies and their structure regarding various types of exposure and confounders; then, we explained the bias of standard methods in estimating the causal effect.
Two types of bias, i.e. over-adjustment bias and selection bias, occur in estimating the effect of time-varying exposure in the presence of time-dependent confounders affected by previous exposure using standard regression analysis. Standard regression methods cannot sufficiently modify time-dependent confounders and estimate the total causal effect of the exposure.
A Doosti Irani , F Bagheri Amiri , R Khajehkazemi, E Mostafavi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Internet addiction is a social-physiological event with emotional disturbance, depression, and disruption of social relationships. In addition, Internet addiction has a negative effect on the efficacy of the affected people. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction in students and graduates of medical sciences.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the sideline of epidemiology, microbiology and pediatric diseases congresses from May to October 2013. The participants included the students and graduates of epidemiology, clinical sciences, and other basic sciences from all medical universities of throughout Iran. The Young’s addiction questionnaire was used to assess Internet addiction.
Results: One hundred and thirty one students and graduates with a mean age 36.1 (±8.4) years participated in this study. The prevalence of mild and moderate Internet addiction was 61.83% (95% CI: 40.53, 70.26) and 26.95% (95% CI: 26.95, 33.56), respectively. None of the participants suffered from severe Internet addiction.
Conclusion: Severe Internet addiction was not observed in our study. However, a high proportion of the participants had mild and moderate Internet addiction. Therefore, many participants may be at risk of severe addiction. It seems that planning for preventive measures, especially in academic groups, is necessary.
M Olfatifar, Sm Hosseini, , , M Parvin,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the applications of population attributable risk percent (PAR%) is to estimate the disease burden in a population exposed to several risk factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimates the PAR% of the space-time clusters of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods: In this study, the data of pulmonary TB cases were obtained from the health department of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. After detecting significant clusters using the spatiotemporal scan statistic, PAR% was used to analyze the clusters and to detect the location of clusters more accurately.
Results: Four primary space-time clusters and three secondary spatiotemporal clusters were detected for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 92% of the patients who did not have a clear state in term of HIV infection. Despite differences in the location of clusters and PAR% attributed to them, the second primary cluster of pulmonary tuberculosis cases (consisting of the cities of Razan, Famenain and Kabudrahang) had the highest amount of PAR% that needs more attention.
Conclusion: The presence of significance spatiotemporal clusters in Hamadan highlights the necessity of the use of PAR% to distinguish cluster areas and to implement prevention and control policy. However, more analytical studies are needed to detect the on the determinants of the occurrence of pulmonary TB.
M Hosseiny, Gh Moradi, Mm Gouya, A Janati, E Ghaderi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evaluation is one of the main components of communicable diseases surveillance. Despite the World Health Organization’s emphasis for preparation of evaluation tools, there is no suitable tool in Iran. This study aimed to prepare a tool for evaluation of communicable diseases surveillance in hospitals and to pilot it.
Methods: Items were prepared in the first step and the first version of questionnaire was developed. Face validity and content validity were checked. Piloting of the questionnaire was done in Tabriz hospitals. Data were entered into SPSS 18. For evaluation of reliability, internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's α and Kuder-Richardson.
Results: According to the results, we developed a questionnaire containing 29 questions in 5 domains with 20 indexes. Fifteen hospitals (78.9%) had a communicable diseases reporting system. The goals of reporting system were not described in these hospitals and only 2 (13.3%) hospitals had supporting laws. None of the hospitals had complete access to the surveillance system and reporting tools.
Conclusion: The developed questionnaire can be a useful tool to evaluate the communicable diseases surveillance system in hospitals. The reporting systems in the hospitals are not complete.
H Soori, J Hasani, N Entezami, Sm Hosseini, E Rafiei,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are common goals that were established by the United Nations in 2000. The aim of this study was to compare some of these indicators in Iran, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), and the world.
Methods: The existing data from the World Health Status in 2014 and some other available sources in Iran, EMR, and across the world were addressed. The most relevant health indicators included decreased childhood mortality, maternal well-being, prevention of AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases, and environment quality assurance.
Results: The proportion of neonatal mortality to total mortality among those less than 5 years increased from 37 to 44 in the world compared to 39 to 46 in EMRO and 46 to 61 in Iran. About 14.5% (71000 out of 490000) of the AIDS/HIV cases reported in the EMRO belonged to Iran in 2002. The maternal mortality rate (MMR) showed a decline of 72.2%, 50% and 44% in Iran, EMRO and the World respectively. The proportion of delivery by skilled persons and the proportion of pre-delivery care had a positive trend in Iran and were higher as compared to EMRO and the world average.
