Evaluation the success rate of extra corporal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in patients with urinary stones

Background: Urinary stones are one of the most common and earliest known human diseases. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is known as the most common method for treating urinary stones less than 20-25 mm. The aim of this study was to evaluation the success rate of ESWL in patients with urinary stones.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study 200 patients with urinary stones between 7-25 mm which were candidates for lithotripsy, enrolled in the study. Patients with coagulation disorders, urinary or other organ transplantation, pregnant women, uncontrolled blood pressure patients, and those who are contraindicated for drug use have been excluded from the study. The process was carried out by an operator and by the Dornier Compact Delta II lithotriptor. Two weeks later, the patients were re-visited, and ultrasound was performed, and the success rate of stones was measured and recorded and classified in three groups complete response, partial response and failure in treatment. Collected data analysed by statistical methods in SPSS version 19.Results: Efficacy of Arian 101 lithotriptor in removing of renal stones, were found to be 74% complete response, 25.5% partial response while 0.5% of subjects had no response. There was significant positive correlation between the size of stones before and after lithotripsy (r=0.49, p=0.001). In stones upper than 10 mm, the upper calices stones had 100% complete response. Also, in stones lower than 10 mm, the upper calices stones had 100% complete response.Conclusions: The results showed that Dornier Compact Delta II lithotriptor has more efficacy in treatment of stones. In stones below 10 mm, the success rate of treatment was generally higher, especially in the upper calices stones and pelvic. In stones larger than 10 mm, the success rate was slightly lower, but in the case of upper calices stones, the complete response was 100%.

Assessment of emotional intelligence in medical university staff in Ardabil: Northwest of Iran

Background: Emotional intelligence is one of the most important factors for the job and social success of individuals that is necessary for effective performance of all employees working in different governmental and private sectors, medical centers, factories and others. The aim of this study was to investigate the Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Ardabil University staff.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 150 staff employed in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences which selected randomly. Data collected by Goleman EI questionnaire and analysed by statistical descriptive methods in SPSS.19.Results: The mean age of samples was 7.6±40.8 and 56% of samples were male. 93.3% of samples had university degree. The EI of most of employees with 68% were in moderate level.Conclusions: Conducting appropriate and effective training courses on emotional intelligence can be very effective in promoting job success, social success, and better interaction between staff and people.

Impact of metformin on the severity and outcomes of ischemic stroke

Background: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the United States and the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder. About 750,000 strokes occur annually in the United States and about 150,000 people die as a result of stroke. The aim of this study was evaluation of the effect of Metformin on complication of ischemic strokes.Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial study, 100 patients with ischemic stroke will be assigned randomly into two groups A and B. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) will be used to evaluate the clinical manifestations of ischemic stroke. The two groups will be followed up for 3 months. Metformin 500mg twice in a day will be administered for seven days for group (A) and placebo will be administered for seven days for group (B). Blood glucose will be checked every 6 hours and will be recorded on the blood glucose (BS) chart. Before the intervention, the NIHSS questionnaire will be recorded in one day, three days, seven days and one month, two months, and three months after the intervention will be followed up respectively.Results: In the present study, according to the neuro-protective effects of metformin, there is a significant difference in metformin taking in the reduction of NIHSS Score in non-diabetic stroke patients. There was a significant association in metformin taking and decrease in NIHSS scores in patients with cortical ischemic stroke.Conclusions: According to the results, in patients with cortical stroke, there weren抰 a significant difference in NIHSS between the two groups in the first, third and seventh days but in the first, second and third months after intervention the difference was significant. Also, the results showed that metformin reduced the severity and stroke symptoms and accelerated recovery and functional output in patients with cortical stroke after the first, second and third months.

