[ effect of reminiscence therapy on the self-esteem among residents of a nursing home in Uromie]

Self-esteem is an important aspect of adaptation in all stages of life, which in ageing time finds more importance, especially in mental health of elderly people. Reminiscence is a form of group psychotherapy, through which self-esteem and social intimacy through review of past experience will be affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reminiscence group therapy on self-esteem among the elderly in nursing home in Uromie. This research was an experimental study in which elderly people of Ferdous, Azahra, Ara and Khane Sabz nursing homes had the required conditions to enter the study program based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After cloning senior center groups, the two groups were randomly assigned as the intervention and control groups. Reminiscence group therapy sessions in the intervention group at each center consisted of 8 sessions, held twice a week. Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire both before and after the intervention and control groups were completed by the elderly. Data Analysis with SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics was performed. Our results showed that group reminiscence therapy increased self-esteem scores mean in the intervention group [28.95 +/- 1.60] compared to those before [26.30 +/- 3.09]. Comparison of self-esteem scores mean between the intervention and control groups after the intervention was statistically significant [P<0.001]. Implementing of reminiscence group therapy had a positive influence on self-esteem of the elderly. This intervention as an inexpensive, easy and independent measure in nursing in all nursing homes and homes is recommended

[Assessment of adequacy of dialysis in patients under continuous hemodialysis in Kamkar and Hazrat Vali Asr hospitals, state of Qom, 2006]

Hemodialysis is one of the therapeutic modalities of the end stage renal disease [ESRD]. As inadequate dialysis is considered a risk factor leading to higher morbidity and mortality, determination of adequacy of dialysis is necessary. This study was conducted to determine adequacy of dialysis in continuous hemodialysis patients in Kamkar and Hazrat Vali Asr Hospitals in the state of Qom, Iran. This cross sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2006. The study variables were age, gender, height, weight and duration of dialysis. Data were collected by a questionnaire and URR, dKt/V, eKt/V and pKt/V were calculated. For statistical analysis, t-test, Fisher's exact test and Pearson correlation were employed. Of 238 patients, 51.7% and 48.3% were males and females respectively. The average age was 55.27 +/- 16.79 years. Mean values of dKt/V, eKt/V, pKtIV and URR were 1.03 +/- 0.232, 0.89 +/- 0.196, 1.18 +/- 0.254, and 57.46 +/- 8.42 respectively. The percent of adequate dialysis in eKt/V, pKt/V and URR were 26.5%, 44.5% and 21% respectively. The mean age of insufficient eKt/V group was higher than adequate eKt/V group and t test showed a significant statistical correlation. Fisher's exact test showed a significant correlation between adequate eKt/V and female gender, and also between eKt/V and URR. But chi-square test did not show a significant correlation between eKtIV and underling disease. We found that hemodialysis is inadequate in a high number of patients. Further studies with larger sample numbers are recommended to determine the underlying cause of this inadequacy

[Evaluation of fragile X syndrome in patients with moderate mental retardation in Rafsanjan city]

Fragile X syndrome [FXS] is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients are identified with different levels of mental disabilities, elongated ears, prominent foreheads and chins, enlarged testes, large skull and obesity. This syndrom is generally associated with a break on X chromosome [Xq27.3], which can be observed in cultured chromosomes in specific culture media at metaphase stage. Prevalence rates of FXS in different ethnic groups have been estimated to be about one per 1500 in males and one per 2500 in females. The aim of this study was to determine FXS prevalence in moderate mental retarded students of Zohreh Shamsaei school in Rafsangan city. Fifty two students with moderate mental retardation [IQ=55-75] who were clinically suspicious to have FXS were screened for fragile X chromosome by using cytogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected and cultured in specific culture media. G-Banding method was used for karyotyping. Patients consisted of 37 males [71.2%] and 15 females [28.8%] with mean age of 12.7 years [ranged 7-17 years] and mean IQ 65.3 [ranged 55-74]. 8.1% of male students and 6.6% of female students were found to have fragile X site at Xq27.3 [in total 7.7%]. The frequencies of fragile X-positive cells in males and females were 8-52% and 12-27%, respectively. The frequency of fragile X positive cases found in this study is equal to that is reported by other investigators who studied the frequency of fragile X syndrome in preselected patients