Meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression among breast cancer survivors in Iran: an urgent need for community supportive care programs / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Depression, which is the most common comorbidity in breast cancer (BC) patients, has adverse effects on patients' quality of life, disease progress, and survival.@*METHODS@#The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (registration No. CRD42019121494). We electronically searched published studies through January 2019 with the aim of finding articles that investigated the prevalence of depression among BC survivors. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain relevant published studies. This review included 14 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies published from 2000 to 2018. We used a random-effects model to conduct the meta-analysis and generated a summary estimate for the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A subgroup analysis was also conducted based on the depression assessment tool used and the study design.@*RESULTS@#The total sample size of the studies contained 2,799 women with BC, including 1,228 women who were diagnosed with depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian women with BC was 46.83% (95% CI, 33.77 to 59.88) with significant heterogeneity (I² =98.5%; p<0.001). The prevalence of depression ranged from 14.00% (95% CI, 4.91 to 23.09) to 95.90% (95% CI, 91.97 to 99.83). The results of the subgroup analyses suggested that the depression assessment tool, year of publication, and study design were sources of heterogeneity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings indicate a high prevalence of depression among BC patients, underscoring the urgent need for clinicians and health authorities to provide well-defined social and psychological supportive care programs for these patients.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression among breast cancer survivors in Iran: an urgent need for community supportive care programs / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Depression, which is the most common comorbidity in breast cancer (BC) patients, has adverse effects on patients' quality of life, disease progress, and survival.METHODS: The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (registration No. CRD42019121494). We electronically searched published studies through January 2019 with the aim of finding articles that investigated the prevalence of depression among BC survivors. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain relevant published studies. This review included 14 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies published from 2000 to 2018. We used a random-effects model to conduct the meta-analysis and generated a summary estimate for the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A subgroup analysis was also conducted based on the depression assessment tool used and the study design.RESULTS: The total sample size of the studies contained 2,799 women with BC, including 1,228 women who were diagnosed with depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian women with BC was 46.83% (95% CI, 33.77 to 59.88) with significant heterogeneity (I² =98.5%; p<0.001). The prevalence of depression ranged from 14.00% (95% CI, 4.91 to 23.09) to 95.90% (95% CI, 91.97 to 99.83). The results of the subgroup analyses suggested that the depression assessment tool, year of publication, and study design were sources of heterogeneity.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a high prevalence of depression among BC patients, underscoring the urgent need for clinicians and health authorities to provide well-defined social and psychological supportive care programs for these patients.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression among breast cancer survivors in Iran: an urgent need for community supportive care programs / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Depression, which is the most common comorbidity in breast cancer (BC) patients, has adverse effects on patients' quality of life, disease progress, and survival. METHODS: The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (registration No. CRD42019121494). We electronically searched published studies through January 2019 with the aim of finding articles that investigated the prevalence of depression among BC survivors. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain relevant published studies. This review included 14 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies published from 2000 to 2018. We used a random-effects model to conduct the meta-analysis and generated a summary estimate for the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A subgroup analysis was also conducted based on the depression assessment tool used and the study design. RESULTS: The total sample size of the studies contained 2,799 women with BC, including 1,228 women who were diagnosed with depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian women with BC was 46.83% (95% CI, 33.77 to 59.88) with significant heterogeneity (I² =98.5%; p<0.001). The prevalence of depression ranged from 14.00% (95% CI, 4.91 to 23.09) to 95.90% (95% CI, 91.97 to 99.83). The results of the subgroup analyses suggested that the depression assessment tool, year of publication, and study design were sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a high prevalence of depression among BC patients, underscoring the urgent need for clinicians and health authorities to provide well-defined social and psychological supportive care programs for these patients.

