Changes in antibiotic use in a general surgery unit over a 5-year period

Concerns have been expressed about the overuse of antibiotics in inpatient settings. We compared the pattern of antibiotic use in 2010 in a surgical unit of a university hospital in the Islamic Republic of Iran with similar data from 2006. Defined daily doses per 100 bed-days [DBD] were calculated. Overall use of antibiotics in our surgical unit increased significantly from a mean of 4.9 [SD 5.1] DBD in 2006 to 7.7 [SD 10.3] DBD in 2010. This increase was mainly due to increases in the use of antibiotics for treatment of infections; the prophylactic use of antibiotics did not show a significant increase. There was an increase in the consumption of ceftriaxone, imipenem, cefalotin, metronidazole and vancomycin, a decrease in the use of erythromycin and ceftazidime and no change in the use of ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. Ceftriaxone showed the greatest increase [5.1-fold] and erythromycin the sharpest decrease [8-fold] in use

[Effect of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Although current data shows that chromium supplementation in type 2 Diabetic patients can improve control blood sugar and lipids there are controversial results about its relevance to improving blood sugar and lipids in diabetes. This study investigates the effect of chromium picolinate supplement on blood sugar and lipids control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled study was carried out at the Diabetes Clinic of the Loghman Hospital in collaboration with Taban Diabetes Clinic. In this clinical study of 60 patients with type 2 Diabetes, participants were randomized into the doubleblind treatment and control groups for 3 months of treatment with 200 g of chromium picolinate or placebo respectively. Blood sugar and lipids profile were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. Based on the result of this study it has been found that 200 micrograms of chromium consumed over three months could decrease of TG levels dramatically, compared to placebos. TG changes were significantly different between the two groups, [P=0.048], without any change in other lipid profiles of the two groups. Findings showed that chromium picolinate treatment for 90 days produced significant improvements in glycemic control compared to placebo, based on significant reductions in both FPG and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with significant changes between the two groups [P<0.001]. Results of this study recommend that chromium picolinate prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients could decrease TG, HbA1c and FPG levels

[Mental Health of women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] and some of its socio-demographic determinants]

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS] is among the common endocrine disorders that not only affect physical aspects of women health but also can create manifestations such as anxiety and depression. In this study, we examined the mental health and some of its socio-demographic determinants among Iranian women suffering from PCOS. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 184 women suffering from PCOS who referred to selected infertility centers of Tehran during 2010-2011. Mental health status of the subjects was evaluated by the General Health Questionnaire-28 [GHQ-28] and analyzed using chi-squared test and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS-PC [v.14]. The mean [SD] age of the women was 27.75 [5.37] years. Considering a cut-off point of 24 for the GHQ-28 questionnaire, 91.3% of the subjects had an abnormal score. The abnormal scores were in the subscales of social withdrawal [91.3%], somatic symptom [89.1], anxiety [75%], and depression [33.7%]. There were a significant relationship between age and anxiety subscale, occupation and depression subscale, and body mass index and depression subscale [p<0.05]. This study revealed that women with PCOS are at risk of psychological disorders, especially in social withdrawal domain. Thus referring these women to appropriate consultation centers for screening psychological disorders is strongly recommended

Successful infertility treatment and spontaneous pregnancy in an unconsummated marriage after 7 years

About ten percent of people are suffering from sexual disorders in Iran and studies show that 50 percent of divorces are due to sexual disorders, too. If couples with sexual disorder receive consultation and undergo proper treatment, half of these divorces will not occur. An unconsummated marriage [UCM] is a marriage in which the couples have never had coitus, Etiological factors of UCM are varied: Psychogenic factors are the most prevalent and the main psychogenic factor is [Performance anxiety]. This report is about a couple who attended [Avesina Infertility Clinic] after 7 years of UCM with a chief complaint of infertility and expression of their will to become pregnant. A team composed of a gynecologist, an andrologist and a psychiatrist achieved a successful treatment goal within 3 months. Gynecological examination of the female was normal. Andrological examinations of the male showed severe premature ejaculation and male factors impairment in his semen analysis but psychiatric evaluation showed that the couple had low sexual information and the male had high stress and phobia at the time of intercourse. Finally, by dual-sex therapy and sensate focus exercises the couple experienced the first intercourse after 3 months and the female became pregnant 3 months later. Regarding the lack of necessary information on sexual issues and performance anxiety as the common cause of the disorder, it seems that teachings on sexual relationships might be a necessary part of pre-marriage counseling. On the other hand, a comprehensive and simultaneous evaluation of the couples with the sexual disorder by a harmonious expert team may increase treatment success rates