Tehran University Medical Journal

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Eustachian tube connects middle ear space to the nasopharyngeal space. Upper airway obstruction, with any cause, can derange Eustachian tube function. Nasal septal deviation is one of the prevalent causes of upper airway obstruction which can affects the ventilation function of Eustachian tube.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on the patients who underwent septoplasty due to severe septal deviation leading to unilateral nasal obstruction in Amiraalam hospital from summer of 1378 till the spring of 1379.
Results: There was 140 patients whose data were as: female patients 34 (24.3%) male patients 106 (75.7%), mean age (22.7). Median age (20) years and mode of age (18) years of age. they were from 12 to 40 years of age.
Conclusion: Comparison between preoperative and postoperative middle ear pressures shows no any significant statistical difference (p=0.798).

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Background: Cephalometry is one of the important branches of anthropometry that has wide uses in identification, forensic medicine, plastic surgery, orthodontics, archeology and determining the origins of races. This research was investigated to determine the head and face phenotypes among one-day newborn boys in two aborigines of Sistani and Baluchi who were resident in Zahedan.

Materials and Methods: The investigation is based on cross-sectional analytical descriptions of 420 newborn aborigine boys (216 Sistani & 204 Baluchi), who were clinically healthy, in Quds hospital in summer 1381, in Zahedan. In this study cephalic and prosopic indices were determined by classical cephalometric.

Results: The mean and the standard deviations of cephalic index were 83.67±4.80 and 83.64±4.77 and prosopic index 86.79±5.87 and 86.53±6.76 for Sistani and Baluchi subjects respectively. Based on the cephalic index, the dominant head types in sistani group were hyperbrachycephalic (37%) and brachycephalic (37%). In Blachui group, the hyperbrachycephalic (37.3%) and brachycephalic (35.3%) type were the dominant one. Furthermore, according to the prosopic index. The dominant face type among sistanis was euryprosopic type (42.6%). In Baluchi group, the dominant face type was also euryprosopic (39.2%).

Conclusion: This research showed no statistically significant differences in terms of head and face type indices between two aborigines of Zahedan. Based on this cross-sectional study, it seems that there is similarities between the aforementioned groups

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Background: The aim of this study was to provide data, on the distribution or intraocular pressure (IOP) in Tehran population.

Materials and Methods: Through a population-based, cross-sectional study, a total of 4565 Tehran citizens were studied in the Tehran Eye Study. The findings of the participants (n=3834) 10 years and older free of glaucoma diagnosis or suspicion who had undergone applanation tonometry examination are presented. All participants received a standardized protocol included applanation tonometry, and some other ocular measurements, fundus examination, demographic data and an interview. IOP measurement was used to evaluate its distribution by age, sex, and some eye parameters.   ‎

Results: Mean ± SO IOP was 14.5±2.6 in the total population, 14.4±2.7 in men, and 14.5±2.5 in women. Normal range (mean±2SD) of IOP was determined to be 9.3 - 19.7 mmHg. IOP increased significantly with age and cup-disc ratio except for a fall in old ages. This relationship was also observed when we analyzed individuals without diabetes or hypertension history. IOP increased with darker eye pigmentation except for blue/gray eyes. There was a non-linear ‎increase of IOP from emmetropic to high myopic eyes. ‎

Conclusion: Mean and/or normal range of IOP and their associations have been reported with wide differences in various studies. It is wise that studies evaluate IOP distribution or associations in healthy people and glaucoma people separately and also report the prevalence of IOP risk factors in their population to allow for a logical comparison of studies.

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Background and Aim: In obstetrics, calcium antagonists, in particular nifedipine, have become increasingly popular for the management of preterm labor and are more effective tocolytic agents than beta 2-sympathomimetics. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of oral nifedipine therapy on ultrasonographic cord blood flow parameters in pregnant women with short cervical length.

Materials and Methods: In a case-series study, 20 patients at risk of preterm labor with shortening cervix in serial examinations were included. Patients received oral nifedipine administered 40 mg per day until 37w of gestational age (GA). Umbilical artery Doppler parameters including systolic/diastolic ratio (SD) and pulsatility index (PI) were recorded before and biweekly after nifedipine prescription.

