Prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep Apnea syndrome in the general population

Obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] syndrome is one of the most common sleep breathing disorders with significant consequences. The present study aims to determine prevalence of symptoms and risk of OSA in the general population of Kermanshah, Iran. From 2007-2008 by random-cluster-sampling, 527 adult subjects were selected from the urban region of Kermanshah. The age range of the sample was from 20 to 87 years. Assessment was carried-out using the Berlin questionnaire, a valid scale that determined those at [high risk] and [low risk] for OSA symptoms. Common symptoms were later defined. There were 144 [27.3%] out of the 527 subjects with a mean age of 48.6_16.6 years and a body mass index [BMI] of 25.1 +/- 3.3 at high risk for OSA [men 19%; women 8.3%]; 261 [49.5%] suffered from snoring with a higher frequency among women [51.5%]. From those who snored during sleep, 51 [10%] reported a breathing pause more than once per week. Subjects considered at high risk had a clinical history of diabetes [15.3%] and heart failure [16.7%].Prevalence of symptoms, risk of OSA and associated factors in Kermanshah are noticeable. Considering the adverse effects of this condition on quality of life, further research in an effort for early diagnosis and treatment are recommended

Serum lipid concentrations in Iranian veterans with combat-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder

Several studies demonstrated changes in serum lipid concentrations in chronic post traumatic stress disorder [cPTSD] patients. The purpose of this study was to assess serum lipid concentrations in soldiers with cPTSD and compare it with chronic major depressive disorder [cMDD] patients. We measured serum lipid concentrations in patients with cPTSD [n=40] and cMDD [n=40] and compared the results. The patients were all male [30-48 years old] and had an illness history of more than 2 years prior to conducting the study. The groups were matched regarding their body mass index [BMI] and duration of symptoms. Laboratory investigations and psychiatric evaluations were carried-out 5 days after admission. Serum lipid concentrations were measured by enzyme assay [EA]. cPTSD group showed significantly greater mean cholesterol concentrations [227.3 +/- 69.7 mg/dL] than the cMDD group [190.7 +/- 35.4 mg/dL] [p=0.004]. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] concentrations for cPTSD patients [66.6 +/- 17.6 mg/dl] was significantly lower than HDL-C level in cMDD patients [76.5 +/- 19.7 mg/dL] [p= 0.02]. In contrast, mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] concentrations for cPTSD patients [118.9 +/- 60.1 mg/dL] was significantly higher than LDL-C level in cMDD patients [76.5 +/- 25.2 mg/dL] [p= 0.000]. Although similar differences was noticed on triglycerides concentration [cPTSD; 220.2 +/- 79.0 and cMDD; 201.0 +/- 61.8], it was statistically non-significant [p= 0.23]. Our findings suggest that cPTSD patients are at high risk of developing arteriosclerosis and vascular incident secondary to low levels of HDL-C and high levels of LDL-C