Prevalence and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in women

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is entrapment of median nerve in carpal tunnel of the wrist. The prevalence of CTS related to pregnancy and non-pregnancy is unknown in some countries such as Iran. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTS in women of Boyerahmad Township located in South-West part of Iran. This cross-sectional descriptive analytic study was done since February 2010 to January 2011 in Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics in 2656 non-pregnant and 1508 pregnant women. The women that had clinical symptoms of CTS performed standard electro diagnostic techniques for rule in or rule out of CTS. The prevalence of CTS in pregnant and non-pregnant women was 3.4 and 2.3 percent respectively. The prevalence of CTS in all women was 2.7%. Overall, 51 pregnant women had CTS that 59.4% had mild, 18.8% had moderate and 21.9% had severe CTS. Sixty-one non-pregnant women had CTS that 73.6%had mild, 20.8%t had moderate and 5.6% had severe CTS. Although the prevalence of CTS in Iranian pregnancy is higher than non-pregnancy women conservative treatment is safe and more effective

[Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in women of boyerahmad township]

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is caused by the entrapment of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. CTS is a rather frequent complication in pregnancy. Thud, the prevalence of CTS is higher in women compared to men. However, the percentage of CTS related to pregnancy is not known in some countries such as Iran. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of CTS in pregnant and non-pregnant women of Boyerahmad township. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study was done during the period of February 2010 to January 2011 in OB and GYN clinics among 2,656 non-pregnant and 1,508 pregnant women. Among the women whom were referred to the OB and GYN specialists, 175 exhibited the clinical symptoms of CTS and were subjected to standard electrodiagnostic studies performed for either ruling in or out CTS by a Physiatrist. The prevalence of CTS in women who had clinical symptoms was 2.7%. The prevalence of CTS in pregnant and non-pregnant women was 3.4% and 2 .3%, respectively. Overall, out of a total of 51 pregnant women who were suffering from CTS, 59.4% had mild, 18.8% had moderate, and 21.9% had severe CTS. Sixty one non-pregnant women had CTS that 73.6% of whom had mild, 20.8% had moderate, and 5.6% had severe CTS. The prevalence of CTS in pregnant women is higher than non-pregnant women. Also the rate of severe CTS is higher among pregnant women

Comparison of prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in swimmer and non-swimmer students: a historical cohort study

A number of studies have examined the role of aerobic exercise and evidence suggests this may be an effective therapy for premenstrual syndrome [PMS]. The aim of this study was to assess the PMS symptoms between swimmer and non-swimmer female students. A total of 280 subjects were studied: 140 subjects were swimmers, while 140 were normal sedentary controls. Duration of swimming per week, and the length of exercise were asked from the case group. The predominant symptom of PMS was determined. PMS occurred in 36.2% and 22.8% of non-swimmers and swimmers, respectively [P = 0.00]. The prevalence of premenstrual symptoms differ in the two group studied. There was no complaint about items asked in 35 [25%] and 13 [9.9%] of swimmers and nonswimmers, respectively [P = 0.000]. In 11 [7.9%] swimmers, there was a problem in more than 50% of items asked, whereas 48 [17.1%] non-swimmers had complaints in this range [P = 0.00]. The prevalence of feeling more irritable, tend to eat more than usual or at irregular hours, easily distracted, restless behavior noticeable by others, feeling more angry, physical symptoms, change in mood without obvious reason, significant swelling in breasts, ankles, and abdomen, marked change in sexual desire, avoiding some social commitments, and decreasing desire to have communication with males were significantly lower in swimmers. Aerobic exercise has been found in epidemiologic studies to be associated with fewer reported premenstrual symptoms. Swimming is one of aerobic exercises which can be used in relation to this issue

[Anesthetic gases and spontaneous abortion: a historical cohort study]

There are different opinions about the relationship between spontaneous abortion and women's occupational exposure to anesthetic gases. This study and other similar studies about women's occupational exposure seems necessary as more than 50 percent of women experience pregnancy during their working life. The aim of our study was to determine the association between rate of spontaneous abortion and maternal occupational exposure to anesthetic gases. Our study was a historical cohort. Two groups of married women were studied: exposed group [women who worked in operating rooms] and unexposed group [women who worked in emergency department, ICU or CCU]. Data was collected through questionnaire and interview, and exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied. Pregnant personnel were followed till the end of 20[th] week of pregnancy. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software with frequency distribution tables, cross-tabulation tables, chisquared test, and t-test, and p<0.05 was set as significance. Findings: Spontaneous abortion rate in the exposed group was 15.7% and in the unexposed group was 13.4%. Chi-squared test showed no significant difference [p=0.529]. Odds ratio was 1.196 with a confidence interval of 0.685-2.090. Our study did not find a significant relationship between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to anesthetic gases, but avoidance of unreasonable exposure is rational using scavenging systems

Activity of follicular fluid phosphatases and their correlation with levels of serum esteroidal hormones and gonadotropins

