Showing 680 results for HR
Razieh Behzadmehr, Ariana Rasekhi , Banafsheh Zeinali-Rafsanjani , Alireza Rasekhi,
Volume 81, Issue 5 (August 2023)
Abstract
Background: Several typical and atypical findings have been observed in Covid-19 high-resolution computer tomography (HRCT). To our knowledge, there is no study investigating the relationship between the presence of nodules in Covid-19 patients and the patient's condition. Therefore, the present study assessed the frequency of pulmonary nodules in Covid-19 patients according to their condition.
Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the medical images of the patients referred to three university-affiliated centers (Nemazi, Ali Asghar and Shahid Faghihi Hospital) to perform Covid-19 HRCT from April to September 2020. The centers have been named H1, H2, and H3. Patients who were referred to these centers had good, poor, and fair conditions, respectively. The history of patients was assessed carefully. Patients' demographic information, nodule shape, number, size, location, presence of cavitation, and GGO around the nodule were assessed and recorded.
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Results: Overall, 20576 patients (mean age=46.75±16.64 years old) were included in the study. Only 2.1% of cases had solid nodules. Most of them (96.76%) were accompanied by a GGO (halo sign), and only 10.42% were associated with a cavity. The good condition, patients showed significantly more solid nodules (3.46%) than others. In size of the nodules in good-condition patients (1.8 cm) is significantly larger than in fair-condition (1.22 cm) or poor condition patients (1.15 cm). 79.86%, 12.5%, and 7.64% of nodules were multiple, dual/triple, and single, respectively.
Conclusion: The frequency of nodules in the HRCTs of good-condition patients was significantly higher than in fair- or poor-conditionpatients; they also had more multiple and larger-sized nodules. The Pearson-coefficient test also revealed a small negative correlation between the presence of nodules and the patient's condition. It seems the presence of nodules indicates higher immunity to viral infections. In the follow-up, it was revealed that people who had nodules were not hospitalized in the ICU. Further study is needed to prove this point.
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Sadaf Alipour, Zohreh Dehghani-Bidgoli ,
Volume 81, Issue 6 (September 2023)
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy, as an emerging and promising molecular assessment tool, has attracted the attention of researchers, especially for disease diagnosis in human organs such as the breast. Although most of the Raman studies on the breast have dealt with ex-vivo examination of either intact or processed excised tissue specimens, there are some in-vivo studies, including intraoperative tumor margin assessment and a few non-invasive studies. Since the non-invasive or minimally invasive Raman assessment technique is an essential need for translation to clinical approaches, in the present article, the most recent and relevant studies in this regard have been reviewed to find and introduce the most proper Raman spectroscopy system’s specifications for in-vivo assessment of breast tissue.
Scholarly documents, including articles, books, and dissertations related to Raman assessment of breast tissue or in-vivo Raman assessment of other human organs, were perused in search of the most relevant technical details of Raman systems employed so far. On the one hand, the present study has covered Raman instrumentation aspects of diverse types of Raman spectroscopy, different types of laser source and their specifications, optical elements used in the delivery and collection of light to and from the tissue such as lenses and fibers, detectors and even calibration settings. On the other hand, the main Raman features corresponding to different breast pathologies have been studied, speculating their variations in a non-invasive setting. Having studied all, we tried to find the best feasible configuration for a Raman system in terms of the ability to meet the needs of a non-invasive, in vivo clinical examination of the breast.
In terms of the Raman spectroscopy modality and laser source, SORS/TRS and 785nm laser diode, were selected for in vivo examination of the breast respectively. The pertinent parameters of the spectrograph, detector, and fiber optic probe were introduced as well.
In the present study, detailed specifications of a non-invasive, in vivo Raman apparatus for examination of breast tissue have been studied and specified.
Mahdi Yadollahzadeh, Nader Rezaei , Mohsen Farrokhpour , Mehdi Azimi, Maedeh Barahman, Mohammad Bahadoram , Amirhossein Forouzanmehr , Seyed Ali Javad Mousavi ,
Volume 81, Issue 6 (September 2023)
Abstract
Background: The realm of diagnosing intrathoracic lesions involves a spectrum of imaging methodologies, among which computed tomography (CT)-scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stand prominent. In the context of Iran, where there is no study comparing the efficacy of CT-scan and MRI for evaluating intrathoracic lesions, our study endeavors to bridge this gap. Mindful of the nuanced advantages and drawbacks inherent in each method, we aim to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of CT-scan and MRI in diagnosing intrathoracic lesions, focusing on patients seeking care at Firoozgar Hospital's pulmonary clinic.