Perceived stigma and quality of life among women living with HIV/AIDS

Background: Quality of life [QoL] is a broad construct and can be influenced by many factors. Perceived stigma is inevitable in patients with HIV. Therefore, it is an important factor to understand their QoL

Objectives: The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the perceived stigma among HIV-positive women and their QoL in Shiraz, Iran

Patients and Methods: In this quantitative study, 110 HIV-positive women were selected by simple random sampling method. A questionnaire was designed and used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire included demographic information, internal stigma scale, and the ACTG short form-21 [SF-21] for measuring QoL. Data were collected from March to August 2015 and analyzed using t- test, Pearson's correlations, and the multiple regression test with the SPSS software version 21

Results: The mean age of the women was 37.86 +/- 9.03 years. Most of the participants were infected with HIV/AIDS through sex with their spouse [78.2%]. About one-third of the women had physical symptoms [29.1%] of the HIV disease. The prevalence rate of perceived stigma in the sample was 69.7%. Quality of life was significantly different in terms of employment status, emotional support and physical symptoms [P < 0.05]

Conclusions: A higher level of perceived stigma among HIV-positive women is associated with a considerable decrease in all QoL dimensions. Thus, more efforts should be considered to reduce the perceived stigma and improve the QoL of such patients

Response: The Effect of 12 Weeks Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises on Omentin-1 Levels and Insulin Resistance among Type 2 Diabetic Middle-Aged Women (Diabetes Metab J 2017;41:205-12)

No abstract available.

The Effect of 12 Weeks Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises on Omentin-1 Levels and Insulin Resistance among Type 2 Diabetic Middle-Aged Women

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that omentin-1 derived from adipokines can affect physiological regulations and some metabolic dis-eases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of 12 weeks of aerobic (cycle ergometer), resistance, and combined exercises on omentin-1 level, glucose and insulin resistance indices in overweight middle age women with T2DM. In this study, 60 overweight middle age diabetic women were selected using simple random sampling and they were assigned to three groups of aerobic exercise (n=12), resistant exercise (n=12) and combined exercise (n=13), and one control group (n=15). Exercises were done in a three times per week sessions for a total of 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before each exercise session and 24 hours after of the last session. RESULTS: Present study showed that fasting blood sugar decreased significantly in all intervention groups, while homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased only in the aerobic and combined exercises groups. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the omentin-1 level only in the combined exercise group. CONCLUSION: Compared to aerobic and resistance exercises, 12 weeks of combined exercise was more efficient in improving HOMA-IR and increasing serum omentin-1 among women with T2DM.

Corrigendum: Author's Name and Affiliation Correction: The Effect of 12 Weeks Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises on Omentin-1 Levels and Insulin Resistance among Type 2 Diabetic Middle-Aged Women

One of the authors' names and affiliations was misprinted.

Surveillance of zoonotic diseases in Marvdasht city, Fars Province

Background: Complete and fast diagnosis, registry and treatment programs are the main effective strategies for controlling infectious diseases. In addition, an organized and extended infectious disease surveillance system is crucial in designing and monitoring communicable diseases control programs. The quality of the surveillance system can be evaluated by several indices such as timeliness, completeness and sensitivity. This is an evaluation study to measure the mentioned indices for 3 zoonotic diseases [leishmaniasis, brucellosis and rabies] surveillance system

Methods: The indexes such as completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of surveillance system were measured using the data obtained from population based [door to door] interviews and recorded data obtained at each level of health and medical sectors or administrative centers within the diseases reporting system. Interviews were conducted for 5969 participants and the required information was obtained

Results: The total completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of case reporting for leishmaniasis were 26.9%, 103.2 days and 11.1%, respectively. These indexes forbrucellosiswere14.3 %, 58 days, 12.1% and those for suspected rabieswere100%, 83.4 days and 48.2%, respectively

Conclusion: It seems that so called immediate communicable diseases reporting system is not providing reliable, complete and timely information to the health authorities. Program monitoring and personnel training, especially physicians, are recommended to improve the quality of the surveillance system and the related indexes

Stigmatized attitude of healthcare providers: a barrier for delivering health services to HIV positive patients

Despite the success of developed countries in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, the disease is expanding in developing countries where an unfavorable attitude exists among people, health professionals and employees. This study aimed to assess the stigmatized attitude among health care providers toward people living with HIV [PLWHA]. The study is a cross-sectional survey. The data were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The study sample included 575 health care providers of public and private hospitals in Shiraz. The data were gathered using a structured questionnaire in spring 2014. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21. The most dominant attitude of the health care providers toward HIV/AIDS patients was related to fear [42.42%]. According to the results of this study, there was a significant relationship between stigmatized attitude of the health care providers and their religious beliefs, society stigmatized attitude, and knowledge of transmission routes. The relationship between social stigmatized attitude of health care providers and their knowledge of transmission routes, with their willingness to provide services to patients is significant, as well [P<0.05]. 39.6% and 46.2% of the respondents preferred not to provide services to the prostitutes and homosexual patients. Fear of contamination and social stigmatized attitude are the main impediments to dealing with patients and providing services to them. Hence, it seems that creating an effective knowledge about transmission and correcting the socio-cultural beliefs of health providers are two key strategies to tackle this problem

