[Evaluating the quality of life of osteoporotic postmenopausal women]

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease caused by loss of Bone Mass Density [BMD] and consequent fractures of disease increase the pain and decrease the individual's quality of life. The present study was conducted to compare the quality of life in osteoporotic postmenopausal women with their normal counterparts. A cross sectional study was conducted on 275 postmenopausal females referred to the Namazi hospital in Shiraz. BMD was measured based on WHO standards and subjects with BMD < - 2.5 Standard Deviation [SD] of the average value, were defined as having osteoporosis [cases], while those with BMD >1 SD, were considered normal [controls]. The Qualeffo-41 questionnaire was used to estimate the quality of life and was reported on a scale of 100. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using the t-test and descriptive statistics. The mean of the quality of life score was 25.5 +/- 11.7 and based on the WHO definition, 70.2% of participants were affected by osteoporosis. Estimates for good quality of life in osteoporosis subjects and normal postmenopausal females were 22.3% and 30.5%, respectively. Comparing the different aspects of quality of life in the cases and normal postmenopausal females, showed a statistical difference between the two groups in the "social activities" aspect. Regarding the gradual and asymptomatic trend of osteoporosis, it is essential to pay more attention to the preventive aspect of the disease to curtail effects of its outcomes on the quality of life.

Maternal and prenatal risk factors for childhood leukemia in southern of Iran

The causes of childhood leukemia as the most common malignancy in children are vastly unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal birth characteristics with environmental exposures in childhood leukemia. This is a case-control study which consists of children younger than 18 year old suffering from leukemia who reside at Fars Province of Iran. Patients were individually matched with variables such as age, sex and residence region. In order to evaluate the relationships between each variable and the risk of leukemia, odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Statistically, the association between risk of childhood leukemia with birth order [OR=6.177, 95% CI: 2.551-14.957], pet ownership [OR=2.565, 95% CI: 1.352-4.868] and history of leukemia in first and second degree relatives [OR=2.667, 95%CI: 1.043-6.815] was significant. However, there was no significant association between daycare attendance, history of miscarriage, number of siblings and history of mother's diagnostic radiology tests with risk of childhood leukemia. Although no definite etiologic factor for acute childhood leukemia has been clearly defined, the contribution of environmental risk factors in the context of genetic predisposition are strongly elucidated

[ burden of traffic accidents in south Khorasan province, Iran in 2005]

Burden of disease studies have been implemented in many countries using the disability adjusted life year [DALY] to assess major health problems. This study was designed to assess the burden of transport accident in South Khorasan [SK] province of Iran for 2005. Years of life lost [YLLs], Years lived with Disability [YLDs] and DALYs were calculated by using methodology developed for the global burden of disease study [GBD] in 2003. The total population of SK was included in this study. In the 2005 year, the DALYs from transport accident in the south Khorasan province were 7456. DALYs for males and females were 5775[77%], 1 691 [23%] years respectively. The total rate of DALYs was 13.28 [per 1000] and with higher rates in age groups 30-44 years [20/86 per 1000], 15-29 years [16/96 per 1000] and 45-59 years [13/28 per 1000]. The age group 15- 44 years was more at risk of transport accidents and injuries than others. The findings suggest that adequate interventional programs for transport accidents prevention and control should be taken to minimize at different levels

[Hemangiopericytoma: a case report]

Hemangiopericytoma is a relatively rare tumor first described in 1942, with approximately 300 cases has been described in the literature till now. In most cases it affects the trunk and lower extremities. The head and neck incidence is less than 20%, mostly in adults. We describe a rare case of malignant hemangiopericytoma in a woman located in her post neck. A60 years old female patient noted presence of a firm painless mass of 7cm diameter located in her post neck with Growing since 10 years ago and rapid enlargement during last 6 Mounts. The patient had neither history of any skeletal, sensory or motor complaints nor respiratory symptom. MRI Sequences represent non-homogenous medium signal density in T1 and homogenous high signal density in T2 Sequences After complete removal pathologic study revealed hemangiopericytoma. The patient is fine during regular follow up without any functional disability

[Evaluation of correlation between serum zinc level and audiometric performance in tinnitus patient]

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements known to play an important role in human living cells. The inner ear has the highest zinc content in the body. Zinc deficiency may therefore result in some functional inner ear disorders such as tinnitus. 80 patients [20-55 year] suffered from tinnitus but were free of other disease and not on any medications were participated in this study.Al1 patients were examined at the motolaryngology outpatient clinic of the Ghaem Hospital. The control group consisted of 80 age and sex matched healthy vo1unteers.A blood sample was taken to insure serum zinc level. An average hearing sensitivity was calculated as the mean value of hearing thresholds at four frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz. There was no significant difference in serum "Zinc" level between patients with tinnitus and controls. Also there was no significant difference in serum Zinc level between patient with hearing loss and controls or between patients with normal hearing lever and controls. These finding suggest that zinc is not involved in the generation of tinnitus

Myxoid chondrosarcoma of the mastoid bone, A case report with literature review

Myxoid tumors are neoplasms with extensive myxoid stroma that make them difficult to complete removal as an essential common feature. Chondrosarcomas are primary tumors of the bone but myxoid type is more prevalent in soft tissue and is considered as an unusual and extremely rare type of chondrosarcoma in bone especially in skull bones. We present such a rare myxoid type of chondrosarcoma in the temporal bone of a 26 years-old man. The clinical and histopathological features of the tumor and the surgical treatment technique and outcome are discussed with reviewing the related literatures