Results: The mean of age was 25.55±4.58 years. The mean cervical length was 19.68±6.32. nifedipine consumption was initiated at the 26.4±4.12w and was terminated at 36.10±2.65w. The side effects of nifedipine were occurred in 2 patients (10%). In no patient no SD and PI measure get out of normal values. In contrast to PI, after nifedipine consumption SD was significantly higher than before (2.28±0.45 vs. 2.65±0.21). Two neonates (10%) were delivered before 37w and less than 2500gr. Just one neonate needed NICU stay.

Conclusion: Oral nifedipine can be used as a safe and effective tocolytic treatment in patients at risk of preterm labor with shortened cervical length.

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Background and Aim: While nowadays,great attainments have been achieved in curing and preventing the pathogenic fungal infections, and some how there has been reduction in the number of occurrences, the occurrences of opportunistic infections have been increased. Since the study of fungal infections in various organs (e.g.digestive system) is crucial ,and because of few study were done in this field in the world, it is decided to examine the apendectomide tissue for fungal contamination in Iran.

Materials and Methods: The work has been done for six months. After oparation sergery the appendix tissue in two media (formalin & normal salin) were carried out in the medical mycology laboratory at Tehran University of medical sciences. The specimens were examined directly and cultured in sabourauds dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (sc). In this experiment 200 appendicular tissues were examined.

Results: Out of them some fungi were isolated in 10 cases included 4 Candida albican (40%), 2 Candida tropicalis (20%),1 Cryptococcus sp. (10%),1 Candida sp.and 2 Geotrichum sp. Cryptococcus sp. was identified with mycological methods. This isolation related to a young man that has a history for long contact to pigeon.some of the fungi specially yeast can be a part of mycoflora in digestive system but the finding of Cryptococcus is uncommon.

Conclusion: In this study the fungi were isolated from 5% of appendisits and with pay attention to this finding that the most patients hadn.t background factors causing the proliferation of the fungal agents in the intestine, so with further studies it is probable to consider the fungi as the agents causing appendicitis in this patients.

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Background and Aim: Anxiety is the most common psychological distress in cancer patients. Many studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression and the predisposing factors of psychological morbidity in cancr patients. Patients knowledge of disease, their desire for more information, their satisfaction of given information and their attitudes’ towards communication of information about cancer are among issues that have not been well anddressed in assessment of psychological morbidity of cancer patients in Iran.

Materials and Methods: 250 cancer patients of 15-75 age group who were referred to Cancer Institute entered the study. The patients’ knowledge of disease, their desire for more information, their attitude and satisfaction were assessed by Questionnaire n1. patients’ anxiety and depression scores were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results: 30 of patients had severe anxiety symptoms and 17% suffered severe depression most patients’ knowledge of disease was “low” (32%) and “intermediate” (54%). There was no significant correlation between knowledge and anxiety and depression. Most patients (69%) believed that the information given by physicians had been “insufficient”. Depression score was significantly higher in this group of patients compared to other patients. Most patients (59%) had a high level of desire for gaining more information and 64% believed that physicians should inform patients of different aspects of disease as much as possible. There was no significant correlation between patients’ desire and attitude and anxiety and depression. Level of satisfaction was “low” in 29% of patients and “intermediate” in 39%. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in patients who were less satisfied with given information.

Conclusion: Low level of knowledge in most cancer patients, their high desire for gaining more information, their dissatisfaction of given information and their positive attitudes towards full disclosure of information about cancer in this study, all indicate that complete and honest disclosure of information to cancer patients by physicians should be improved and encouraged. Although it seems that amount of information given doesn’t influence the psychological morbidity in cancer patients the patients’ satisfaction of given information, which has implications for the quality of patient-physician communication, plays a far more important role in occurance of psychological morbidity in cancer patients. Meanwhile, negative public opinion of cancer and its prognosis greatly influences the physicians functions and the quality of communication process, and also has negative effects on cancer patients’ psychological adjustment.

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Background: Acne is one of the most common skin diseases especially in adolescence. Different studies have reported unequal rates of facial acne prevalence in different countries and populations. Only a few cases of acne in the trunk area (back and chest) have been reported in literature. Although our clinical experience shows lower prevalence of truncal acne in comparison with facial acne, a community based study is needed to support this experience.

