[Evaluation of serum hepcidin levels and its relation to inflammatory acute- phase proteins and disease progress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] disease is a common inflammatory arthritis associated with joint destruction, motor disorder, and decreased life span. Hepcidin is an acute phase reactant protein which increases in inflammatory conditions mediated by IL-6 and its concentration elevates within the cell through regulating iron metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum hepcidin and its association with acute-phase proteins and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this case control study, 45 women with rheumatoid arthritis without prior therapy and 45 healthy individuals were investigated. After the physical examination and assessment of the disease activity based on DAS28-3[CRP] questionnaire, serum levels of hepcidin, TNF-alpha, hsCRP, ferritin, hemoglobin, and MDA [Malondialdehyde] were determined. Serum levels of hepcidin, MDA, TNF-alpha and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] were higher in RA patients than the control group [P=0.028, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.014]. Hepcidin and MDA levels did not correlate with the disease activity scores and TNF-alpha, hcCRP, and hemoglobin levels in the RA group. Hepcidin was significantly correlated with the serum levels of ferritin higher than 60 ng/ml [r=0.57, P=0.031]. From the results of this study it can be concluded that serum hepcidin and ferritin concentrations could be a useful laboratory marker in confirmatory diagnosis of anemia and atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

[Prevalence of anemia and microcytic anemia among women in north-western Tabriz]

Anemia is one of the most common disorders affecting all age groups. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and microcytic anemia in the population served by Asadabadi Health Center in Tabriz. We used a systematic sampling method to select 1623 subjects out of a total of 233000 persons aged above 12 years. Measurements of hemoglobin, MCV [Mean Cell Volume] and in the case of anemia, serum iron, ferritin, TIBC [Total Iron Binding Capacity], together with hemoglobin electrophoresis and reticulocyte count were performed in reference laboratories. Data were analyzed using T tests and the Epi6 software package. The prevalence rate of anemia was 9.7%; more than 75% of the cases were due to iron deficiency, while 11.4% were caused by minor thalassemia. Prevalence rates for iron deficiency anemia and minor thalassemia in studied population were 7.3% and 1.1% respectively. Findings show that the degree of anemia - as defined in the WHO classification- is mild in this region. The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency

[Public knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy in Tehran]

Despite advances in medical science and modern technology, epilepsy remains as a stigmatized condition and negative public attitude toward epilepsy is a common phenomenon especially in developing countries such as Iran. It is the major factor causing serious social discrimination against people with epilepsy which in turn may be more devastating than the disorder itself. Thorough understanding of the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy is essential to modify these negative attitudes. We conducted a face-to-face questionnaire interview survey in crowd locations of Tehran in August, 2004-April 2005. A total of 1079 persons all more than 15 years old were asked to fill the questionnaire. Eighty eight percent of respondents had heard about epilepsy before, 42.2% of them knew one person with epilepsy. However, out of responses about the causes of epilepsy, 52/4% said it was caused by brain damage, 26.4% said it was an inherited disease, 14.3% said it was due to fever, 34.8% believed stress as the cause of it and 1.1% said evil spirits was the cause. 56.9% considered pregnancy to be appropriate for epileptics. 94% believed children with epilepsy could go to school and have normal education. According to this survey, public knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy in study population is not satisfactory. It is suggested that additional efforts must be made to increase the knowledge of the general population through education programs especially among school children