ABSTRACT
Endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness are 2 indicators of subclinical cardiovascular disease. The aim of study was to analyze brachial flow mediated dilation[FMD] and carotid intima media thickness [CIMT]in patients with coronary artery disease, and investigate the relationship between endothelial function, CIMT and coronary artery disease risk factors.56 men and women aged between 25 to 75 years with coronary artery disease were recruited. FMD and CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Data were presented as mean +/- SE. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate associations and T-test and Chi-square tests were used for quantitative and qualitative variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistically significant differences. The mean age of subjects was 59.37+/-1.28 years. The frequencies of one, two and three-vessel coronary artery disease were 61%, 35.1% and 3.9%, respectively. The mean of CIMT in patients was 0.79+/-0.02 mm, and 65.5% of patients had CIMT more than 0.8 mm.The mean of FMD was 4.79+/-0.55% and 65.4% of patients had FMD lower than 5.3%. CIMT was correlated directly with number of diseased vessels, age andtotal cholesterol and was correlated inversely with HDL-C.Non-invasive measurement of FMD and CIMT are interrelated techniques that probably assess the same atherosclerotic process from functional and anatomic viewpoints.In these patients an increase in CIMT and decrease in FMD may warrant more aggressive risk factor control through the beginning of effective medical treatment
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of Ecstasy use and high risk behaviors among college students in Guilan; Iran. We conducted a cross sectional study of a representative sample drawn from college students [3958 students] of Guilan in 2005. The questionnaire was adapted from a number of the questionnaires used in the United States and the European countries. Data were analyzed performing chi [2] test and logistic regression. Out of 3958 students, 3700 students [93.5% responded, 1966 students from private colleges and 1734 students from state universities. The mean age of student was 224.2 +/- 3.5 years [ranging from 18 to 46 years]; and 49% were males. The life-time prevalence of Ecstasy use was 4.2% [157 students]. Ecstasy use was significantly associated with gender, other substances us, cigarette smoking, participation in friendly parties, sharing home with friends, alcohol consumption, type of university, educational level of family, family situation and history of educational abruption in last years [chi [2] test, p<0.0001] but not with age and university courses. However, logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing Ecstasy use were use of other drugs, alcohol and cigarette smoking [P<0.0001]. Ecstasy use appears to be a serious problem in college students. Whatever the causes behind the rise in Ecstasy use, personalized and informative educational programs should be conducted in all colleges