Methods: A total number of 1001 high school students, selected randomly from 5 out of 20 education-ministry subdivisions of Tehran, were included. In each area two high schools (one for boys and one for girls) with almost 100 students per high school were selected. Demographic data, family history and clinical findings were recorded in the questionnaires. Consensus Conference on Acne Classification was used for acne grading.

Results: One thousand one high school students, 503 girls and 498 boys ,were included. Prevalence of acne was 91.1% for face (95%CI: 83-99%), 93.4% in boys and 88.6% in girls. It was 53.4% for back (95%CI: 46-62.2%), 58.5% in boys and 36.9% in girls. Whereas for chest the prevalence was 36% (95%CI: 27-45%), 34.9% in boys and 36.9% in girls. Mean age of the students with truncal acne was 16.1 years where as 15.9 in others. This difference was significant (P<0.05). Positive family history was higher in students with truncal acne (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Truncal acne is less prevalent than facial acne. Acne on the back is significantly higher in boys than girls (P=0.002). Severe forms of acne in back may be more prevalent in boys. Positive family history can increase the risk of truncal acne.

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Background: Injection drug use (IDU) in Iran is not rare and is one of the main factors in opioid overdose. The objective of this study was the qualitative assessment of overdose, related factors, and available interventions.

Methods: A qualitative method was employed. Six districts of Tehran with a population of 400,000 inhabitants were selected. The districts were different in socioeconomic characteristics, urban structures and prevalence of IDU and crime. A total of 81 key informants from different sectors and 154 injection drug users (IDUs) were selected by purposeful, opportunistic and snowball sampling, and interviewed individually or in groups. Ethnographic observations were done for studying the life situation of IDUs.

Results: In one district no cases of IDU were found. In other districts, overdose in IDUs was reported to be common. Heroin injection alone or in combination with other drugs was the main reported cause of overdose. Reportedly, wrong estimation of drug purity was the most important reason. Even in the districts with highest rate of IDU and overdose, most clinics and hospitals did not have enough facilities necessary for management of acute opioid overdose.

Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of overdose, provision of preventive education of drug users and their relatives and availability and accessibility of emergency services is highly recommended.

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Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women.Conization of the cervix is one of the best diagnostic and therapeutic modality in preinvasive lesion of the cervix.

Methods: In this retrospective study we have evaluated the indications,complications, cytopathologic results, diagnostic and therapeutic value of 44 patients who underwent cervical conization.

Results: Age of the study group ranged from 18 to 75 (mean=43.18, SD=±11.4), and their parity ranged from 0 to 10 (mean 4-5, SD=±2-3). Ten cases (22.7%) were menopauses. The main indication was inability to visualize the entire T.zone (19 cases/43.2%) that was more prevalent in menopauses (50%/5cases in menopauses and 41.2% /14 cases in premenopauses). Bleeding occurred in 2 cases (4.5%) and urinary infection in 1 case (2.3%). The most common histologic result after conization was mild dysplasia in 23 cases (52.3%). The most common colposcopic biopsy result was moderate dysplasia in 16 cases (36.4%).The most common pap smear result was HSIL in 16 cases (36.4%). Two cases (4.5%) had invasive cancer in colposcopic- biopsy: one of them had ASCUS in the pap and another one had HSIL. Four cases (9.1%) had invasive cancer in histologic report: one of which had ASCUS on the pap and the others had HSIL.

Conclusion: Pap smear in screening of cervical cancer are not reliable and colposcopy is more acceptable in LSIL and ASCUS. Gynecologists should develop the skill to perform an accurate knife conization because the classical indications for conization continue to be valid and it has a low complication rate.

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Background: Difficult intubation (DI), often unexpected, remains a primary concern for anesthesiologists. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of ULBT with sternomental, thyromental and interincisor distances in predicting difficult intubation.

Methods: In a prospective study, 380 patients undergoing general anesthesia were included. In all patients sternomental, thyromental and inter-incisor distances and the ULBT score were evaluated preoperatively. The Cormack grade was determined after the induction of anesthesia and grade 3 or 4 was considered as difficult intubation. The best points with highest accuracy were determined by ROC curve. Sensitivity and specificity of these tests in predicting difficult intubation were calculated and evaluated.

