[Prevalence of lower limb amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer in Imam Khomeini and Shariati Hospitals, 1979-2001]

Diabetes Mellitus is a common disorder with numerous disabling complications, which can be largely prevented by simple, inexpensive interventions. The prevention of diabetic foot ulceration [DFU] is especially important because besides the morbidity and mortality it entails time and a heavy financial burden. In order to study the prevalence of lower limb amputations, this study was designed in patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcerations. This retrospective descriptive study was carried out at Imam Khomeini and Dr. Shariati University Hospitals in Tehran. Data pertaining to 28 1 patients admitted between 1979 and 2001 for treatment of diabetic foot ulceration was collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Over the 22-year period of the study, 28l patients [61% men and 39% women] were hospitalized for DFU. The overall lower limb amputation rate was 30%. Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in patients who eventually underwent amputation than in those who did not. The rate of lower limb amputation secondary to DFU is higher in Iran than the global average. This necessitates greater attention and better planning with regards to the prevention and treatment of DFU

Treatment 's results of hyperthyroid patients with iodine - 131

Radioiodine [131I] is an effective and inexpensive alternative to surgery in the treatment of thyroid hyperfunction. The debate today concerns the maximum and minimum ablative doses, and factors leading to hypothyroidism. 1035 hyperthyroid patients treated with weight-adjusted ablative doses of 131I were retrospectively assessed for treatment outcome or correlated with sex, age, underlying pathology, and administrated dose of 131I. Thyroid hyperfunction was 3.5 times more common in women. The greatest proportions of patients were in the 31-40 years age group and the smallest proportion over-70. The commonest underlying pathology was Grave's disease. Men had a lower response rate to 131I therapy, with 2.4-fold greater probability of persistent hyperthyroidism [P<0.0001]. The probability of post-131I hypothyroidism decreased with increasing age [P<0.0001]. The best response to 131I therapy was seen in patients with toxic adenoma, [P=0.0001]. The incidence of hypothyroidism did not show a positive correction with increased administered dose of 131I [P<0.001]. Average time to develop clinical hypothyroidism was 7.1 months. 131I was effective in reducing thyroid nodule size. There were 18 cases of temporary hypothyroidism, all of which recovered to euthyroid status within 12 months. One dose of radioiodine was effective in treatment of hyperthyroid patients in 91.2% of cases. Age, sex and underlying pathology were determining factors. In most cases the average time to hypothyroidism was reasonably short, obviating the need for long time follow up in these patients