Efficacy of local corticosteroid injection in trigger finger treatment

Flexor tendon entrapment of the digits [FTED] is a disorder characterized by snapping or locking of the thumb or fingers [with or without pain] and called trigger finger. Corticosteroid injections are one of the most commonly used treatments for chronic tendon disorders. Despite their popularity, the systematic evidence for their benefits are largely lacking. This study tries to determine the efficacy of local corticosteroid injection in treatment of trigger finger. This is a clinical trial research. Variables including local tenderness, trigerring stage, pain during isometric flexion and passive stretching of the tendon [based on VAS] were evaluated before local injection of corticosteroid and then 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the injection. Data was collected by special forms and analyzed using Chi square and ANOVA Tests. The difference between persence of AI pulley tenderness hi 4 examinations was significant [p<0.0001]. The difference between pain induced by isometric flexion and pain induced by stretching the tendon passively in extension was also significant [both p<0.0001]. The difference between frequency distribution of triggering was significant [p<0.0001]. Patients satisfaction was 90%. The rate of success in local corticosteroid injection was 90% [only with one injection]. The high rate of success and low side effects, make this method a suitable treatment for trigger finger

[ prevalence rate of substance abuse and addiction and some relevant factors among junior and senior high school students in Kerman city [2000-2001]]

The Aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of addiction and its relationship with some demographic features, knowledge, behavior and attitude among junior and senior high school students in the city of Kerman. This cross-sectional study was done by using a self-made questionnaire including issues related to taking illicit drugs and demographic features. The questionnaires were distributed among 3500 students of whom 3318 [94.8%] returned the questionnaires. Data analysis was done by SPSS-10 software and using t-test, chi[2] and Odds Ratio for Trend methods. Among studied students, 58.2% were male and 41.38% were female. In males, 26.6% and in females, 11.5% had taken illicit drugs at least once. In boys the prevalence of drug abuse was as follows: alcohol 16.2%, opium 11.7%, tranquilizers 9.7%, cannabis 8.3%, anabolic androgens 8.2%, Shire [extract of opium] 7.7%, LSD 5.8%, heroin 5.5%. The prevalence in girls was as follows: opium 5.1%, alcohol 4.5%, tranquilizer 4.42%, cannabis 2.8%, anabolic androgens 2.8%, Shire 2.6%, LSD 2%, heroin 2%. As it is seen in male students the prevalence of all drugs is significantly higher comparing to female students [P<0.0001]. In other words, male students use drugs more frequently than female students [P<0.0001]. However in regard to this fact there was no significant difference based on the year of study. The desire for giving up was significantly more in boys [40%] compared to girls [27.2%]. The most preferred option for giving up was self medication. For overcoming addiction problem students had sought advice from their intimate friends, father, and mother respectively. Students believed that they had gained most of the useful information regarding addiction from school headmasters and educating [Parvareshi] teachers, while the least affecting source of information were health teachers. According to the findings, addiction in teenagers should be considered as a serious issue. As well as opioid drugs and alcohol, attention to other drugs is also required. Organized education with feedback would be helpful, and more attention should be given to the roles of educating teachers. With regard to abstinence desire, there should be more facilities to encourage drug abusers to seek help from the consultation, rehabilitation and detoxification centers