Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Tabriz, Iran

Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the west while different reports indicate an increase in the prevalence in Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of GERD in staff of a referral hospital and evaluate the risk factors. This cross-sectional study using a modified Mayo clinic questionnaire was performed on staff of Imam Hospital, Tabriz, Iran on a pilot of 50 subjects, and a randomly selected group consisted of 522 subjects in the year 2005. GERD symptoms were defined as at least weekly heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during the past year. Response rate was 95%. Mean age of responders was 40.02 +/- 10.72 yr. The prevalence of recurrent heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly and monthly was 26.8% and 34.1%, respectively. They were not related to age and gender. The severity of symptoms was mainly reported of a mild to moderate degree. 45% of the cases reported at least one of the atypical symptoms. There was no relation between marriage status and prevalence of GERD. On the other hand, GERD was less common among cases with no family history of upper gastrointestinal disease. The prevalence of frequent GERD was more common among medical staff. Increased BMI [but no recent weight gain or lose] was associated with higher prevalence of GERD symptoms only in women. Interestingly 33% of our population had a history of using antacid or PPIs which was more among cases with frequent GERD symptoms. This study revealed a high prevalence of frequent GERD symptoms in a selected population of Tabriz. Atypical symptoms should be considered in this area

[Food and nutrient intakes among 20-60 aged inhabitants of Tehran University of medical sciences population lab region]

Introduction: nutrition plays an important role in the protection and promotion of health. To plan and implement programs aiming at improving community nutritional status, a knowledge of the existing situation is essential. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine food and nutrient intakes of the inhabitants in Tehran University of Medical Sciences population laboratory

Methods: in a sample of 310 women and 185 men, selected by clustered random sampling, food intake was determined using the 24-hour dietary recall [on two non-consecutive days]. Weights and heights were also measured on the first visit. For analysis of data, Dorosti Food Processor, Diet Analysis plus and SPSS software were used

Results: the average [mean +/- SD] intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, vitamin A, B2 ,B6 ,B12, folic acid, zinc, iron, and calcium were 2902+/-336cal, 88+/-15gr, 461+/-69gr, 80+/-19gr, 27+/-7gr, 272+/-112mg, 943+/-319[micro]gr RE, 1.2+/-.35mgr, 1.2+/- .37mg, 2.9+/-2.67[micro]gr, 294+/-73.7[micro]gr, 10.48+/- 2.25mg, 28.90+/-5.81mg, and 537+/-123mg in men, and 2226+/-234cal , 66+/-11gr, 344+/-41gr, 70+/-14gr, 22+/-6gr , 205+/-85mgr ,882+/-291[micro]gr RE, .88+/-.22mg, 1.14+/- .24mg, 2.2+/-2.07[micro]gr, 270+/-60.7[micro]gr, 8.65+/-1.62mg, 22.66+/-4.27mg, and 433+/-113mg in women, respectively. The average [mean +SD] daily numbers of servings of the food guide pyramid main groups, namely, grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat were 12.74+/-3.80 ,1.52+/-1.44, 4.30+/-2.74, .97+/-.72 , and .9+/-.98 in men, and 9.8+/-3.3, 2.87+/-2.06, 2.88+/-2.40, .82+/-.60, and .86+/-.84 in women, respectively. Most of these intakes are under current recommendations. Thirty eight percent of the men and 23% of the women had a daily cholesterol intake of at least 300 mg. In addition, the proportions of the men and women with a daily total fat intake of at least 75 gram was 43% and 35%, respectively

Conclusion: the findings show that while the intake of most micronutrients is lower than respective RDAs, the intake of fat and cholesterol are higher than the current recommendations. This indicates that the community is undergoing nutrition transition. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to identify more comprehensively nutritional problems of the community in question, so that appropriate programs can be prepared and implemented

[Endoscopic treatment of sphenoid aspergilloma]

Fungal infection of the nose and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon condition which is now being increasingly recognized in both normal and immunocompromised individuals who usually have a predisposing factor. Aspergillus is the most common reported cause of fungal sinusitis followed by mucormycosis, Candida, Penicillium and Fusarium. The maxillary sinus is involved in most of the cases followed in order of frequency by the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. Lesions limited to sphenoid sinus are relatively rare with only 71 cases reported in the literature. We describe a 72 y/o patient who had a mocucele like lesion of the sphenoid sinus on her preoperative CT scan. The sphenoid was opened through transnasal endoscopic approach, and multiple clay - like tenacious material was removed under direct endoscopic vision. Histopathologic examination revealed areas of necrosis, chronic inflammation and septated hypheas. Types and classifications of fungal infections, differential diagnosis of isolated sphenoid sinus disease, and the role of radiology in preoperative evaluation of the patients are also discussed