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BACKGROUND@#Major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by anxious distress is a chronic and disabling disorder. Its conventional drug therapies often have low patient compliance due to drug-related side effects. In Persian medicine, lavender-dodder syrup is one formula often recommended for such disorders.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study compares the effects of lavender-dodder syrup to the standard drug, citalopram, for treating MDD with anxious distress.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This six-week, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in a psychiatric outpatient clinic. During the six-week intervention period, patients in citalopram group received citalopram tablets 20 mg/d plus 5 mL placebo syrup every 12 h; patients in group B received placebo tablets once daily plus 5 mL of lavender-dodder herbal syrup every 12 h.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Primary outcome measures, depression and anxiety, were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression/Anxiety Rating Scales, and were scored at the beginning of the study and at weeks three and six. Secondary outcome measures including response to treatment and remission rates were also compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Fifty-six participants with MDD and anxious distress were randomly assigned to two groups. Mean depression scores significantly decreased in citalopram and herbal groups at weeks three and six (time effect: P < 0.001), although the observed changes were not significantly different between the groups (intervention effect: P = 0.61). Mean anxiety scores were not significantly different between the two groups at week three (P = 0.75). However, at the end of week six, the observed decrease was significantly higher in the herbal syrup group than the citalopram group (intervention effect: P = 0.007).@*CONCLUSION@#The herbal syrup is an effective and tolerable supplement for treating MDD with anxious distress.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER@#IRCT2016102430459N1 on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.
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BACKGROUND@#Major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by anxious distress is a chronic and disabling disorder. Its conventional drug therapies often have low patient compliance due to drug-related side effects. In Persian medicine, lavender-dodder syrup is one formula often recommended for such disorders.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study compares the effects of lavender-dodder syrup to the standard drug, citalopram, for treating MDD with anxious distress.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This six-week, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in a psychiatric outpatient clinic. During the six-week intervention period, patients in citalopram group received citalopram tablets 20 mg/d plus 5 mL placebo syrup every 12 h; patients in group B received placebo tablets once daily plus 5 mL of lavender-dodder herbal syrup every 12 h.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Primary outcome measures, depression and anxiety, were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression/Anxiety Rating Scales, and were scored at the beginning of the study and at weeks three and six. Secondary outcome measures including response to treatment and remission rates were also compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Fifty-six participants with MDD and anxious distress were randomly assigned to two groups. Mean depression scores significantly decreased in citalopram and herbal groups at weeks three and six (time effect: P < 0.001), although the observed changes were not significantly different between the groups (intervention effect: P = 0.61). Mean anxiety scores were not significantly different between the two groups at week three (P = 0.75). However, at the end of week six, the observed decrease was significantly higher in the herbal syrup group than the citalopram group (intervention effect: P = 0.007).@*CONCLUSION@#The herbal syrup is an effective and tolerable supplement for treating MDD with anxious distress.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER@#IRCT2016102430459N1 on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.
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There is a definite correlation between cardiovascular diseases and depressive disorders. Nevertheless, many aspects of this association have yet to be fully elucidated. Up to half of coronary artery disease patients are liable to suffer from some depressive symptoms, with approximately 20% receiving a diagnosis of major depressive disorders. Pharmacotherapy is a key factor in the management of major depression, not least in patients with chronic diseases who are likely to fail to show proper compliance and response to non-pharmacological interventions. Antidepressants are not deemed completely safe. Indeed, numerous side effects have been reported with the administration of antidepressants, among which cardiovascular adverse events are of paramount importance owing to their disabling and life-threatening nature. We aimed to re-examine some of the salient issues in antidepressant therapy vis-a-vis cardiovascular considerations, which should be taken into account when prescribing such medications
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The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of herbal remedies [HRs] in infertile patients. This was a cross sectional study in a referral infertility care center. Three hundred and six outpatients, both women and men, presenting for the first time with complaint of infertility at Arash hospital, were recruited. Verbal consent for participation was received. A self administered questionnaire was used. Main outcome measure was knowledge, attitude and practice of patients toward herbal medications. 47.3% of participants were knowledgeable of HRs with female gender and lower educational background being the associated factors in knowledge. 43.4% of patients with significant female dominancy had positive attitude toward HRs. 31% of participants were using HRs. Only 3.2% of those using HRs informed their physician. The most common health condition promoting herbal use was psychological [33.3%] and gastrointestinal [30.8%] disorders. 3.5% of participants used HRs as fertility treatment which was significantly observed in women and those with lower levels of formal education. A considerable proportion of our population had used HRs without sufficient knowledge and had positive attitude toward HRs. More importantly, patients did not disclose their use of HRs to physicians. Therefore, physicians should inquire about the use of alternative remedies and provide patients with appropriate information
