Frequncy and etiology of lymphadenopathy in Iranian HIV/AIDS patients

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate and outline the frequency and etiology of lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was conducted on 178 consecutive HIV/AIDS patient files for etiologies (categorized into three sub-groups: definite, probable and possible) and associated factors of local and generalized lymphadenopathy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-two (40.45%) patients including 63 male patients (87.5%) developed lymphadenopathy. HIV in lymphadenopathy(+) patients was most commonly transmitted intravenously (n=49). Generalized and localized lymphadenopathy respectively occurred in 27 (37.50%) and 45 (62.50%) patients, mainly in the cervical region (28.9% for local and 63% for generalized lymphadenopathy). The most common causes of lymphadenopathy were tuberculosis (n=24, 33.3%) and lymphoma (n=12, 16.6%). The frequency of lymphadenopathy was non-significantly higher in patients with AIDS (CD4 count <200 cell/µL) vs. HIV(+) patients (CD4 count >200 cell/µL).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients may reflect a serious condition, most likely tuberculosis and lymphoma. Since patients might underestimate lymphadenopathy, physicians would rather list these entities for diagnosis.</p>

Erythrocytic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is a common and complicated disease. Studies imply blood glucose and its oxidant derivatives have a key role in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Activity of enzyme "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase" [G6PD], an anti-oxidant system, is important in preventing its complications. Unsuitable control of blood glucose decreases G6PD activity and increases diabetes mellitus complications. This study evaluated the difference of G6PD activity among diabetic and non diabetic patients, and the impact of hyperglycemia on the G6PD activity. One hundred diabetic and one hundred non diabetic subjects were selected from patients 30 to 60 years old. Demographic data including gender, age, height, weight, duration of diabetes mellitus, type and duration of treatment, medical history [especially favism] were recorded. Blood pressure and body mass index were also measured. One blood sample was taken from each subject and 5 elements including G6PD presence and activity, fasting plasma glucose, plasma triglyceride and plasma high density lipoprotein were measured. G6PD activity was significantly higher in non diabetic subjects [P<0.01]. Within diabetics, G6PD mean activity was significantly higher in non dyslipidemic group [P<0.05] and in subjects with BMI < 25 [P<0.05]. G6PD mean activity was significantly higher in non diabetics than dyslipidemic [P<0.01] and non dyslipidemic diabetics [P<0.05]. Diabetic hyperglycemia may lead to serious complications and decrease G6PD activity. This issue itself aggravates diabetic injury due to inappropriate antioxidation process. Simultaneous dyslipidemia and obesity may intensify the effect of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress

association of air pollution and emergency medical service seeking

There are some reports on the association between air pollution and myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and mortality due to cardiac problems in susceptible individuals. We aimed to evaluate the association of air pollution and the emergency visits due to cardiovascular diseases, in a specialized heart hospital in Tehran. The study design was cross-sectional. Patients admitted to the emergency ward of Tehran Heart Center were consecutively included. Records of meteorological data for the study period were obtained from Air Quality Control Company that monitors the concentration of air pollutant through its several stations including one near to Tehran Heart Center. The principal component analysis was used to examine the association between daily air pollution level and the number of patients admitted as a result of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmia. The principal component score - reflecting the daily air pollution level- was higher on the admission date of the patients who died in hospital compared to that of the patients who discharged alive from the hospital and the difference was statistically significant. After adjustment for the effect of age, sex, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, a statistically significant relationship between principal component score and the unstable angina and arrhythmia was detected in patients referred to the emergency department. Air pollution was associated with the unstable angina and arrhythmia in patients referred to the emergency department of Tehran Heart Center, adjusted for the effect of other risk factors