[Association between vitamin D receptor Apa1 and Taq1 genes polymorphism and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women]

Background: Osteoporosis is the commonest systemic disease leading to increased bone fragility and fracture. Vitamin D receptor Polymorphism is thought to have the most genetic influence on BMD

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin D receptor Apa1 and Taq1 genes polymorphism and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Methods: This was a case/control study in which 80 patients with osteoporosis [case group], referred to rheumatology ward at Boalisina Hospital during 2010 were investigated. The control group included an equal number of patients who visited other wards of the hospital for a variety of reasons. We obtained the bone mass densitometry [grams per centimeter square] results of case and control groups at the lumbar spine, wrist and hip by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The distribution of Apa1 and Taq1 polymorphism in the VDR gene was determined by PCR-RFLP. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and ANOVA tests

Findings: There was no relationship between the Apa1, Taq1 VDR polymorphism and BMD results. We found that patients with Taq1 genotype [tt] had lower bone mass in the femur and wrist compared with Tt

Conclusion: Based on our findings, a relationship between the VDR polymorphism and osteoporosis remains unclear requiring further in-depth studies. Our results showed that other secondary factors may influence the bone mass density

[Comparison of anxiety sensitivity and neuroticism in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy individuals]

Background: irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is a common disease; it seems that psychological factors play a role in development and maintenance of IBS. The main purpose of the current study is to compare patients with IBS and healthy individuals regarding anxiety, sensitivity, and neuroticism

Materials and Methods: participants included 76 IBS patients [41 female and 35 male] who referred to the Qazvin Bou Ali Sina especial Center and 76 individuals not diagnosed with IBS. All participants filled out the Anxiety Sensitively Scale and Neuroticism subscale of the Eysenk Personality Questionnaire-Revised [short scale]

Results: results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of psychological factors. Sampling method and the complex nature of IBS among other factors has been discussed to account for such results

Conclusion: it can be concluded that anxiety, sensitivity, and neuroticism cannot predict the development of IBS

Transfusion audit of blood products using the World Health Organization Basic Information Sheet in Qazvin, Islamic Republic of Iran

We assessed the practicality of using the transfusion basic Information Sheet [BIS] for data collection, to determine the overall adequacy of physician documentation of Blood product transfusion, and to make an audit of the appropriateness of blood product transfusion. The transfusion process and clinical indications for transfusions administered to adult hospitalized patients in 3 tertiary care teaching hospitals in Qazvin were prospectively reviewed. Adequate documentation was achieved in transfusion episodes, range 41%-73%, depending on the medical specialty; 15.7% of red blood cells and whole blood requests, 40.8% of platelet requests and 34.1% of fresh frozen plasma requests were inappropriate. BIS-based information along with data collection can be used to provide feedback regarding the effectiveness of and compliance with local and national transfusion guidelines

[Survey of precipitating factors of suicide attempts in persons who referred to emergency department]

Abstract Introduction: Survey of suicide attempts and its precipitating factors is important because 30% to 60% of suicides were preceded by an attempt, and 10% to 40% of suicide attempters eventually kill themselves

Objective: to assess the precipitating factors of suicide attempts and to evaluate relation between general psychiatric symptoms and repetition of suicidal attempts

Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectioned study which included 575 suicide attempts patients who referred to Boali sina hospital in Qzvin between 2004 and 2005 years. All patients completed a self- report questionnaire and questionnaire about socio-demographic and family variables and other general and specific characteristics

Results: The mean age of patients who attempted suicide ware 23.2 +/- 8.2 years [the ratio of female to male was 1:2.4 and range of 13 to 74 years old]. The most suicide attempt was between 15 to 24 years-old in both sexes. The most common method of suicide attempts was drug-poisoning for both sexes in all areas, Self-poisoning with agricultural pesticides in rural areas. The most common precipitating problems that were reported by the patients were conflict between married couples and parents, break up of a love relationship and mental illnesses. Mean total and subscales scores on GHQ was significantly higher in patients with history of previous attempt

Conclusion: According to Economic - cultural and social difference there are pivotal differences in suicidal behaviors and suicide precipitating factors in different countries. And prevention of suicidal behaviors and control of its precipitating factors need a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach rather than an intervention inside the health sector

[Effect of different dosage of intramuscular vitamin D3 on serum 25[OH]D]

