[ frequency of mental disorders among Kerman residents above 15 years of age]

In developed countries mental disorders are recognized by screening questionnaires and clinical interviews. Since there is a limited number of epidemiological studies about mental disorders in Iranian population, the present study was performed to find the prevalence and type of mental disorders among Kerman residents older than 15 years old. At the first step, GHQ - 28 was completed door - side for 1527 residents selected through stratified cluster sampling. The cut off point of 6 was considered as disorder presence. At the second step, 490 ones who had obtained the cut off point participated in DSM - IV clinical interview. In whole, 32.1% [34.5% female and 27.1% male] were diagnosed as psychiatrically ill. The frequency of mental disorders was 35.1% among those over 65 years, 35.3% among 45 - 64 years subjects, 100% in divorced, 45.8% in widows, 40.2% in illiterates, 36.9% in students, 34.7% in housewives and 34.8% in low socioeconomic class. Major depressive and panic disorders were the most frequent disorders [6.8% and 4.3% respectively]. The frequency of generalized anxiety disorder was 2.8%, schizophrenia was 0.9% and Bipolar disorder was 0.3%. The frequencies of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder were higher than other studies in Iran and similar to some studies from other countries. Different cultures and screening questionnaires maybe some reasons for these incompatibilities. The results of this study my help mental health providers to improve their programs

[Comparison of salivary secretory IgA in caries-free children and children with severe early childhood caries]

Background and Aims: Sever early childhood caries [SECC] is a multifactor common disease that unfortunately there have been a lot of unknown points about it. This study was performed to compare the levels of total S-IgA in children with and without SECC

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 44 children aged 6-24 months were divided into two groups of with SECC [n=20] and without SECC [n=24]. The two groups were compared for the concentration of S-IgA assessed with Nephlometric method. The obtained data were analyzed by using t-test and through SPSS 15 software

Results: Mean saliva concentration of S-IgA in children with SECC [18.30 mg/dl] was higher than that in children without SECC [9.46 mg/dl] and this difference was statistically Significant [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to this study, the hypothesis of lower levels of S-IgA in children with SECC might be rejected

[ evaluation of anxiety, depression and global assessment of functioning in bipolar patients at manic and mixed episodes]

This research is carried out with the aim of comparing anxiety, depression and global assessment of functioning between two groups of bipolar patients at mixed and manic episodes. Using an analytical cross-sectional approach, a sample of 94 patients with mean age of 32 years old [Standard Deviation: 11.3], who had been categorically diagnosed with bipolar disorder using DSM-IV criteria and admitted in Shahid Beheshti Mental Hospital of Kerman /Iran from autumn 2007 to summer 2008 were analysed. These patients were grouped under two categories of Manic episode [n=48] and Mixed episode [n=46]. Hamilton's Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD] and Hamilton's Anxiety Rating scale [HARS] tests were performed. Patients' functionality were rated during their illness and for the period of 6 months before their infirmity using "Global Assessment of Functioning" [GAF] scoring system. Multiple logistic regression analysis, t-test, ANCOVA, MANOVA and Pearson Correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Mean Hamilton's depression scores in mixed and mania groups had a significant difference [P<0.001] and mean Hamilton's Anxiety score of Mania group was significantly higher than that of mixed group. Patients' functionality rate at the time of admission was reduced considerably comparing to the 6 months prior to the admission in both groups but at admission the functionality of the tow groups did not have a significant difference. Both anxiety and depression in bipolar patients at mixed episode are higher than those in Patients at mania episode. Although the functionality of both of these groups reduces at the time of episode, there is no significant difference between these two groups in their functionality rate

Olmsted syndrome associated with somatic type of delusion

The inheritance of Olmsted syndrome that is a very rare congenital with transgredient palmoplantar keratoderma is distinguished by the presence of massive hyperkeratosis with fissured skin and periorificial chaps. It usually appears during the early life and mostly in male pateints. Herein we report a case of Olmsted syndrome which is associated with ichthyosis and somatic type of delusion during adulthood

[ prevalence rate of substance abuse and addiction and some relevant factors among junior and senior high school students in Kerman city [2000-2001]]

The Aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of addiction and its relationship with some demographic features, knowledge, behavior and attitude among junior and senior high school students in the city of Kerman. This cross-sectional study was done by using a self-made questionnaire including issues related to taking illicit drugs and demographic features. The questionnaires were distributed among 3500 students of whom 3318 [94.8%] returned the questionnaires. Data analysis was done by SPSS-10 software and using t-test, chi[2] and Odds Ratio for Trend methods. Among studied students, 58.2% were male and 41.38% were female. In males, 26.6% and in females, 11.5% had taken illicit drugs at least once. In boys the prevalence of drug abuse was as follows: alcohol 16.2%, opium 11.7%, tranquilizers 9.7%, cannabis 8.3%, anabolic androgens 8.2%, Shire [extract of opium] 7.7%, LSD 5.8%, heroin 5.5%. The prevalence in girls was as follows: opium 5.1%, alcohol 4.5%, tranquilizer 4.42%, cannabis 2.8%, anabolic androgens 2.8%, Shire 2.6%, LSD 2%, heroin 2%. As it is seen in male students the prevalence of all drugs is significantly higher comparing to female students [P<0.0001]. In other words, male students use drugs more frequently than female students [P<0.0001]. However in regard to this fact there was no significant difference based on the year of study. The desire for giving up was significantly more in boys [40%] compared to girls [27.2%]. The most preferred option for giving up was self medication. For overcoming addiction problem students had sought advice from their intimate friends, father, and mother respectively. Students believed that they had gained most of the useful information regarding addiction from school headmasters and educating [Parvareshi] teachers, while the least affecting source of information were health teachers. According to the findings, addiction in teenagers should be considered as a serious issue. As well as opioid drugs and alcohol, attention to other drugs is also required. Organized education with feedback would be helpful, and more attention should be given to the roles of educating teachers. With regard to abstinence desire, there should be more facilities to encourage drug abusers to seek help from the consultation, rehabilitation and detoxification centers

[Relative frequency of 35delG mutation in GJB2 gene in autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss [ARNSHL] patients in Kerman population]

Congenital hearing loss with many genetic and environmental causes affects 1 in 1000 newborns. Mutations in the GJB2 [Gap Junction Beta-2] gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin 26 have been established as the main cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss. The aim of this stand was to study the frequency of one mutation [35delG] of GJB2 gene in Kerman non-syndromic deaf population. For this purpose, 130 chromosomes from 65 patients were studied and 35delG mutation was diagnosed in 3 [2.3%] chromosomes [one patient was homozygote and the other one was heterozygote]. This rate of frequency is significantly higher comparing to that in the whole population of Iran

Postvaccination mass psychogenic illness in an Iranian rural school

In October 1992 after tetanus inoculations of 26 girl students in a village in the Islamic Republic of Iran, an outbreak of psychomotor syndrome occurred in 10. Although only few were affected, the temporary negative impact on public opinion about immunization was serious. Physical and laboratory investigations of the girls were normal. The 10 girls were compared with their 16 classmates. Higher socioeconomic status was protective [P = 0.04] and distance of home from school was relevant [P = 0.03]. This is the first report of a health intervention unwarrantedly being held as the cause of an outbreak. The outbreak, however, was managed successfully