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

[ link of arms holding infant and growth rate]

Introduction: In the first 6 months of life, infant growth had maximum of its speed but abnormality growth may reflect on a chronic disease, inadequate nutrition or may be depend on another complications such as dietary, psychosocial development

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate relationship of In-Arms holding a baby during breast feeding and growth rate in Kashan health centers

Methods: This study was a descriptive correlational design. 94 mothers entered in study who reffered to Kashan health center. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was tool that was completed by interview. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests [t-test, Pearson, chi-square test]

Results: Mean maternal age was 27.980 [6.836 +/- ]. The mean birth weight was 3272.5 [427.133 +/- ], mean of height 49.280[3.022 +/- ] and mean of head circumference was 34.928[2.371 +/- ]. Time of infant In-Arms Holding by mother was between zero to five hours a day and average time was 4/55 [845/0 +/- ]. Time of In-Arms Holding for other family members and relations was 1 to 5 hours and mean time of In-Arms Holding was 4/910 [223/1 +/- ]. T-test showed that there aren't significant relationship between In-Arms Holding baby by the mother and friends and indices of growth in 2, 4 and 6 months[p>0.05]

Conclusion: in this study relationship between skin to skin contacts of neonatal growth rate was irrelevant, but due to conflicting results on similar studies, interventional studies with the higher sample size are recommended

Customer's self-audit to improve the technical quality of maternity care in Tabriz: a community trial

Pregnant women have a major role to play in assessing and improving their own quality of care. This study in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, aimed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention for pregnant women-based on education and support groups and involvement in quality assessment activities-in order to improve the technical quality of public maternity care at public health centres. The intervention phase took place between September 2012 and may 2013. The outcome measure was health-care providers' degree of adherence to the Iranian maternity care standards. An intervention group of 92 pregnant women from 10 health centres was compared with a control group of 93 pregnant women from 11 centres. Logistic regression analysis showed that the self-assessed technical quality of maternity care received by the women was significantly better in the intervention that the control group for several of the standards concerning clinical examinations, maternal education and vitamin and mineral supplements

[Survey the effect of acupressure on sixth spleen point on primary dysmenorrheal relief]

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is common in women during reproductive age

Objective: this study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on sixth spleen point [SP6] on relief of primary dysmenorrheal

Methods: this study is a clinical trial. Students with primary dysmenorrheal living in dormitory were studied during three menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured on the first cycle without intervention. Subjects were divided into two parallel groups [pressure on SP6 and placebo groups], using a randomized block design with odds ratio of 1:1 based on the intensity of pain. In the second and third cycles, pressure was exerted by the samples. Pain intensity was compared with the visual analogue scale before and after intervention. Samples, person dividing the groups, data analyzer were blinded to study groups. At the end data related to 30 students in experiment group and 32 students in control group were analyzed. T test, chi-square, Friedman, Mann-Whitney and ordinal regression were used to compare the pain severity in experiment and control groups

Results: pain severity up to 3 hours after giving pressure on SP6 [p<0.004] and four hours after giving pressure on control point [p<0.001] was decreased compared to before intervention. There was no difference observed pain in groups before and after intervention

Conclusion: since pain severity was less in both groups after intervention, more studies are recommended

[The effect of educational intervention on the attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers caring for children with intellectual disability]

Introduction: having an intellectually disabled child imposes many physical, mental, and social predicaments on the family. Appropriate interventions to improve attitude and create constructive caring behaviors can greatly support those families and provide them a healthier quality of life. This study conducted to determine the effect of the educational intervention on the attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers caring for children with intellectual disability

Method: this study is a randomized, controlled, intervention study conducted in Narges rehabilitation center, Miyaneh in 2013. A total of 64 caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities aged 6-18 years were randomly divided into two groups. Intervention group received training classes [6 sessions] but control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected based on the researcher made, behavior and attitude questionnaires at beginning and the end of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, paired t-test, t-test, and chi square

Results: mean score of attitude and behavior in both groups was not statistically significant before the intervention. However, 90 days after the intervention, attitude and caring behavior of caregivers in the intervention group increased significantly [P<0.05]

Conclusion: educational intervention improved attitudes and behaviors of family caregivers significantly. Therefore, authors recommend further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of this model on other chronic conditions

Modeling the underlying predicting factors of tobacco smoking among adolescents

With regard to the willing and starting tobacco smoking among young people in Iran. The aim of the study was to model the underlying factors in predicting the behavior of tobacco smoking among employed youth and students in Iran. In this analytical cross-sectional study, based on a random cluster sampling were recruited 850 high school students, employed and unemployed youth age ranged between 14 and 19 yr from Iran. The data of demographic and tobacco smoking related variables were acquired via a self-administered questionnaire. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed respectively for computing un-adjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios utilizing SPSS 17 software. A number of 189 persons [25.6%] were smoker in the study and the mean smoking initiation age was 13.93 [SD= 2.21]. In addition, smoker friend, peer persistence, leaving home, and smoking in one and six month ago were obtained as independent predictors of tobacco smoking. The education programs on resistance skills against the persistence of the peers, improvement in health programs by governmental interference and policy should be implemented

[ effects of probiotic yoghurt consumption on blood pressure and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients: randomized clinical trial]

