Behcet disease: clinical spectrum and association with hepatitis B and C viruses

We studied 48 patients with Behcet disease to determine the clinical spectrum of the disease. We also compared the seropositivity of patients for hepatitis B [HBV] and C [HCV] infection with a healthy control group to.determine whether there is an association. The major physical findings were oral aphthosis 93.8%, genital aphthosis 77.1% and ocular manifestations 64.6%. No patients were HCV antibody seropositive, but 3 of the control group [3.1%] tested seropositive. One patient [2.1%] and 2 in the control group [2.1%] tested positive for both HBV surface antigen and HBV core antibody. The differences were not statistically significant. There is, therefore, no case for recommending viral screening for HBV and HCV in Behcet disease patients at present

[Determination of factors related to depression in cancer patients of the oncology ward in Kerman]

Depression is one of the most frequent behavioral disorders characterized with disenjoyment, lack of motivation, sexual disorders, sleeping disorder and depressed mood. Depression is a prevalent complication in cancerous patients that mostly occurs as a result of social function impairment. In this cross-sectional study on cancerous patients hospitalized during a 6-month period in the radiooncology ward of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, the relationship of depression severity with variables of age, sex, marital status, educational statues, life region and frequency of chemoradiotherapy sessions were studied and the predictive factors were determined. The prevalence or severity of depression showed significant relation with age increase [OR=10.8, P<0.05], low education [OR=6.4, P<0.05], being single [OR=2.8, P<0.05], and undergoing more than six therapeutic sessions [OR=3.2, P<0.05], while there was not such a relation for variables of sex and life region. Logistic regression model showed that, age over 45 [OR=8.1, P<0.05], being illiterate [OR=6.5, P<0.05] and being single [OR=4.3, P<0.05], are good predictors for depression in patients with cancer, while the number of therapeutic sessions was not a significant risk factor. Treatment of depression as a part of therapeutic plan of cancerous patients especially in high risk cases seems to be so important in decreasing the period of disease and patient's disability

evaluation of disability in differently-involved joints among patients with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis [OA] is characterized by progressive erosion of articular cartilage and the bone growth on joint's margins. It is an important cause of long term health problems and the most frequently reported reason for long lasting disability. To evaluate the pain and the disability in patients with OA and also comparing of these parameters in different joints of upper and lower extremities. In the present cross-sectional study, 200 patients with OA were diagnosed by a rheumatologist using standard criteria. The severity of disability was evaluated using the clinical Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]. Disability index was statistically different in diverse joint groups and OA of upper and lower limbs both with lower indices. However, no difference in occurrence of disability was found when the sexuality, educational and marital statuses were compared. There was consistently significant difference between age average and the presence of disability in different groups of joints. The age and the disability index showed a statically significant positive correlation [Pearson r = 0.17, P= 0.01]. Multiple variables [ANOVA] test also was indicative of a significant difference in disability of different joint groups when the age was regarded as a predisposing cofactor. Multiple joints involvement is considered as a risk factor for disability in OA patients which increases by ageing

Measurement of serum level of IgA-alpha[1]-AT complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a severe chronic inflammatory disease that can not be easily rapidly treated. It can cause joint destruction and disability. Generally some laboratory tests, such as Rheumatoid Factor [RF], Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR] or C-Reactive Protein [CRP] can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of the rheumatoid arthritis. However, they are not always ideal. In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the level of IgA will increase in serum; the surplus IgA can then react with some of the serum proteins such as Alpha-1-antirypsin [alpha[1] AT] to form a non-immune complex. The complex IgA - alpha[1]AT is formed by disulfide bonding between an active thiol group available on the both proteins. Some reports suggested that this complex is a good marker for RA disease without false results, while RF test has some false negative results. In this study the level of IgA-alpha[1]AT complex in thirty seven RA patients and in forty four normal subjects by ELISA methods using anti- alpha[1] antirypsin monoclonal and anti-IgA polyclonal HRP conjugated antibodies was evaluated. Routine laboratory tests of RF, CRP and ESR in patients and controls were also investigated. Our results showed that IgA-alpha [1] AT complex level in patients [43.7 +/- 15.4] is significantly higher than controls [21.5 +/- 8.3] [p<0.05]. There were significant differences between the sera complex levels in patients and controls. The RF results revealed eleven false negatives [30%] while the level of complex had only one false result [3%]. Instead of RF, a rapid and sensitive ELISA test for IgA-alpha[1]AT complex level in RA patients is strongly recommended