Methods: Embarking on a cross-sectional exploration at Firoozgar Hospital Pulmonary Clinic in Tehran, Iran, our investigative journey unfolded between April 2020 and March 2021. Thirty patients, spanning ages 21 to 69, presenting with intra-thoracic lesions encompassing mediastinal and chest wall anomalies, underwent simultaneous CT scan and MRI examinations. In pursuit of diagnostic certainty, histopathology was ordained as the gold standard, and the ensuing results underwent meticulous scrutiny and analysis utilizing SPSS 23 statistical software.
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Results: Our study cohort comprised 30 patients, averaging 44.83 years (SD=12.71), with males constituting 60% of the population. Delving into the histological reports, CT-scan and MRI accurately diagnosed 25 (83.3%) and 28 (93.3%) cases, respectively, in retrospective analysis. The Kappa matching coefficient for CT-scan stood at 0.783, while for MRI, it soared to 0.912. A notable revelation surfaced as the Kappa matching coefficient for both CT-scan and MRI maintained a robust 0.783 (P<0.001 in all three cases).
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Conclusion: MRI might wield a superior diagnostic prowess compared to CT-scan in evaluating intrathoracic lesions. The robust Kappa matching coefficients endorse a substantial concordance between the two imaging modalities. The implications further beckon contemplation that, in select scenarios, the acquisition of biopsy and histopathology may prove redundant when scrutinizing intrathoracic lesions using the tandem approach of CT-scan and MRI. However, to etch these findings into the annals of medical certainty, a multicenter study endowed with a judicious sample size emerges as an imperative next step.
Mohammad Ali Gharaat , Yaghoob Mehri Alvar,
Volume 81, Issue 6 (September 2023)
Abstract
Background: Angiogenesis is a physiological process leading to capillary density enhancement and better blood distribution in skeletal muscles, which triggers in response to physical training. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in physiological factors involved in angiogenesis in response to circuit or traditional resistance training.
Methods: Thirty-six healthy sedentary students who were studying at Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University of Tehran (age: 22.1±2.3 years; height: 172.7±5.1 cm) volunteered to participate in the study (from October 2021 to February 2022). Following a pre-test to evaluate one repetition maximum (1RM) of selected movements (Leg Press, Leg Curl, Leg Extension, Bench Pull, Seated Row, Biceps Curl), subjects randomly divided into Circuit Resistance training (CRT) (training protocol included 4 circles/3 times a week/8 weeks circuit performance/50-55% 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM), n=12), Traditional resistance training (RT) (training protocol included 8 repetition/3 set/3 time per week/8 weeks of same movements with 75% 1RM followed by 2 minutes break to rest between the sets; n=12) and the control group without any regular training (n=12). We assessed the level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), plasma level of growth hormone (GH), and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (BFGF) to the mentioned training methods. Data were evaluated by utilizing SPSS version 14.
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Results: Present findings showed that CRT and RT protocols resulted in significant increases in post-test compared to pre-test in VEGF (P=0.00), GH (P=0.04), and BFGF (P=0.00). In addition, the magnitude of changes in VEGF and GH were significantly greater than the magnitude of changes in control group in post-test (P=0.03, and 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between absolute values of GH and VEGF (r=0.74 and r=0.71) following CRT (P=0.01) and RT (P=0.02).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CRT and RT might enhance angiogenesis through an increase in VEGF, bFGF and GH, leading to better blood distribution in muscles.
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Mansoureh Baradaran, Mohammd Ashraf Azimi , Rasoul Nikdel, Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi ,
Volume 81, Issue 6 (September 2023)
Abstract
Background: Splenic artery aneurysm is seen in less than 0.1% of the population. Aneurysm of the splenic artery is more common in pregnant women. One of the life-threatening complications of splenic artery aneurysm is the spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm, which causes hemorrhagic shock. This complication is more common in pregnant women than other people in the society and has more mortality and morbidity. In this study, a pregnant patient with spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm is reported.
