Cigarette smoking in Iran

Cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of death worldwide. No systematic review is available on the situation of the smoking in Iran, so we decided to provide an overview of the studies in the field of smoking in Iranian populations. Published Persian-language papers of all types until 2009 indexed in the Iran Medex [http:/www.iranmedex.com] and Magiran [http:/www.magiran.com]. Reports of World Health Organization were also searched and optionally employed. The studies concerning passive smoking or presenting the statistically insignificant side effects were excluded. Databases were searched using various combinations of the following terms: cigarette, smoking, smoking cessation, prevalence, history, side effects, and lung cancer by independent reviewers. All the 83 articles concerning the prevalence or side effects of the smoking habit in any Iranian population were selected. The prevalence rate of daily cigarette smoking and the 95% confidence interval as well as smoking health risk associated odds ratio [OR] were retrieved from the articles or calculated. The reported prevalence rates of the included studies, the summary of smoking-related side effects and the ORs [95%CI] of smoking associated risks and the available data on smoking cessation in Iran have been shown in the article. Because of lack of certain data, special studies on local pattern of tobacco use in different districts, about the relationship between tobacco use and other diseases, especially non communicable diseases, and besides extension of smoking cessation strategies, studies on efficacy of these methods seems to be essential in this field

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is endemic in some regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and efforts have been made to find factors that play a role in its prognosis. We retrospectively examined the correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] levels with several clinicopathological characteristics of 207 cases of oesophageal carcinoma. The mean ALP level in patients with lymph node involvement was significantly higher [141 [SD 77] U/L] than with node negative cancers [116 [SD 63] U/L]. Patients with ALP level > 165 U/L were 3.29 times more likely to have lymph node involvement than patients with ALP level

[Maximum dose] points in cervical and endometrial cancer medium dose rate brachytherapy

Best dose distribution in target volume and control of Organ at Risk [OAR] dose are the two main goals in brachytherapy. In this study in vivo dosimetry in 4 rectal points was performed by Transillumination Dosimeter [TLD] s and the measured doses were compared in different patients. One point was reported to have the maximum dose in each patient and the very dose was considered as rectal dose according to ICRU-38 prescription; however, the next higher dose was also considered the same as the highest point when the difference was not more than 10% of the highest value. In more than 50% of the cases the 1[st] and 2[nd] highest points were in the same range with less than 10% variation. There were 3 points in approximately equal dose in 7% of cases. These findings are challenging with the IVTU-38 recommendations reporting the existence of a sole maximum rectal dose. So it seems wise to consider an isodose plate of maximum doses instead of one point only

Opium use in a rural area of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Because of its geographic proximity to the major drug production centres, there is easy access to narcotic drugs in the Islamic Republic of Iran despite efforts by governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Using a structured questionnaire as a basis for conversation, local health workers interviewed 310 residents of a rural area in Babol province about opium use. The self-reported rate of opium use, adjusted due to a bias in the sex ratio of the sample, was 8.9%. All the 42 opium users reported opium use at least 2-3 times per week in the previous 3 months. Opium was smoked by 95.2% and taken orally by 4.8%; there was no injecting use. There was no reported use of other substances, including alcohol. There was a statistically significant relationship between opium use and male sex, unemployment and cigarette smoking

Half-dose depot triptorelin comparable to reduced daily buserelin: a randomized clinical trial

Pituitary suppression by depot GnRH agonist may be excessive for ovarian stimulation. This study compares the efficacy of a single half-dose depot triptorelin and reduced-dose daily buserelin in a long protocol ICSI/ET. A total of 182 patients were randomized into two groups using sealed envelopes. Pituitary desensitization was obtained in group 1 [91 patients] with half-dose [1.87 mg] depot triptorelin in the mid-luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, and in group 2 [91 patients] with standard daily dose [0.5 mg] buserelin, which was then reduced to 0.25 mg at the start of human menopausal gonadotropin [HMG] stimulation. No significant differences were found among those who received HCG in terms of clinical pregnancy rate [34.4% in both groups], implantation rate [14.8% in group 1 versus 11.1% in group 2], fertilization rate [93.3 versus 95.6%], poor response rate [11.1 versus 6.7%], and miscarriage rate [11.1 versus 7.8%]. No significant differences were seen in number of HMG ampoules used, follicles at HCG administration, and oocytes retrieved. The number of days of stimulation was significantly reduced in group 2 [11.2 +/- 1.8 in group 1 versus 10.6 +/- 1.9, P = 0.030]. A half-dose of depot triptorelin can be successfully used in ovarian stimulation instead of reduced-dose daily buserelin, with more patient comfort and reduced stress and cost of injections

Association of socio-demographic characteristics and cigarette smoking: savodjbolaq city inhabitants

A number of factors such as socio-demographic and socioeconomic status have emerged as being associated with smoking. The main goal of the present study was to identify the relationship of socio-demographic factors and cigarette smoking, and to determine the indicators of smoking status in a community based case-control study. Using the random multistage cluster sampling method on the basis of family list kept in the health center, a head cluster was selected, and 25 clusters of 10 members each were chosen. One member was selected from each family to fill the questionnaire. The neighborhood method was used for selection of controls. The socio-demographic characteristics was assessed by a self administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS V-11.5 software. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of age, sex, marital status, family size, number of close friends, number of smoking friends, and presence of smokers in the family with smoking status. The mean smoking consumption of smokers in this study was 14.6 per day. The mean age of smoking initiation was 18.6 years. Fifty percent of people initiated smoking at ages less than 18. The mean years of education were significantly higher in nonsmokers. A significant inverse relationship exists between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and educational levels. The positive association between number of cigarette smoked per day and age was found [OR = 1.2, CI 95% 1.07-1.4]. Number of smoking friends in smokers were significantly more than in nonsmokers. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, and number of smoking friends, could be predictors of smoking status. The association between sex, marital status, family size, and education with smoking status were not significant. This study revealed the association between several socio-demographic factors with smoking status. Antismoking strategies for adults tend to emphasize smoking cessation, preventing smoking initiation is also important during young adulthood. Anyway, educational interventions are highly suggested

[ effect of amitriptyline in patients with pain and diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind randomized controlled study]

IBS is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists, which is seen in approximately 40-50% of patients seeking care from a specialist. Several randomized controlled trials, have assessed the therapeutic effect of anti-depressant drugs, but there is not enough evidence to prove their effectiveness. Fifty cases meeting Rome II criteria for IBS with predominance of pain and diarrhea were included in this study. Organic causes were ruled out by detailed history, physical examination, laboratory tests, small bowel transit and rectosigmoidoscopy. Participants were then randomly assigned to receive either Amitriptyline or placebo. Subjects were followed using a simple symptom score system before, after 1 and 2 months of treatment. At the end of the 2nd month, Amitriptyline showed more influence in reduction of flatulence, mucus passing and incomplete defication feeling, than placebo [p<0.05]. Also, symptoms general improvement rate was 39% and 15% in Amitriptyline and placebo groups respectively [p<0.001].The rate of side-effects in the two groups did not have significant differences [p>0.05]. Amitriptyline is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for pain and diarrhea predominant IBS