Conclusion: Iran achieved many MDGs, however, despite a decline in the AIDS/HIV incidence rate, its prevalence rate has increased in Iran, EMRO and the world from 2001 to 2013. The proportion of neonatal mortality rate to under 5-year mortality rate has had an increasing trend. Decision-makers should give priority to indicators that have not achieved MDGs.
N , M Farajollahi, Z Esmaeili,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most common anxiety disorders in children is social anxiety disorder (SAD). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of social anxiety disorder in students in Kermanshah, Iran.
Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population was all school students aged 13-17 years old in the secondary schools of Kermanshah. According to Krejcie and Morgan Table and multi-stage cluster sampling, 760 students were selected who completed a questionnaire on demographic variables as well as the Social Anxiety Scales for Children and Adolescents (SAS-CA). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis with the SPSS-19 software. P values≤0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The results showed that the prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the whole population was 80.18%. The prevalence was higher in female students than male students. The severity of social anxiety disorder was moderate in 12.25%, severe in 4.90%, and very severe in 1.70% of the students. Parental education, parental occupation, number of family members, average household income, and family history of psychiatric disorders had a significant relationship with the prevalence of SAD in students (P<0.05) but this relationship was not significant for the mode of delivery (P>0.05).
Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of social anxiety disorder is significantly high among middle school students. Therefore, it is important to consider early anxiety prevention/intervention programs, especially for children in this age group.
Sh Mehrvarz, Ha Mohebbi, S Heydari, Hr Zarezadeh Mehrizi , Hr Rasouli,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The cancer of the pancreatic head and Ampulla of Vater is a malignant disease usually seen in advanced stages with symptoms caused by stomach and biliary obstruction. Curative treatment is possible in the early stage. Unfortunately, most symptomatic patients are in the advanced stage and have an unrespectable tumor; therefore, they should undergo palliative surgery. This study was performed to determine the complications and survival rate of patients who underwent palliative surgery for advanced stages of cancer in the Ampulla Vater and pancreatic head.
Methods: In this study, 49 patients with advanced stages of cancer in the Ampulla of Vater and pancreatic head who had undergone palliative surgery from 2003 to 2014 at Baqiyatallah Hospital were studied and the complications and survival rate were determined.
Results: Eleven patients (22.44%) underwent biliary bypass, 6 (12.24%) underwent gastric bypass, and 32 (65.32) underwent both procedures. Twelve (24.49%) patients developed complications. Anastomotic leak and peritonitis were the most common complications seen in 6 (12.2%). Seven patients (14.28%) died in the hospital. The mean survival was 5.47 ± 8.38 months. Upon follow up, survival was significantly longer in older patients (P=0.01).
Conclusion: In one-fourth of the patients with advanced stages of cancer, palliative surgery of the pancreatic head and Ampulla of Vater caused complications, and the mean survival rate was less than six months. The results of this study recommend the use of less invasive procedures such as biliary stenting in the advanced stages of the disease.
Gh Moradi, M Sehat, Aa Haghdoost, M Karami, R Chaman, Z Khazaei, E Goudarzi, M Asadi Lari, E Mostafavi, K Holakouie Naieni,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and objective: Epidemiology is a tool and a field of Medical sciences which provides evidences necessary to make scientific decisions. This study aimed to identify strategies for the promotion of the epidemiology by Iranian Epidemiological Association (IrEA) so that people graduated in this field would become able to play an effective and positive role in different parts of the country.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2015. The views and opinions of the members of IrEA were collected by email. The views of the members were classified using qualitative methods.
Results: The results of this study helped to identify some of the strategies for the promotion of the position of epidemiology in Iran health system by the members of IrEA.
Conclusion: IrEA can play a more effective role in the promotion of this field of study in the health system. Effective communication with the members, holding group meetings, advocacy and negotiation, reporting the activities of the association continuously, identifying national problems and seeking solutions are some of the strategies that can help to enhance the role of the community and promote the position of epidemiologists in Iran.
S Kargarian Marvasti , J Abolghasemi, I Heydari , Sh Rimaz,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that can cause disability in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to determine of effective factors in the Event Time of neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients using the Cox proportional hazards model.
Methods: This study included 371 patients with type II diabetes without neuropathy who were registered at Fereydunshahr Diabetes Clinic. Subjects were followed up for the development of neuropathy between 2006 until March 2016. The data were analyzed using the R software (ver. 3.2.3). The test was conducted at an error level of 5%.