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Case Presentation: The patient is an 18-year-old woman, 20 weeks pregnant, who came to the Emergency department of Bentolhoda Hospital in Bojnurd with diffuse sudden onset of abdominal pain in the September of 2023. On examination, the patient's vital signs were unstable, which was due to the presence of hemorrhagic shock. In the examination of the patient's abdomen, or generalized tenderness and rebound tenderness? was evident, suggesting peritonitis. According to the ultrasound report, abundant free fluid and fluid containing blood was drained from the abdomen under ultrasound guidance. The patient underwent surgery with the diagnosis of hemorrhagic shock with a midline incision of the abdomen above and below the umbilicus. In the performed surgery, evidence of splenic artery aneurysm rupture was evident. For the patient, ligature and resection of splenic vessels (artery and vein) and splenectomy were performed. After surgery and stabilization of the patient's condition, fetal health ultrasound was performed, and the fetus had no heartbeat. Therefore, medical induction of abortion was performed, and after 48 hours, the fetus was completely expelled, and then mother was transferred to the ward. And four days after the surgery, she was discharged with general improvement. No remarkable adverse effects were observed after surgery.
Conclusion: One of the rare diseases is splenic artery aneurysm, which is difficult to diagnose due to its asymptomatic rupture and high mortality rate.
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Fatemeh Saeedi, Mahdieh Zaki Zade , Mohammadbagher Sohrabi , Mostafa Enayat Rad , Sina Habib Zade , Mansooreh Fateh,
Volume 81, Issue 7 (October 2023)
Abstract
Background: With a national vaccination program, we have achieved success in the prevention of infectious diseases in the community especially in children. Despite this great success, the side effects of vaccination may not encourage some people in the community to get vaccinated. In this study, we investigate the prevalence of common side effects of vaccination in Shahrood city.
Methods: This study investigated the incidence of complications caused by vaccination in infants and children under seven years old in Shahrood city in a 5-year period from April 2016 to March 2020. We collected demographic and clinical information, by referring to the health centers and complications recorded after routine vaccinations such as fever, rash, diarrhea, swelling and other complications of vaccination were collected.
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Results: Findings Among the 429 registered complications between 2016 and 2020, most complications were related to pentavalent and trivalent vaccines. Among the registered complications, high fever is the most common complication in both term and pre-term groups. (202 cases, 47.1%) other complications included maculopapular rash (59 cases), mild local complications (55 cases), vomiting (41 cases), and continuous screaming (36 cases), respectively. Among these, 123 cases were resolved without treatment, 297 cases were resolved with drug treatment on an outpatient basis, and only eight cases required hospitalization.
Conclusion: In general, the vaccination program is highly effective despite having limited side effects. Knowing this information, can increase vaccination in the country.
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Mohsen Ebrahimi, Zahra Valipour Moghadam , Seyed Ali Aghapour, Azam Rashidbaghan,
Volume 81, Issue 7 (October 2023)
Abstract
Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Various tests and questionnaires are designed to monitor the severity of asthma and help the therapist and the health system prescribe the best treatment to control it. This study was designed to compare two methods Asthma Control Questionnaires (ACQ) and Asthma Control test-child (ACT-CHILD) in children with asthma.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 92 children with asthma referred to the Taleghani hospital, Gorgan, in 2022-2023. Patients were in a range of age 4-16 years. Asthma control was evaluated and compared by two methods ACT-CHILD and ACQ. ACT-CHILD included one version for 4-11-year patients completed by their parents and another one for 12-16 –year patients completed by the patients. The clinical symptoms, age, gender and the parents' records related to asthma were completed during the clinical interview. Data was analyzed using Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests. The degree of agreement between two questionnaires was determined using the Kappa coefficient.
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Results: 84 children aged 4-11 years (91.3%) and 8 children aged 12-16 years (8.7%) were included in the study. According to the ACT-CHILD, 40.2% of children (n=37) had controlled asthma, 44.6% (n=41) had partially controlled asthma, and 15.2% (n=14) had uncontrolled asthma. Based on the ACQ, controlled asthma was observed in 18.5% (n=17), partially controlled asthma in 35.8% (n=33), and uncontrolled asthma in 45.7% (n=42) of children. Asthma control results based on two questionnaires were significantly different from each other (P<0.001). The agreement between the ACT-CHILD and ACQ methods in evaluating children's asthma was at a weak level (P=0.014, κ=0.157), however, a significant negative correlation was observed between the scores of the ACT-CHILD and ACQ questionnaires (r=-0.588, P>0.001) which after categorizing based on age group, this correlation was confirmed only in children aged 4-11 years (r=-0.627, P>0.001).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that there is a poor agreement between ACT-CHILD and ACQ results in the assessment of asthma control. Further studies are recommended.
