Comparison of designed slippers splints with the splints available on the market in the treatment of hallux valgus

Hallux valgus or the lateral deviation of the great toe is a complex disease. If it is not treated, it will cause the deviation of other toes. Hallux valgus is three times more common in females and may cause uncomfortable deformity of the foot, problems in putting on unsuitable and narrow toe box shoes, and pain on the medial side of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; therefore, patients seek medical services. Untreated hallux valgus may cause the hammer toe deformity of the second toe. In this cohort study, 30 patients referring to the Orthopedic Clinic of Shohada Ashayer Hospital of Khorramabad, Iran, with a complaint of hallux valgus were randomly divided into two groups. The splints designed by the researches [slippers splints] were given to the case group, and the splints on the market including night splints and interdigital pads were given to the control group. The patients were followed every three months for a year and every time the weight bearing anteroposterior radiography of both feet were taken and hallux valgus and inter-metatarsal angles were measured. The data was analyzed by the SPSS software using repeated measure tests. In the case group that used the designed splints regularly, hallux valgus angles decreased more dramatically than in the control group [P<0.001]. This study showed that, despite controversies over the nonoperative treatment of hallux valgus, if hallux valgus angle in patient is mild to moderate, the splint can be used as a nonoperative treatment

impact of outsourcing the pharmaceutical services on outpatients1 satisfaction in Lorestan rural health centers

The pharmaceutical services in Rural Health Centers [RHCs], plays a crucial role to promote the Iranian people health. Aligning with health reforms, the outsourcing approaches on medicinal services have been run, recently. The aim of this study was to determine whether the outsourcing approach in RHCs' pharmacies comparison with the governmental approach has been effective on patients' satisfaction. This study is a quasi-experimental post-test only, including a control group. All of 19 RHCs with outsourced pharmacies and also 19 randomly selected RHCs in governmental pharmacies sector considered as an intervention and control groups, respectively. Outpatients' satisfaction data were collected through interview by using a 6-items questionnaire. To data analyzing Excel 2003 and SPSS ver. 16 software were employed. The overall mean satisfaction from pharmaceutical services of outsourced and non-outsourced [i.e. governmental] pharmacies were 5.28 and 5.75 points [out of maximum 6 points] respectively [p<0.001]. Inadequate time taken to outpatient consults by pharmacies' staff was the most common factor which associated with dissatisfaction. The approach of outsourcing RHCs' pharmacies, despite its promise to positive effect on quality of care, might be failed the users' satisfaction. Thus, essential arrangements like comprehensive and detailed contracts should be provided. Meanwhile, effective mechanisms such as monitoring and evaluation should be considered

Effect of saffron on semen parameters of infertile men

We conducted this study to determine the effects of saffron [Crocus sativus] on the results of semen analysis in men with idiopathic infertility. In this clinical trial, 52 nonsmoker infertile men whose problem could not be solved surgically were enrolled. They were treated by saffron for 3 months. Saffron, 50 mg, was solved in drinking milk and administered 3 times a week during the study course. Semen analysis was done before and after the treatment and the results were compared. The mean percentage of sperm with normal morphology was 26.50 +/- 6.44% before the treatment which increased to 33.90 +/- 10.45%, thereafter [P < .001]. The mean percentage of sperm with Class A motility was 5.32 +/- 4.57% before and 11.77 +/- 6.07% after the treatment [P < .001]. Class B and C motilities were initially 10.09 +/- 4.20% and 19.79 +/- 9.11% which increased to 17.92 +/- 6.50% [P < .001] and 25.35 +/- 10.22% [P < .001], respectively. No significant increase was detected in sperm count; the mean sperm count was 43.45 +/- 31.29 x 10[6]/mL at baseline and 44.92 +/- 28.36x 10[6]/mL after the treatment period [P = .30]. Saffron, as an antioxidant, is positively effective on sperm morphology and motility in infertile men, while it does not increase sperm count. We believe further studies on larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate the potential role and mechanism of action of saffron and its ingredient in the treatment of male infertility