Relationship between smoking, metabolic syndrome and atherogenic index

This study was done to explore the relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and smoking. In this analytical cross-sectional study in Ahvaz, south west of Iran, the gathering data sheet was completed. Body mass index, abdominal and waist circumference, Fasting Blood sugar, Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Atherogenic index, predictor of myocardial infarction, and Brinkman index to investigate cumulative impact of cigarette smoking was calculated. Of the 944 participants, 16.1% were smokers. Among male participants, 24.8% and in female participants, 8.7% were smokers. There was no significant correlation between cigarette smoking and metabolic syndrome. Systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in smokers. Comparison of Atherogenic index in participants with and without metabolic syndrome in smokers and non-smokers showed significant difference. In male participants, Atherogenic index was higher than female. Brinkman index showed no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome and its components. Smoking does not show relationship with metabolic syndrome, but has a relationship with mean systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride levels and waist circumference. Atherogenic index was higher in participants with metabolic syndrome, cigarette smoking and male gender. Brinkman index had no correlation with metabolic syndrome and its components

Evaluation of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women with gestational and pre-gestational diabetes

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate thyroid function tests in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus [GDM] and pre-gestational DM and control group

Methodology: There were 61 pregnant diabetic women in study group and 35 pregnant women in control group. Serum T4, T3, T3RU, FTI, TSH and Anti TPO Ab were assessed in each person

Results: About 36% of patients had GDM and 64% pre-gestational DM. Thyroid dysfunction was detected in 18% of study group compared with 8.6% of control group [P = 0.2]. There was Thyroid dysfunction in 4.5% of GDM and 25.6% of pregestational DM [P = 0.045]. There was no statistically significant difference between thyroid dysfunction in GDM group and control group [P=0.99].27% of GDM and 36% of pregestational DM and 23% of control group had positive titer of Anti TPO Ab without statistically significant differences among the three groups

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent in women with pre-gestational DM so, thyroid function should be evaluated in these patients during pregnancy. Rate of thyroid dysfunction in GDM patients is similar to normal pregnant control women. High prevalence of positive titer of TPO Ab was seen in diabetic and nondiabetic pregnant women

Etiology of hirsutism in women referring to endocrinology clinic in Ahwaz

This study is carried out aiming to determine the prevalence of various causes of hirsutism in patients referred to the endocrine clinic of Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz. In a cross-sectional study, 520 patients suffered from hirsutism whiting the age range of 10-50 year old participated based on Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism classification system. Out of 520 patients under study, 274 ones [52.7%] had PCO, 176 ones [33.8%] suffered from idiopathic hirsutism, 24 persons [4.6%] had hyperprolactinemia, 22 persons [4.2%] had hirsutism caused by drugs consumption, 11 ones [2.1%] had hypothyroidism, 9 patients [1.7%] had cushing as well as 3 persons [0.57%] having Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia [LOCAH] and 1 person [0.19%] had ovarian tumor. Results of this study show that PCO and idiopathic hirsutism constitute totally 86% of hirsutism causes

Risk assessment of patients with diabetes for foot ulcers according to risk classification consensus of international working group on diabetic foot [IWGDF]

The aim was assessment of diabetic foot ulcer risk factors according to International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot [IWGDF] consensus. All referred patients with diabetes were divided into four groups based on IWGDF criteria [without neuropathy, with neuropathy, neuropathy with deformity or vascular disorders, foot ulcer or amputation history]. Mean age of patients was 53.8 +/- 10.7 years. Two hundred and sixty nine patients [62/6%] were female and 161[37/4%] were male. Twenty three percent had disturbed sense of vibration, 26% had decreased sensitivity to monofilaments and 17% had decreased pain sensation. Ankle brachial index [ABI] was abnormal in 6%. About 7% had history of prior ulcer. Patients were classified into four risk groups according to IWGDF criteria. Two hundred and seventy seven patients [65%] were in group 0, 75[17%] in group 1, 47 [11%] in group 2 and 31 [7%] in group 3. Patients in higher-risk groups had higher age, longer diabetes duration, higher HbA1C and less training [p=0.0001, 0.001, 0.0001, 0.021 respectively]. The risk was higher in the presence of retinopathy [p=0.005]. Patient's sex, BMI, smoking and nephropathy did not have significant correlation with risk of diabetic foot ulcer. This study showed that increase of age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c, lack of training and presence of retinopathy increases the risk of diabetic foot ulcers

