[Evaluation of plasma beta-2-microglobulin level in hemodialysis patients with carpal tunnel syndrome]

In dialysis patients, insufficient exertion of amyloid particles can cause beta-2-microglobulin [beta 2M] to deposit in periarticular structures and consequently complications like carpal tunnel syndrome. This study was conducted to evaluate the plasma beta 2M level in hemodialysis patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in Kashan. This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 hemodialysis patients, with more than 10 years history of hemodialysis with low flux membrane through an AV fistula, referred to dialysis center in Kashan. Samples of venous blood [5cc] were taken from each patient to measure the beta 2M level using the ELISA method. The carpal tunnel syndrome establishment was made through EMG/NCV under the supervision of a neurologist. The mean age of participants was 59.3 +/- 13.2 years. A total of 44 subjects [73.3%] had been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. There was a significant difference in plasma beta 2M level in hemodialysis patients with and without carpal tunnel syndrome [52.2 +/- 6.2 and 44.8 +/- 6.1, respectively; P=0.002]. There is a significant relation between beta 2M level and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in hemodialysis patients. Thus, performing serial beta-2 microglobulin measurement is recommended in these patients

[Irritant contact dermatitis due to angustifolia]

A case of sever bullous irritant contact dermatitis in uncommon site in a 50 year-old woman secondary to contact with angustifolia fruit is reported. She developed multiple bullous lesions on anterior of her trunk. We found no prior clinical report of contact dermatitis due to Elaeagnus angustifolia. In a broad sense, Irritant contact dermatitis represents the cutaneous response to the physical and toxic effects of a wide range of environmental exposure. Irritant contact dermatitis has a spectrum of clinical features, ranging from a little dryness, redness or chapping through various type of eczematous to an acute caustic burn

[Association between Helicobacter Pylori infection and first miscarriage]

Miscarriage is the most common problem in pregnancy. Major mechanisms responsible for abortion are not always clear. Some underlying factors have been proved. Hence, efforts are being done to determine the new factors; like chronic infection. In this study, we investigated relationship between helicobacter pylori [HP] infection and first miscarriage. In this study, 70 women with first miscarriage [case group] and 67 with normal [control group] delivery, aged 20-29 years old were studied. Interviews along with 5cc blood were taken from each case to test the specific IgG titer with ELISA method. A questionnaire was filled for each subject. Mean [ +/- SD] age of cases was 23.0 +/- 2.6 and control group was 23.8 +/- 2.7. This difference was not significant [P=0.076]. 45.7% of cases with the first miscarriage and 25.4% control group suffered from HP. Relationship between HP infection and miscarriage was significant [OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.13-5.46, P=0.013. According to this study, it seems that there is an association between HP infection and first miscarriage. For determining the effect of HP infection on causing the first miscarriage, more studies are required

Study of some prognostic factors of progress to end-stage renal failure in patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in Hasheminejad hospital

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis [RPGN] is a rare but important renal disease that can rapidly cause irreparable renal failure. The disease has various causes and hence our attempt to study on prognostic factors of renal failure in these patients. The aim of this study is to find some prognostic factors of progress to end-stage renal failure in patients. In this study, the patients with proved RPGN, on the basis of renal biopsy results, who had come to the hospital from July 2002 to July 2004, were identified and studied. Some factors including creatinine were measured and kept in records of each patient referred for this study. They were followed-up for 9 months looking for occurrence of end stage renal disease [ESRD]. Patients who reached ESRD in less than 9 months were not followed-up further. Those who were followed-up for less than 9 months or died before that were also excluded. Thus, only 22 patients were included. Incidence of ESRD during the nine months period of followed-up in patients with creatinine level of more than 5.7 mg% was higher that in patients with levels equal to or lower than 5.7 mg%. [91.7% VS 40%, P=0.015]. Also, average of creatinine levels upon referral in patients who developed ESRD in the following 9 months were significantly higher that those who did not [6.59 mg% VS 2.75 mg%, P=0.008], which confirms the value of creatinine as a prognostic factor in RPGN patients, as mentioned in previous similar studies. Other prognostic factors did not show any meaningful difference in this study. The above results show that creatinine levels higher that 5.7 mg% upon referral in patients with RPGN can be used as a helpful prognostic factor in prediction of development of ESRD, even despite treatment, in these patients

Survey of the level of diabetes control and some related to it in patients referred to diabetes clinic [Semnan Fatemieh hospital]

Prevalence of diabetes is high. Unfortunately this disease has serious complications in uncontrolled conditions. Thus, control of diabetes plays the important role in preventing the chronic complications. Plasma level of HbA1c is one of the most important indicators in assessing the control and prognosis of diabetes. In this study, by measuring the HbA1c level and EBS in diabetic patients in Semnan, some related factors with diabetes control, treatment condition among them have been evaluated. This is an analytic - cross sectional study performed on 288 diabetic patients having files in Fatemieh hospital diabetes clinic from 15th Aug. to 6th Sep. 2002. Cases were interviewed via questionaires and then their blood samples were examined to determine FBS, HbA1c. Data were analyzed through SPSS with statistical test of Chi - square. Among 288 cases, 46.7% were males and 53.3% females. In 50% of diabetic patients, the diabetes family history were positive in the first-grade relatives, but in the second-grade ones was 17%, in 6% of them both first and second-grade relatives suffered from diabetes. Meanwhile, time average of suffering diabetes was 8.7 years. The FBS average was 203.33 mg/dl and HbA1c average level was 10.15% too. Only in 5.9% of cases HbA1c was lower than 9% but in 14.2% it was higher than 11%. In this study, there was not observed any relation between HbA1c level and factors such as age, gender and treatment various methods, diet, oral drugs and insulin therapy. Here, a positive coordination between HbA1c and FBS was seen which was a considerable point. Hence, a meaningful direct relation was observed between HbA1c and FBS [P<0.000, r=0.486]. Results showing that blood sugar and A1c hemoglobin in most patients with diabetes in Semnan has an unacceptable range, so controling the diabetes of these patients is unadequate. Meanwhile, the amount of both critria with demographic factors and the kind of treatment prescribed have no relation too. As, there is not any necessory criteria to evaluate the level of doing the, thus having a careful study along with controlling of treatment orders is required