Quality of life among Ardabil patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Background: Thalassemia as the most common genetic disorder worldwide is regarded as a serious problem in public health issues in the Mediterranean region. Patients with beta-thalassemia major experience physical, psychological and social problems that lead to decreased quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life and its determinants among patients with major beta-thalassemia. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional survey of quality of life. Population with thalassemia major (aged ≥ 2 years) of both genders who had records in Thalassemia Clinic of Bu-Ali Hospital, and those who regularly refer for blood transfusion or follow-up visits. Data were collected from December 2013 to May 2014.The self-administered short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to measure quality of life in patients with thalassemia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tests (mean, SD, and frequency), and inferential statistical test (t-test) in SPSS.17 software. Results: Our samples were 20 men and 23 women. The median age was 20 years (2-42). After reviewing the patients' quality of life, it was observed that the mean score for physical function was 79.8, role limitations due to physical reasons 78.8, bodily pain 74.4, general health 59.1, fatigue or vitality 63.3, social function 70.21, role limitations due to psychological reasons (emotional) 77.3 and mental health 65.4. On two scales, role physical (P = 0.33) and role emotional (P = 0.13), the men showed significantly lower scores than the women. Conclusions: After reviewing the patients' quality of life, the highest quality in physical function and lowest quality in general health of patients were observed. In the quality of care data all scales were in very good level except general health.

Effects Foley catheter placement to expedite the process of delivery.

Background: Finding a suitable procedure in cases requiring termination of pregnancy without having a ready cervix to induction of labor, is a considerable problem in midwifery. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Foley catheter placement with oxytocin to expedite the process of delivery. Methods: This is an interventional study. In this study, patient information including age, gestational age, residence place, education, induction time, induction complications, cesarean delivery after induction were entered in a checklist. Collected data analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical methods in SPSS.16. Results: In this study 100 pregnant women were enrolled in two equal size groups, case (receiving a Foley catheter and oxytocin) and control (receiving oxytocin), each with 50 patient. The mean age of cases was 24.7±3.4 years and controls were 23.9±2.3 years and the most prevalent age group in both was 20-30. In cases 14 % and in controls 12 % were with underlying disease and 14% of women in case group and 24% of women in control group had narrowing of vaginal canal. The most common reason for starting induction in cases was lack of progress in labor and in controls dilation of delivery. The mean gestational age in cases was 39.9±1.9 and in control 39.2±1.8 weeks. In relation to dilatation progress, results showed that in cases individuals reached to full dilatation early and this difference was, in cases 14 % and in controls 22% of deliveries are ended to caesarean. 14% of deliveries in cases and 22% in controls are ended to Caesarean section. There was no significant difference between two groups in birth time Apgar score and 5 minutes after birth time. Conclusions: Results showed that, Foley catheter could significantly reduce induction time significantly and resulted to faster labor but did not reduce the rate of caesarean.

Investigating the geographical distribution of skin cancer (BCC type) in Ardabil province via GIS.

Background: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in most countries and it holds the first or the second place in terms of frequency in different areas of the country. BCC is the most usual type of tumor in the white skinned people, and its incidence rate rises as individuals get older, especially after age 40.Thistype of skin cancer mostly occurs in the white skinned people and, in85% of cases; it develops on the head and neck. This study aimed at examining the geographical distribution of skin cancer (BCC type) in Ardabil province through GIS. Methods: This cross-sectional study has been done on 131 cases of skin cancer with type BCC in 2007-2014. The required information such as age, sex, occupation, and the locus of BCC, was extracted from the patients' records based on their place of residence. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 20). ARC GIS (version 10) was used for drawing geographic maps. Results: 50.4% of the subjects were men and the mean age of them was 62.8±14.5 years. Of the subjects, 66.4% were from Ardabil city, 80.2% from urban population and 15.3% of the subjects were smokers. Of the patients, 78.5% had developed cancer in their face. Conclusions: Results showed that for control of cancer, educational interventions should be given priority, and people should be instructed about the use of personal protection equipment, like proper sunscreen cream, hat and sunshade in the workplace, as far as it is possible.

Female students’ awareness of osteoporosis in Ardabil city.

