Tinnitus: an epidemiologic study in Iranian population

A wide range of population, 4% to 30%, suffers from tinnitus that is defined as perception of sound without apparent acoustic stimulus. We conducted the present study to determine the prevalence of tinnitus in Iranian population; Tehran province. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2009, recruiting 3207 individuals [age range, 7-98] who were residing in Tehran province, Iran. Participants were asked to fill two questionnaires; the validated Persian version of Tinnitus Questionnaire [TQ] and another one that was specifically designed for this study. Prevalence of tinnitus and its association factors were evaluated. 3207 participants enrolled into our study comprising 1429 [44.7%] male and 1765 [55.3%] female with mean age of 55.01 +/- 17.85. Of total of 3207 participants, 146 [4.6%] had tinnitus consisting of 80 male [54.8%] and 66 [45.2%] female participants. It showed a rising trend with increasing age that was especially significant after the sixth decade of life [P=0.001]. The analysis showed mean TQ global score of 35.96 +/- 25.52 that was significantly different between male and female participants [P=0.051] and had no significant correlation with increasing age [Spearman's r=0.1, P=0.10]. The tinnitus intensity was moderate to very severe in 95 [56.1%] of the participants. Its severity level was not significantly different between men and women [P=0.09]. Tinnitus intensity had no significant association with increasing age [Spearman's r=0.1, P=0.31]. Patients with higher TQ global score had higher tinnitus intensities [P=0.001]. The annoyance level was significantly different between men and women [P=0.04] and its impact on the participants daily routine functions were significantly higher in men [P=0.003]. Given the results of the study, demonstrating that prevalence of tinnitus in Iranian population [Tehran province] was lower than the other countries and had a direct correlation with increasing age only after the sixth decade. TQ global score had significant correlation with tinnitus intensity, annoyance and impact on the participants' daily routine functions. However, none of the above had correlation with increasing age. Tinnitus TQ global score and intensity were not different between men and women; however annoyance of tinnitus and its impact on participants' daily routine functions were significantly higher in men

Evaluation of Iranian pediatric specialists' attitude and knowledge regarding approach to patients with acute otitis media

The ministry of health and medical education of Iran and many other countries advice physicians to use this guideline for diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media [AOM], but there is not any evaluation of effectiveness and obedience of this guideline, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude of pediatricians, the most important group that interfere with these patients in treatment of acute otitis media. A total of 120 anonymous surveys were mailed to 120 pediatrician in Tehran [Iran] to evaluate pattern of diagnosis and treatment of AOM in these physicians. Age, gender, place of work, attitude of diagnosis and treatment were asked by anonymous survey. Sixty-two completed surveys were received, for a response rate of 51%. There was no significant difference between responders in these survey and scenarios, according to sex, age, practice setting, graduation year or the number of AOM patients visiting each month. Our study seems to add new insights to the previous literature on management of AOM according to guideline. We can assess the impact of guidelines on the usual practice of practitioners in evidenced-based management of AOM

Subjective sleep quality in urban population

Sleep disturbances are common among adult populations and can have a significant effect on daytime activities. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of sleep problems and subjective sleep quality in the adult population of Tehran, Iran. From an urban community of Tehran, a random sample of 3400 adult men and women were selected by a cross-sectional design. Using the Persian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], subjects were interviewed face-to-face. There were 3114 completed questionnaires returned and analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 43.57 [ +/- SD 17.5] years. Overall 37% [95% CI: 35-39] of the population were categorized as poor sleepers. The PSQI > 5 showed 27% were males versus 35% among females. The global PSQI scores ranged from 4.20 +/- 2.67 to 5.60 +/- 3.74 for males and 5.03 +/- 3.00 to 7.97 +/- 4.31 for females by age groups. The difference across age groups for global PSQI score was significant in females [P < 0.01]. The prevalence rate of sleep complaints in this population-based study was high. Females, older adults, widows and separated couple were the most important risk factors for sleep disturbances