[ frequency of mental disorders among Kerman residents above 15 years of age]

In developed countries mental disorders are recognized by screening questionnaires and clinical interviews. Since there is a limited number of epidemiological studies about mental disorders in Iranian population, the present study was performed to find the prevalence and type of mental disorders among Kerman residents older than 15 years old. At the first step, GHQ - 28 was completed door - side for 1527 residents selected through stratified cluster sampling. The cut off point of 6 was considered as disorder presence. At the second step, 490 ones who had obtained the cut off point participated in DSM - IV clinical interview. In whole, 32.1% [34.5% female and 27.1% male] were diagnosed as psychiatrically ill. The frequency of mental disorders was 35.1% among those over 65 years, 35.3% among 45 - 64 years subjects, 100% in divorced, 45.8% in widows, 40.2% in illiterates, 36.9% in students, 34.7% in housewives and 34.8% in low socioeconomic class. Major depressive and panic disorders were the most frequent disorders [6.8% and 4.3% respectively]. The frequency of generalized anxiety disorder was 2.8%, schizophrenia was 0.9% and Bipolar disorder was 0.3%. The frequencies of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder were higher than other studies in Iran and similar to some studies from other countries. Different cultures and screening questionnaires maybe some reasons for these incompatibilities. The results of this study my help mental health providers to improve their programs

[Comparison of isolated anterior cruciate ligament tearing with anterior cruciate ligament tearing associated with displaced lateral femoral condyle fracture in knee arthrosis formation]

The etiology of posttraumatic arthritis has not been studied well. Although it has long been assumed that articular incongruity leads to post traumatic arthritis, clinical and basic sciences evidence to support such claim are not sufficient. On the other hand, the relationship of instability due to anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and Arthrosis has not been clearly defined and the relative importance of instability and incongruity is unknown. ACL tearing were created in right knees of 9 rabbits [group A] and ACL tearing and displaced lateral condylar fracture with 1 mm step were created in another 9 rabbits [group B]. After 6 months, osteoarthritis changes were compared between control knee and injured knee of each rabbit and between the two groups. In both groups, osteoarthritis changes in injured knees were more comparing to the control knee and in whole osteoarthritis changes were significantly more in group B compared to group A. The unstable knee due to ACL deficiency goes toward osteoarthritis faster than normal knee. Incongruity in unstable joint increases intensity of osteoarthritis changes. It shows the importance of achieving anatomic reduction in intra articular fractures before ligament reconstruction

[Knowledge of Kerman general practitioners about Tramadol in 2004]

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of moderate and severe pains. Its side effects, in parts are due to the activation of micro receptors and in parts to increasing central catecholamine and serotonin levels. In the case of long administration, tramadol has a potential to cause dependency, tolerance and also drug abuse. After prohibition of injective diclofenac, considering Iranian's tendency for rapid sedation of pain symptoms, tramadol has been prescribed widely. The aim of this study is to determine general practitioners knowledge about this new drug.This cross-sectional study was arranged by collecting data through a self-administrated questionnaire consisted of 25 questions related to different aspects of drug knowledge. Sample consisted of 244 general practitioners in Kerman and data analysis was performed by SPSS. Out of 173 general practitioners, 49.1% worked in clinics, 34.9% in private offices and 16% in Emergency Units. Mean knowledge score was 30.72 +/- 0.35 out of the maximum of [50]. From all subjects 49.7% had poor knowledge [Z<-1], while 39.3% had moderate knowledge [-11]. The poorest information was in regard to drug classification and pharmacokinetics, while in dosage and side effects subjects' knowledge was better. No correlation was observed between mean score and variables of job experience, duration, place and sex of practitioners. Considering serious side effects and drug interactions of tramadol and also the low level of knowledge of general practitioners about this drug, educational programs and limitation of distribution seems to be necessary