ABSTRACT
Background: While the arteriopuncture is a painful and relatively risky procedure and may be complicated by some problems, venopuncture required for assessing the venous blood gases [VBG] is an easier procedure with fewer complications. Considering the mentioned notion, substituting the VBG values for of ABG values can prevent such complications. This study was carried out with the aim of determining whether the VBG values can be replaced for ABG values in the management of mechanically ventilated patients admitted in ICU wards
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 102 patients admitted in ICU ward of Shahid Beheshti. After performing the Allen test, ABG was taken from radial artery of one hand and immediately VBG from the brachiocephalic vein of the other. The ABG and VBG indexes were calculated using a GEM3000 system. After the data collection and calculation of mean and standard deviation of all indexes, two methods were compared using paired t-test, subsequent correlation ratio and the linear regression model
Results: Among the 102 hospitalized patients 70 were males and the remaining 32 females. The results of comparing the ABG and VBG indexes in terms of Pearson-correlation coefficient and the relevant significant level were: pH [0.801, P<0.001]; PCO2 [0.835, P<0.001]; HCO[3] [0.768, P=0.369]; PO[2][0.287, P<0.001]; SaO2 [0.317, P<0.001]; BE [0.810, P<0.011]
Conclusion: While there was a significant correlation between the ABG and VBG indexes, but with the consideration of the power of correlation, the substitution of VBG for ABG is not recommended for mechanically ventilated patients
ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the world. Some of the researches have suggested that the serum vitamin D level may relate to disease activity. The current study was designed to identify the correlation between serum vitamin D level and the disease activity index [DAI]. In this sectional study, 108 patients [diagnosed based on the American Committee of Rheumatology criteria] were enrolled. In all cases after determining the serum vitamin D level and ESR, complete joint examination were done. The normal range of vitamin D was 47.7-144 nm/lit. Then, the specified disease activity form [DAS-28] and visual analog scales [VAS] were filled out. The correlation between disease activity index, [based on VAS, tendered or swelled joints and ESR] and serum vitamin D was analyzed using Chi square, Mann Whitney and t-tests. Seventy nine [73.14%] out of 108 patients had normal serum vitamin D and 29 [26.86%] had low serum vitamin D level. The mean age of patients with normal and low serum vitamin D level were 52.22 +/- 11.6 and 48.48 +/- 12.51, respectively [P=0.075]. The mean DAI in normal and low vitamin D patients were 3.75 +/- 1.37 and 5.19 +/- 1.56, respectively [P=0.00]. The mean number of swollen joints in normal and low vitamin D patients was 1.24 +/- 1.39 and 3.65 +/- 3.3, respectively [P=0.001]. The mean number of tender joints in normal and low vitamin D patients were 6.84 +/- 4.41 and 9.44 +/- 3.62, respectively [P=0.042]. The mean ESR in normal and low vitamin D patients were 19.40 +/- 12.40 and 37.91 +/- 21.72, respectively [P=0.002]. Moreover, the mean VAS in normal and low vitamin D patients was 23.29 +/- 19.42 and 50.68 +/- 30.78, respectively [P=0.003]. The more active the RA, the less serum vitamin D level