Comparison of FEV1 and PEF values in cough variant asthma during methacholine challenge test

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases with an increasing prevalence. The cough variant of asthma [CVA] is a latent form of the disease. The aim of this study is to compare the decreasing rates of FEV1 and PEF during the methacholine challenge test. In this study, we tested a total of 120 patients [14-65 years old], whom were referred to the respiratory clinic with complaints of chronic cough, using normal chest and sinus x-ray and spirometry. Also other causes of chronic cough were ruled out. Spirometry and Peak Flowmetry were done during the methacholine challenge test, then FEV1 and PEF were recorded. From 120 patients, 47 patients [39.2%] were male and 73 [60.8%] were female. Thirty three [27.5%] patients showed a >/= 20% decrease in FEV1, while 35 patients [29.2%] had a >/= 20% decrease in PEFp. Decreasing values of FEV1 and PEFp with r=0.49 and P-value<0.000l were significant. Normalization for age, sex, and occupation shows that these factors have no effects on the decrease observed for FEV1 and PEFp. Based on the correlation ratio for PEFp in comparison with spirometry's FEV1, we suggest using peak flowmetry instead of spirometry for diagnosing CVA. According on the ROC curve, we recommend a >/= 15.5% decrease in the level of PEFp with 79% sensitivity and 69% specificity

[Association of trichomonas vaginalis with low birth weight]

Available information suggests that pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis may be at increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight [LBW]. This study evaluated the association between T. vaginalis infection and the risk of LBW. In this cohort study, we evaluated 1000 pregnant women [gestational age>/=28 weeks] for trichomoniasis by using direct and culture methods at the time of delivery at two hospitals of Zanjan, Iran. All the infected women [33 cases] and non-infected women [107] who had been selected with purposive quota sampling were compared with each other. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic and obstetric parameters. Consequently, infants' weights were recorded using mothers files. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 3.3% [33 cases]. Mean gestational age of the infected women at the time of delivery was significantly less than the non-infected [36.5 +/- 4.5 weeks vs. 39 +/- 1.9 weeks; P=0.009]. Higher parity, and living in city were significantly associated with the increased risk of vaginal trichomoniasis [P<0.05]. No significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and degree of education, type of delivery, family income, and frequency of LBW. The results of this study suggest that, T. vaginalis infection may be associated with low gestational age and higher parity at the time of delivery. However, no significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and LBW in the third trimester of pregnancy