[Evaluation of endocrine disorders in patients with thalassemia major]

Thalassemia major is a genetic disorder, in which blood transfusion is critical for the survival of patients. Over the course of the past two and three decades, hypertransfusion therapy in these patients has significantly increased life expectancy and quality of life. Unfortunately however this type of therapy has also increased the frequency of complications due to iron overload. Today endocrine abnormalities are far more common than before in beta-thalassemia patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endocrine disturbances in patients with thalassemia major, aged over 10 years. Fifty-six patients, aged over 10 years, with thalassemia major were enrolled. Physicians collected demographic data and history of therapies as well as menstrual history in females. Patients were examined to determine their pubertal status and SDS of height for evaluation of short stature. For evaluation of glucose tolerance, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, luteinizing hormone, and follicular stimulating hormone, estradiol in girls and testosterone in boys were measured. Fifty-six patients 10 to 27 years with thalassemia major old were evaluated. In this study, the prevalences of diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance test were 8.9%, 28.6% and 7.1% respectively. Short stature [SDS

[Body mass index in veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents with chronic bronchiolitis]

One of the leading risk factors for various diseases is obesity, a nutritional burden and an independent factor which increases mortality. Patients with chronic bronchiolitis due to mustard gas have low levels of physical activity, owing to respiratory problems, and comorbidities like psychological disorders. The aim of this study was to assess obesity in veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 434 veterans exposed chemical warfare agents, admitted to the chest of clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital during 2006 were studied. Patients were divided into three age groups as follows: 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years. Respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, sleep fragmentation and bloody sputum, pulmonary function and body mass index [BMI] were assessed in subjects. Mean BMI was 26.4 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in patients, 26.3 +/- 4.1 kg/m2 in 30-39, 26.3 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in the 40-49, and 27.1 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in 50-59 year olds. In addition, 32.9%, 35.9%, 32.9% and 17.6% of patients had normal weight, and 54.7%, 61.3%, 64.8% and 82.4% were overweight or obese in all patients, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 age groups. BMI was not correlated with the severity of cough, sleep fragmentation, dyspnea, the presence of bloody sputum and respiratory volumes. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in was veterans exposed to chemical warfare agent seems to be higher than in the normal population. Given the importance of obesity, there should be more focus on balancing weight in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases; in this regard, such patients will benefit greatly from collaboration between nutritionists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists and psychologists

[Dyslipidemia and it's relation with smoking in Tehran]

Dyslipidemia and smoking are among the most important medical problems in human society. Their share in the mortality of coronary heart disease [CHD] has led to multiple investigations about them. This study was done to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the effect of cigarette usage on it. This epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out on 9632 persons selected randomly in Tehran urban with a minimum age of 20 years and over. We measured fasting blood sugar, blood sugar 2 hours after 75 grams oral glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol. Degree of physical activity was registered according to Lipid Research Clinics classification. Anthropometrics data, social condition, family history and smoking exactly delineated. Our patients were divided into: those having normal lipid profile and primary dyslipidemia [without any risk factor for dyslipidemia] and secondary dyslipidemia [having one or more risk factors such as diabetes mellitus]. ANOVA, t.test, and logistic were used to analyze the level of significance. Our population sample consisted of 5619 female and 4013 male. 68.5% of our cases had dyslipidemia. 65.8% of females and 72.3% of males had at least one type of dyslipidemia. There were 1085 smokers [11.4%] that 73.2% of them were dyslipidemic. With comparing smokers to nonsmokers shows that in smokers HDL.cholesterol, LDL.cholesterol and total cholesterol had decreased and triglyceride increased [p<0.05]. Tehran population suffers from dyslipidemia. Large number of secondary dyslipidemia and smoking highlighted the importance of education to overcome to these preventable and modifiable factors