[Validation study of IgG antibodies by ELISA for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in comparison with pathologic findings in hemodialysis patients with dyspepsia]

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis in hemodialysis patients. There are various methods for diagnosis of infections with this organism. This study compared two methods of histology and serology for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in hemodialysis patients

Materials and methods: This study has been done on 75 hemodialysis patients with dyspepsia referred to Imam Hossain Hospital of Shahroud, Iran in 2014. Endoscopy with standard biopsy and serology test were done for all patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were evaluated for serology test

Results: From 75 patients with dyspepsia, 49 patients [65.3%] had positive serology test, and 64 [85.3%] patients were positive by histologic findings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 70.3%, 63.6%, 91.8% and 26.9%, respectively

Conclusion: Due to the relative high sensitivity and specificity of serological tests in comparison with other diagnostic methods, as well as its simplicity, speed and low cost, it is recommended to use this test for screening of hemodialysis patients

[Effects of niasine on serum phosphorus, PTH and lipid profile in the hemodialysis patients in Shahroud city]

Control of the phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and serum lipids in dialysis' patients is very important and can be done in many ways. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of niacin on the serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and lipid profile among hemodialysis patients. This double blind controlled randomized study was done on 120 dialysis patients whom were divided into two groups: 60 patients [taking niacin] and 60 patients as control groups [taking placebo]. Niacin was prescribed as increasing dose from 200 mg to 600 mg monthly in three steps. Phosphorus, PTH and lipid profile were measured in the both groups. P-value<0.05 was considered as significant. 40 patients of case group [66.7%] and 37 patients [61.7%] of control group were male. Niacin significantly decreased serum levels of phosphorus [p<0.001] and parathyroid hormone [PTH] [p<0.001], also it significantly increased serum levels of HDL [p<0.01]. Nicotinic acid can decrease serum phosphorous and PTH level, and increase HDL cholesterol level. However, it needs a well design and larger trial study for determining the most effective doses of the nicotinic acid

prevalence and related factors of diabetic nephropathy in Shahroud

Diabetic nephropathy is a dangerous complication of diabetes which has a high prevalence among diabetic patients and is a cause of end stage renal failure in these patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate and determine the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and related factors of diabetic nephropathy in Shahroud. This descriptive study was carried out on 858 diabetic patients referred to diabetic center of shahroud city in 2011. General examination and nephrologic study with collection of urin protein in 24 hours and sonography was done. 858 patients with mean age of 47.9 +/- 11.7 years were studied. Mean duration of diabetes, BMI and fasting blood glucose was 53.8+/-48.5 months, 27.9 +/- 4.9 kg/m[2] and 287.5 +/- 158.4 mg/dl, respectively. 24hr urine protein exam showed 607 [70.7%] normal condition and 251 [29.3%] diabetic nephropathy, in which 23.4% had mild type and 5.9% had severe type. Significant relationship were observed between diabetic nephropathy and age of patients [p<0.005], type II diabetes [p<0.003], duration of diabetes [p<0.003], fasting blood sugar [p<0.008] and kind of anti-diabetic drugs [p<0.003], but there was not a relationship between gender and diabetic nephropathy [p=0.345]. By timely diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, controlling the accelerating factors of diabetic nephropathy and informing the patients, we can decrease prevalence of this important complication of diabetes mellitus

[ rare case report: SCARF syndrome]

SCARF syndrome is a rare syndrome that so far only two cases have been reported in the papers. In this paper, a 3 months female SCARF syndrome was presented with multiple congenital abnormalities and problems to Imam Hossein hospital of Shahroud

[Comparison of serum level of CRP and platelet in acute perforated and non-perforated appendicitis in Imam Hossein hospital of Shahroud in 2011]

Appendicitis is one of the most common and important surgical problem and its early diagnosis is very important. Diagnosis of appendicitis is based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Therefore, we decided to take a small step in recognition of problems by evaluation of CRP and Platelet level in diagnosing of non-perforated and perforated appendicitis patients. This cross- sectional study was done on 160 patients with diagnosis of appendicitis on 2011. Patients were examined and then were operated in operation room by standard method. The patients were divided in two groups in terms of perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and related statistical tests. Of 160 patients, 124 patients [77.5%] were male and others were female. Forty nine patients [30/6%] had perforated appendicitis and 111 patients [69/4%] non-perforated appendicitis. Mean age of participants in the perforated and non-perforated groups were 28.35 +/- 20.15 and 27.75 +/- 21.65 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups regarding sex distribution, but risk of perforation increased by aging [odds ratio: 1.1] CRP levels were significantly higher in the perforated group than non-perforated appendicitis group [p<0.003], but platelet levels were similar between two groups. This study showed that it is possible to use CRP for diagnosing of acute and perforated appendicitis, but it may never be replaced exact clinical examination and sonography