Comparison of prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in swimmer and non-swimmer students: a historical cohort study

A number of studies have examined the role of aerobic exercise and evidence suggests this may be an effective therapy for premenstrual syndrome [PMS]. The aim of this study was to assess the PMS symptoms between swimmer and non-swimmer female students. A total of 280 subjects were studied: 140 subjects were swimmers, while 140 were normal sedentary controls. Duration of swimming per week, and the length of exercise were asked from the case group. The predominant symptom of PMS was determined. PMS occurred in 36.2% and 22.8% of non-swimmers and swimmers, respectively [P = 0.00]. The prevalence of premenstrual symptoms differ in the two group studied. There was no complaint about items asked in 35 [25%] and 13 [9.9%] of swimmers and nonswimmers, respectively [P = 0.000]. In 11 [7.9%] swimmers, there was a problem in more than 50% of items asked, whereas 48 [17.1%] non-swimmers had complaints in this range [P = 0.00]. The prevalence of feeling more irritable, tend to eat more than usual or at irregular hours, easily distracted, restless behavior noticeable by others, feeling more angry, physical symptoms, change in mood without obvious reason, significant swelling in breasts, ankles, and abdomen, marked change in sexual desire, avoiding some social commitments, and decreasing desire to have communication with males were significantly lower in swimmers. Aerobic exercise has been found in epidemiologic studies to be associated with fewer reported premenstrual symptoms. Swimming is one of aerobic exercises which can be used in relation to this issue

[ effect of Ramadan fasting on serum osmolraity, some electrolytes and hematological parameters]

During the month of Ramadan, 400 million adult Muslims all over the world fast during daylight hours. The effect of Ramadan fasting has been studied in various investigations conducted on normal healthy individuals world wide, but the changes of serum osmolarity and hematological parameters during Ramadan fasting are not known well. This cohort study was performed during Ramadan on 80 medical students [41 male and 39 female]. We evaluated weight, Body Mass Index [BMI], serum osmolarity, sodium and potassium, haemoglobin[Hgb], hematocrit [Hct], platelets, red and white blood cell count [RBC and WBC] and Hgb Index before and after Ramadan. The mean age of subjects was 22.7 years. Weight decreased significantly in both genders, and BMI decreased in female subjects after ramadan. While serum osmalarity and sodium increased and glucose decreased in both genders after ramadan, potassium decreased in males. RBC count increased in both genders, but WBC count and platelet count increased significantly in females. Hgb, Htc decreased after Ramadan Fasting in male subjects. We found no significant changes in levels of urea and creatinin in serum. This study indicated that Ramadan fasting leads to increased serum osmolarity, RBC count and some Hgb indices in both genders, but these changes remain within normal range. However, more investigations are suggested of patients with hematological and nephrological disorders

[Incidence of acute mountain sickness in south and north-east pathways of Damavand]

Background: to determine the incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness [AMS] in trekkers in different pathways of Damavand. Although it is well known that Iranian trekkers suffer from acute mountain sickness [AMS] in south pathway of Damavand, not much is documented about the incidence of AMS in the other pathways of Damavand Mountain, trekkers that go to high altitude from different pathways and their related contributing factors

Material and Methods: this study was a descriptive cohort study. During a four weeks [in summer 2006] a population of trekkers was studied. AMS symptoms, were assessed by an extensively used standard questionnaire [Lake Louise], applied at 2900 m above sea level, and during descent from summit Damavand [about 4200m] at south and north east pathways of Damvand in Iran Alborz Mountain

Results: the overall incidence of A.M.S. was 53.5%. The mean age of trekkers was 35.08 [+/-11.88] and 85.8% of the study population was men. Men did not differ significantly higher rate of AMS from women. The incidence being increased in those who begin climbing from south pathway [P=0.001], amateur climbers [P=0.000], a previous AMS experience or high altitude illness [P=0.031], a history of upper respiratory infection during last week [P=0.017], begging hour of ascent [P=0.02] and sleep in high altitude [P=0.01]. There was not any relation between AMS and age and descending rate [P<0.05]

Conclusions: data show a strong relation between experiences mountaineer, history of AMS, pathway of climbing and the incidence of acute mountain sickness at Damavand Mount that didn't report previously

Physical activity in iranian students CASPIAN study

Sedentary behavior in childhood is one of the strongest risk factors for many chronic diseases and somatic conditions in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis. This study was an investigation to design a surveillance system for non-communicable diseases. The present national survey was performed as a multi-centric cross-sectional study for the baseline survey of a project entitled: "Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Non- communicable Diseases-CASPIAN Study. The study was supported by the World Health Organization and performed by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, with collaboration of 23 universities of Medical Sciences. One of the items studied was the physical activity. Physical activity data is evaluated by metabolic equivalent [METs] accelerometers. 21111 school pupils aged 6 to 18 years consisting of 10858 girls [51.4%] and 10253 boys [48.6%] have been studied. 5.2% of them were obese and 9.4% overweight. The mean times of moderate and vigorous physical activity were 4.7 and 0.8 hours everyday. Boys were more active than girls [p<0.05] and primary school students were more active than high school students [p<0.05]. Watching television, using the computer, or playing video games were the most common sedentary activity in students. Physical activity in our subjects was in acceptable level. Boys tend to be more active than girls, and there is a decrease in activity over the adolescent years