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between serum levels of ovarian and gonadotropin hormones, age and number of follicles with follicular alkaline and acid phosphatase activity in infertile women under controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. After collection of follicular fluid and calculation of the number of follicles, the specific activity of alkaline [ALP] and acid phosphatase [ACP] was determined according to the total protein in 19 women at the time of puncture. Also at that time, the levels of progesterone, estradiol, and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and leuteinizing hormone [LH] of their sera were measured. The correlation of follicular ALP and ACP with each serum hormone levels, women age and number of follicles was calculated using non-parametric analysis. The ALP has a correlation with progesterone [P=0.01] levels but doesn't have any correlation with the other factors. However, the ACP activity has a correlation not only with follicular number but also with estradiol and progesterone levels [P=0.05]. Thus ACP activity is more affected by ovarian hormone than ALP and it can affect the ovarian microenvironment and oocyte development

Determinig the relation between non-fasting serum leptin- BMI ratio and follicular fluid leptin to ART outcomes

Considering the economical and psychological burden of assisted reproductive technologies [ART], finding factors predicting ART results is of great value. So this study was undertaken to evaluate whether serum and follicular and serum leptin to body mass index [BMI] are predictive of ART outcomes. 99 non-polycystic ovary patients from the body of patients referring to infertility ward of Shariati Hospital, from April to September 2005, were selected and underwent the long protocol of GnRH agonist ovarian hyperstimulation. Serum leptin was measured on the 3rd day of menstrual cycle. Follicular fluid [FF] was collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. The serum and follicular fluid leptin levels were determined by ELISA. Mean the levels of serum and follicular fluid leptin and leptin to BMI ratios were compared in pregnant and nonpregnant women, using SPSS software, student t-test. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Geometrical mean serum leptin [16.42 +/- 1.48ng/ml for the nonpregnant and 14.09 +/- 2.20 ng/ml for the pregnant cases], follicular fluid leptin [8.73 +/- 2.56ng/ml for the nonpregnant and 11.072.76ng/ml for the pregnant cases] and serum leptin to BMI ratios [0.64 +/- 1.61 for the nonpregnant and 0.55 +/- 2.04 for the pregnant cases] were not significantly different. According to the results, serum and follicular leptin levels and serum leptin to BMI ratios are not predictive of ART outcomes and in the meantime they should not be considered as a prognostic factor but further studies are recommended with more selective criteria to address infertility causes

[Comparative evaluation of the sustainability of antibacterial effects of doxycycline, chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlirite in bovine root dentine]

One of the most important objectives of root canal therapy is the elimination of micro organisms from the root canal system. In order to achieve maximum disinfection of the root canal system, irrigation should be done during treatment. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the sustainable antimicrobial activity of 2% chlorhexidine solution, 100 mg/ml doxycycline solution, and 2.6% NaOCL solution in bovine root dentine. Fifty dentine tubes prepared from intact freshly extracted bovine maxillary central incisors were infected invitro for 14 days with Enterococcus faecalis. The specimens were divided into five groups according to the intracanal irrigant used. Group1: 100mg/ml doxycycline hydrochloride solution [n=10]; Group2: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution [n=10]; Group 3: 2.6% NaOCL solution [n=10]; Group 4: Infected dentinal tubes [positive control] [n=10] and Group 5: Sterile dentinal tubes [negative control] [n=10]. Dentine chips were removed from the canal with sequential sterile round burs at low speed. The samples obtained with each bur were immediately collected in separate test tubes containing 1 ml tryptic soy broth [TSB]. Thereafter, 100 micro1 from each test tube was cultured on blood agar and number of CFUs was counted. The number of CFUs from three experimental groups were compared using Univariate analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Duncan analysis .Sustainable antimicrobial effect was evaluated at days 0,7,14 ,21 and 28. The number of CFUs in all three experimental groups were minimum in the first cultures, but the results obtained were significantly different from each other at any time period [P<0.05] .In the first culture, 2.6% NaOCL group [0.400 +/- 0.699]and 100 mg/ml doxycycline HCL group [4.700 +/- 3.683]showed the lowest and highest number of CFUs respectively . In each group, the number of CFUs increased significantly with time -lapse [p<0.05] .NaOCL did not have a sustainable effect. It can be concluded that chlorhexidine and to some extent, doxycycline HCL may be useful as sustainable antimicrobial root canal irrigants

Comparison of body mass index between patients with Exfoliation Syndrome and control group

To compare body mass index [BMI] in patients with exfoliation syndrome [XFS] and a matched control group.In a cross-sectional study, 84 patients with XFS [XFS group] and 84 persons without XFS [control group] were matched for sex and age and selected sequentially. BMI was compared in the two groups. Patients with XFS with or without glaucoma and other complications were included. Mean age of patients was 62.8 +/- 9.1 [47-84] years. Unilateral involvement was observed in 78% of women and 54% of men. BMI was 20.52 +/- 3.94 in the XFS group and 22.84 +/- 4.55 in the control group [P= 0.005]. Patients with XFS have lower BMI than patients without this syndrome. Factors such as malnutrition, malabsorption, or other systemic disorders may play a role in the etiology of pseudoexfoliation