Depression and anxiety and the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy in IBS patients: a randomized controlled trial

Backgrounds: Anxiety and depression are found to be the major contributors to irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. The present study aimed to measure the effect of a specifically designed cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT] program on the severity of the symptoms and quality of life of patients with chronic IBS, and also define whether anxiety and depression in patients with IBS at baseline affect their response to CBT

Methods: The participants were randomly allocated to conventional treatment only [n=25, control] or CBT plus conventional treatment [n=25, intervention] group. The intervention group attended an eight-session group stress management training course conducted by a psychologist in a meeting room at a gastrointestinal clinic at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences. Pre- and post-interventions and 3-month follow-up visits were scheduled and conducted by an experienced healthcare worker to measure the primary outcomes and levels of depression and anxiety in the patients. The study was conducted on 2011

Results: The Raw Group Difference [RGD] and Standardised Mean Differences [SMD] for the post-treatment scores of the intervention group, when compared with those of the control group, indicated a considerable improvement in the severity of IBS symptoms [RGD=?10.48, SMD=?1.23], anxiety [RGD=?9.90, SMD=?0.725], d epression [RGD=?9.57, SMD=?0.785] and patient's quality of life [MD=?16.81, SMD=?0.469]. No association [and interaction with CBT] was found between anxiety/depression at baseline and post-treatment or follow-up scores of the outcomes

Conclusion: Although CBT improved anxiety, depression, severity of IBS and quality of life of patients with IBS, its effect was independent of the initial level of anxiety and depression of the patients

Age, sex and site specific incidence of cancer in Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad- Iran: a province with low cancer incidence [2007-2009]

Background: Cancer is the third cause of death in Iran and its incidence is rising alarmingly. However, a study reported that Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad [a small province in Iran] seems to have substantially lower incidence rate of cancer compared to the other parts of the country. This study is conducted to investigate the epidemiological features of cancer regarding three key factors [sex, age and sites of cancer]

Methods: The data collection strategy for this study is similar to the Iranian National Cancer Registry programme

Results: For the study period [2007-2009], 660 eligible cases of cancer were reported to Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad's National Cancer Registry provincial office with average annual age standardized rate [ASR]=64.58 per 100000 [74.95 per 100000 and 45.85 per 100000 for men and women, respectively]. The five leading primary cancer sites for both genders in K and B are skin, stomach, blood, bladder and breast. Regarding the sex specific incidence rates of cancer, the skin, stomach, bladder, blood and prostate in men and the skin, breast, stomach, blood and ovary in women are suggested to be the five leading sites of cancer. The trends of age-site specific incidence rates of skin cancer obtained in the current study are essentially similar to what is expected

Conclusion: Compared to the national and international figures, significant differences were found in the age-site specific rates of cancer in the province

High prevalence of hepatitis C infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, southwest Iran

Background: Detection of Hepatitis C virus [HCV]-infected people in each community assists with infection prevention and control. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province, Southwest Iran

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 2009-2010 in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province. High risk groups for HCV were the subjects of this study. Blood samples were taken from 2009 individuals at high risk for HCV that included inmates, injecting drug users [IDUs], health care workers, patients on maintenance hemodialysis, hemophilic patients, and those with histories of blood transfusions. Patients were residents of Yasuj, Gachsaran, and Dehdasht [3 main townships in the province]. Samples were analyzed by ELISA for anti-HCV antibodies. Demographic features of participants were recorded by a questionnaire during sample collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13 software

Results: Of 2009 subjects, HCV antibodies were detected in 172 [8.6%]. Rate of infection was higher in males [11.4%] compared to females [3.2%]. Rate of infection in inmates was 11.7% while this rate was 42.4% in IDUs, 4.2% in health care workers, and 6.1% in thalas-semic patients. Significant correlation was found between HCV infection, history of imprisonment, and thalassemia

Conclusion: Results of this study have provided epidemiologic features of HCV and its risk factors in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Prov-ince, Southwest Iran. This information may assist in preventing the spread of HCV infection in this and other similar settings in the region. The findings of this study may help in improving surveillance and infection control in the community through management and monitoring of infected individuals