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Hojjat Rahmani, Zahra Asadi-Piri,
Volume 81, Issue 7 (October 2023)
Abstract
Maryam Mehrpooya, Zahra Sadeghi,
Volume 81, Issue 8 (November 2023)
Abstract
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Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a very serious condition and life-threatening complication that usually occurs after acute occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery followed by acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), which leads to significant regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA). It should be noted that its diagnosis, treatment, and management are challenging now and depend on various factors such as the type of thrombus, time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and underlying disease. The preferred diagnostic method is cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), but transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is routinely used for diagnostic and screening purposes also follow-up of response to treatment. It is worth mentioning that when the diagnosis of left ventricular thrombus is not clear with conventional echocardiography, contrast echocardiography is used for more resolution and detailed information. Left ventricular thrombosis can appear in both acute and chronic forms and lead to significant complications, the most important of them are stroke and systemic arterial embolism (SE). According to previous studies, vitamin K antagonist (warfarin) by keeping INR within the therapeutic range currently used to treat left ventricular thrombosis. Although the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) has brought excellent outcomes, but due to the lack of large clinical trials, the routine use of these agents is controversial, and only in case of warfarin intolerance or contraindications, DOACs can be used as an alternative. Generally, the best way to prevent left ventricular thrombosis is primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty (primary PCI) which preserves left ventricular function. Depending on the sensitivity of the diagnostic method, thrombus will likely resolve in >50% of patients by six months after the MI. On the other hand, in rare cases, surgery is indicated if a thrombosis remains despite the medical treatment especially if it is accompanied by a left ventricular aneurysm. The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate the latest evidence in the field of left ventricular thrombosis management and to adopt the best approach for these patients.
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Reza Atef Yekta , Hoda Kavosi , Pouria Esavand, Monir Sadat Hakemi , Abdolvahhab Baradaran, Zahra Tamartash,
Volume 81, Issue 8 (November 2023)
Abstract
Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with multi-organ involvement mostly due to fibrosis and ectopic or excessive collagen fibers production in organs. Myocardial fibrosis is the main finding of cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis. In recent studies, the presence of Fragmented QRS complexes (FQRS) has been shown in the surface electrocardiogram in relation to fibrosis.
Methods: The present study is a case-control study during March 2019 to February 2020 that was conducted in 148 patients with scleroderma referred to the Rheumatology clinic in Shariati Hospital and 101 non-ischemic individuals in the control group matched by age and sex with the patient group. All the medical records were reviewed and those who were low risk according to 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk assessment were selected as case groups. Data of ECG were evaluated for availability of FQRS or conductive abnormalities and calculating PR, QRS, QT, QTc and Tp-e intervals.
Results: Of the 141 patients with systemic sclerosis, 127(85.81%) were female and 21(14.19%) were male. In the control group, 81 women (80.2%) were present. 61(41.2%) of patients with scleroderma and 8(7.9%) of the control group in this study had FQRS changes in their electrocardiogram. In this study, QRS, QTc and Tp-e intervals were significantly higher in patients with systemic sclerosis compared to those in the control group. The frequency of FQRS, LAHB and LPHB in patients with systemic sclerosis was significantly more than control group. The relationship between PR, QRS, QTc, Tp-e intervals with age, length of disease onset and the severity of skin involvement was assessed. There was a significant correlation between PR-interval and age. Furthermore, there were a correlation between QRS interval and Rodnan skin score, Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Finger to Palm. It is also a meaningful correlation between QTc interval and Rodnan score.
Conclusion: The FQRS finding in electrocardiogram in patients with systemic sclerosis, which has no obvious cardiac symptoms, may indicate myocardial fibrosis and predict future cardiac disorders. |
Maryam Fakehi, Marjan Ghaemi, Nasim Eshraghi, Melina Poorkazemi, Maryam Mazloomi, Fedyeh Haghollahi,
Volume 81, Issue 8 (November 2023)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to identify the associated risk factors of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at Firooz-abadi Hospital between 2019 and 2021. The study included 90 pregnant women diagnosed with PROM or PPROM (case group), compared with 90 women without this complication (control group) who presented to the hospital during the specified period. Demographic and clinical information of the case group was collected and compared with data from 90 pregnant women in the control group, matched for gestational age and other relevant factors. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences between the groups.
