RESUMEN
Aim: The present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of Persian version of patient assessment of constipation: quality of life [PAC-QOL] questionnaire in Iranian patients
Background: Chronic constipation has significant effects on daily living, wellbeing and individuals' quality of life [QOL]. Validated tools can help us to assessing QOL in affected ones and facilitating clinical management of them
Methods: The English version of Patient Assessment of Constipation: Quality of Life [PAC-QOL] was translated into the Persian language and was confirmed by back-translation. One hundred and forty patients with functional constipation, according Rome III criteria, completed the questionnaires .The questionnaires were analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency score to determine the reliability. Twenty medical experts were then asked to evaluate the PAC-QOL and the results were used to calculate the Content Validity Ratio [CVR] and Content Validity Index [CVI]
Results: Due to obtained value for Cronbach's alpha [0.975] and also for the subscale of physical discomfort [0.930], psychosocial discomfort [0.975] and worries and concerns [0.915], the internal consistency is established. According to medical experts' opinions, the value of CVR ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 and the value of CVI was 0.81
Conclusion: The Persian version of PAC-QOL questionnaire is shown to have acceptable reliability and validity to be used for psychometric evaluation in Iranian patients complaining of functional constipation
RESUMEN
Gastric cancer is the second common cancer in Iran and it has unfortunately no diagnostic signs in early stages. Considering the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of gastric cancer, this study aimed at evaluating DNA-content of stomach cells in patients with gastric cancer in order to find a reliable index for prediction of disease prognosis and providing more exact therapeutic procedure. A total of 22 samples taken from patients with gastric cancer were evaluated. Peritoneal lavage cells were centrifuged and stained with DNA-staining kit. Then DNA-content was analyzed and compared with that in normal cells by employing flow cytometry and using modfit software. In whole, 12 out of 22 samples were positive and DNA aneuploidy was present in 33.3%. SPF increase was observed in 22.2% of positive cases. SPF can be used as a reliable indicator in pathological staging of cancer and consequently in decision making for treatment