Vitamin D status and its relation to inflammatory markers in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], Crohn's disease [CD], and ulcerative colitis [UC] are autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the alimentary tract, which seems to be caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors as well as diet and nutritional factors such as vitamin D. The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D status and its associations with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] as inflammatory markers in patients with UC

Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study 90 patients with mild to moderate UC who were resident of Tehran were assessed. 25[OH]D, parathyroid hormone [PTH], ESR and hs-CRP were measured. Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day 24h diet recall. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA [Version 12]

Results: The average serum 25-OH-vitamin D3 was 33.1+/-8.3 ng/mL and 38.9 % of the patients were vitamin D deficient or insufficient [37.3 % of men and 41% of women]. No significant correlation between serum 25[OH]D and hs-CRP, ESR, body mass index [BMI], and disease duration was found. There were no significant differences in serum 25[OH]D between men and women. Mean daily dietary vitamin D and calcium intakes were 189.5 Iu [95% CI: 176.0-203.1] and 569.5 mg [95% CI: 538.8-600.2] respectively

Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study 38.9% of the patients with mild to moderate UC were vitamin D deficient or insufficient and vitamin D level was not correlated to ESR and/or hs-CRP. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of UC or as a part of its treatment

relationship of ethnicity, socio-economic factors and malnutrition in primary school children in north of Iran: a cross-sectional study

The main objective of this study was to assess the malnutrition and some socio-economic related factors based on three ethnic groups among primary school children in north of Iran in 2010. This cross-sectional study was carried out through multistage cluster random sampling on 5698 subjects [2505 Fars-native, 2154 Turkman, and 1039 Sistani] in 112 schools. Well-trained staffs completed the questionnaire and measured students' weight and height. Malnutrition estimated the Z-score less than -2SD for underweight, stunting and wasting were calculated using the cutoffs from WHO references. Generally, malnutrition was observed in 3.20%, 4.93% and 5.13% based on underweight, stunting and wasting respectively. It was more common in girls than in boys and in Sistani than in other ethnic groups. The correlation between malnutrition based on underweight and stunting and ethnicity was statistically significant [P=0.001]. Results of logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of malnutrition was in rural area 1.34 times more than urban area, in girls 1.17 times more than boys, in Sistani ethnic group 1.82 times more than Fars-native ethnic group, in low economic families 2.01 times more than high economic families. Underweight, stunting and wasting are the health problems in primary school children in north of Iran with a higher prevalence in girls, in rural areas, and in Sistani ethnic group

Impact of literacy on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Iran

Hypertension is an important global health concern claiming 7.1 million lives annually. Literacy, as an essential element of the health education, and its relationship with health has previously been studied. However, few studies have been conducted on the association between literacy and health outcomes. To assess the association between educational level and hypertension, awareness and hypertension control in the north of Iran were the main objectives of this study. The present study was a population-based cross-sectional study carried out on 3497 subjects aged 15-65 years using stratified and cluster sampling. Interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire, including blood pressure level. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5-minute intervals and defined based on JNC-7. Totally, 21.2% [741 cases] of our patients suffered from hypertension and illiterate people were significantly more aware of their disease [P=0.011]. Among the aware group, at least 89.6% [435 cases] used one method to control their disease; this however was not statistically significant among the educational levels. Control of hypertension was significantly greater in college educated group than in illiterate group [32.4% vs. 68.8%; P=0.001]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that illiteracy is a risk factor for hypertension [P<0.001]. In spite of the fact that awareness in illiterate people was high, the rate of hypertension control was low in this group. Prevention, detection, treatment, and control of hypertension especially in illiterate people should receive high priority.

[Obesity and its socio-demographic related factors: an epidemiological study]

Objective[s]: To assess the obesity among 15-65 years old, some related factors and its comparison among the 11 districts during five years leading to 2010 in Golestan province

Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study that established on the 6489 cases that were chosen by cluster and random sampling. Sample size estimated based on 0.05 accuracy and 95% confidential interval. Data collected by questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were made for all samples. Obesity defined based on BMI classification. Spss.16 soft-war was used for statistical analysis

Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Golestan province were in men 32.4% and 14.1% and in women 30.5% and 31.8%, respectively. Statistical differences were significant between gender[P=0.001].The prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban areas were 33.7% and 25.5% and in rural area were 29.9% and 21.2%, respectively. Statistical differences were significant between location area [P=0.001].Totally, 54.5% of adult people in Golestan province suffer from overweight or obesity and they were prevalent in Ramian [45.2%] and in Bandar Gaz [61.3%] as the lowest and highest among Golestan districts, respectively. The odds ratio for obesity estimate was 1.28 [95% CI: 1.14-1.44] for urban area compared to rural area; 2.83 [95% CI:2.50-3.20] for women compared to men; 1.45 [95% CI: 1.21-1.74] in good economic group compared to poor economic group and 2.23 [95% CI:1.53-3.25] in illiterate people compared to college educated people. P=0.001 obtained for all of groups

Conclusion: In Golestan province, 31 and 23 cases from every hundred people suffer from overweight and obesity, respectively. Bandar Gaz and Rummian districts were suffering from obesity more than and less than other regions, respectively. Illiteracy and improving economic are the risk factors for the obesity and overweight in this area