Background: Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone metabolic disease and a common disease in the population. Considering the high prevalence of osteoporosis in women, this study is conducted to assess female students’ awareness of osteoporosis in Ardabil. Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical study which was conducted by a questionnaire with 27 questions. By simple random sampling, 150 female students (including medical and non-medical students) were selected from Ardabil universities and then collected data were analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS.16. Results: Overall 10.7% of students (16 people) had a good, 60.7% (91 people) had moderate and 28.7% (43 people) a poor awareness of osteoporosis. Conclusions: Results showed that students do not have a proper awareness about osteoporosis. Therefore it seems necessary to provide some educational interventions to promote community awareness for osteoporosis prevention, especially in young girls.

The success rate of CPR and its related factors in the emergency department of Ardabil Imam Khomeini hospital, 2013.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a set of essential actions to rescue patients with cardiopulmonary arrest. The aim of this study was to assess results of CPR and related factors. Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, 217 patients with cardiopulmonary arrest were studied. Success criteria of the CPR were spontaneous breathing and movement of the heart and lungs and confirmation it by supervisor and CPR team. Results: From all patients, 139 (64.1%) patients were male and 78 (35.9%) were female. The mean age was 62 years and the most frequent age range was 60-75 (34.6%). Twenty-nine percent of CPRs were successful. There was a significant relation between CPR success rate with time duration of CPR and used drugs. Conclusion: The results showed that the success rate of CPR in the emergency department was 29%, which was similar to other studies in the country and world.

Prevalence of melanoma and nonmelanoma malignancies in patients visiting dermatology clinics in Ardabil City, 2002-2013.

BCC and SCC are the most prevalent malignant non-melanoma skin tumors. BCC is the most common skin tumor in white-skinned people, and as one ages, after being 40 year-old, incidence rate of BCC increases. SCC has the next rank and is more common in middle-aged and old persons. The present study addresses the prevalence of melanoma and non-melanoma malignancies in patients visiting dermatology clinics in Ardabil during 2002-2013. Methods: This study was of retrospective descriptive type. Approximately out of 100000 medical records of patients visiting dermatology clinics, 371 cases were chosen. The selected cases had undergone biopsy on suspicion of malignancy and their pathological response was attached to the record. Data were analyzed through SPSS, version 19, and descriptive as well as inferential statistical tests were used. Results: The prevalence of malignant skin tumors was 0.37%. 48% of cases were male, and 52% were females. The mean age of patients was 62.4 with a standard deviation of 15, and individuals of 50-70 age range had the peak incidence (46.1%). BCC was the most prevalent lesion (72%). Nose was the most common area for skin tumors (35.6%). For BCC the mean age was 62 ± 14, and for SCC it was 64.6 ± 17. Conclusions: According to the results, BCC was the most prevalent tumor. Skin tumors were mostly observed among females, and the most common locus was nose.

pidemiologic study of 80 patients with ulcerative colitis referred to Imam Hospital in Ardabil city during 2004-2011.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases with unknown etiology. Genetic and environmental factors are thought to be effective in this disease. The aim of this study is to assessment of demographic features and clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis patients refereed to Emam hospital in Ardabil city. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 80 cases of ulcerative colitis referred to Emam hospital in Ardabil city were evaluated during 2004-2011. The diagnosis was confirmed based on clinical features, colonoscopy, and pathology and resulting of other causes. Data were collected through direct interview and analyzed by statistical method in SPSS software. Results: Mean age of patients was 36.4 (SD=18.4). Duration of symptoms onset until diagnosis was 8 months. Male to female ratio was 0.8/1. 38(47.5%) of patients were male and 42 (52.5%) were female. 3 (3.75%) of patients have history of positive UC and 4 (5%) history of appendectomy. According to colonoscopy finding, 1 (1.25%) have rectum involvement, 27 (33.75%) recto sigmoid, 23 (28.75%) left side colon and 4 (5%) have pan colitis. Conclusion: Results showed that in compare with other places, clinical signs of ulcerative colitis in Ardabil province are different and so doing other d epidemiologic studies based on population to determine incidence and prevalence ulcerative colitis in Ardabil province is necessary.