Outcome of graves' disease after anti-thyroid drug treatment in south west of Iran

This study was conducted to observe the optimal results of long term treatment with antithyroid drugs in patients with graves' disease. Total of 268 patients with graves' disease who were referred to endocrinology clinic during 2005 - 2008 and treated with anti-thyroid drugs for a long term were studied. Data about the age, gender, estimated weight of thyroid before and after the treatment, level of thyroid hormones, disease relapse, hypothyroidism and the drug side-effects were collected and analyzed. Eighty two [31%] patients were males, 186 [69%] females, mean age of 35 +/- 27 years and follow-up course of 31 +/- 16 months], were studied. After the discontinuation of long term treatment, 53% were affected with relapse of hyperthyroidism. The mean duration of hyperthyroidism relapse after the treatment was 8.3 +/- 7.3 months. The relapse rate was significantly higher in the treated patients in both ends of age spectrum [P < 0.001]. In males and patients with large thyroid and lower TSH level at the end of treatment, the rate of relapse was higher [P=0.016, P < 0.033, P=0.001 respectively]. The incidence of hypothyroidism after treatment was about 6%. More decrease of thyroid size during the treatment course, higher level of serum TSH after discontinuation of the treatment, and lower thyroid hormone levels before the treatment were some of the effective factors in hypothyroidism incidence [P=0.005, P < 0.001, P < 0.05 respectively]. Of the 268 graves' patients treated with antithyroid drugs, 104 patients [39%] remained euthyroid in the follow-up course. Using long-term treatment with antithyroid drugs is still the first step in treating patients with graves' specially in middle-aged women with smaller goiters

effect of 17 days exposure to static magnetic fields on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male rat

Power stations produce a range of magnetic fields more than 20 mT which are harmful to those working or living around them. Several investigators have reported an increased health risk due to exposure to electric and magnetic fields [EMF] at 50 and 60 Hz. Several studies have been reported especially with increased tumor incidence, effects on reproduction and development, and neural and behavioral changes. This study evaluated the possible effect of static MFs 50 Hz on the secretion of Testosterone, LH and FSH hormones in male rats. Forty eight Wistar male rats [same range of age and weight] were randomly divided into four groups. Animals in group 1 were used as a sham exposure group. After one-week adaptation they were placed in exposure to three MFs for 40 minutes daily for 17 days. Group 2, 3 and 4 were exposed with 6, 12 and 24 mT static MFs at 50 Hz respectively. After experiments animals were killed and their bloods were collected in separated tubes and their serums were separated using a centrifuge with 3500 RPM for 15 min. Hormones were measured using gamma counter equipment with RIA and IPMA methods. The results were analyzed by ANOVA statistical method. Our results show that testosterone, LH and FSH have not changed significantly [p< 0.05] using these static MFs intensities. therefore it can be concluded that at least the static MFs used in this study [with these intensities and duration] can not affect the secretion of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormones

Short-term and long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients

The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term and longterm kidney transplant outcomes in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. We studied all kidney recipients in Golestan hospital, Ahwaz, from 1995 to 2003. The patients were divided into two groups of diabetic and nondiabetic, and 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year survival rates of the patient and the kidney were evaluated. We also evaluated and compared the causes of death between these two groups. There were 50 diabetic patients with a mean age of 51 years, and 350 nondiabetic patients with the mean age of 29 years old [P = .03]. One-year, 2-year, and 5-year graft survival rates were 90% versus 91.5%, 86% versus 89%, and 76% versus 83% in diabetic and nondiabetic patients, respectively [P = .19]. The patient survival rates were 92% versus 93%, 88% versus 91%, and 76% versus 84% in diabetic and nondiabetic patients, respectively. The most common cause of death was myocardial infarction in diabetic patients [50%], and septicemia among the nondiabetic ones [50%]. The most common cause of kidney allograft loss was patient's death [75%] in diabetic patients and kidney rejection [40%] in nondiabetics. Long-term kidney transplantation results have been significantly improved comparing with other studies. Thus, kidney transplantation is recommended as the treatment of choice in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease. However, a complete evaluation of cardiac problems for these patients is recommended before the surgery