[Comparison of pulmonary function parameters changes among professional and semi-professional basketball athletes]

Bronco constriction is induced by exercise. There are several studies on pulmonary function in athletes during exercise, but there is not a specific study on basketball athletes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pulmonary function changes during basketball in professional players. This study was a before and after study on spirometric parameters during basketball play. Respiratory function was assessed in participants before and 6 to 9 minutes after exercise with a spirolab 2. The study was conducted in three groups, National team of basketball as professional athletes, university team of basketball as semi-professional athletes and medical students as non-athletes group. Thirty five professional athletes, 12 semi-professional athletes and 34 non-athletes participated in this study. Overall, forced vital capacity [FVC] was significantly decreased after exercise [p=0.000], but this change was significant in professional athletes [p=0.05]. Although forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] didn't have significant changes after exercise, there was a significant reduction in this parameter among professional athletes. There were not any significant changes in other spirometric parameters. The reduction in FVC and FEV1 were not more than 6%. We concluded that changes in pulmonary function parameters in professional basketball players were more than semi-professional and non-athletes people

Frequency of medical symptoms in Iranian Skiers

Some skiers suffer from medical symptoms during or after skiing, especially downhill skiing. However, there has been no investigation on medical problems in skiers. In this study, our main objective was to evaluate the frequency of medical symptoms during or after ski among Iranian skiers. This cross sectional descriptive study was performed in winter of the year 2005, at Dizin piste [Iran]. We evaluated demographic data and medical history of skiers, as well as the frequency of medical symptoms during ski using a questionnaire. The relations between sex, medical and drug history, smoking habits, and symptoms were assessed by chi-squared and fisher's exact test. The relation between age, duration of skiing, history of previous skiing [in years] and symptoms was analyzed by means of independent t- test. P <0.05 was considered significant. Out of 1448 skiers, 74% were male and the mean age of subjects was 25.2 [ +/- 8.4] years. A total of 1208 skiers wore medical glasses or lenses during skiing, and visual disorders were found in 15.2% of skiers. Among all subjects, one medical symptom was found in 20.1% and two medical symptoms or more in 3.6%. The most common clinical profile was headache, nystagmus and true vertigo. Occurrence of symptoms had significant association with wearing glasses or lenses during routine life, habit of smoking and previous ski injury. Alcohol consumption was seen in 31.2% skiers, and it had a borderline relation with incidence of symptoms. There was not any association between incidence of symptoms and sex, age, duration of skiing, wearing glasses or lenses during skiing, and history of motion sickness. There were at least two symptoms in 3.6% of skiers. This finding shows ski sickness is different from other altitude sicknesses

[Do the dietary habits of our community warrant health of children and adolescents now and in future? CASPIAN study?]

We performed this study considering the fact that many chronic diseases have their origin in early life, their risk factors in childhood and adulthood are identical, and an early primary prevention is of great importance. The present national survey was performed as a multi-centric cross-sectional study for the baseline survey of a project entitled: 'Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Noncommunicable Diseases': CASPIAN Study. The study was supported by the World Health Organization and performed by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, with collaboration of 23 universities of Medical Sciences. One of the items studied was the dietary habits in relating to non-communicable diseases [NCDs]. 21111 school pupils aged 6 to 18 years consisting of 10858 girls [51.4%] and 10253 boys[48.6%], as well as one of their parents have been studied. 84.6% of them lived in urban and 15.4% in rural areas, 90% visited public and 10% private schools. The most frequent type of fat used for food preparation in home was hydrogenated solid fat [73.8%], and most families consumed bread prepared with white flour [58.4%], only 19.7% of pupils never added salt to their table foods. The mean consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables, sweets, salty/fat snacks and deep fried foods was 16.5, 10,4.9 and 3.98 times/week respectively, without significant difference between different school levels. The unhealthy dietary habits of the children and adolescents of our community are a major threat for the health of this age group and make our community prone to an epidemic of NCDs in the next two decades, and emphasizes the role of the pediatricians and other related health professionals in the primary prevention of chronic diseases

[Demographic and clinical findings of pediatric trauma patients of Barn earthquake in 2003]

Background: Despite occurrences of several earthquakes in Iran, there aren't no document data from clinical and demographic findings of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic and clinical findings of pediatric trauma patients referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospitals after Bain earthquake in 2003

Methods: Medical records of all of pediatric trauma patients with age lower than 18 year old who were admitted in Imam Khomini, Shariati and Sina hospitals were reviewed retrospectively

Results: From 440 total number of patients, 25.4% [51 boys and 61 girls] were pediatrics. Eighty-two percent patients were transported to our hospitals within the first 3 days after earthquake. The limbs were the most common organs injured [61.6% alone and 14.3% together with other organs]. Of these patients, 34.5% had operative surgery and there were no tetanus n our subjects. Thirty percent patients suffered from infectious disease and the most common infectious disease was urinary tract infection. Acute renal failure developed only in 5 patients

Conclusion: The good management of our patients caused low rate of acute renal failure and any clinical findings of tetanus. The high rate of limbs injuries need appropriate management in future