[Investigation of antipsychotic induced parkinsonism in patients with schizophrenia]

Antipsychotic drugs have an important role in psychiatric treatment. Their side effects such as drug induced Parkinsonism, which has been a historical challenge for patients and physicians, account a major cause of treatment rejection by the patients. Drug induced Parkinsonism is the second cause of Parkinson syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate antipsychotic induced Parkinsonism in patients with schizophrenia. This cross sectional descriptive study was done in the year 1999 in Noor and Shariaty Hospitals of Isfahan. 200 patients with schizophrenia, affected with Parkinsonism complication, were investigated. Variables were sex, age, dosage and group of drug, duration of treatment, Parkinsonism criteria and simultaneous anti cholinergic prescription. Data was gathered in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. 122 men and 78 women were studied. 26.5% of patients had drug induced Parkinsonism, which was mostly seen in women [32% versus 22.9% in men], higher age [10-19 years: 0%, 50 years and higher: 33%], and when anticholinergic was not used simultaneously [35.7% versus 25% in anticholinergic users group]. Prevalence of Parkinsonism, in high, medium, and low drug potentials was 28.7%, 29.4% and 19.2%, respectively. Differences in all of the above groups were not significant. Prevalence increased in dosage of less than 100mg [chlorpromazine equivalent dosage] versus 101-300mg [p>0.05], and in 3-6 months after onset of treatment [p<0.05]. The most prevalence criterion was rigidity [84.9%]. Parkinsonism was diagnosed in 11.76% of patients using atypical drug [clozapin]. Anti psychotic induced Parkinsonism increased in higher ages, women and when anticholinergic was not used simultaneously. This side effect was found in all groups even with clozapin. It had a greater prevalence in the beginning of treatment but decreased with treatment continuation and anticholinergic prescription. Future studies particularly on the atypical groups are suggested

[ comparative study of two treatment protocols in short course control of symptoms of allergic rhinitis patients]

Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disorder and its prevalence appears to be increasing. For writing prescription we have to consider some points: efficacy, safety and affordability of drugs and compliance of patient. According to the direct costs of allergic rhinitis, we selected two treatment protocols for comparison. 15 to 65 years-old patients suffered from clinical allergic rhinitis at least from one year ago [with annual not seasonal signs and symptoms] referred to Emam Reza hospital arranged in two treatment groups sequentially. After recording the first part of the questionnaire [about their symptoms] treatment started with two protocols. The first was less expensive one included first-generation antihistamine [Chlorpheniramin] and systemic decongestant [Pseudoephedrine] and the second more expensive one consisted of secondgeneration antihistamine [Loratadine] with inhaled corticosteroid [Beclomethasone]. After 45 days the second part of the questionnaire was completed. The patients who changed their jobs during this period were omitted from study. The two protocols were compared with each others by statistics software. Two protocols had similar efficacy on improvement of symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal or pharyngeal dryness and itching nasal congestion, PND and sneezing. According to the high price of second protocol and same efficacy of two protocols in some situations such as lack of drug affordability and patients' preference if there are no contraindications the first protocol could be a good alternative for second one

[ correlation between helicobacter pylori infection and squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx]

From the most important laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer risk factors are smoking, alcohol and anemia. But reflux is one of the suggested etiologies. Pregnancy, Nonstroidal anti inflammation drugs and drugs decreasing the lower esophageal sphincter pressure will increase the reflux. Helicobacter pylories role in reflux formation is different due to the involved region and can also have a decreasing role and decline the rate of a series of esophageal and upper aero digestive system disease. This cross - sectional and case - control study was done in Qaem medical hospital, Mashhad during the years 1384 and 1385, for serum level detection of anti -H.pylori IgG and IgA antibodies in blood samples of both control and case groups. The variables were age, sex and serum test results. 45 patients [39 male and 6 female] and 42 controls [33 male and 9 female] were evaluated. 2 groups were matched for age and sex. Positive IgG and IgA results in patients in order was 3 person [6.6 percent] and 3 person [6.6 person] and in control group 26 person [61.9%] and 12 person [28.5%]. Result [P>0.001] was for healthy group showing the protective effect of H. Pylori against laryngeal cancer. In our study, control group with a meaningful difference was affected by H.Pylori infection. This can be due to a protective effect for H. Pylori against the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies. Prospective studies and simultaneously evaluation of reflux, H. Pylori infection and the regain of gastric location are suggested

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis: a case report presenting with neck mass

Tuberculosis is a common infectious disease. Nasopharyngeal involvement is a rare finding. We present a case [33-year old female] of known chronic renal failure with primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis. The only manifestation of disease was bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. There were no tuberculosis lesions in other organs. Diagnosis was made based on result of pathological examination of biopsy. Improvement was obtained by anti tuberculosis therapy. Tuberculosis must be considered in differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal mass