[Depression and infertility: evaluation of 681 infertile women using Beck depression inventory]

Introduction: infertility and depression are major problems of today's societies. Although depression is one of the most prevalent diseases in primary care practice, consult for receiving help is carried out much less than true prevalence of the disease. Therefore gathering information about prevalence and risk factors of depression is very valuable. Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] which is a screening tool for depression can be used in Iranian patients because of availability of a validated translation. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in infertile subjects in an infertility center

Materials and Methods: in this study, 681 infertile women were evaluated in Shariati Hospital, Tehran. Demographic information's including age, duration, type and cause of infertility, level of education, previous treatments and smoking habits were recorded. BDI was completed by patients and score was estimated. Score of 16 and higher was assumed positive

Results: there was no relationship between age and prevalence of positive BDI score, but prevalence of positive BDI score was higher in infertilities of longer duration, infertilities caused by both male and female factors and in patients with low level of education and history of previous treatment or surgical therapy

Conclusion: infertile patients are at risk of depression. Rate of consulting with psychiatrists and getting help is low in our country due to cultural aspects, so screening of high risk subgroups in infertile patients and referring them to psychiatrist would be very helpful

effect of EDTA and citric acid on smear layer removal of mesial canals of first mandibular molars, a scanning electron microscopic study

Background: the purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effect of EDTA and citric acid on smear layer removal in different regions of root canals

Methods: in this study, mesial roots of 48 freshly extracted human mature mandibular first molar teeth with curved mesial roots of about 15-45 degrees and lengths of 20-23 mm were used. Instrumentation was done using the crown down technique by hand and rotary filing. Irrigant used during instrumentation was NaOCl. The teeth were divided in three groups. The mesial canals of teeth were irrigated by 17% EDTA in group I, 7% citric acid in group II and 5.25% NaOCl in group III as the control group. Then, the mesial roots were split in to two parts and studied under scanning electron microscopy

Results: the degree of cleanliness by 17% EDTA and 7% citric acid were 96.55% and 95% respectively. Although both solutions seem to be appropriate, their difference was statistically significant [P<0.05] and EDTA proved better than citric acid especially in middle and apical thirds of canals. The smear layer removal in apical area was less than that in other areas and was maximum in the middle third. However, the removal of smear layer in apical area was acceptable in both groups

Conclusion: it seems that use of both 17% EDTA and 7% citric acid offer desired results and they can remove smear layer from narrow and curved canals especially from apical region

[Evaluation of ectopic pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology in infertility center of Shariati Hospital]

Ectopic pregnancy [EP] is a serious complication of pregnancy. Incidence of EP after normal pregnancy is%1 overall, but after assisted reproductive technology [ART] increases to%5. Many factors including: previous EP, tubal surgery, tubal pathology, previous infection of female genital tract, infertility and ART are identified as risk factors for EP. In this study 47 EP were studied over 4 years in infertility treatment center of Shariati Hospital which control group was chosen from uncomplicated pregnancies after ART. Two groups were matched in age, duration of infertility, mode of treatment. Incidence of secondary infertility and tubal factor were significantly higher in EP group. Incidence of previous EP, pelvic surgery, tubal pathology, manipulation of uterus and fibroma was significantly higher in EP group. Uterine embryo transfer was introduced as a risk factor for EP. Meticulous evaluation of risk factors need prospective studies

[Evaluation of factors influencing GIFT and comparison of GIFT and IVF results at infertility center of Shariati hospital during 1376-78]

Today there are a number of methods of Assisted Reproductive Technology. The classic method of IVF has a pregnancy rate of 11-12%. GIFT is a new method with a pregnancy rate of 25-35%. In this study 71 patients were included in GIFT cycle. In our study Pregnancy rate of GIFT was 29.6% whereas in 130 cycles of IVF the pregnancy rate was 14.6%. In this study we found that female age, the number of transfered oocytes, serum estradiol on hCG injection day and sperm characteristics were influential factors affecting the outcome of GIFT

[Morphological comparison of spermatozoa taken from TESE and PESA specimens in infertile men who referred to the infertility sections of Shariati Hospital and Navid Clinic in 1378]

In this study morphology of testicular and epididymal sperm was assessed. Morphology of sperms was assessed by using Tygerbery strict criteria. TESE and PESA were done by conventional method under local anesthesia. Percentages of normal and abnormal sperm was studied. The percentage of normal testicular sperm [6.2%] differed significantly from the percentage of normal epididymal sperm [18.6%]. Percentages of abnormal form of head and tail differs in two groups but Percentage of midpiece abnormalities were not significantly different between the two groups. To assess the predictive value of Tygerberg strict criteria for determining morphology of testicular sperms we need a healthy control group