Spatial accessibility of the population to urban health centres in Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran: a geographic information systems analysis

Geographic information systems [GIS] analysis has not been widely used in underdeveloped countries to ensure that vulnerable populations have accessibility to primary health-care services. This study applied GIS methods to analyse the spatial accessibility to urban primary-care centres of the population in Kermanshah city, Islamic Republic of Iran, by age and sex groups. In a descriptive-analytical study over 3 time periods, network analysis, mean centre and standard distance methods were applied using ArcGIS 9.3. The analysis was based on a standard radius of 750 m distance from health centres, walking speed of 1 m/s and desired access time to health centres of 12.5 mins. The proportion of the population with inadequate geographical access to health centres rose from 47.3% in 1997 to 58.4% in 2012. The mean centre and standard distance mapping showed that the spatial distribution of health centres in Kermanshah needed to be adjusted to changes in population distribution

relationship between alexithymia, irrational beliefs, positive and negative emotions with mental disorders

University students, as the future manpower resources, are of high importance for communities. One of the aspects to focus on is their mental health. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between alexithymia, irrational beliefs, positive and negative emotions with mental disorders in students. There were 400 students, selected randomly through stratified sampling from different disciplines at Razi University [Kermanshah, Iran]. The design of the study was descriptive-correlational. The questionnaires used for collecting data were: Mental Disorders Symptoms [SCL_90], Alexithymia [FTAS-20], Jones Irrational Beliefs tests, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANAS-X]. Collected data were analyzed using statistical indices including correlation, regression and fundamental correlation. Data analysis indicated that there was a significant relationship between alexithymia, irrational beliefs and negative emotions with mental disorders. There was a negative significant relationship between positive emotions and mental disorders. Alexithymia, irrational beliefs and negative emotions were capable of predicting mental disorders while positive emotions did not have this capacity. Although about 73% of mental disorders were predicted by irrational beliefs, alexithymia, negative and positive emotions, but negative emotions and alexithymia contributed more than other variables. Alexithymia and irrational beliefs play major roles in mental disorders. These variables explain a high variability rate of mental disorders. They are the predisposing factors for mental disorders. They need more attention in clinical studies

[Prevalence and pattern of infections among diabetes mellitus in-patients of Avesina Teaching Hospital of Qazvin [2009-2010]]

Infections are believed to occur with increased frequency in patients with diabetes mellitus. The goal of this study was to determine the common infections in diabetic patients referred to Avesina Hospital in Qazvin. This was a cross-sectional study performed on 656 diabetic patients who were referred to Avesina Hospital in Qazvin [Iran] during September 2009 to April 2010. A questionnaire containing demographic information, type of diabetes, duration of disease, and type of infection was completed for each patient. Data were later analyzed using SPSS software and chi- Square of 656 patients, 126 cases [19.2%] suffered infection and the commonest infections involved were diabetic foot [52%] and urinary tract infection [26%]. Considering the data found in our study, attempts to immediately diagnose the type of infection in diabetic patients to reduce the rate of mortality are necessary

[Prevalence of myopia in patients with a history of night-time ambient light exposure during sleep throughout the first three years of their lives]

This was a cross-sectional case-control study in which the effect of night-time ambient light on prevalence of myopia in patients with a history of exposure to night-time light during sleep throughout the first three years of their lives was investigated in 2008. Two hundred children aged 3-15 years who were brought to our eye clinic at boo-Ali hospital for ophthalmic examination investigated as case group. Also, 200 sex and age matched children were randomly selected as control group. Following completion of questionnaire routine ophthalmic examinations including visual acuity test, refraction, ophthalmoscopy, IOP, slit lamp test, and keratometry were performed by an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. Data were analyzed using SPSS and t-test. There were 126 [63%] females and 74 [37%] males in each group. The results of this study showed that of 200 children with the history night-time ambient light exposure during sleep throughout the first three years of their lives, 196 [98%] were with myopia [-0.25 to-4D], three with hyperopia and one with normal sight. Among control group, 154 [77%] were myopic [-0.25 to-1.25D] and 46 [23%] hyperopic. Our data indicated that exposure to night-time light during sleep within the first three years of life increase the risk of early myopia by 1.6 times higher than those in control group with no exposure to night-time light during sleep within the first three years of life [p<0.05]

Relationship between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in adults living in central Iran: results of Isfahan healthy heart program

As previous studies on the association between obesity and cardiovascular [CVD] risk factors have been made in limited populations, this study was performed to determine the association in 3 cities in the central parts of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, data collected in the1st phase of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP], involving 12514 subjects "19 years old, conducted during 2000-2001, in Isfahan and the Central Provinces of Iran, were analyzed. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], 2-hour post-load plasma glucose [2hpp], serum lipid profile, anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were determined by standard methods. FBS, 2hpp, serum lipids fractions [except for HDL-C] and blood pressure had significant positive relations with body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC] [all p-values < 0.001]. As compared to the 1st quartile of WC, odds ratios [OR; 95% CI] of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in the 4th quartile were 2.8 [1.2-3.3], 3 [1.6-4.3] and 2.4 [1.9-3.1] in men and 2.5 [1.8-3.4], 2.7 [1.3-3.8] and 2.5 [2-3.2] in women, respectively. Also, ORs [95% CI] of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemic in 4th quartile of BMI, as compared to the 1st, were 1.6 [1.2-2], 2.8 [1.7-3.9] and 3 [2.4-3.8] in men and 1.9 [1.4-2.4], 2.6 [1.4-3.7] and 1.6 [1.2-2] in women, respectively. ORs of these risk facrors increased with increasing WC and BMI. Therefore, it is concluded that both obesity indicators increase the chance of CVD risk factors

[Assessment of the eye problems in diabetic patients in Qazvin]