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Results: Maternal age and weight were found to be significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.02, P<0.001, respectively). This suggests that younger age and lower maternal weight may be risk factors for PROM and PPROM. Furthermore, the number of women with a history of PROM or PPROM was significantly higher in the Case group (P<0.001), indicating that a previous occurrence of membrane rupture increases the risk of subsequent incident. In addition, the study findings showed a significantly higher rate of smoking among pregnant women in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.04). Moreover, the occurrence of urinary tract infections during pregnancy and chorioamnionitis was significantly higher in the case group (P<0.001), suggesting that these infections may contribute to membrane rupture.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the risk factors associated with PROM and PPROM. It highlights that lower maternal age and weight, a history of PROM or PPROM, lower gestational age, a history of gestational diabetes mellitus and first-trimester bleeding, smoking, and urinary tract infections during pregnancy are significantly associated with an increased risk of PROM and PPROM. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and management of these risk factors in order to prevent or mitigate the occurrence of PROM and PPROM, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Further research and public health initiatives are warranted to raise awareness and promote preventive measures targeting these identified risk factors.
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Nazli Farnoosh, Shahram Seyfi, Khadijeh Ezoji, Asadollah Shakeri, Kayvan Latifi, Parviz Amri Male ,
Volume 81, Issue 8 (November 2023)
Abstract
Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been used as one of the most promising methods to treat hypoxic respiratory failure in COVID-19.
Methods: In this study, the clinical outcomes of 80 patients with acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 were evaluated. The disease was confirmed in two methods: clinical and radiographic confirmation of disease in patients with an acute respiratory infection (highly suspected) or in some cases with a positive PCR test. The rate of discharge from the ICU without the need for intubation was evaluated as the primary outcome and based on that, the patients were divided into two groups: NIV failure and NIV success. Mortality rate, length of stay in ICU, frequency of intubated patients and laboratory factors of patients as secondary outcomes in two groups were compared.
Results: Regarding the outcome of death and discharge, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, all patients with corona who were admitted to ICU and received NIV and were intubated due to non-responsiveness to NIV died and the patients were discharged from the hospital without intubation. All the patients investigated in this study, had received antiviral, antibiotic, and glucocorticoid treatment during hospitalization. In this study, the patients who were in the NIV success group and were not intubated had a lower mean age compared to the group without NIV success (54 vs. 67 years, respectively). The number of white blood cells in the NIV success group was 3945.28±10011.21 and in the group without NIV success was 9242.38±17296.16, which was statistically significant (P=0.004). The number of blood neutrophils in the successful and unsuccessful NIV groups was 12.19±83.04 and 4.31±89.49, respectively (P=0.034). The mean APACHEII score in patients in the NIV success group (11.07±5.05) was significantly lower than the group without NIV success (20.16±4.96).
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Conclusion: Mortality was higher in the intubated group than in the NIV group. The combination of APACHEII score and respiratory rate one hour after receiving NIV can predict success with NIV.
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Mohammad Mahdi Gholamian , Mehrnoush Dianatkhah, Mohammad Kermani-Alghoraishi, Ehsan Shirvani,
Volume 81, Issue 8 (November 2023)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adherence to the ESC 2020 guideline for the management of NSTE-ACS patients admitted to Shahid Chamran Cardiology Hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2021.
Methods: In this retrospective study which was done during April 2021 to September 2021 we reviewed the hospital documents of 239 NSTE-ACS patients, in regard to prescribed medication during the admission period in Shahid Chamran Heart Center. Guideline-adherence was evaluated according to ESC2020 guideline. Totally 18 items were evaluated including Antiplatelet (Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, and Prasugrel) Anticoagulant (Heparin or Enoxaparin), PPI, Statin, Beta blocker, and RAAS blockers (including ACEI/ARB or MRA). In each section the selected drug and the administered dose were compared with the guideline and the guideline adherence for each part was expressed as percent.
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Results: Almost complete guideline adherence was described for 12 out of 18 reviewed items (77%). However, guideline adherence in relation to the type of medicine chosen as an antiplatelet was reported to be very low, and only 1.2% of the cases received ticagrelor or prasugrel which are the guideline recommended antiplatelet agent. Additionally, most of the administered GP2b3a antagonist agents such as eptifibatide were not in accordance with the guideline (Guideline adherence 39.74%). Also, the choice of the anticoagulant agent was among the items with low guideline adherence (29.76%) and the cross-over between anticoagulants (changing heparin to enoxaparin or vice versa) which has been inhibited by the guideline was seen with high incidence in this center (78 cases).
