Smoking among male medical sciences students in Semnan, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the prevalence of smoking among 320 male medical sciences students [174 studying for a medical degree, 95 a bachelor degree and 51 a associate degree] in Semnan, Islamic Republic of Iran. A self-administrated, anonymous questionnaire was used. The prevalence of smoking was 14.4%; 45.6% of the smokers started smoking between the ages of 18 and 20 years, 43.5% starting at university. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between students undertaking different college degrees and also those having different types of accommodation. However the smoking behaviour of friends and family was significantly correlated with smoking in the students. Smoking amongst medical sciences students, who will become the health professionals of the future, needs to be addressed

effect of hoemodialysis on pulmonary function tests and respiratory symptoms in patients with chronic renal failure

In the present study the effect of hemodialysis on pulmonary function tests [PFT] and respiratory symptoms of CRF [Chronic Renal Failure] patients was studied. Respiratory symptoms of 18 CRF patients were recorded using a questionnaire, before, in the middle and the end of dialysis. PFT values of patients were also measured in three phases. In addition, baseline PFT values and respiratory symptoms of CRF patients [PFT values and respiratory symptoms before dialysis] were compared with the data of a matched control group of normal subjects [n=18]. Most respiratory symptoms in CRF patients [cough, sputum and breathless] were significantly more prevalent, than control group [p<0.005 to p<0.001]. The values of forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV[1]], peak expiratory flow [PEF], maximal mid expiratory flow [MMEF] and maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the FVC [MEF[75], MEF[50], and MEF[25] respectively] in CRF patients were also significantly lower than control group [p<0.001 for all cases]. Most respiratory symptoms of CRF patients at the middle and the end of dialysis were significantly lower than the beginning of dialysis. [p<0.05 to P<0.001]. In addition, some respiratory symptoms were also significantly improved at the end compared to the middle of dialysis [p<0.05 for all cases]. However, the dialysis did no effect PFT values in CRF patients. The results of this study showed that dialysis in CRF patients can improve the respiratory symptoms but has no effect on PFT values