RESUMO
Cancer is a major public health problem in many countries of the world and the third leading cause of death in developing countries. The most frequently diagnosed cancers in females and males are breast and lung cancers respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of age distribution and the frequency of different cancers in East Azerbaijan province during the year 2009. This descriptive analytic study was performed by community based method on 5455 new cancer cases obtained from cancer registries in East Azerbaijan province in 2009. Characteristics of all registered cancers [including age, sex, and etc] were collected in a form. Then data were summarized and coded using the International Classification of Disease [ICD]. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The 95% confidence interval of the study Variables were calculated using Excel software. Among 5455 cases, 3189 ones [58.5%] were males and 2256 ones [41.4%] were females. Mean age of cancer incidence was 57.3 +/- 18.5 years. About 47.8% of malignancies occurred in ages over 60 years and 52.2% below 60 years. Among men, 57.8% of all cancers occurred in the age group of 60-70 years but in women 53.5% of them occurred in the age group of 50-60 years. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher [P<0.001] among males [60 years, 95%CI: 59.7-60.9] than females [53 years, 95% CI: 52.2-53.8]. The 10 most common cancers among males and females were stomach [15.5%] and breast [20.9%] cancers respectively. More than half of all registered cancers in the province were in the age group of above 60 years. Stomach and breast cancers are the most common malignancies of this region and occur most frequently during the 7th and 5th decades of life respectively. Comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing relevant factors are among the priorities of health system research in this province
RESUMO
Congenital hypothyroidism [CH] is one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation throughout the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CH among newborns of East Azerbaijan province in 2009-2010. This descriptive analytic study was performed by using census cross- sectional method on 62459 neonates in East Azerbaijan province from 21[st] March 2009 to 20[th] March 2010. Blood samples were taken within the 3[rd] -5[th] days of life by lancet sticking of neonatal heel and transferred to filter papers for measuring TSH level. In the case of TSH >/= 5mu/l, additional confirmation tests were done and confirmed cases based on serum confirmation test [TSH>10 mu/l or T4<6.5mg/dl] underwent treatment according to the national guidelines. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The recall rate was 2.5%. Total number of patients was 94, including 55 males [58.5%] and 39 females [41.5%]. Prevalence in males, females and overall was respectively 1:588, 1:769 and 1:666, with no significant difference. Seasonal prevalence was respectively 1:833, 1:943, 1:492 and 1:588 that shows no significant difference among four seasons. The highest prevalence was in Tabriz [27.7%] and the lowest in Azarshahr [0%] and Kaleibar [0%]. Mean maternal age of affected neonates was 26.22 +/- 6.2 years. Mean neonate's weight was 3500 +/- 652 grams. In 76% of neonates time of sampling was in the 3[rd] -5[th] days of life and in 89% of them test result was announced before 13[th] day. Mean treatment onset based on neonate's age was 2.7 +/- 1 day. In 97.5% of screened neonates TSH level was less than 5 mu/l. The prevalence of CH in East Azerbaijan province is significantly higher than national and worldwide levels that requires continuation and reinforcement of neonatal screening programs. On the other hand, comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing relevant factors are among priorities of health system research in this province