ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of mortality and disability in the world. Many risk factors are involved in cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity, smoking, diabetes, inadequate physical activity, unhealthy diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular diseases risk factors and the relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors for cardiovascular diseases among women in Kerman
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 400 women in Kerman. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire about cardiovascular disease risk factors, knowledge, nutritional behavior, and physical activity. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, Spearman, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS 21
Results: The average age of women was 42.11+/-1.40 years. Daily stress [71.75%] and inadequate physical activity [62.75%] were the most common risk factors among the participants. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and nutritional behavior [P<0.0001] and physical activity [P=0.001]. The mean score of knowledge in women who had tested their blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure over the past six months was significantly high
Conclusion: The results showed that there is a relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors for cardiovascular diseases; therefore, increasing knowledge level through appropriate interventions may effectively prevent cardiovascular diseases
ABSTRACT
Background & Objective: There is a need for a more effective and better tolerated prophylactic treatment of migraine. This study aims to compare the effi cacy of botulinum toxin type-A (Dysport) and divalproex sodium (divalproex) as prophylactic treatment in patients with episodic or chronic migraine. Methods: This was a randomized, cross-over, single-center clinical trial. Participants were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Two phases of intervention were arranged (each for three months). In the fi rst phase, patients received either Dysport (125 units) or divalproex (200 mg bid for three months). The patients were left for a three months washout period, and then the treatment agents were swapped in the second stage. The response to each treatment was assessed at the end of each phase. Results: With divalproex, the frequency, intensity and duration of headache, as well as analgesic consumption were signifi cantly reduced (p<0.05) in both episodic and chronic patients. However, Dysport demonstrated signifi cant effi cacy only in patients with episodic migraine. In chronic migraine, Dysport only showed a non signifi cant trend to benefi t in these parameters, with exception of headache intensity,where it resulted in signifi cant improvement from baseline. Divalproex was signifi cantly superior to Dysport, in terms of headache frequency and intensity in patients with episodic migraine. Conclusions: Both Dysport and divalproex are effective prophylactic therapies for patients with episodic migraine. Divalproex but not Dysport was signifi cantly effective for chronic migraine.
ABSTRACT
Migraine is defined as a chronic disabling condition which influences all physical, mental, and social dimensions of quality of life. Some 12-15% of the world population suffers from migraine. The disease is more common among women. The onset, frequency, duration, and severity of migraine attacks may be affected by other predisposing factors including nutrition. Therefore, determining these factors can greatly assist in identification and development of its prevention. Considering the importance of nutrition in maintaining and promoting health and preventing diseases, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between headaches and nutritional habits [frequency and type of consumed foods] of women suffering from migraine. This analytical case-control study was conducted on 170 women [in two groups of 85] selected by convenient sampling for the case group and random sampling for the control group. Data collection tool was a 3-section questionnaire including personal information, headache features, and nutritional habits. The questionnaire was completed in an interview performed by the researcher. The data was then analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistical tests [frequency distribution, mean, and standard deviation] and inferential tests [chi-square, independent t, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman's correlation tests]. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between headache and some food items including proteins, carbohydrates, fat, fruits and vegetables. To be more precise, there were significant relationships between headaches and the frequency of consumption of red meat [p = 0.01], white meat [p = 0.002], cereals [p = 0.0005], vegetables [p = 0.009], fruits [p = 0.0005], salad dressing [p = 0.03], and eggs [p = 0.001]. Moreover, a significant relationship existed between headache and type of consumed oil, meat, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables [p < 0.05]. It is necessary to put more emphasis on the significance of correcting dietary patterns in order to prevent headache attacks and reduce the complications arising from drug consumption in migraine patients. Social and economical efficiency of the patients will thus be enhanced.
ABSTRACT
Humans have been involved with the phenomena of pain and pain relief from the ancient times. Back pain is the most common pain. In fact, eight out of ten people experience it in their lifetime. However, individuals with specific jobs, including nurses, are faced with this problem more. Nursing is in the top ten careers suffering from the most severe musculoskeletal injuries. There are non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments to relieve back pain. One of the non-medical treatments of pain is called reflexology which is a branch of complementary and alternative therapies. This research has been conducted to investigate the effect of reflexology on chronic low back pain intensity. This study was a double-blind clinical trial. The study population consisted of 50 female and male nurses suffering from chronic low back pain working in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were divided into two groups of reflexology and non-specific massage. A questionnaire was completed through interviews and a 40 minute sessions of interventions were performed three times a week for two weeks. Pain intensity was measured by Numerical Analogue Scale for pain before and after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent t-test and chi-square test, were used to analyze the data. The results showed a significantly higher reduction in pain intensity scores in the reflexology group after the intervention as compared with the non-specific massage group. However, the non-specific massage was also significantly effective in reducing pain. Reflexology can be effective in reducing the severity of chronic back pain, i.e. it is able to reduce pain from moderate to mild. Thus, this technique is recommended to be performed by nurses as a complementary therapy in patient care.
ABSTRACT
Fractures of femur are among the most important causes of mortality in musculoskeletal injuries. Owning to lack of adequate research to compare various techniques of fracture stabilization, there has not yet been an agreement over a protocol to utilize a specific type of splint for femoral fracture immobilization. This study was thus conducted to compare the effects of simple and traction splints on pain intensityimmediately after and at the 1[st], 6[th], and 12[th]h after splinting among patients with femur fracture in the centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences [Isfahan, Iran]. This quasi experimental study was performed on 32 patients with femur fractures. Prehospital emergency ambulances were divided into two groups of simple and traction splints using a table of random numbers. Continuous convenient sampling was employed in each group to use either a simple or a traction splint for the patients with femur fractures. Pain intensity of the patients was then measured by a visual analogue scale [VAS] immediately, 1 h, 6 h, and 12 h after splinting. The effects of the two techniques were finally compared. After splinting, pain intensity decreased significantly in both groups [P = 0.0001 in both groups]. The reductions were significantly more in the traction splint group at the 1[st], 6[th] [P = 0.0001], and 12[th]h after splinting [P = 0.02] compared with the simple splint group. There was no significant difference in pain intensity immediately after splintingbetween the two groups [P = 0.441]. The significant difference in pain reduction between the simple and traction splint groups at the 1[st], 6[th], and 12[th]h after splinting emphasizes the superiority of traction splints.
ABSTRACT
Migraine is the most common primary headache syndrome with no specific pathologic reason affecting physical, mental and social aspects of quality of life and reduces health-related quality of life [HRQOL]. Migraine is the most noticeable medical issue in women's health, since it is more prevalent among them during the reproductive years between the age of 25 and 55 years. The low frequency of organic causes for and the increasing prevalence of headache suggest individual and environmental factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between migraine headache and lifestyle in women. This is a case-control study on 170 subjects aged 18-50 years randomly selected by Poisson sampling from population of women with headache referring to neurology clinics of Al-zahra and Nour hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and with absolute diagnosis of migraine by neurologist based on the criteria of the International Headache Society. The control group comprised of all women with no migraine having identical inclusion criteria with the study subjects. The data were collected by interviews with a researcher designed questionnaire. The questionnaire was used after the scientific validity and reliability had been confirmed by content validity and Test-retest, respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests [independent t test, Chi-square test and Fisher exact test] were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that there was a statistically significant association between some dimensions of lifestyle such as nutrition status and food habits [P