Trends in waist circumference and central obesity in adults, northern Iran

The main aim of this study is to determine the central obesity trends during the period from 2006 to 2010 among 15-65 years old people in Northern Iran. This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted on 6466 subjects who had been chosen by a multi stage cluster random sampling within five steps. The subjects were randomly chosen from 325 clusters and each cluster included 20 cases. Central obesity was defined as waist circumference >/= 102 cm and >/= 88 cm in men and women, respectively. Compared to 2010, the mean waist circumference in 2006 changed from 87.2 cm to 88.1 cm in men [p=0.237], and from 90.3 cm to 88.6 cm in women [p=0.045]. The comparison between 2006 and 2010 revealed that the prevalence of central obesity slightly decreased, 6.8% and 2.4% in urban women and men, respectively. Generally, the mean of waist circumference significantly decreased in urban women [by 0.069 cm in each year; p=0.020]; however, the decrease of waist circumference in urban men was not significant [0.006 cm decrease each year; p=0.915]. The prevalence of central obesity declined among both males and females in the urban area; however, there was an attenuated increasing trend in the rural area. The disparity of trends between the two regions should be considered for further study

Breastfeeding status and some related factors in northern Iran

The main objective of this study is to assess the Breastfeeding Duration, Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and other related factors among children aged less than 5 years old in rural areas of Northern Iran. This is a descriptive cross-sectional conducted on 2520 children aged 6-60 months [male: 1309, female: 1211] chosen by cluster random sampling from 20 out of 118 villages. Data were collected from mothers using a questionnaire. The duration of breastfeeding was computed only for children aged over 24 months old. Breastfeeding duration and Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration were classified based on WHO definition. SPSS Version 16 was used for data analysis. The mean Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration was 5.59 months, while 66.4% of children had exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months. The lowest Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and the highest Breastfeeding Duration were observed among the Turkman ethnic group. Exclusive Breastfeeding duration of at least 5 months was 14.6%, thus the results were significantly higher than in the Turkman ethnic group [p=0.001]. Meanwhile, the results showed that exclusive breastfeeding duration significantly increased with maternal education level [p=0.004]. The study found that the mean breastfeeding duration was 20.6 months, and 89.3% and 74.7% of children were breastfed for at least 18 and 24 months, respectively. A positive correlation was reported between breastfeeding duration and family size, birth order, maternal age and children nutritional status, [p<0.05]. Additionally, lactation period in underweight children was significantly higher than in obese children, [p=0.023]. The study found that two-thirds of children exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life and the mean breastfeeding duration was 20.6 months. While both exclusive breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding duration were influenced by socio-demographic factors in the rural areas of Northern Iran

prevalence of obesity and its related risk factor in the north of Iran in 2006

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the obesity and the related risk factors in the north of Iran. This was a population-based cross-sectional study that enrolled 2495 interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire including anthropometric indexes. Body mass index equal to or greater than 25 was considered as overweight and that of 30 and 40 as obese and pathologic obese respectively. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical data analysis. Mean age of the subjects was 39.2[95% CI: 38.6, 39.8] yr. Mean body mass index was 25.3 [95%CI: 25.0, 25.6] kg/m[2] for men and 27.5 [95% CI: 27.2, 27.9] kg/m[2] for women. The prevalence rates of overweight, obesity and pathologic obesity were 29.9% [745/2495], 22.5% [561/2495] and 1.8% [44/2495] respectively. The prevalence of obesity was higher in urban residents than rural ones, 27.3% versus 18.9% respectively [P<0.001]. The prevalence rates of obesity and pathologic obesity were much higher in women than men were, 30.3% versus 15.4% and 3.0% versus 0.6% respectively [P=0.001]. The odds ratio estimate was 1.68 [95% CI: 1.40, 2.02] for urban area compared to rural area; 2.60 [95% CI: 2.14, 3.15] for females compared to males; 5.95 [95% CI: 1.44, 2.84] for age group of 55-65 years compared to age group of 15-24 years; 1.76 [95% CI: 1.17, 2.64] for illiterate people compared to those who had academic education; 1.98 [95% CI: 1.13, 2.49] for poor people compared to people with high economic level. The prevalence of obesity and overweight is very high in the north of Iran, hence is a signal of serious health problem, and should be the focus of special attention

[ comparison of children physical growth status between turkman and non-Tutkman in rural area in Gorgan, north of Iran]

Anthropometric indeces are the best methods for determining of malnutrition and obesity in children and young adulescent worldwide. This study was designed to compare the physical growth status between Turkman and non-Turkman in rural area in Gorgan in North of Iran. This cross - sectional descriptive was done on 551 children of 2-5 years of age, Turkman and 895 of non-Turkman in the rural area of Gorgan North of Iran during autumn 2005. Height, weight and personal identification recorded by questioners. BMI percentile and under -1sd, -2sd and -3sd from NCHS used for comparison. Data were analyzed by using Chi-Square and T-student tests. Mean +/- SD of height in female Turkman and non-Turkman were 95.3 +/- 8.1 and 90.5 +/- 8.4 cm respectivly means +/- SD of height were 96.0 +/- 7.6 and 90.9 +/- 8.6 cm in Turkman and non-Turkman, respectively. Male childrens mean +/- SD of weight in were 14.5 +/- 2.4 and 14.2 +/- 2.9 and in male Turkman and non-Turkman children respectively. Also means +/- SD of weight were 15.0 +/- 2.03 and 14.5 +/- 2.3 cm in Turkman and non-Turkman male children, respectively. Turkman children are about 426 gram heavier and 4.9 cm taller than non-Turkman in all of age groups [P<0.05]. Stunting and underweight were observed in 13.2% and 1.9% in Turkman group less than non-Turkman respectively by -2sd criterion. There was a significant differences between two groups by stunting [P<0.05]. Obesity and overweight exist in Turkman group 24.5% and 2.6% less than in non-Turkman respectively. The difference in obesity statistically was significant between two groups [P<0.05]. Underweight was shown in female more than male [7.2% vs 4.2%] and obesity in female less than male [25.6% vs 28.9%].This study showed that secular growth in two groups is incompatible and it is better in Turkman group than non-Turkman group. Malnutrition in Turkmans was less than Non-Turkmans children