[ 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

Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus in an Iranian population: the IHHP study

We used data from the baseline survey from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme to determine the prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes among a representative samples of 12 514 adults living in 3 cities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes was 17.3%, 66.3% and 5.6% respectively. Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were 40.3%, 35.3%, and 9.1% respectively. The rates for dyslipidaemia were 14.4%, 7.1% and 6.5% respectively, and 54.6% of diabetics were aware of their disease and 46.2% were under treatment

[Association between anti- beta 2GP1 autoantibody with Acute Coronary Syndrome]

Atherosclerosis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that remains the most common cause of death in the globe. This affects the vascular wall and leads to coronary artery diseases. Several studies have evaluated the association between auto-antibodies and cardiovascular disease. One of the candidate autoantigens is the Beta 2-glycoprotein I [beta 2GPI]. Determining risk factor of the coronary heart diseases is of huge significance, so we carried out the comparative study of Anti- beta 2GP1 autoantibody level in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and healthy controls in Gorgan, Iran. A case-control, study was conducted on 179 subjects in 2007 in whom 79 subjects were healthy [Control group] and 100 subjects had coronary artery disease [Case group]. A questionnaire was filled by all subjects. Blood and serum samples were assessed by commercial ELISA tests measuring IgM and IgG auto-antibodies to beta 2GP1 antigen. Data were analyzed using student t-test and Fisher test. The positivity of IgG and IgM isotypes for anti- beta 2-GPI antibodies in serum of the cases were%68.6 and%43, respectively. Our results also indicated that frequency of IgG and IgM autoanti-beta2-GPI isotypes in serum of the controls were%48.1 and%2.5, respectively. The results from the serum of the subjects showed that IgG-antibody against beta 2GPI was found in%50 of the female cases and%73.2 of the male cases [P<0.01]. On the other hand, this values were%48.5 of females and%47.8 of males in control group [P<0.05]. Our finding shows that there is a relation between serum levels of IgG-antibodies against beta 2GP and coronary artery diseases

evaluation of disability in differently-involved joints among patients with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis [OA] is characterized by progressive erosion of articular cartilage and the bone growth on joint's margins. It is an important cause of long term health problems and the most frequently reported reason for long lasting disability. To evaluate the pain and the disability in patients with OA and also comparing of these parameters in different joints of upper and lower extremities. In the present cross-sectional study, 200 patients with OA were diagnosed by a rheumatologist using standard criteria. The severity of disability was evaluated using the clinical Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]. Disability index was statistically different in diverse joint groups and OA of upper and lower limbs both with lower indices. However, no difference in occurrence of disability was found when the sexuality, educational and marital statuses were compared. There was consistently significant difference between age average and the presence of disability in different groups of joints. The age and the disability index showed a statically significant positive correlation [Pearson r = 0.17, P= 0.01]. Multiple variables [ANOVA] test also was indicative of a significant difference in disability of different joint groups when the age was regarded as a predisposing cofactor. Multiple joints involvement is considered as a risk factor for disability in OA patients which increases by ageing