Considering the high prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of probiotic yoghurt on blood pressure and serum lipid concentrations in these patients. In this controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 60 patients [23 males and 37 females] with type 2 diabetes and an LDL-cholesterol level higher than 100 mg/dL were assigned to one of two groups. Subjects in the intervention group consumed daily 300 gr of probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, and those in the control group consumed daily 300 gr of conventional yoghurt, for 6 weeks. Dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and serum lipids concentrations were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software, the statistical tests being analysis of covariance and paired-samples t-test. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged in both groups, while the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations decreased by 4.54% and 7.45% in the intervention group, respectively, as compared with the control values [P = 0.008 andP = 0.004, respectively]. However, no significant differences were observed between the initial and final triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the intervention group. Consumption of probiotic yoghurt can decrease the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients; however, it has no effect on blood pressure. This study shows that probiotic yoghurt may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in type 2 diabetes

Quality of life, motor ability, and weight status among schoolaged children of Tehran

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health Related quality of life [HRQOL], motor ability and weight status in children. Two hundred forty children ages 9-11 yr who were selected via multi stage cluster sampling design from primary schools in the Shahre Qods at Tehran, Iran in 2007. HRQOL was assessed by the pediatric quality of life inventory [PedsQL]. Motor abilities were determined by a Basic Motor Ability Test [BMAT]. Body mass index was calculated to determine weight status. Psychosocial, physical, and total health related qualities of life [all P< 0.05] were significantly lowered for obese when compared to normal weight participants. In contrast, the mean scores for each HRQOL domain in motor ability category were not significant. No significant interaction was apparent when examining HRQOL scores, BMAT variables and weight status. Regardless of motor ability levels, reducing body weight among children is a potential avenue for promoting improved HRQOL. Over weight boys reported significantly worse school performance than over weight girls, suggesting the importance in considering such dimensions in programs aimed at further understanding obesity in children

[Recognition of the factors affecting survival in colon and rectal cancer patients referred to RCGLD center of Shahid Beheshti university of medical sciences: accelerated failure time parametric survival analysis with Frailty]

Different diagnostic factors of colon and rectal cancer [CRC] affect the survival of patients, prognosis and consequently treatment application. The rate of colorectal cancer is being increased in Iran, especially in younger ages, made it more valuable to study this type of cancer. However, evaluation of the risk factors of the cancer as a whole would not provide thorough understanding of the cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine specific risk factors affecting colon and rectum cancers. A total of 1219 patients with CRC diagnosis, according to the pathology report of cancer registry of RCGLD from 1 January 2002 to 1 October 2007, were entered into the study. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Accelerated Failure Time [AFT] parametric survival model with frailty, utilizing STATA statistical software. Based on the results of this analysis, for colon cancer, females, patients without inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], patients with poorly differentiated tumor grade and patients pathologic with stage of I had higher survival probability. For these patients, there was not any correlation between history of alchol consumption and the size tumor. In the rectal cancer, patients with surgery as the kind of first treatment used, had higher survival probability. For these patients personal history and pathologic stage weren't statistically significant. In addition, in both types of cancers, 25-29.9 and over than 30 categories of body mass index [BMI] had higher survival probability, respectively and patients with BMI less than 18.5 had lower survival probability. In general, the survival rate in rectal cancer patients was higher than those with colon cancer. Site-specific evaluation of colon and rectum can lead to a deeper understanding of factors affecting these cancers. It may help design the clinical trials, better diagnosis of diseases and optimal administration of specific treatments

[Comparison the role of BMI, pathologic stage and hereditary related factors on survival between colon and rectal cancers: frailty competing risks model]

Cholera is always being considered as a public health threat in poor and developing countries. However outbreaks of cholera are not very common in central area of Iran; in 2008 district health authority reported a cluster of diarrhea cases. We investigated this cluster to identify the etiological agent, source of transmission and propose control measures. We analyzed the data of total of 1219 patients with colorectal cancer who registered between 1 January 2002 to 1 October 2007. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Accelerated Failure Time [AFT] parametric survival model with frailty, utilizing STATA statistical software. In the univariate analysis for age at diagnosis, gender, marital status, race and education level, the survival of patients with colon cancer were approximately between half to one fourth and for BMI, alcohol history, Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD], familial history of cancer and the pathologic stage of tumor, the survival of patients with colon cancer were significantly [between 0.12 to 0.56 times] shorter than those patients with rectal cancer. In the multivariate analysis, for age at diagnosis [45-65 years], there was significant difference between colon and rectum cancer. But for BMI, alcohol history, IBD and pathologic stage there were not significant differences. The adjusted survival and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 year survival of patients with rectal cancer were better than those with colon cancer. Site-specific evaluation of colon and rectum could give a better perspective of factors affecting these cancers. It may help to design of clinical trials, better diagnosis of diseases and optimal administration of specific treatments

effects of active recovery on serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and CK concentrations after eccentric strenuous exercise in active female

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of active recovery [AR] vs passive recovery [PR] on serum levels of interleukin 6 [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10 and Creatine Kinase [CK] after eccentric strenuous exercise. Twenty-eight female students of physical education participated in this study, age [23.8 +/- 1.99] years, height 164.0315.61 cm, weight 58.21 [8.23] kg and fat percent 27.18 [4.86]]. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups and completed a set of strenuous workouts, including a 30 min of treadmill downhill running [-5% grade] at 80-85% of Maximal Heart Rate [MHR], followed by AR for 15 min at 50-60% of MHR, or complete rest in the seated position [PR]. Blood samples were collected pre- and post exercise, and after recovery in order to measure the levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and CK. Both the AR and PR groups showed increase in the levels of serum cytokines after exercise and recovery, except IL-10 that decreased after exercise. IL-6 levels after recovery were higher in AR. Also, there were significant differences between the two groups after recovery in IL-8 and IL-10. The results show no significant differences in the levels of IL-6 in either group. It also seems that the post exercise increase in the levels of circulating cytokines is not due to the muscle damage, in spite of the increase in CK indicating that the increase of cytokines after AR is probably because of their anti-inflammatory effects