Results: In 19 (5%) patients, intubation was difficult. ULBT class III, inter-incisor distance less than 4.5 cm, thyromental distance less than 6.5 cm, sternomental distance less than 13 cm were considered as difficult intubation and there were significant differences between them and laryngeal view (P<0.05, McNemar) but there was no difference between laryngeal view in both sex. The sensitivity and specificity of ULBT is significantly higher than thyromental and sternomental and Inter-incisor distances (the specificity were respectively 91.96% vs. 64.77%, 70% and 82.27% and accuracy were respectively 91.05% vs. 76.58%, 71.32%, 81.84% and 59.53%)

Conclusion: We conclude that the specificity and accuracy of ULBT is significantly higher than inter-incisor, thyromental and sternomental distances and is more accurate in airway assessment.

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Background: In the year 2003, an earthquake in Bam led to death and injury of many of the inhabitants. The aim of this study was to the changes in opioid drug use in the survivers eight months after the earthquake in comparison with the month before the quake and its related factors.

Methods: An epidemiologic survey was carried out on 779 survivors, selected by desert sampling from the Bam citizens in the age of 15 and over. Bivariate and multivariate Logestic regression analysis were done for examining the relationship between an increase in opioid use and various factors.

Results: An increase in opioid use was reported in 18.3 percent of men and 2.3 percent of women. Odds Ratio (OR) for increase in opioid use was 9.4 times more in men than in women (95% CI=4.9-18.0). In men, increase in opioid use was related with the history of opioid use during the month before earthquake (OR=5.6, 95% CI=2.4-13.1), age (OR in age group 30 to 44 was 4.7 times more than age below 30, with 95% CI from 1.8 to12.1), and PTSD (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.5-9.2). In women, it was only related to the history of opioid use during the month before earthquake (OR=43.8, 95% CI=12.5-154.0).

Conclusion: The findings show that following disasters, especially in the areas or groups that drug use is common, an increase in the drug use might occur. In these situations provision of preventive and treatment interventions particularly for at risk population is necessary.

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Background: Psychological debriefing has been widely advocated for routine use following major traumatic events. Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, art supportive therapies, and sport and recreational support activities are other interventions for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder. We assessed the effects of theses methods individually and in combination on reduction posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in adolescents who had experienced Bam earthquake.
Methods: In a field trial, we evaluated the efficacy of psychological debriefing, group cognitive-behavioral therapy, art and sport supportive interventions in 200 adolescents with PTSD symptoms who survived of Bam earthquake and compare it with a control group. Patients were randomly assigned to one of intervention programs including: group cognitive-behavioral therapy group CBT plus art and sport interventions art and sport interventions without group CBT and control group.
Results: Thirty one individuals were excluded because of migration. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD symptoms as well as in avoidance symptoms was observed after group cognitive-behavioral therapy. There was no significant difference in reduction of overall PTSD and avoidance symptoms between the other groups.
Conclusion: Psychological interventions in form of group cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce the symptoms of PTSD symptoms but we couldn't find the art and sport supportive therapy alone or in combination with group CBT to be useful in this regard.

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Background: The most frequently used test for evaluation of fetal health is the Non Stress Test (NST). Unfortunately it has a high incidence of false positive results. The combination of vibroacoustic stimulation with the NTS has been shown to reduce non reactive results.
Methods: A tests assessment method was chosen with a simple randomized sampling. 40 pregnant women with non reactive NST in the first 20 minutes who received VAS in one of Tehran University's Hospitals were compared with BPP scores. A vibroacoustic stimulation was applied for a 3 seconds on the maternal abdomen and fallowed within 10 minutes.Data collection tools were NST, sonography instruments ,NST result paper, tooth brusher, watch, demographic questioner and check list. Data analysis was made by descriptive static and by using the Fisher's Exact Test (with level of significant at p<0/05). All statistical analysis were performed using an spss/win.
Results: After VAS, 70% of non reactive tracing became reactive. All cases with fetal reactivity response after a VAS had a subsequent BPP score of 8 (negative predictive value of 100%). False positivity of VAS was lower than NST.
Conclusion: VAS offers benefits, by decreasing the incidence of non reactive test and reducing test time. VAS lowers the rate of false positive NST. VAS is safe and allows more efficient of prenatal services. This test could be used as a rapid antepartum test to predict fetal well-being.