To determine diabetes-associated eye problems in Qazvin, in a cross- sectional study, 371 patients [742 eyes] were studied at eye clinic of Boali hospital in Qazvin [Iran]. Visual acuity was taken and the refractive state performed. Corneal surface, anterior and posterior chamber, lens, vitrous body and retina were assessed. In ocular examination, 55 eyes [7.4%] were normal, 242 [32.6%] with hyperopia and 443 [59.7%] with myopia. Cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and blindness were diagnosed in 77.22%, 18.3%, and 1.35% of cases, respectively

Occurrence of congential anomalies and genetic diseases in a population of Ghazvin Province, Iran: a study of 33380 cases

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of congenital and genetic anomalies in two major referral hospitals and medical Genetic center in a population of Ghazvin Province. A cross sectional study was performed between 2000- 2004 on 33380 children from infancy to age 8 years. The precise and confirmed diagnosis of genetic and congenital anomalies was elaborated by reviewing pedigree of family population screening, genetic records of family data, routine tests such as application of molecular and karyotype and other essential information have been approached. In total, the more frequent malformation associated congenital anomalies among our patients was inborn error of metabolism [7.18%] followed by disorder of congenital hearth defects [6%]. We suggest a possible role of various factors such as different geographical may influence dissimilarities between present study and other population. Also the necessity of particular attention and emphasize on special screening program that helps to identify early stages of genetic and congenital malformation. These results together provide information to physicians and genetic counselors to realize contribution of congenital abnormalities and setting priorities of screening individual cases

[Prevalence of congenital abnormalities in familial and non-familial marriage]

Several studies have indicated that compared to non-familial marriage, familial marriage would increase the incidence of congenital abnormalities. Since the rate of consanguinity marriage is high in our country, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies between familial and non-familial marriage. For this analytic descriptive study, 928 couples were participated as the population of this investigation. Of them, 358 were familial-marriage couples and 570 were non-familial-marriage couples. We evaluted the variables such as parents age, familial and non-familial marriage rate and rates of congenital abnormalities between both groups. Both the questionnaire and face to face interview technique were applied in this study. Congenital anomalies were identified in 26 [7.26%] children of familial marriage group and 11[1.92%] ones in non-familial marriage group. The average rate of consanguineous marriage in this study was found to be 38.57%. Considering that the rate of congenital anomalies in familial marriage was more than that of non-familial marriage, it seems that it is essential to consult and teach families and young couples about the risks of familial marriage

[ patients' viewpoint over the effect of fasting on eye]

During the month of Ramadan most patients with eye problems suffer from eyestrain such as blurred vision, headache, eye fatigue, itchy eye, watery eyes, burning, irritation, gritty eye sensation and decreased visual efficiency. This clinical study was to determine the effects of fasting on visual system from apatient point of view. This survey was carried out in city of Qazvin during the religious month of Ramadan and also in the following month in 2003. The cases were 152 [39/7%] males and 231[60/3%] females who were visited either in Boali hospital or private clinics. The patients werein an age group of 16 to 70 years. All recommended tests were performed and each patient had a general ocular test followed by ophthalmoscopy, keratometry and anterior segment tests. The IOP examination was also provided if necessary. The data were analyzed statistically using SPSS. About 88% of patients believed that there was no correlation between fasting during. Ramadan and eye problems. On the contrary, only [3%] of patients had a positive view on the existence of a relationship between fasting and eye problems. Twelve out of 382 patientsstated that eye problems were caused by fasting and 19 patients [4/96%] mentioned of a lowcorrelation between fasting and eye problems. However, 334 patients [87/9%] believed that there was no correlation between fasting and eye problem such as eye fatigue, itchy eye, watery eyes, burning, irritation, gritty eye sensation, decreased visual efficiency and so on. From a patient point of view, there was no correlation between fasting in Ramadan and eye problems

Giant chondroid syringoma of the upper nasal orbital rim

The present study describes clinical manifestation, histopathologic findings and differential diagnosis of a first-reported case of giant chondroid syringoma [CS] of the upper nasal orbital rim. A 35-yr-old man with cranial palsy [CP] and a tumor of 3x3x4 cm in the upper nasal orbital rim of the left eye was referred to the eye clinic. The tumor was reported to have developed gradually over the years. It was removed under general anesthesia and no recurrence was observed during the one-year follow-up without any complaint from the patient. Macroscopic examination showed a whitish, irregular and relatively soft nodule of 3x2.5x 2 cm. and with calcificated spots on its section. Microscopically, tubules of various sizes were observed which were surrounded by cellular stroma and distinct areas of chondroid proliferation with no malignant changes. CS may assume a giant size, appearing as hard, slow-developing cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules on differential diagnosis. Despite favorable prognosis, the recurrence of CS is reported only in those patients whose tumors are not completely removed

Presentations of two cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis

More than 80 percent of new cases of TB are pulmonary TB produced by three different causes as follows: Adjacency to mucosal surfaces, anatomical adjacency of organs and lymphohematogen. Incidence of TB in different organs is different and in most of the cases is related to lymph node. In this article two cases of extrapulmonary TB is presented along with emphasizing diagnostic process. The first case was a 14- year- old girl with fever and abdominal pain for one month whom was treated for typhoid at first but complications such as arthritis and ascites happened. Ascites fluid for M. TB was negative and then peritoneal biopsy was done. The second case was a 40- year- old man with hoarsness, cough and hemoptysis for 6 years. Not only smear for M. TB was positive but also in laryngoscopy he had tumoral lesions. This lesions was positive for TB in pathologic test. Examination of these two methods showed that the best diagnostic method for TB peritonitis is biopsy and in laryngeal involvement sputum smear is usually positive but for confirming the diagnosis biopsy is suggested