ABSTRACT
To determine the mean pupil diameter by the Pentacam in the 40-64 year-old population of Shahroud and its association with some related factors. Three hundred clusters were selected through multistage cluster sampling in the first phase of Shahroud Cohort study of whom 82.2% participated in the study. Refraction, slit lamp examination, and imaging by the Pentacam were performed for all participants. The pupil diameter obtained by the Pentacam was analyzed. Any history of previous ocular surgery and invalid Pentacam data were the criteria for excluding data from further analysis. After implementing the exclusion criteria, the data of 3820 individuals [59.3% female] were analyzed. The mean pupil diameter in this study was 2.74 +/- 0.56 mm [95%CI 2.72-2.76]. The 25%, 50%, 95% and 97.5% percentiles of the pupil diameter in the study population were 2.41, 2.67, 3.60 and 3.85 mm, respectively. In this study, the 95% of the normal range of pupil diameter was 1.63-3.85 mm. In the multiple model, the mean pupil diameter was smaller in men compared to women and decreased significantly with aging [P<0.001]. The mean pupil diameter was significantly larger in myopic versus hyperopic participants [P<0.001]. The pupil diameter was significantly smaller in participants with dark brown irises [P=0.005]. Anisocoria was observed in 9.43% [95%CI 8.43-10.44] of the participants. The pupil diameter in normal individuals by the Pentacam is found to be smaller than other techniques. A cut point of 3.85 mm for the pupil diameter is suggested as the critical criterion for refractive surgery. Moreover, it should be noted that men have a smaller pupil diameter, and that the pupil diameter decreases with aging
ABSTRACT
Non-Communicable disease [NCD] is a main group of diseases which are responsible for a large proportion of the Global Burden of Disease around the world. Although disparities in the NCDs' risk factors can affect the goals of health for all, less attention has been paid so far on this topic. In this study, we investigated socio-economic inequality in the NCDs' risk factors and evaluated the causes affecting on this inequality in Shahroud, Iran. Conducting this survey, we used surveillance data for NCD of 1000 individuals who lived in Shahroud district during 2005. We determine a socio-economic variable which explained social and economic status of the people using Principal Component Analysis. We then evaluated each NCD risk factors at different levels of the socio-economic variable and calculated concentration index for the risk factors. The causes of the inequality were described by decomposition analysis of the concentration indices. Concentration indices for hypertension, smoking, insufficient physical activity, and unhealthy diet were -0.141, -0.191, -0.046 and -0.091, respectively. Differences of concentration curves of the risk factors from the line of equality were significant but not for diabetes, obesity and high blood cholestrol. Age, being a government employee, being unmarried, living in rural area and low economic status were the most important factors which influence on these inequalities. Inequality in some NCD risk factors was significant in Shahroud district. More investigations with larger sample size and more appropriate variables to measure socioeconomic status are recommended
ABSTRACT
Injuries and deaths from traffic crashes have become a major public health and socio-economic problem in Iran. Our study aimed to investigate patterns of road traffic injuries [RTI] in Shahrood and to furnish evidence for developing measures and strategies and to improve RTI. A descriptive-analytical study was performed on cases of road traffic injury admitted between 21 Mars and 22 Sept 2005 [the first six months of Iranian calendar] to the trauma center of Imam Hossein Hospital in Shahrood. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed with regard to demographic, pre-hospital and hospital information. Of the 621 injured traffic victims admitted over the 6-month period, 72% were men. The majority were in the 20-29y [30/3%] and 13-19 y [19/6%] age categories. The mean age of the men and women were 29/2 +/- 15/2 and 32 +/- 16/6 respectively. Motorcyclists were more likely to be injured in urban areas whereas the majority of car drivers and occupants had been injured on country roads. Moreover, 63/8% of the subjects were admitted as inpatients and the mean length of hospitalization was 3 days +/- 3/4 and 8 subjects had undergone amputations. Fracture of bones [41/4%] was the most common injury; 30% of the road injuries occurred from 10 am to 1 pm. A total of 90.1% of motorcycle drivers were not wearing helmets and 44/1% of injured car drivers were not using seat belt. Thirty-one deaths were recorded, accounting for 18% of all deaths registered at Imam Hossein Hospital. This study provides useful information for establishing priorities for the prevention of road accident injuries. Only a minority of motorcyclists and car drivers used safety devices [helmet and seat belt respectively] at the time of accident. Strategies to reduce RTI would include: improving the road traffic environment, setting road safety rules and ensuring compliance, developing stakeholder coalitions, changing current perceptions and promotion of healthy practices by enforcing the laws requiring the use of helmets and safety belts a helmet and seatbelt