RESUMEN
Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is one of the autoimmune diseases with an unknown cause. The aim of this study was to explore the link between air quality and MS relapses in patients who suffer from MS. This time-series study was conducted on patients registered at the Iranian Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2011-2012. They were randomly selected from patients lived in Tehran in the last five years, and had at least one relapse in the last three years. The link between monthly mean air pollutant levels and the relapses of MS in the participants was studied. Among the registered 160 participants, at least 150 had one attack during 2009 and 2012. Most air pollutants such as NO[2], NO and CO are in high levels in the rainy season. Others like Pm10 and Nox are in high levels in the dry season. The correlation between NO[2] levels of all markers of air quality and MS relapses [P=0.03, r=0.27] is weak. Best ARIMA model [p,d,q; 1,0,1] was determined between number of monthly relapses and living place, although this model was not significant [P=0.3] [AR; P=0.000, MA;P=0.4]. Air pollutants might be regarded as a risk factor for MS relapse
RESUMEN
Chronic pain is a frequent disability that negatively affects patient's quality of life. Understanding of the possible relation between sociodemographic and medical variables with Health Related Quality of Life [HRQL] may help identifying the multidimensionality of pain and risk factors that limit physical and psychological adjustment of the patients. The present study was done to find these possible relationships, based on using Medical Outcomes Survey-Short Form [SF-36]. Among the patients who were referred to pain clinic of Iranian Pain Society, 101 consecutive outpatients were select based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the participants in this study orally satisfied and were fully informed by a check list and SF-36 questionnaire. The possible impact of demographic variables, characteristics, diagnosis, analgesic use, smoking and opium addiction were collected as the first part of a routine pretreatment evaluation. Our findings showed significant relation between HRQL and gender [P<0.05], the rate of chronic pain in female was higher than male, and same results found for elderly patients compared to younger ones. Our findings also showed significant relation between employment and intensity of pain [p=0.001] as, employed patients showed less physical and psychotic problems than unemployed ones. The mean average of intensity of pain in these patients was 7.5 +/- 2.2; few patients used alcohol [4%], opium [1%] and cigarette [10%]. Large number of participants used analgesic [%78.2]. No significant difference between sociodemographic features with pain duration and quality of life was found. In contrast our data showed significant difference between pain intensity and quality of life [p<0.001]. Based on our findings it could be concluded that chronic pain in Iranian patients certainly leads to poor HRQL, the state is more serious in the elderly and female patients. Thus, in order to re-socialize the patients suffering chronic pain and decrease the impact of their pain on their life, these findings should be considered in any kind of pain relief therapy