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Background: Many studies have shown the efficacy of cognitive – behavioral therapy and psychological debriefing in treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a few evidences are available for using these techniques in large scale disasters. This study aimed to asses the effect of some psychological interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms after Bam earthquake in different age groups.
Methods: In a before-after quasi experimental clinical trial, we compared the efficacy of one session of psychological debriefing and three sessions of group cognitive-behavioral therapy in bam earthquake PTSD symptoms in different age groups. We evaluated PTSD symptoms before and immediately and three months after interventions by CASP scaling system and analyzed data.
Results: one hundred and thirty persons entered in the study and 51 persons excluded during interventions because of migration. Interventions were showed to be effective only in short term period. The means of PTSD symptoms frequency and severity of avoidance symptoms were reduced during three months period of study which were statistically significant P<0.05. Interventions showed no efficacy for recall symptoms in long term and hyper arousal symptoms in short term and long term periods. There was no statistically significant difference among age groups.
Conclusion: Psychosocial supportive interventions may be effective on some of the PTSD symptoms but there is no difference in different age groups.

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Background: Access to a safe and efficient chemotherapy regimen for improving the survival and live quality is a goal in ovarian carcinoma. Despite surgery is the base treatment of ovarian cancer, but in most patients chemotherapy is used due to progression of their disease. This study designed to compare two important chemotherapy regimens.
Methods: This historical cohort study compared two chemotherapy regimen cisplatin (75mg/m2)+ cyclophosphamide (750mg/m2), versus taxol (175mg/m2)+ carboplatinium (GFR+25)AUC between 1998-2005 in valiasr hospital. In this study toxicities of two regimes were compared. The survival function in these two groups were analysed with Kaplan-Meire curve.
Results: Gastrointestinal and mucosal toxicity were significantly higher in CP group compared TC group (p=0.02). Also there were no significant relation between decrease of serum CA125 and patient remission length in CP group but in other group with decrease of CA125 in lower than three cycle we had an increase in patient remission period. (P=0.02). Disease free interval in cisplatin group was longer versus taxol group (p<0.05), there was no significant difference in overall survival in two group.
Conclusion: This study revealed that cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide regimen can yet be used as a chemotherapy treatment in ovarian cancer. In this study there was no significant benefit in taxol regimen compared CP. In the adjuvant therapy of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

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Background: Infant formula, depending on the source, contains various fatty acids, which may possess important nutritional and biological value for infants. The presence of some of these fatty acids in infant formula, however, can be harmful and toxic for the infant. In this regard, more attention has been paid to erucic acid since its accumulation in myocardial tissues may cause damage to the heart. Therefore, a limit has been set by the Codex Alimentarius for the presence of erucic acid in infant formula (less than 1% of total fatty acids). The purpose of the present study is to investigate amount of erucic acid present in three infant formulas used predominantly in Iran.
Methods: Gas chromatography (GC) is a valuable method applied for the separation of fatty acids, including erucic acid, from oils and oily food. Three brands of infant formulas, namely Humana, Biomil and Multi, were analyzed by GC using a wall coated open tubular (WCOT) fused silica column and flame ionization detector (FID). Heneicosanoic acid was employed as an internal standard.
Results: The findings showed that Humana and Biomil infant formula samples contained 0.06% and 0.002% erucic acid (from total fatty acids), respectively, while no erucic acid was detected in the Multi infant formula samples.
Conclusion: The amount of erucic acid in the studied infant formulas was far below the Codex limit of 1% total fatty acids.

