Thyroid dysfunction and choleduocholithiasis

Disturbances in lipid metabolism which occur during hypothyroidism lead to the formation of gallstones. This study aims to evaluate the thyroid function pattern in patients with common bile duct [CBD] stones. This case-control study recruited 151 patients with preliminary diagnoses of CBD stone who underwent ERCP [cases]. The control group comprised healthy people who met the study criteria in the same hospital. The control group underwent ultrasonography to exclude any asymptomatic bile duct lithiasis. A questionnaire that included demographic and anthropometrics data were completed by an assigned physician. Morning blood samples that followed 12 hours of fasting were taken from all participants for measurements of serum total thyroxin [T4], serum thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], fasting blood sugar [FBS], triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL] and high density lipoprotein [HDL]. The mean TSH in patients [2.59 +/- 4.86mg/dl] was higher than the control group [2.53 +/- 4.13 9mg/dl]. In subclinical hypothyroidism, serum TSH levels higher than 5 MU/L were found in 30.6% of cases compared with 22.5% of controls [OR: 1.53; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.968-2.438]. Hypothyroidism was detected in 10.8% of the control group and in 11.3% of cases [OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 0.578-2.043]. The mean total cholesterol levels in cases was higher than the control group [p=0.61].The levels of TG [p=0.05], HDL [73.35 vs. 46.41; p<0.01] and LDL [64.81.88 vs. 111.04; p<0.01] was statistically significant between both groups. There is an association between thyroid disorders and the presence of bile duct stones. Thyroid testing in patients with gallstone and bile duct stones is recommended because hypothyroidism may be a predisposing factor for stone passage from the gallbladder

[Relation between drinking water hardness and the incidence of esophageal and gastric cancers]

Esophageal and gastric cancers are among the most prevalent cancers in the world which cause a high mortality rate annually. Several risk factors are supposed for them. Water hardness is considered as a protective factor against above cancers. This ecologic study was designed to determine the correlation between water hardness and upper gastrointestinal cancers. In this ecological study data on water components in Golestan's urban areas were obtained during 2004-05 and the averages were reported. All cases of esophageal and gastric cancers resided in urban areas which were diagnosed during this period were recruited to estimate the incidence and age standardized rates [ASR]. The province was divided into low, intermediate and high incidence, based on 33% and 66% quartiles of both cancers. Pearson correlation coefficient test and regression model were used to analyze the data. The water hardness was in the normal standard range permitted for the drinking water, and did not have any relation with the risk of esophageal and gastric cancers. This study showed that water hardness has no effect on the incidence of esophageal and gastric cancer in this area

[Nutritional characteristics in patients with colorectal cancer in Golestan Province of Iran, a case-control study]

Colorectal cancer is the third common malignancy in the world. Personal habits including life style and nutrition have been proposed as risk factors of colorectal cancer. We conducted this study to assess the nutritional characteristics in colorectal cancer patients in Golestan province of Iran. This case-control study was done on 47 colorectal cancer cases, diagnosed during 2004-05 and 47 healthy controls. A questionnaire containing socio-demographic and nutritional characteristics [FFQ] was filled for each of the participants. Chi square test was used to assess the relationship between variables. In each of the two groups, 40.4% were females and 59.6% were males. The mean +/- SD age of age in cases and controls were 52.4 +/- 13.4 and 52.1 +/- 13.1 years, respectively. Total energy expenditure of higher than 1837.5 Kcal/day was significantly related to colorectal cancer [OR= 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2-11.3]. Colorectal cancer risk was higher in individual with frying cooking method [OR=3; 95% CI: 0.8-11.1]. The risk of colorectal cancer was 6.5 times higher in individuals with fat consumption of higher than 118.5 grams/day [95% CI: 1.5-28.8].No significant relationship was seen between vegetables consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer. This study showed that high total energy expenditure, high fat consumption and using frying method for cooking are risk factors of colorectal cancer in Golestan province in Northern of Iran

[Short-term survival rates of upper gastrointestinal cancers in rural areas of Golestan province, Iran]

Esophageal and gastric cancers are among the most common and fatal cancers. These are diagnosed at the latest phase and the prognosis is too poor. Due to the importance and high incidence rate of the upper gastrointestinal cancers in Golestan province, this study was conducted to explore the overall survival rate of these patients in rural area of this region. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 121 pathologically confirmed esophageal or gastric cancers, with rural place of residence, were retrieved from the cancer registry at the health department in Gorgan. After conducting interview with patients or their relatives, analysis of their sociodemographic and clinicopathologic features was performed. The median survival rate was compared regarding age groups and gender using Kaplan-Meier statistical test. Male to female ratio in esophageal and gastric group were 1.2 to 1 and 3.8 to 1, respectively. Short-term survival rates were 54.76% and 26.2% for esophageal cancer and 66.6% and 37.5% for gastric cancer. Collected information regarding patients' sociodemographic and clinicophathologic factors did not have significant association with patients' survival in both esophageal and gastric cancers. The mean survival rate in patient with gastric and esophageal cancers according to age and gender was not significant. This study showed that the overall short-term survival rates for upper gastrointestinal cancers are very low in Golestan province. Therefore the need for intervention the need and allocating more diagnosis and therapeutic resources for upper gastrointestinal cancers are required

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and its co-infection with hepatitis D virus and hepatitis C virus in Iranian adult population.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most prevalent public health problems worldwide (especially in developing countries). AIMS: This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and its co-infection with hepatitis D (HDV) and C (HCV) viruses in the northeastern part of Iran. SETTING AND DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As many as 1,850 subjects were explored for HBsAg. Anti-HDV and anti-HCV antibodies were assessed in HBsAg-positive cases. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Proportions were compared by Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 43.86 +/- 11.2 years. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence for HBsAg positivity was 9.7%. It was higher in males than in females (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.9-1.7). The risk of infection in singles was significantly higher than in married cases (OR: 2.13). Eight (5.8%) of HBsAg-positive cases were infected with HDV and 17 (12.3%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity in Golestan province of Iran is higher than the levels reported by WHO and previous studies from Iran. It is very important, especially for health providers and policy makers, to recognize the risk factors of HBV infection and its co-infection with HDV and HCV in this area and design effective preventive programs.