Conclusion: The present study showed relatively high guideline adherence in the most aspects of medical management. However, compliance was reported to be low in relation to the antiplatelet selection, the choice of the anticoagulant agent, and the indication for GP2b3a antagonist use, which maybe due to the higher cost of recommended agents, and shortage of some medications and dosage forms in Iran.
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Mostafa Kazemi , Mohammad Hossain Dadkhah Tehrani , Ali Asghar Khaleghi, Masoud Mohammadi ,
Volume 81, Issue 9 (December 2023)
Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, which is associated with a high prevalence, especially in the elderly male population. Treatment options for non-metastatic prostate cancer usually include active surveillance, radiotherapy and surgery, so the aim of the present study is a systematic review of brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Methods: The study conducted is a systematic review article in which a review of the treatment of prostate cancer with brachytherapy has been done. The information used is taken from articles published in Persian and English in Google scholar, SID and PubMed databases from 2000 to 2022. The selected keywords in this article included Brachy therapy, Prostate cancer, Radio therapy, Prostate neoplasms, High dose rate, Low dose rate and External beam radio therapy. Selection of studies was done according to PRISMA guidelines.
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Results: Brachytherapy can be classified into 2 types of permanent implantation and temporary implantation based on the length of the treatment period. In permanent brachytherapy implants for prostate cancer, iodine (125I) or palladium (103Pd) are used as radioactive sources for low dose rate cases and for high dose rate brachytherapy. Iridium (192Ir) is used. Brachytherapy is usually used in two ways, either as a monotherapy in which LDR and HDR are used to treat some low-risk patients, or as a booster treatment after other treatments such as EBRT, which here may be part of the treatment process before, after, or during treatment. In contrast to brachytherapy alone, brachytherapy plus EBRT is an appropriate approach in patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk disease. In high-risk patients, the combined use of EBRT and HDR-BT can lead to better results than EBRT alone. Brachytherapy treatment is not suitable for every disease.
Conclusion: One of the main advantages of this treatment method is the ability to administer a high dose of radiation while minimizing radiation exposure to adjacent healthy organs. Since optimal dose distribution occurs in the treatment, quality treatment can be ensured. The results obtained from both forms of brachytherapy are generally suitable and comparable to other treatment methods with fewer side effects.
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Ahmad Tahmasebi-Ghorrabi , Zahra Heydarifard, Behrouz Nemati, Majid Davari, Alireza Delavari, Hamideh Salimzadeh , Ali Akbari Sari ,
Volume 81, Issue 9 (December 2023)
Abstract
Background: Screening is a cost-effective method for prevention, early detection of the disease and reducing the burden of the third deadliest cancer in the world, i.e. colorectal cancer. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of colonoscopy screening compared to sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals in Iran.
Methods: This economic evaluation study was conducted using the cost-effectiveness method between July 2016 and February 2017. Evaluation of the effectiveness of screening methods was done using a systematic review. Cost evaluation was also done using the costs obtained from the tariff approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health in 2015 for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Finally, the combined model of decision tree and Markov was used to evaluate the cost effectiveness. Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) formula was used for cost effectiveness analysis considering the final outcome of 5-year survival of high-risk individuals. Excel and TreeAge software were used for data analysis.
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Results: The effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy in increasing 5-year survival is 11 and 15.7%, respectively, and colonoscopy screening is 4.7% more than sigmoidoscopy. The cost of colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy screening was calculated as 1000 and 19920 billion Rials, respectively. Based on cost-effectiveness analysis, the cost of treating patients in the case of screening with colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy is lower than without screening. The ICER ratio of colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy compared to no screening was -4/441/389/160 and -4/757/954/940 Rials respectively, and colonoscopy compared to sigmoidoscopy was -3/699/785/880 Rials, respectively. Finally, the use of colonoscopy leads to spending 3/699/785/880 Rials less in exchange for obtaining 4722 additional survivals with the prevention of colorectal cancer compared to sigmoidoscopy.
Conclusion: Screening by colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy methods are effective in reducing the incidence and death of colorectal cancer compared to no screening. Screening by colonoscopy is a dominant option for the high-risk population in Iran. Colonoscopy screening is more cost effective compared to sigmoidoscopy. However, decisions about colorectal cancer screening and screening methods depend on local resources and personal preferences.