Results: At the end of 10 years of study, the cumulative incidence and prevalence of neuropathy was 30.7% and 41.6%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method showed the mean time to detection of neuropathy was 76.6 ± 5 months after the first diagnosis of diabetes (83.8 ± 8 in men and 72.7 ± 6 in women). The semi-parametric Cox regression model revealed the one-year, two-year, five-year, and eight-year disease-free survival was 0.867, 0.819, 0.647, and 0.527, respectively. Also, four variables of duration of diabetes, sex, family history of diabetes, and HbA1c can be considered as strong determinants of the time of development of neuropathy in the semi-parametric model (COX) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Optimal glycemic control and regular evaluation of legs in elderly patients, especially women with a positive family history, decrease the occurrence and progression of neuropathy and improve the quality of life in diabetic patients.
R Sahebi, Sa Motevalian, L Sahebi, H Sharifi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the intrinsic estimator method and the age, period and cohort accounting model used for identifying age, period, and cohort trends in incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates.
Methods: The data of 2 studies " Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Alcohol and Drug use Among Students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2006 to 2009" and "The Role of Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Smoking among the Students of Tehran University of Medical Science "were used. First the age, period and cohort accounting model and then The IE method are explained, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, and their results are compared.
Results: Both methods showed an increasing, decreasing, and increasing trend for age, cohort, and cohort effect for the prevalence of smoking. IE could predict a preventing effect for an early age factor for smoking. In the descriptive model, a decreasing trend was seen from old cohorts to younger cohorts in nearly all age groups. However, the IE method did not show any cohort effects for alcohol consumption in female studnets.
Conclusion: Currently, the IE method is the best method for solving linear dependence between three variables of age, birth cohort, and period in this type of studies. However, researchers should use it with caution because it has many pitfalls.
H Rafiemanesh , A Rahimi Movaghar , S Nedjat, A Noroozi, K Yazdani,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: People with high risk alcohol use disorders are influenced by behaviors that have devastating consequences for them and those around them. The main objective for alcohol screening is to identify people with alcohol use disorders, or people who are at high risk for progression to these disorders. Several screening tools have been designed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to introduce and review important screening tools for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems in the world.
Methods: In this narrative review study, we searched the Web of Science (ISI), PubMed, and Scopus databases using Alcohol, Tools or Instruments, Test, Problem, Use and Use disorder as keywords for finding screening tools for identification of alcohol use problems and disorders. Finally, 10 instruments were introduced.
Results: The most common screening tools for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems were Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), CAGE, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), as well as T-ACE and TWEAK that are specifically used for evaluation of alcohol consumption in pregnant women. The short forms of the AUDIT, RAPS, POSIT, and CRAFFT are other tests for alcohol consumption.
Conclusion: Several screening tools have been designed for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems; therefore, n appropriate screening test should be selected and implemented with regards to the purpose of screening, research questions, and study population.
Sm Hosseini , A Afshari Safavi , A Esmaeil Zade , S Beig Rezaei ,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Using the anthropometric indicators of children is one of the ways of monitoring their growth. Because of the racial divisions and levels of health and welfare, comparing these indicators with the global reference is not reasonable; therefore, designing a local reference seems necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the growth indices for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years old living in Isfahan and to compare the indices with standard values.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 53,839 subjects were included. Percentiles of body mass index, height, and weight were calculated using the LMS method in the LMS Light software. After normalization of the growth indices, their mean and standard deviation were calculated for each age group and anthropometric indices curves were plotted versus the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles of the NCHS reference.
Results: In all age categories, the mean SDS scores of BMI in boys and girls was -0.004 ± 0.029 and 0.014 ± 0.062, respectively, indicating no difference with reference values. However, the 95th percentile of the body mass index for the reference population was consistent with the 90th percentile for the population studied. Also, weight in boys below 13 years of age was higher than the reference line while in girls, weight was always higher than the reference value.
Conclusion: Due to differences in the pattern of growth and also lower anthropometric values, particularly among boys, it seems that a national growth curve can be a better guide for future decisions.