Pareneteral vitamin D3 administration, a common practice in Iran, is usually used based mainly on clinical symptoms or serum mineral disturbances. Since studies about the effects and side effects of parenteral vit D3 preparations are limited, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different intramuscular vitamin D3 dosage on serum 25[OH]D levels. In this study, 54 health volunteers were selected, and randomly assigned to 4 groups, based on their serum vitamin D3. Mean body mass index, age and sex frequency were not significantly different between groups. Mean serum 25[OH]D levels before injections were 27.24 +/- 21.30, 25.21 +/- 17.09, 24.70 +/- 16.8 and 25.10 +/- 14.48 ng/mL in groups I to IV respectively. Vitamin D3 was injected in dosages of 300/000, 600/000, 900/000 units and placebo in groups I-IV respectively. 25[OH]D levels were determined before, and at 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months after injection. Serum 25[OH]D levels before injection were significantly higher compared to levels assessed 2 and 4 months after injection. At the end of study, in groups I to III, mean serum 25[OH]D levels in group I to IV were 48.20 +/- 28.32 ng/mL, 65.46 +/- 33.52 ng/mL, 72.90 +/- 37.68 ng/mL, and 14.38 +/- 11.14 ng/mL respectively. Frequency of vitamin D hypervitaminosis in groups I, II and III was 9%, 38% and 40% respectively. Usage of parenteral vit D3, especially dosages higher than 300/000 III, is associated with a high risk of vitamin D hypervitaminosis

[Hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. Genetic susceptibility to autoantibody formation in association with autoimmune thyroid disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus has been described with varying frequencies. To investigate the prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and also the overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in type 1 diabetic patients. In this case-control study, 65 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 65 unrelated normal controls were recruited for detection of anti-TPO and thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]. Radioimmunoassay [RIA] was used for anti-TPO and TSH detection. Out of 65 type 1 diabetic patients, 18 [27.7%] were positive for anti-TPO and 18 [27.7%] with abnormal serum TSH level. Among the patient group, 11 [16%] were found to have overt hypothyroidism and 7 [10.8%] with subclinical hypothyroidism. The mean anti-TPO levels were higher in patients with overt hypothyroidism [238.18 +/- 223.69 U/ml] than in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism [36.38 +/- 22.46 U/ml]. Of a total of 11 patients with overt hypothyroidism, 9 [81.1%] showed abnormal anti-TPO levels, whereas positive anti-TPO was detected in 57% [4 out of 7] of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. The presence of anti-TPO in 27.7% of type 1 diabetic patients confirmed a strong association between autoimmune thyroid disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus, Thus, for early detection of autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the measurement of anti-TPO and TSH, preferably at the onset of disease, is recommended

[Comparison of prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in urban and rural areas of Qazvin [2002]]

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common worldwide human infection and may be complicated by peptic ulcer and gastric cancer or MALT lymphoma

Objective: To evaluate prevalence of helicobater pylori in urban and rural areas of Qazvin

Methods: Through a cross-sectional, random sampling study, 120 subjects of general population of each area were selected and the data were collected by the use of a questionnaire. Blood [3ml] was obtained from each individual and tested by ELISA for Hp IgG Antibody [sensitivity 96% and specificity 94%]

Findings: Seroprevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in Rural areas 83.3% was higher than urban areas 75.8% but there were no significant statistical difference. Other factors [number of family members, gender, educational level, contact with domestic animals and cigar] except than increasing age were not associated with increased helicobacter pylori infection

Conclusion: Age was the only effective factor predicting the helicobacter pylori infection rate

relationship between cardiothoracic ratio of left ventricular ejection fraction in congestive heart failure patients

Regarding the lower cost and availability of chest X-ray in comparison with echocardiography, cardiothoracic ratio [CTR] is used to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]. To study CTR efficiency to estimate LVEF in Congestive Heart Failure [CHF] patients. In a one- year analytical study 96 CHF patients were examined consecutively at Qazvin Bou-Ali's hospital [1999-2000]. CTR was measured by Danzer method and LVEF by Echo. Ischemic, hypertensive and dilated cases were accepted, whereas valvular diseases corpolmonale, acute MI and persistent Arrythemia, were excluded. Correlation between CTR and LVEF was [r=-0.32] in all patients, and in subgroups was [-0.12] for ischemic, [-0.44] for Hypertensive, and [-0.49] for Dilated Sensitivity and specify of CTR in [0.5, 0.55 and 0.6] was calculated for Diagnosis of EF<40%. Direct measurement of EF by echocardiography is recommended for diagnosis, therapy and prognosis in CHF patients