[Health- related quality of life in patients with type 1 diabetes]

Considering the importance of quality of life [QoL] affected in chronic diseases including diabetes, this study conducted to evaluate health-related quality of life in patients with type 1-diabetes. In this cross-sectional study, 150 patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled from the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism. A quality of Life questionnaire validated previously for assessment of QoL in people with type-1 diabetes in Iran was used. The questionnaire included 20 questions in five areas of social relationships, emotional, daily activity, academic performance and treatment. Mean age of the subjects and duration of disease were 22.14 +/- 6.84, 8.97 +/- 7.14 years respectively. The mean score for general quality of life was 70.70 +/- 13.95 in men and 67.27 +/- 11.87 in women. There was no significant difference in general quality of life between men and women. However, regarding treatment, the quality of life in men [65.64 +/- 16.65] was higher than in women [P<0.05]. General quality of life was significantly correlated with duration of diabetes and type of insulin. In patients treated with insulin-analogues, general quality of life and areas of emotional, social relationships, academic performance and treatment were better. To conclude, comprehensive diabetes care, including mental health counseling and structured patient education programs might improve QoL in Iranian patients with type 1 diabetes

Evaluating serum levels of IgM, IgA, IgG, changes after adenotonsillectomy

Adenoids and tonsils, which are major components of secondary lymphoid organs, appear to function as the host's first line of defense against exogenous microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible impacts of Adenotonsillectomy in serum levels of IgA, IgG, 1gM as indicators of humoral immunity, but there is a controversy about immunologic effect of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Pre and post operative serum samples were collected from 40 patients [7-11 years old] referred for adenotonsillectomy. Serum samples were analyzed, using Radial Immune Diffusion [RID] method to determine levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, before and 3 week after surgery. The level of IgA and IgM were reduced in post operative period. But this was not statistically significant. However, it was found that the level of IgG was reduced in the post operative period and this reduction was statistically significant [P<0.01]. The results of this study indicate that adenotonsillectomy had not a significant effect on two major parts of humoral immunity [IgA and IgM] but it reduced IgG levels

Hereditary angioedema [HAE]: study of 30 cases

Hereditary angioedema [HAE] is not a rare condition in Iran. HAE is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. We studied 30 cases of HAE from 1987 to 1992, twenty females and 10 males, with a mean age of 24.8 years. Clinical presentation was nonpitting edema of the face in all cases. In HAE type I, screening of complement profile revealed a C1 inhibitor deficiency in 60% and C4 deficiency in 66% of cases; but in type II HAE, the complement profile seems to be normal. Complement component study is a good tool for the diagnosis of type I HAE