M Khadem Rezaiyan , L Jarahi, F Moharreri, R Afshari, Sm Motamedalshariati , N Okhravi, M Khajedaluee,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Suicide is one of the public health challenges. It involves the individual, family, and even society. Epidemiological study of suicide is one of the most important measures in primary prevention and integration program for suicide in primary health care system. This study evaluated cases who attempted suicide in Khorasan Razavi Province in 2014-2015.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on individuals who were visited at health care centers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from August 2014 to July 2015. Seventeen trained interviewers from 14 countries and three major referral centers collected demographic data, time, reason, and method of suicide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test. P-value<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Totally, 893 individuals were evaluated which was equals to an annual incidence rate of 21.2 per 100000. Seventy-six percent (675) were female and 57% (496) were in the age group 15-24 years. In both genders, married individuals (61%, 543), high school degree (63%, 548) and a monthly income below 160$ were dominant (80%, 438). The most frequent reason and method for committing suicide was family dispute (47%, 380) and drug poisoning (81%, 632), respectively.
Conclusion: Suicide is mostly being dealt with caution. However, the very first step is to know the current situation completely, so epidemiological studies can elucidate different dimensions of this public health problem.
M Nejatifar , H Soori, M Ghaffari,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A feasible and cost-effective tool is required to investigate young children' behaviors with regard to the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometrics of the Persian version of the Injury Behavior Checklist (IBC).
Methods: After validating the translation (backward-forward translation), the final version of the checklist was developed through content analysis and face validity and according to the comments of a panel of experts. The final version was distributed among 300 mothers of children aged 2-5 years referring to the kindergartens of Tehran. Convergent validity was evaluated by internal consistency through calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, as well as item-total correlation. The reliability of the checklist was assessed through the test-retest method with participating 55 mothers and comparison of the scores of the two steps by correlation coefficient and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results: The content validity ratio was acceptable (0.6-1) for 100% of the items, and the content validity index was 0.93 for relevancy and clarity and 0.92 for simplicity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87. All 24 items of the IBC were acceptably and directly correlated with the total score of the tool (r=0.25-0.65). Reliability results also confirmed the test-retest reliability of the Persian version of the IBC (r=0.90; ICC=0.86).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the IBC is a reliable tool for investigation of risk taking and its association with different injuries in children aged 2-5 years.
M Saatchi, Mh Panahi, A Ashraf Mozafari, M Sahebkar, A Azarpakan, V Baigi, K Holakouie Naieni ,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The awareness of the health knowledge level of a population and the weaknesses in people's health literacy is essential for educational planning. This community assessment study, which was conducted to develop an appropriate infrastructure for educational planning, examined the level of health literacy in Hormuz Island’s residents.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was done on a sample of people over 18 years in Hormuz Island. Data were collected by two questionnaires which included basic information such as age, sex, marital status, age at marriage, and also indirect questions regarding the economic status of the individuals. Also, the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adult (S-TOFLHA) was used to measure the patient's ability to read and understand health-related concepts. The linear regression analysis was performed.
Results: The data provided by 486 individuals were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 39 years (18-79) and 48% were female. The mean household size was 4.5 people. The mean score of the subjects was 58.06. Thirty-five percent had less-than-sufficient health literacy, 18.21% had sufficient health literacy, 12.29% had insufficient, and 7.14% had higher health literacy. Education level (P<0.001), economic status (P<0.001), and age (P<0.001) were the main variables influencing health literacy in the sample.
Conclusion: Community assessment showed that older age groups did not have sufficient health literacy. Low economic status accompanied by low levels of literacy makes individuals less motivated to improve their health knowledge and, consequently, leads to low levels of health literacy in Hormuz.
Y Madmoli, Sm Akhaghi Dezfuli, R Beiranvand, B Saberi Pour, M Azami, M Madmoli,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Regular blood transfusions in patients with hereditary hemolytic anemia, especially thalassemia, increase the survival of most patients but also may result in infection with viruses like hepatitis. In order to identify these diseases and other complications in people with thalassemia, this study aimed to investigate epidemiological and clinical findings in patients with thalassemia in Dezful in 2015.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, data were collected from medical records in Dezful thalassemia Clinic by the census method. The collected data included gender, age, location, ethnicity, blood type, transfused blood type, time between blood transfusions, medications, vaccinations, underlying diseases, and operations and their time.
Results: The records of 174 thalassemia patients with a mean age of 23.60 years were evaluated. Of these, 23 patients (13.2%) had thalassemia intermediate and 151 (86.8%) had thalassemia major. The last mean serum ferritin was 2760.60. Independent T test showed a significant relationship between the type of thalassemia and age at diagnosis (P=0.000). There was a significant positive correlation between age and blood transfusion intervals so that the intervals increased with age (P=0.004) (r=0.21).
Conclusion: The high mean age in the center compared to other studies as well as the low frequency of side effects indicate the effectiveness of new treatments and increased survival of these patients.
