Measuring the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Stanford health assessment questionnaire in Iranian patients with osteoarthritis

Reliability and validity of health assessment questioner have been shown for rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis in Iranian patients. Having an instrument for measuring of pain and disability is needed for evaluation of patients and disease course in studies. So this study was designed for evaluating of validity and reliability of Persian HAQ in osteoarthritis. From 177 patients with hand and/or knee osteoarthritis, 100 patients were chosen according HADS score equal or less than 7. Short Form of Health Survey [SF-36], pain and disability according Visual analogue scale [VAS] and Persian version of Health assessment questioner [HAQ] were completed. HAQ was re-evaluated after one week. Correlation between Persian HAQ, SF 36 and VAS and test-retest reliability were evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and VAS for pain was [r=0.75, p=0.001] and for SF 36 was [r=0.70, p=0.001]. Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and HAQ 2 was 0.93 for hand OA, 0.96 for knee OA and 0.94 for all patients [r= 0.92, p=0.001]. HAQ had a good internal consistency in osteoarthritis [Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.87]. Criterion and structure validity used in study. This study has shown good validity reliability for persian HAQ in Iranian patients with osteoarthritis

[Study regarding the effects of calendula officinalis cream in healing of pressure sores]

Pressure sore is common among patients with prolonged stay in hospitals or homes. Treatment of such sores is costly and performed by various procedures. Considering the effective role of calendula officinalis in treatment of sores, ulcers and cutaneous inflammations, this study is conducted to determine the effect of this cream in healing pressure sores. This is a pre/post comparative clinical trial done on 20 patients with pressure sores who received the recommended treatment. The condition of patients such as, duration of pressure sore, and the extent of the sore were recorded. The sore was washed with normal saline, dried, followed by applying calendula cream three times a day for a duration of 4 weeks. Each week, the extent and rate of healing was observed and recorded. The rate of healing in patients under our study was 56.6%. Majority [55%] of patients had partial healing. The time of healing was in weeks 3.5 +/- 1.2 [P<0.001]. The complete healing occurred in the 3[rd] and 4[th] week, subsequent to the beginning of the treatment. Considering the availability of the cream and its affordability, it can be used in the treatment of pressure sores. In addition, it can be used as a drug for treatment of patients who are in hospitals and/or in their homes

[Evaluation of physician's attitude and knowledge to homeopath in Sari]

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes towards homeopathy among general practitioner and specialist physicians in Sari. Our results indicate Sari physicians had not sufficient knowledge about homeopathy; but they liked collaboration with homeopaths for treatment of their patients and have courses for homeopathy education

[Evaluation of changes in liver enzyme after the treatment of renal stones with extra Corporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL]]

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy changed the treatment of renal stones. Beacause the widespread usage of ESWL [extra Corporeal shock wave lithotripsy] in the treatment of the Urinary tract stones, the effects of these waves on the surrounding tissues are not compeletly understood and it is the origin of so many studies. In this prospective study 250 patients suffering from renal and upper ureteral stones were selected. Serum levels of ALT[Alanine Aminotransferase], AST[AspartateAminotransferase], Alkaline Phosphatase were measured in all of the patients before treatment with ESWL and these measurements repeated after the treatment, then these findings were compared. ANOVA test was used for the quantitative variables. Before the treatment no Significant differences found between groups. But we found a significant elevation in enzymes after the treatment in comparison with their serum levels before treatment. Rising in serum enzymes had a direct correlation with the number of shock waves that were used for treatment. Enzymatic levels in the patients with right renal stones raised more and for longer period than the left side. After the treatment of renal stones with ESWL, serum leveles of ALT, AST and ALP will increase. If we use these waves at the right side and specially when we use more waves, this rising will be more significant and persist for longer period. Thus when we want to use these waves in the right side we must consider the amount of these waves and the intervals of the treatment. We recommend that in the patients with elevated liver enzymes level, gastrointestinal evaluation before treatment is necessary

[Prevalence of positive hepatitis delta virus in patients with positive Hepatitis B surface antigen and its correlative factors in Sari]

Hepatitis Delta Virus [HDV] agent, or HDV, is a defective RNA virus that infects with HBV [Hepatitis B Virus]. 15 million people around the world are infected to HDV. There are different statistics in Iran and other countries about HDV incidence, according to accomplished studies. This study was done for determining HDV incidence in sari and considering its correlative factors. This study was done in a descriptive procedure on 167 patients. Correlative factors like demographic data and the ways of receiving disorder, history of tattoo, blood transfusion, were multi partner and IV drug abusers were considered. Diagnosing of blood Anti HDV in patients was by ELISA [Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay] way. We couldn't find any evidences of advantage of HDV in patients. Among 167 HBS-Ag positive subject [63 [37.7%] women and 104 [62.3%] men] were included. Average age of participants was 35.52 +/- 14.036. 2 subject had an addiction history [1.7%], 15 subject [9%] had a blood transfusion history, 4 [2.4%] were multipart and 1 [0.6%] had tattoo history and 2 [1.2%] were Prisoners previously. There wasn't any positive Anti-HDV Ab [Anti- Hepatitis Delta Virus Antibody] in studied patients. It shows that HDV is not endemic in sari