Mahmood Farshchian, Akram Ansar, Saadat Torabian, Seyed Mostafa Ghasemzadeh,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (3-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In addition to the age and immune suppression, several risk factors for herpes zoster have been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the family history of herpes zoster as a risk factor for this disease.Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Farshchian hospital, Hamedan, Iran. The cases were patients with confirmed diagnosis of herpes zoster. The controls were chosen from individuals with minor or chronic dermatologic diseases or their companions, who had no history of herpes zoster. Immune deficiency was the main exclusion criteria. Information was asked using special questionnaires administered by blinded investigators. Data were analyzed using chi squared test. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to compare proportions in two groups.
Results: Case and control groups included 217 and 200 participants, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation of ages in case and control groups were 49.08±15.59 and 49.96±15.54 years, respectively (P=0.936). 53.5% of cases and 54.5% of controls were women (P=0.845). The frequency of herpes zoster in first-degree relatives in cases and controls was 65/217 (30%) and 16/200 (8%) respectively (OR [95%CI] = 4.91 [2.73-8.85]). Positive history for second degree relatives was 36 (16.6%) and 8 (4%) in cases and controls, respectively (OR [95%CI] = 4.77 [2.16-10.54]). This proportion for at least one relatives was 101 (46.6%) and 24 (12%) in cases and controls, respectively (OR [95%CI] = 6.26 [3.79-10.36]).
Conclusion: This study suggests that positive family history is a risk factor for herpes zoster.
Mahmoud Farshchian, Akram Ansar, Mohammad Reza Sobhan, Saadat Torabian,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. The risk factors of metabolic syndrome have been reported with greater frequency in patients with psoriasis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate these risk factors and compare them with normal population, as the control group.
Methods: In this case-control study, 55 patients with psoriasis were studied from 2011 to 2012 and 55 matched (for sex and age) persons were considered as control group. Age, gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, smoking, alcohol consumption, type of disease, and blood levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and fasting sugar were evaluated in both case and control groups and compared.
Results: Our findings showed that levels of TG (P=0.005,OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.0-1.34) and LDL (P=0.03, OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.0-1.09), the frequency of smoking (P=0.02, OR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1-3.2), and the mean of systolic blood pressure (P=0.004, OR: 1.07, 95%CI: 1.02-1.33) were significantly higher in psoriatic patients, compare with control group.
Conclusion: Higher frequency of hypertension and lipid abnormalities in psoriatic patients may enhance the risk of cardiovascular diseases in them. Therefore, we recommend to check all patients with psoriasis, regardless of their disease severity, for serum lipid profiles and blood pressure. In addition, we strongly recommend giving up smoking, as a part of psoriasis treatment.
Akram Ansar, Leyla Jahangard, Pouyan Pahlevani, Bahman Rasouli, Saadat Torabian, Sahar Rasouli,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Psoriasis vulgaris is a common chronic
dermatic disease impresses many aspects of patients’ life. Many clinical
researches focus on quality of life recently, to evaluate clinical
interventions and treatments. This study planned to recognize different aspects
of life in patients suffer psoriasis vulgaris.
Methods: This case-control study was performed on 100
patients suffer psoriasis vulgaris in 1391 year and 100 people who didn’t have
any specific disease as control group. Quality of life was measured by standard
quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) and data obtained were analyzed with chi
square and t tests.
Results: Average score of SF-36 in psoriasis patients group
65.05±15.51 was significantly less than control group 78.31±11.93 (P<0.001). Difference between patients and
control group was significant in all of aspects except physical and emotional
aspects (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, patients
with psoriasis vulgaris had a significantly lower quality of life, in
comparison with the control group. Therefore, these patients require special
attention and specific planning to improve and manage different aspects of
their lives.