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Jamshid Ansari, Milad Pezeshki, Azam Ahmadi, Ali Chehrei,
Volume 81, Issue 9 (December 2023)
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality rate of all cancers worldwide. In Iran, it is one of the commonly diagnosed malignancies, and its frequency is increasing rapidly. Genetic variants in DNA repair genes are linked to differences in efficiency of repairing DNA damage, which can influence lung cancer susceptibility. EXO1 is a key gene involved in the mismatch repair pathway. The K589E polymorphism in EXO1 may alter the DNA repair activity of the encoded protein and impact lung cancer risk. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the K589E polymorphism in EXO1 and lung cancer risk in the Iranian population, and evaluate its potential as a prognostic biomarker.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted to investigate EXO1 K589E variant with susceptibility to lung malignancy in the Iranian population. One hundred patients with lung cancer as a patient group and 100 healthy individuals from Khansari Hospital located in Markazi province were studied, from January 2020 to May 2022. DNA extraction from blood samples of participants was done using a kit. Genotype determination of both patient and control groups was done using PCR-RFLP technique. Finally, statistical results were analyzed using SPSS software and the logistic regression method.
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Results: Genotype and allele frequency analysis showed the AA genotype (P=0.004, OR=5.391, 95% CI: 1.690-17.200) and A allele (P=0.010, OR=2.851, 95% CI: 1.291-6.300) were correlated with susceptibility to lung cancer. On the other hand, people carrying the G variant allele had a lower risk of lung cancer.
Conclusion: In summary, this study found the AA genotype and A allele of K589E in EXO1 are correlated with risk of lung cancer in Iranians, while the G allele has protective effects. The K589E polymorphism may serve as a prognostic biomarker for lung cancer susceptibility, but more studies with high population size are required.
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Yasser Hasanzadeh, Zahra Sagheb Movafagh , Atena Sahrabeygi , Hamid Heidarian Miri , Masoumeh Gharib ,
Volume 81, Issue 10 (January 2024)
Abstract
Background: Identifying the epidemiological aspects of central nervous system (CNS) tumors is the first step in implementing management protocols to control the condition of these tumors. We aimed to examine the epidemiology and histopathology of both benign and malignant tumors of the CNS in one of the referral and university centers in the east of Iran.
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Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all files of patients admitted to Qaem Hospital in Mashhad City, Iran, in a period of 10 years from March 2009 to February 2018 with a definitive diagnosis of benign or malignant tumors of the CNS, including tumors of the brain, cerebellum, spinal cord, or meningeal membranes. Information sources included the patients' physical files and the hospital information system (HIS). The statistical software SPSS version 28.0 for Windows (IBM SPSS, Armonk, New York, USA) was used for the statistical analysis.
Results: In total, 775 patients with benign and 771 patients with malignant CNS tumors were included in the study. Regarding epidemiological aspects of benign tumors, the incidence rate of women was almost twice that of men (68.47% versus 31.53%), with an overall average age of 45.31±19.81 years. The most common benign tumors were meningioma (72.77%), followed by schwannoma (13.67%). Regarding malignant brain tumors, the mean age of affected patients was 36.64±19.67 years, with males accounting for 53.04% of cases and females for 46.96%. The most frequent type of tumor was glioblastoma (32.68%), followed by diffuse astrocytoma (16.47%). Both benign and malignant CNS tumors were associated with significant hospital mortality; in-hospital mortality rates for benign and malignant tumors were 10.1% and 17.5%, respectively. Tumor type and its grade were the main determinants of early death in malignant CNS tumors.
Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of benign and malignant tumors in our study community were similar to the reports presented in other communities. Knowledge of these characteristics provides the possibility of managing patients and reducing morbidity and mortality related to these tumors.
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Javad Alipour, Reihaneh Askary Kachoosangy , Zahra Ebrahimabadi , Yaghoub Shavehei, Mohammad Sadegh Malek ,
Volume 81, Issue 11 (February 2024)
Abstract
Background: Most hemiplegic children experience disorders related to lower limbs such as balance. Considering the importance of balance, in order to participate in activities of daily living, it is very important to use modern neuro-rehabilitation methods such as mirror therapy to improve balance. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of mirror therapy on the static and dynamic balance of children with hemiplegic CP aged 5 to 12 years.
