comparison of hypertonic dextrose and corticosteroid on the treatment of first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the first Carpometacarpal joint is a common debilitating problem. Because of the important role of thumb in upper limb function, Pain of the disease, joint's instability and deformity, causes functional disorder of the hand. The usual treatments have various and short term consequences. In this study, the injection of Hypertonic dextrose and corticosteroid in the named joint has been compared. This study was a prospective randomized double blind Clinical trial. In the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of 501 Army hospital, Among the new patients having the inclusion criteria in the year 1388-89, 30 hands were randomized to each treatment group. A Questionnaire on the Patients' demographic identity was filled out, then the variables on this study and the two comparisons were registered right at the beginning of the study and after one, two and six months consecutively. In both groups 6 months after the initiation of intervention, symptom severity through the factors of pain on joint pressure and pain on movement, Gripping, Eating and Dressing function and the maximum lateral pinch strength were greatly improved, but most of the factors [including pain on pressure and joint movement, Dressing and Gripping function] in Dextrose group versus Corticosteroid were improved more significantly. [p<0.05] According to the findings of this study, Dextrose injection versus Corticosteroid could have a better long term effects and might have lesser side effects

[Determining the adequacy of hemodialysis in hemodialysis units of Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad hospitals in 2009]

Cardiovascular disease and hemodialysis incompetence are the main factors determining the disability and mortality in dialysis patients. Increasing in adequacy of hemodialysis is quite effective in patients' prognosis. There are several methods for evaluating the adequacy and need of hemodialysis. One of these methods is the assessment of KT/V in patients. This study aimed to determine the adequacy of hemodialysis patients in hemodialysis units in Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad hospitals. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study which was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009. The study population included all patients under hemodialysis. In this study, 41 patients were eligible for study in hemodialysis units. From all patients, before and after hemodialysis, blood samples were taken and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured. KT/V and URR were used for the evaluation of dialysis adequacy. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics [mean, standard deviation] and inferential [one way ANOVA test and t-test] using the SPSS software. Results of this study showed that the mean BUN of patients before dialysis was 69.9 +/- 23/6 and after that was 32/63 +/- 11/96. Minimum KT/V, 0.45 and a maximum of 1.77 with average was 0.94 +/- 0.4. Considering the standard KT/V, 17 patients [41.5 percent] with optimal dialysis adequacy, 3 patients [7.3 percent] near-optimal rate and 21 people [51.2 percent] were less than optimal. The minimum URR was 28% and the maximum was 75% with an average of 50% +/- 0.69 respectively. Considering the URR criteria, 11 patients [26.8 percent] with optimal dialysis adequacy, 10 patients [24.4 percent] near to the optimum level and 20 patients [48.8 percent] were less than optimal. In view of the standard KT/V and URR, much of the patients had inadequate hemodialysis at these hemodialysis centers. Because of the direct connection between the clinical status and adequacy of hemodialysis and mortality, evaluation of the related causes is necessary

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extract of mentha piperita [complement treatment] on severity of depressed patients]

Depression is a prevalent psychiatrical disease and among the most disabling psychiatrical health problems in various societies. It has been estimated that, till the year 2020, depression will be the second prevalent disease after cardio-vascular disease and will include 15% of the human diseases. This study was carried out to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita [complement treatment] on patient's depression severity. This is a triple blind random clinical trial research carried out on depressed patients referred to the Shahid Mofateh Clinic of Yasouj city during 2007-2008. The patient's depression severity was evaluated by Beck questionnaire and they were divided into 5 groups as random allocation and each group consisted of 24 persons. Then, Hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita was given to four groups at the rate of 10.0mg, 50.0mg, 100.0mg and 200.0mg respectively per day and the fifth group received placebo. The treatment was continued for a period of two months. After this period, again the depression rates of patients were evaluated with the help of same questionnaire and were compared with the rates before the intervention. Collected data were analyzed with the help of descriptive tests, x[2] statistical test, one way variance analyzed and variance with repeated measurements. The results of the study indicated that the highest anti depression effect was seen in those patients who received 100.0mg and 200.0mg of the extract and the lowest rate allocated to the groups of 50.0mg, placebo group and 10.0mg respectively. Statistical analysis using repeated measurements confirmed the difference at the level of 0.1 between the mean of depression rate of the five research groups before and after intervention [p=0.078]. Based on the results of the current study, spearmint juice at the rate of 100.0mg and 200.0mg can be used as supplement in treatment of depressed patients. However, more studies are needed to find out the proper dose of the extract