[Assessing of health-related quality of life and stress levels in patients with ulcerative colitis, and its relation with clinical and demographic factors]

Ulcerative Colitis [UC] is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Patients with UC face numerous physical, psychological, and social problems that are associated with health related quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the mental stress level and quality of life among UC patients in comparison with a healthy control group, and their relation with clinical and demographic factors. This study was a case control, cross-sectional study of 106 patients [53 with UC and 53 healthy people as controls]. Patients were selected from the Tabriz Medical Science University Clinic in 2010. Clinical and demographic features data were collected. The general health questionnaire [SF36] was used fur the assessment of health related quality of life [HRQOL] and mental stress was measured by the Cohen stress scale. Statistical analyses showed that the quality of life in UC patients was lower than healthy individuals [p=0.006]. There was a direct positive relationship between quality of life and stress levels. Stress levels among women were higher than men in the case group. Disease severity, period of disease, and level of stress were the most important factors that determined the quality of life among patients with UC [p <0.05]. Perceived HRQOL is impaired in UC patients compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Psychological distress and disease severity are powerful predictors of HRQOL in UC patients

survey of relation between iPTH, high sensitive CRP and carotid intima media thickness in under hemodialysis patients

C-reactive protein is a chronic inflammation factor and a strong predictor of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. The studies have shown that increased levels of intact parathyroid hormone in uremia may cause to lipid metabolism abnormalities, involved in accelerated atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. We survey relation between iPTH and high sensitive CRP and carotid intima-media thickness in hemodialysis patients. In this prospective study, serum levels of high sensitive CRP, iPTH, lipoprotein alpha, cholesterol, low and high density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphor, carotid intima-media thickness of 30 hemodialysis patients with ESRD were evaluated. Mean of high sensitive CRP in males was 4.65 mg/dl and in females was 6.4 mg/dl, mean of iPTH in males was 65.7 pg/dl and in females was 74.03 pg/dl. Significant difference was not found between mean of intima media thickness of right and left carotid in two sex [P>0.05]. But, significant correlation was found between high sensitive CRP. iPTH and intima media thickness of carotid [p<0.001]. Attention to this findings, especially using of high sensitive CRP could result in early diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it will be decrease of mortality of these pateints

Study of the current parasitic contamination of the edible vegetables in Isfahan in order to identify preventive measures

Parasites infect man by way of water, soil, edible things and direct contact. Numerous factors such as the economical, social and cultural conditions as well as lack of personal health care are involved in the dissemination of the parasites. Eating of raw vegetables is common among Iranians and provides a rich source of vitamins and essential nutrients but may lead to human contamination if not washed properly. In this study 30 plant farms were selected in Isfahan in order to assess the rate of contamination of the plants. Afterwards 480 samples of the vegetables were collected and examined for cysts, eggs and larvae in Isfahan Research Center. Floatation method was used for detection of the parasite eggs. Finally the results were recorded and analyzed by means of SPSS [Version 11.5]. We found giardia cyst in 7, dicrosoelium egg in 8, hymenolepis egg in 14, ascaris egg in 16, trichostrongylus egg in 10, teania egg in 5 and trichosephalus egg in 6 cases. In fact, egg of ascaris was the most and teania was the least common parasites and fortunately we did not detect any dangerous agent like Entamoeba histolytica. In the recent years, in spite of improvement of health care, economical, social and agricultural conditions in Isfahan, parasitic infections are still prevalent. Using new methods for garbage collection, repair of ego system, preventing domestic and wild animals [like carnivorous animals] from entering into the plant farms and education of people of different social classes will be effective in reducing parasitic and infectious diseases