Prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Babol - north of Iran [2008-12]

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer can significantly cause physical, psychological and social problems. This study was done to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Babol located in north of Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study was done on 120 [75 males, 45 females] patients with colorectal cancer which registered in the Babol cancer registry in north of Iran during 2008-12. A questionnaire containing demographic information, aspects of the disease and HADS questionnaire was completed by interviewing to assess anxiety and depression for each patient

Results: The prevalence rate of depression and anxiety in patients was 23.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Gender, residency of rural area, and having comorbidities are related to depression among which location was identified as an independent predictor. Urban residency had 79% less risk of depression than rural residents [95% CI=0.06-0.67, OR=0.21, P<0.009]. Gender, resident of rural areas, unemployed, having comorbidities, low income and lack of education were associated with anxiety, among which only education was identified as an independent predictor [95% CI=L32-13.81, OR=4.27, P<0.015]

Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in colorectal cancer patients was high in this area. Therefore, interventions are recommended to increase awareness and greater attention to rural women and controlling comorbidities

Chronic diseases among older people in Amirkola, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken to describe the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in elderly people in Amirkola, Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 1019 people aged 60+ years were assessed using a standard questionnaire and a review of medical records. The most common chronic diseases were cardiovascular disease [29.5%], digestive disorders [28.5%], hypertension [23.6%] and diabetes mellitus [23.5%], while 44.4% of subjects were overweight or obese. Overall, 83.0% of the sample reported at least 1 chronic disease and 64% had 2 or more diseases. In age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, hypertension [OR 3.94, 95% CI: 2.87-5.40] and diabetes mellitus [OR 1.83,95% Cl: 1.32-2.55] were associated with cardiovascular disease, but sex, smoking, overweight and lack of walking were not. The study provides valuable data for planning appropriate health services for elderly people in this area of the Islamic Republic of Iran

[Evaluating the anti-leech effects of tobacco methanolic extract compared with succinyle choline and some other anti-parasite drugs]

Leeches are subcategory of hirudinea family with 650 species. Studies have shown that 50 species of them feed from mammalian blood. Leech infestation can lead to some side effects including: anemia, bleeding, subsequent biting infections, ache, itching, inflammation, high sensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. As no effective drug, without any side effect, has been offered for leeches, we decided to study the anti- leech effects of some herbal and chemical compounds. In this study, 100 Limnatis nilotica leeches were selected from spring waters from south region in Ilam province and the anti-leech effects of tobacco methanolic extract and also some other drugs such as mebendazole, succinyle-choline, metronidazole, triclabendazole, levamisol, niclosamide were investigated and compared with distilled water. First, leeches were put individually in a glass container with 600ml spring water. Then extract and drugs were added and their effects were screened for 720 min and time to paralyze kill and death of each leech was recorded. The results of this study showed that tobacco methanolic extract [600mg/ml] could kill the leaches in the average time of 17 minutes. Average death times for other drugs [triclabendazole, levamisole, niclosomide and metronidazole] were found 118.66, 7, 18.66 and 541.11 min, respectively. The low average paralysing and killing time of tabacco methanol extract, levamisol, niclosomide, triclabendazole reflect anti leech properties of these compounds and therefore they may be used in the treatment of infestation with limnatis nilotica in the future

[Assessment of referral system in health care delivery center of Paeengatab [Babol, 2003]]

Since equal distribution of health services is impossible in different levels of health network, small centers should refer patients to upper level for special services and if it doesn't be according to referral system, causes crowding and insufficiency of health services in upper levels and leads to uselessness of medical services in small centers. This study was done to assess the function of referral system in Babol health care delivery network. This cross-sectional study was performed in Paeengatab health center during autumn 2003. All referred patients to upper levels were included in this study. Data was collected by interviewing with patients and referral forms and then were analyzed. From 445 forms, 200 had complete data. Most referred patients were female [73%] and were at the age of 20-29 [42%]. Most people [58.2%] were referred for paraclinical services [Sonography and laboratory] and the most referred cases were the patients with gynecological and obstetric disorders [18.6%]. Shahid Beheshti, Yahyanejad and Amirkola hospitals accepted the most referred patients, respectively. The feedback rate from hospital to health centers was zero. Referral system is only being performed as one way from health centers to hospitals and there is no feedback, since, gynecological and obstetric disorders make the largest number of referred patients, it is necessary to increase health and treatment services in rural health centers in order to decrease the number of patients who referred to hospitals

Is bladder cancer more common among opium addicts?

Many environmental and occupational risk factors have been proposed for bladder cancer, among which opium consumption has been considered in few studies. We designed a study to determine the relationship between opium consumption and bladder cancer. In a retrospective, case-control study, male patients with bladder cancer, who had been referred to our hospital in a three-year period, were selected. Data regarding age, gender, smoking, and opium consumption were collected from patients' records and compared with data of a control group, consisting of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. Fifty-two male patients with bladder tumor [group 1] were compared with 108 patients with BPH [group 2]. Of the patients with bladder cancer, 36 [68%] were smokers, of whom 12 were also opium addicts. In general, 13 [25.5%] patients were opium consumers [one opium consumer was not smoker]. From 108 patients with BPH, 25 [23%] were smokers, of whom, 5 were also opium addicts. Mean duration of cigarette smoking was 31 +/- 13.6 and 20.2 +/- 14.7 years in patients with bladder cancer and BPH, respectively. The duration of opium consumption was 11.9 +/- 1.4 and 6.2 +/- 1.3 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The duration of cigarette smoking and opium consumption in group 1 was greater than that in group 2. In addition, smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer 3.8-fold [OR=8.3, 95% CI=1.8-7.8]. Simultaneous cigarette smoking and opium consumption increases the risk of bladder cancer 6.2-fold [OR=6.2, 95% CI=2.04-18.7]. There are few studies regarding the carcinogenic effect of opium on bladder. We demonstrated that, the incidence of bladder cancer in smokers, who are simultaneously opium consumers, was higher than in patients who were only smokers. Simultaneous opium addiction and cigarette smoking may have some roles in the pathogenesis of bladder tumor. However, further studies with large sample sizes are warranted