Methods: This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 20 children with spastic hemiplegia aged between 5-12 years old, from June 2021 to August 2022 in Tehran, Iran. Participating children were randomly allocated into test (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The children in the treatment group underwent 20 treatment sessions during four weeks. Each session consisted of 30 minutes of routine treatment and 15 minutes of mirror therapy for lower limbs. In the control group, sham therapy was performed instead of mirror therapy. The exercises performed in a seated position were: (1) active flexion of hip, knee, and ankle joints, (2) active knee extension plus ankle dorsiflexion, and (3) knee flexion (> 90°). Both groups were measured by the Pediatric Balance Scale to assess static balance and the Timed Up and Go test to assess dynamic balance at entry and the end of the study. SPSS version 26 software was used for statistical analysis.
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Results: Examining the results of the evaluations showed that before the treatment, the static and dynamic balance of the two groups did not differ significantly (p> 0/05), but the static and dynamic balance scores of the children in the treatment group after the four weeks mirror therapy period (five days per week) were statistically significant different from the control group (p<0/05).
Conclusion: According to the present study, it seems that mirror therapy as a complementary treatment can have a positive effect on improving balance (static and dynamic) in children with hemiplegic CP.
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Razieh Yousefi , Payam Sasannejad, Eisa Nazar, Ali Hadianfar, Mohammad Taghi Shakeri., Zahra Jafari ,
Volume 81, Issue 11 (February 2024)
Abstract
Background: Identifying factors that influence the length of hospital stay for suspected stroke patients is crucial for optimizing the utilization of hospital resources. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the length of hospital stay for suspected stroke patients transferred to Qaem Hospital in Mashhad through emergency services using survival analysis.
Methods: In this historical cohort study, general information was gathered for all suspected stroke patients who sought emergency services in Mashhad, the largest city in northeast Iran, from March 21, 2018, to March 20, 2019, and were then transferred to the Emergency Department of Qaem Hospital. Pre-hospital emergency data were integrated with hospital records using the mission ID. The primary outcome assessed in the study was the length of hospital stay, with model implementation carried out using the statistical software Stata.
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Results: The median hospitalization time until patients' recovery was seven days. Out of the 578 participants, 386 cases (66.8%) recovered, while the remaining 190 cases (33.2%) were censored (83 individuals had died during the study, and 107 individuals had exited the hospital for other reasons). The average age of patients at the time of hospitalization was 71.13±13.01 years. Statistical analysis employing Log-rank and Breslow tests identified a significant difference in hospitalization duration among patients receiving various levels of care and based on their insurance status. During multivariate analysis, the Cox regression model was considered unsuitable due to some variables not meeting the proportional hazards assumption, leading to the utilization of AFT models. Following the evaluation of AFT models, including Log-normal, Log-logistic, Exponential, and Weibull, the log-normal model emerged as the most suitable choice, exhibiting AIC and BIC values of 1273.909 and 1356.740, respectively. Significant variables influencing length of stay included patient admission priority, insurance status, season, and residency status.
Conclusion: The study suggests that parametric survival models are effective for analyzing lifetime data. Additionally, in light of the significant variables identified, enhancing facility readiness and resource allocation could facilitate more efficient planning and implementation.
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Hamidreza Mehryar, Payman Atabaki, Abass Riyahi, Mohammad Reza Amiri Nikpour,
Volume 81, Issue 11 (February 2024)
Abstract
Background: The emergence of thrombolytic drugs has opened new horizons in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke, and this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the barriers of receiving tissue plasminogen activator in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 21, 2015 to March 19, 2016 on patients with acute ischemic stroke referred to the emergency department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia using census sampling method. To collect data, a checklist containing demographic information was used. After collecting the data, it was entered into SPSS 18 and analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics.
Results: In this study, the results showed that out of 100 patients, most of the participants were male (58%)58 and the rest were female, and the average age was 63.71±17.3 years, and 86% were in the age range of 18-80 years, which was the appropriate age to receive or thrombolytics. and the rest were over 80 years old. The fastest visit time was 25 minutes and the latest was 10080 minutes (168 hours). Among these 40 people, only four people (40%) were in the golden time period of thrombolytic drug, i.e. Three hours from the onset of symptoms to the final evaluation. Among the four people who were placed in the golden time, in 50% of the cases there was a history of taking anticoagulants, in 25% a history of head injury, in 50% of the blood sugar less than 50 and finally 1 person (25% of the people placed in the golden time) that is, 1% of all patients were eligible to receive rtPA. About 24% of patients had NIHSS<4 and 2% had NIHSS>25, and the average number obtained was 10.
Conclusion: The most important obstacle in the timely initiation of thrombolytic therapy is the delay in visiting the emergency room. Therefore, public education in order to improve the level of general awareness of the society can be effective in reducing this time delay. |
