Application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) to patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis, a common hormone-dependent chronic inflammatory disease causes various symptoms including pelvic pain, which affect the physical and psychological quality of life in women of reproductive age. The present study aimed to assess the quality of life of Iranian women with endometriosis using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. METHODS: This cross-sectional study performed in Tehran between October 2014 and July 2016 included 70 Iranian women with endometriosis. The Iranian version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to measure quality of life in these women. The Pearson's correlation coefficient, the paired and the independent t-tests, and a linear regression model were used to statistically analyze the data using the SPSS software version 16.0. RESULTS: The total mean score of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was 80.58. The highest and the lowest mean scores were observed in the environmental (28.15) and the physical health domains (10.59), respectively. A multiple linear regression model (backward method) showed that insurance coverage was associated with the total WHOQOL-BREF score, whereas age, insurance coverage, and income level were associated with domains 1 through 4, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endometriosis affects various aspects of the quality of life of Iranian women who therefore require holistic management focused on both, the physical and psychological aspects of treatment.

introduction to the royan human ovarian tissue bank

From December 2000 until 2010, the researchers at Royan Institute conducted a wide range of investigations on ovarian tissue cryopreservation with the intent to provide fertility preservation to cancer patients that were considered to be candidates for these services. In 2010, Royan Institute established the Royan Human Ovarian Tissue Bank as a subgroup of the Embryology Department. Since its inception, approximately 180 patients between the ages of 747 years have undergone consultations. Ovarian samples were cryopreserved from 47 patients [age: 7-35 years] diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma [n=9]; breast carcinoma [n=7], Ewing's sarcoma [n=7], opposite side ovarian tumor [n=7], endometrial adenocarcinoma [n=4], malignant colon tumors [n=3], as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma, major thalassemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia [n=1-2 patients for each disease]. Additionally, two patients requested ovarian tissue transplantation after completion of their treatments

[Comparison of efficacy of letrozole and clomiphene citrate in the treatment of infertility induced by ovulation disorder in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome]

According to side effects of clomiphen citrate [cc], especially on thendometrium, it was replaced with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, for induction of ovulation. In this study, effects of these drugs on ovulation and fertility were compared in patients with polycystic ovarian [PCO] syndrome. In a randomized clinical trial, women with PCO and history of infertility referred to gynecology clinic of Rasoul Akram hospital and private office between 2007 and 2008 were studied. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of clomiphen citrate and letrozole. In CC group, subjects were received 100 milligram per day clomiphen citrate between 3rd and 7th day of each cycle for 3 cycles. In letrozole group, women treated with letrozole 2.5 mg daily between 3 and 7 day of each for 3 cycles. Number of follicles in days of 12-16 of cycle, diameter of the greatest one, pregnancy and outcome of pregnancy were compared in two groups. 40 patients in each group were studied. Numbers of follicles, mean diameter of the greatest one were not significantly different in two groups. Pregnancy was occurred in 15 patients [37.5%] of letrozole group Vs 13 patients [32.5%] of CC group. There was no abortion in letrozole group Vs 3 abortion in CC group. Preterm labor was significantly lower in letrozole treated patients [p=0.04]. This study showed that letrozole could be proper substitution of clomiphen citrate for induction of ovulation in patients with PCO and infertility

Determination of asymptomatic Chiamydia trachomatis infections by omp1 gene based-PCR

The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of genital C. trachomatis infection in asymptomatic women by using highly sensitive nested-polymerase chain reaction [PCR] in urine sample. One hundred-forty asymptomatic women were randomly selected from those who attended gynecology out patient department of Hazraate Rasool Hospital in Tehran. First catch urine specimen were collected from all the participants. DNA extraction was performed by means of High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit [HPPTP] according to the manufacture's instructions. Extracted DNA was tested by omp1 gene based nested-PCR, using sets of primers to amplify C. trachomatis omp1 gene. Visualization of a 1027 bp fragment from omp1 gene in agarose gel electrophoresis was considered as a positive result. In total, 140 urines were tested for determination of C. trachomatis infection. C. trachomatis omp-1 was detected in 22.1% of cases [31/140]. The overall prevalence rates of C. trachomatis in the urine sample as determined by omp1 based nested-PCR were 4.3% in group I [age, <25 years], 12.1% in group II [age, 25-34 years], 5.0% in group III [age, 35-44 years] and 0.7% in group IV [>44 years]. The highest prevalence of C. trachomatis infection [12.1%] was seen in women aged 25-34 years. This finding was not statistically significant [p=0.710]. Also, there was not relation between C. trachomatis infection and some probable risk factors such as young age [<25 years], STD history and missing use of barrier contraceptive in this study. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in the women not seeking health care warrants more comprehensive study using high sensitive omp1 based nested- PCR to identify and treat a large number of infected women in Iran