[Comparison of the quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and control group]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is the fourth cause of mortality and a leading cause of chronic disability worldwide. Given the nature of the disease and lack of any effective treatment, it can profoundly affect the quality of life [QOL] or patients. Studies about the effect of COPD on QOL have yielded contradictory results: however, most studies suggest that COPD negatively affects QOL. QOL is a concept which is influenced by bio-psycho-social factors. In this study, we assessed the effect of COPD on QOL of a group of Iranian patients. In this case we assessed QOL in two groups, each consisting of 80 COPD patients as cases and 80 healthy persons control group matched for age, sex, marital status and education and comparatively similar socioeconomic and cultural status. The brief WHO-QOL questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed with SPSS10 using control study, we as t-test. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviations and significance level was set at 0.05. Analysis of data showed, that mean QOL score and mean scores of the five aspects of QOL, i.e. disease, independent life, social relations, physical sensations and mental welfare in the COPD group was significantly lower than in the control group [P<0.05]. Our findings are indicative of the negative effect of COPD on QOL in particular. The significantly low levels of QOL in COPD patients demonstrates that COPD affects not only the patients' physical health but also other aspects of their lives, leading to decreased QOL. Thus, in spite of ongoing disease, interventions in these aspects of the patients' lives can improve QOL as a comprehensive and holistic therapeutic goal

Comparison of birth growth indices between newborns of depressed and non-depressed women

High prevalence of depressive disorder and its disabling effects probably result in adverse effect on normal growth of fetus and on birth growth indices of newborns. Most importantly, their postnatal quality of life may be affected by these indices. This study was performed to compare birth growth indices between newborns of depressed and non-depressed women. This descriptive-analytical, prospective and cohort study was carried out on 320 pregnant women from Najafabad city during the third trimester using simple randomization. By using standard Beck depressive scale test, the women were assessed for depression. Subsequently, the information about the birth growth indices of their newborns were obtained from their family files after delivery. By using, t and x[2] tests, the data was analyzed. The prevalence of depression in pregnant women was 29.3% and it had a significant relationship with unwanted pregnancy [p<0.01] but it wasn't related to age, previous abortion, physical illness and demographic characteristics. The means of weight, height and head circumference at birth in newborns from depressed women were significantly lower than those of non-depressed women [p<0.001]. The means of growth indices in newborns from depressed women were significantly lower than those of non-depressed women. Thus, the depressed mothers should be considered more than the others by health and medical system