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A recent randomized clinical trial showed buspirone efficacy in the treatment of attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in children. However, results from a recent multi-site controlled clinical trial of transdermal buspirone failed to separate it from placebo in a large sample of children with ADHD. Therefore, due to these inconsistent findings, this study was designed to assess the efficacy of buspirone in the treatment of children with ADHD compared to methylphenidate in a double blind randomized clinical trial. Forty outpatients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD were study population of this trial. Subjects were recruited from an outpatient child and adolescent clinic for a 6 week double blind, randomized clinical trial. All study subjects were randomly assigned to receive treatment using tablet of buspirone at a dose of 20-30 mg/day depending on weight [20 mg/day for < 30kg and 30 mg/day for > 30kg] [group 1] or methylphenidate at a dose of 20-30 mg/day depending on weight [20 mg/day for < 30kg and 30 mg/day for > 30kg [group 2] for a 6 week double blind, randomized clinical trial. The principal measure of outcome was the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale IV. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 21 and 42 days after the medication started. Significant differences were observed between the two groups on the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores. The changes at the endpoint compared to baseline were: -8.95 +/- 8.73 [mean +/- SD] and -15.60 +/- 7.81 [mean +/- SD] for buspirone and methyphenidate, for Parent ADHD Rating Scale. The changes at the endpoint compared to baseline were: -9.80 +/- 7.06 [mean +/- SD] and -22.40 +/- 9.90 [mean +/- SD] for buspirone and methyphenidate, respectively for Teacher ADHD Rating Scale. The difference between the buspirone and methylphenidate groups in the frequency of side effects was not significant except for decreased appetite, headache and insomnia that were observed more frequently in the methylphenidate group. The results of this study suggest that administration of buspirone was less effective than methylphenidate in the treatment of ADHD
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To investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice [KAP] of Iranian adolescent girls towards 3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA [Ecstasy]]. A cross-sectional design study was conducted on female adolescents in Tehran high schools. The study took place in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in October to December 2008. A randomized cluster sample of adolescent girls from 14-18 years old, and enrolled in 57 public high schools of Tehran were selected. A written informed consent was obtained from all study participants. In order to assess the participants' demographic characteristics, and KAP towards Ecstasy, a 61-item, researcher-made, valid, and reliable questionnaire was completed anonymously by all participants at schools. The questionnaire included 4 main domains assessing adolescents': 1. Demographic characteristics [14 items], 2. Knowledge [10 items] 3. Attitude [24 items], and 4. Practice [13 items] toward Ecstasy. Results were considered significant at p
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Humanos , Feminino , Alucinógenos , N-Metil-3,4-Metilenodioxianfetamina/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , ConscientizaçãoRESUMO
Autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified are subsets of autism spectrum disorders [ASDs], which are characterized by impairments in social communication and stereotyped behavior. This article reviews the prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ASDs in Iran. We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and 4 Iranian databases [IranPsych, IranMedex, Irandoc and Scientific Information Database [SID] to find Iranian studies on ASDs. The results of 39 investigations, comprising original, review and editorial articles; proceedings; and available dissertations were categorized by prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Several preliminary investigations have been done to evaluate the prevalence of ASDs, and risk factors and effective variables have been studied with regard to etiology. The diagnostic evaluation of ASDs, especially based on EEG, and several pharmacological and behavioral interventions for ASD have been implemented in Iran. Mental health, stress levels, and personality characteristics were examined in the parents of children with ASDs, which were focused on mothers
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Herbal medicine can be a valuable source of assistance for traditional medicine. There are a number of herbs that can be used in conjunction with modern medicine. Herbs can also be taken to aid recovery from serious diseases. Although one should never aim to treat diseases such as cardiovascular disease solely with herbal medicine, the value of herbs used in tandem with modern medicine cannot be ignored. Saffron has been reported to help lower cholesterol and keep cholesterol levels healthy. Animal studies have shown saffron to lower cholesterol by as much as 50%. Saffron has antioxidant properties; it is, therefore, helpful in maintaining healthy arteries and blood vessels. Saffron is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial to cardiovascular health. The people of Mediterranean countries, where saffron use is common, have lower than normal incidence of heart diseases. From saffron's cholesterol lowering benefits to its anti inflammatory properties, saffron may be one of the best supplements for cardiac health. This paper reviews the studies regarding the beneficial effects of saffron in cardiovascular health