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Background: Pain control after posterolateral thoracotomy is very important for adequate respiration and to reduce pulmonary complications. Narcotic-induced respiratory depression requires different intercostal nerve block procedures with local anesthesia, such as bupivacaine, through an extrapleural catheter, paravertebral catheter and intrapleural injection in order to control pain and reduce narcotics consumption. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of bupivacain versus normal saline (N/S) in pain control after thoracotomy.
Methods: In a single-blind clinical trial, forty patients were divided into two groups of 20 patients each. Group 1 (G.1) received a single dose (10 ml) of bupivacaine 0.5%, followed by continuous infusion of N/S (0.1 ml/kg/h) four hours after surgery. Group 2 (G.2) received a single dose (10 ml) of bupivacaine 0.5%, followed by a continuous infusion of bupivacaine (0.1 ml/kg/h) four hours after surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed every four hours for 48 hours by linear visual analog scale (VAS). If VAS > 5, then pethidine was injected at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/IM. VAS ≤ 3 was considered pain control.
Results: TThe mean VAS at 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours after surgery in G.1 was 7.6, 5.5, 6.6, 5.5 and 5.7, respectively, and in G.2 was 3.4, 3.7, 2.8, 2.1 and 1.9, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (for 12 hours P<0.001 and for other time points P=0.0001). During the 4-24 hour period after surgery, pain control in G.1 was 5% and in G.2 was 81%. The mean VAS at 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 hours after surgery in G.1 was 5.2, 5, 5.3, 4.4, 5.1, and 4.8, respectively, and in G.2 was 1.6, 1.8, 1.5, 1.6, 1.5 and 1.4, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.0001). In the first 24 hours, the mean of pethidine injection in G.1 was 3.7 and in G.2 was 0.6 (P<0.0001). In the second 24 hours, the mean pethidine injection in G.1 was 2.2 and in G.2 there was no need for pethidine (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Continuous extrapleural infusion of bupivacaine is effective in pain control and decreasing demand for narcotics after thoracotomy.

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Background: Propofol, an anesthetic noted to give rapid recovery, causes discomfort at the site of injection. A number of methods to reduce propofol-induced pain have been tried, including pretreatment with lidocaine, with varying results. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of magnesium sulfate compared to that of lidocaine and normal saline in mitigating propofol-induced pain.
Methods: One hundred ASA I and II adults, aged 20-50 years, scheduled for elective surgery requiring two IV lines with 20-gauge cannulae in the dorsum of each hand, were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups of 50 patients. In each patient, one hand was the case study and other hand was the control. Group A received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and normal saline in the other hand. Group B received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and 1% lidocaine in the other hand. All injections had a volume of 2 ml. After 30 seconds, 2 cc of 1% propofol was injected simultaneously into each hand. Pain was assessed according to the VAS rating system, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain), with a minimum interval of 3 as significant pain. Data were analyzed by chi-square and independent t tests. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: In Group A, the mean pain in the hand premedicated with magnesium was 1.46±1.07, compared to 4.54±2.15 for that of the other hand that had received normal saline (P=0.001). In group B, the mean pain in the hand that had received magnesium was 0.82±1.34, compared to 0.78±1.07 for that of the other hand, which had received lidocaine (P=0.86).
Conclusion: Intravenous magnesium and lidocaine pretreatments are equally effective in attenuating propofol-induced pain, and were better than normal saline in attenuating propofol-induced pain.

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Background: The object of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of deliberate self-poisoning in adolescents referred to the only poisoning center in Tehran.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all cases of acute poisoning at the Loghman Hakim Hospital from May to December 2003 were reviewed. Data for adolescents (13-19 years of age) were analyzed by SPSS for Windows, version 13 and STATA, version 8.
Results: From a total of 9203 cases of deliberate self-poisoning, 28.5% were adolescents (2626 cases). The male/female ratio was 1/2.2. Approximately 87% were unmarried and 56% were students, while a total of 4859 different drugs/agents were used for self-poisoning (an average of 1.85 for each case). The majority of patients was from urban areas and had no history of attempted suicide. There was no difference between males and females regarding history of psychiatric and somatic disorders, though there was a significant difference in the average of age between male and female adolescents.
Conclusions: Among adolescents, self-poisoning is more common in girls while the mean of age is younger in boys. Although the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adolescents appears to be less than the general population, this may be related to differences in their situations or due to underestimation of their frequencies. Psychiatric care should be a necessary component of the care administered to adolescents who attempt suicide and must be based on the needs and basic assessment of the patient’s status. Research regarding the familial history of abuse, neglect, self-harm/ poi- soning should be undertaken so that such social issues can be prioritized and addressed.