[Assessment of methylphenidate and propranolol combination treatment in comparison with methylphenidate and placebo among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]]

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Due to significance of this disorder in children and its complications, this study was done to determinate efficacy of propranolol and methylphenidate combination in treatment of ADHD and in control of adverse effects of methylphenidate. This study is a double blind-placebo control clinical trial which was conducted to compare propranolol and methylphenidate combination with placebo and methylphenidate. Thirty children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were assessed by Conner's rating scale [parent version] and psychiatric interview based on DSM-IV-TR and adverse effects check list of stimulant drugs and propranolol during 4 weeks in Ahvaz Golestan hospital child and adolescent psychiatric clinic. Rate of response in combination treatment [methylphenidate and propranolol] group was significantly greater than control group. Combination treatment was more effective in control of hyperactivity and impulsivity than inattention. The most common side effect was anorexia in both groups. Other adverse effects of methylphenidate such as increase of systolic blood pressure and pulse rate, abdominal pain, headache, insomnia and nausea were less common in combination treatment group than placebo group. The results were shown that combination of propranolol and methylphenidate is more effective in treatment of ADHD and decrease of adverse effects of methylphenidate than methylphenidate alone. This combination therapy was more effective in hyperactive-impulsive symptoms rather than inattention

Assessment of some potential risk factors of postpartum depression

Postpartum depression [PPD] has pathological consequences for mother and infant. This study examined some potential risk factors of PPD in Iran. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study which included patients attending two health centers at two months postpartum. They were screened for PPD using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS]. The participants were 27.93 +/- 5.31 years of age. The prevalence of positive screening test was 21.4%. Unwanted pregnancy material dissatisfaction, infant gender dissatisfaction, lower socioeconomic status, lower educational level, infant illness and previous depression were significantly higher [p<0.05] among women with high score on the EPDS. Women with positive test who have risk factors may warrant more detailed assessment program. A brief semi- structured psychiatric interview may be a more accurate assessment tools