Study of methacholine positivity in patients with chronic cough at Masih Daneshvari hospital, Tehran, 2007-2008

While airways reactivity is among the characteristics of asthma, is not considered a sufficient condition diagnostically and the methacholine challenge is a non-specific diagnostic aid in cases of chronic cough and reactive airways disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the metacholine response positivity and diagnosis of asthma in patients with chronic cough presenting to a hospital in Tehran during 2007 and 2008. Of 101 patients with chronic cough [with no history of sinusitis, recent pulmonary infection, bronchitis, gasteroesophageal reflux or underlying pulmonary conditions], 51.5% showed reactive airways disease to the methacholine test, 40.6% were unreactive and 7.9% were indeterminate. A positive methacholine challenge test was positively correlated with new wheezing. Although the methacholine challenge test is not a primary test for evaluating chronic cough, if no other reason for chronic cough is found, it may be a guiding test for asthma

Study of depressed mood and quality of life in asthma patients in Tehran using the 28-item general health questionnaire

The prevalence of depression among the general population has been estimated as up to 50% and even higher among asthmatics. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressed mood among asthma patients [n =280] attending a pulmonary clinic in Tehran and compare it with measures of severity of asthma and of health and well-being. The prevalence of depression symptoms on the 28-item general health questionnaire [CHQ-28] was 65.4%. Patients' individual scores on the GHQ-28 were significantly correlated with the number of asthma medications used, frequency of visits to the pulmonary clinic and frequency of hospitalizations for asthma, but not with FEVI. A significant correlation was found between patients' total scores on the GHQ-28 and total and subscale scores on the Saint George respiratory questionnaire. The GHQ-28 may be useful for screening for asthma patients who need more attention and therapeutic intervention for psychiatric disorders

[Job and environment factors in relation with pleural malignant mesothelioma and determination of occurrence chance of mesothelioma in exposure to asbestos]

The relationship between pleural malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos is well-known, but there is no accurate information regarding high risk occupations and types of exposure in Iran. In this study we specified high risk jobs for asbestos exposure. Inthis case-control study, 64 cases with diagnosis of pleural malignant mesothelioma who were admitted in Masih Daneshvari Hospital between the years 2001 and 2009 were studied. All the cases and 58 controls participated in a telephone interview for job history and occupational and environmental exposures to asbestos. Asbestos exposed occupations in mesothelioma group included corrugated asbestos cement sheet production 1l[%17.2], Insulation 6[%9.4], construction 6[%9.4], asbestos warehouse 3[%4. 7], oil and gas shaft drilling 2[%3.1] and car brake shoe manufacturing 2[%3. 1]. In controls, the only exposed occupation was construction 8[% 13.79]. Odds Ratio calculated for occupational exposure to asbestos was 5.51[CI=2.26-13.47]. Residency in neighbourhood of corrugated asbestos cement sheet production factory was the most prevalent cause for environmental exposure. In%46 .87 of mesothelioma cases, source of exposure to asbestos was corrugated asbestos cement sheet industry due to employment in the factory, residency in neighbourhood of the factory or use of its products

[Investigation of validity and reliability of Persian version of the "St. George Respiratory Questionaire"]

Health related quality of life [HRQL] questionnaires allow clinicians to measure daily the impact of disease on a patients daily life and is valuable in clinical trial designed to assess benefits and costs of management. We describe the adaptation into Persian version of the St.George Respiratory Questionnaires [SGRQ]; a recognized valid self administered questionnaire for chronic obstructive pulomnary diseases. In order to adapt the face validity, the forward and back- translation method was used. Then this questionnaire was edited by researchers and a single pulmonologist as an internist. The content of tests evaluated for feasibility and comprehension by 15 educated COPD patients. In following, the professional committee of researcher assessed the content validity. At last, 55 COPD patients with wide range of disease severity fulfilled the Persian version of the SGRQ. Internal consistency were measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient test. The test coefficiency for reliability was 0.74 in part I of questionnaire; "symptoms". Factor analysis indicated that if latest question of part 1 was eliminated ["If you wheeze, is it become worse in the morning?"] Cronbach's alpha would be elevated to 0.78. Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 in Part II [Activity and impact] and for overall scale, the result was found to be 0.93. Data from this study revealed that Persian version of SGRQ, as a research tool, is of good validity and sufficient reliablity. The present study suggest the feasibility of adapting a specific instrument of health related quality of life in patients with respiratory disease to be used in different settings from where the instrument has been originally developed