Relation between salt intake and blood pressure among Iranians

To determine the mean 24 hr urinary sodium [UNa] and chloride [UCl] excretion, and the association between these variables and blood pressure, since studies on the effect of habitual dietary salt intake and some electrolytes on blood pressure were reported different. Experimental population-based study Urban areas, Isfahan city, Iran Nine hundred and twelve randomly selected patients aged 20-60 years 24-hour urine and food records were collected three times in one month. Systolic [SBP] and diastolic [DBP] blood pressures, heart rate and sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and creatinine levels in urine samples were measured. Estimated mean daily salt intake based on UNa excretion in Iranian population is 9.9 + 2.9 g/day [men: 11.1 + 3.0 g/day and women: 9.6 + 2.9 g/day; p = 0.001]. The UNa excretion value was 189.7 + 51.4 mmol for men and 164.6 + 49.8 mmol for women, with a significant difference [p = 0.001]. After adjustment for confounding factors and other urinary electrolytes, no relationship was found between UNa and SBP [b = 0.001, p = 0.89] or DBP [b = 0.007, p = 0.34] in the pooled data. Significant relationship was observed between UCl excretion and SBP in hypertensives [b = 0.113, p = 0.001], UNa excretion and DBP in the entire group [r = 0.04, p = 0.004] and in normotensive men [r = 0.036, p = 0.03]. Salt intake is one of the main factors affecting blood pressure among Iranian men but not women

Diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Iran: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major health problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of DM and its associated risk factors in Iran.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>This cross-sectional study was performed in 3 cities in the central part of Iran on participants over the age of 19 years. Sampling was conducted by multi-stage randomised cluster method. Initially, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information, drug intake and smoking status was filled out. Later, a physical examination was performed, including the measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Fasting blood sample was drawn and analysed for sugar, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and 2-hour postprandial glucose. A fasting blood sugar (FBS) of >126 mg/dL or a 2-hour plasma glucose of over 200 mg/dL was considered an indication of diabetes. The impaired glucose tolerance test (IGTT) was defined with 2-hour plasma glucose of 140 to 200 mg/dL and FBS <126 mg/dL. The collected data were analysed with Student's t-test, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This study was performed on 12,514 subjects (48.9% males and 51.1% females). The total prevalence of DM was 6.7% and 5.3% in urban and rural areas and 5.4% and 7.1% in males and females, respectively. The mean blood glucose rose with age in both sexes, and blood glucose was higher in females and in urban areas. IGTT, known and new DM heightens as age increased and more than half of the diabetes cases in all age groups were newly diagnosed. The mean blood pressure, age, BMI, waist circumference and serum lipids were higher in people with DM and IGTT especially in females. Obesity, a family history of DM, high blood pressure, high WHR and ageing were associated with a higher probability of DM, but sex had no effect on this probability.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION</b>Considering the high prevalence of DM in the central regions of Iran, providing vast educational programme to prevent this disease is essential and screening FBS tests, especially for obese subjects and those with a family history of DM, should be taken into account.</p>

Smoking habits among an Iranian population

Most surveys have shown that many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary and renal disorders and cancers are being appeared more in smokers or even those of quitting smoking than others have not been smoking at all. Objective[s]: Therefore, we decided to do this study in order to evaluate prevalence, behavioral patterns and other smoking habits among Iranian adults. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2569 men and women aged >= 19 years randomly selected from 40 random clusters in Isfahan and information were obtained using modified and translated World Health Organization [WHO] standard questionnaires. Blood pressure and heart rate of all participants, were measured based on standardized WHO method. Body mass index [BMI] was calculated using weight and height measurements of subjects. The prevalence of current smoking among men and women aged > 19 years was 18.8% and 1.2%, respectively, and also 26. 1 and 17.4% of nonsmoker women and men were passive smoker. Most of the passive smokers are exposed at home [82%]. More than 80% of smoker men had started smoking before the age of 20 years old. Private jobs and marriage were significantly correlated to smoking [P<0.05]. Contrary to blood pressure, BMI showed significant relationship with smoking [P<0.05]. It is concluded that higher socioeconomic level and the age of less than 20 years old play main roles in smoking prevalence in Iranian adults and therefore necessity of primary prevention in these groups are felt

effect of fasting in Ramadan on the values and interrelations between biochemical, coagulation and hematological factors

The possible consequences of the long intermittent fasting schedule during Ramadan [one month of food and water intake limited to night hours, a practice that is followed by the majority of the Muslims worldwide] on certain biochemical constituents or coagulation variables have not been extensively documented. Patients and During the month of Ramadan and two months after, we monitored the concentration of different plasma lipoproteins, lipoprotein [a] [Lp[a]], apoproteins A1 and B, fibrinogen, factor VII activity and some selected hematological factors in 50 healthy subjects who were employees of institutes related to the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and aged between 30 and 45 years. The effect of fasting in Ramadan on the relationship between biochemical and coagulation variables was also investigated. The values of apoprotein B, Lp[a] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] ratio were significantly decreased during Ramadan [P<0.05], while total cholesterol [Tot-C], triglycerides [TG], LDL-C, HDL-C and fasting blood glucose did not change during that month. Among coagulation and hematological factors, fibrinogen level and factor VII activity were significantly decreased during the month [P<0.05]. Results also indicated a significant positive association between fibrinogen level and Lp[a], factor VII activity and Tot-C, LDL-C, TG and Apo B during Ramadan. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of previous reports, as the metabolic and coagulation changes that are considered as atherosclerosis risk factors are counterbalanced during Ramadan