ABSTRACT
Iron Deficiency Anemia [IDA] has been controversially linked to IL-4 production in previous studies. A predominant Th1 response leads to resistance against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis [RVVC], whereas a Th2 response exacerbates the disease. To investigate the possible effect of iron deficiency on the host's susceptibility to RVVC as a result of the Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization. We conducted a case-control study of 92 women in 4 groups based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria: RVVC+ IDA+ group consisted of 23 women with RVVC and IDA; RVVC+ IDA- group consisted of 23 women with RVVC without IDA; RVVC- IDA+ group consisted of 23 women without RVVC and with IDA and RVVC- IDA- group consisted of 23 healthy women. The iron parameters and key cytokines [IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-12, IL-4] were measured in blood samples. Comparison of IL-4 production between RVVC+ IDA+ [12.2 +/- 1.3 pg/ml] and RVVC+ IDA- [2.4 +/- 4.0 pg/ml] groups [p=0.044], between RVVC- IDA+ [14.6 +/- 1.7 pg/ml] and RVVC- IDA- [1.28 +/- 3.6 pg/ml] groups [p=0.006], between RVVC- IDA+ [14.6 +/- 1.7 pg/ml] and RVVC+ IDA-] 2.4 +/- 4.0 pg/ml] groups [p=0.009] and also between RVVC+ IDA+ and RVVC- IDA- [1.28 +/- 3.6 pg/ml] groups [p=0.03] showed significant differences. We found a significant positive correlation between IL-4 and total iron binding capacity [TIBC, p=0.046] and between serum IL-10 and Hb levels [p=0.041] in the RVVC+ IDA- group. There was also a significant negative correlation between serum IL-4 and levels of serum iron [SI, p=0.041] in the RVVC- IDA- group. It seems that IDA determines the balance between and the intensity of Th1 and Th2 arms of the immune response and leads to a deviation toward Th2 response which could contribute to recurrence of candidiasis
ABSTRACT
Over the past few decades, quality of life [QOL] has become an important concept in medical researches and treatments. Different meaningful reasons are given for this development. In the current research two standard questionnaires for evaluating of QOL were selected. First one, was a questionnaire from The World Health Organization [WHOQOL-BREF 26] and the second one, The Iranian Diabetics' Quality of Life [IRDQOL]. The goal of this study is to assess the relation between different domains of these questionnaires and HbA1c in diabetics. A random sample of Iranian adult outpatient diabetics [n=76] was selected and they completed the WHOQOL and IRDQOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Comparisons were made between scores of "questionnaires' domains" and "HbA1c". Data analysis was carried out by the use of T-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and non-parametric statistical methods including Spearman correlation coefficient. Data analysis shows Psychological domain score in IRDQOL is lower than in WHOQOL and it is significant [P<0.0001]. Physical domain score in IRDQOL is lower than WHOQOL and it is significant [P<0.0001]. In WHOQOL questionnaire, analysis data showed when the patient's age increased, physical and psychological domain's score decreased. There is probably no relation between questionnaire domains and HbA1c in diabetics. Based on the findings in this research, there was obviously almost no difference between the two questionnaires for checking the QOL, but in IRDQOL spiritual domain is a very unreliable domain