Chlamydia trachomatis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in married women in a Middle Eastern community

The objective of this study was to determine the association between vaginal Chlamydia infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN]. Data were collected in a case-control study for 60 patients with CIN in biopsy and 85 control subjects with normal colposcopy and biopsy. Serum antibodies to C. trachomatis were associated with an increased risk for CIN [odds ratio [OR] = 7.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-35.2]]. There was also a significant association between presence of inclusion bodies for C. trachomatis and CIN [OR = 5.5; 95% CI 2.4-12.4]. These results indicate a strong association between CIN and chlamydial cervicitis

HPV infection among patients with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of the women worldwide. It is also an important cause of cancer-related mortality in women, after breast cancer. Nearly half million of new cases are identified yearly. The incidence rate in developing countries is greater than the developed countries. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the association of genital human papilloma virus [HPV] with cervical cancer is strong, independent of other risk factors, and consistent in several countries. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HPV in patients with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CINIII, CIN II] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] of cervix. Hundred specimens from patients with SCC and CINIII, CIN II, confirmed by histological review, referring to Mirza Koochak Khan Hospital from 1999-2004 were enrolled in a cross sectional study. Polymerase chain reaction was utilized for identification and typing of HPV DNA. To increase the sensitivity of HPV detection, nested PCRs were performed using MY09/MY11 as outer and GP5/GP6 as inner primers. It was possible to extract 77 of 100 specimens that HPV DNA was detected in 47 of 77 specimens. Infection with HPV was present in 32 specimens [86.5%] among SCC patients and in 15 specimens [37.5%] among CINIII, CIN II patients. The most frequent HPV types in SCC patients were HPV 16 and 18 [59.38%] and then 33 [34.38%] and in CINIII, CIN II patients was 16 [53.33%] and 18 [40%]. the most frequent co-infection in both groups was HPV 16 and 18 which was present in 40.62% and 26.7% of cases respectively. The most frequent HPV types in patients with SCC and CINIII, CIN II was 16 and 18 that is identical to many other countries infection pattern

[ study of nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer pain management]

Knowledge of nursing is necessary for caring people suffering from pain. Regarding pain management and nursing role in order to put into practice exact pain management and availing comfort, possessing knowledge and positive attitude toward nursing care in this population have an important role. This descriptive [cross- sectional study] determines cancer nurses knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management in hospitalized patients in related wards in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Total of 113 nurses [from 132 questionnaires were sent, 113 of them were completed] who work in cancer wards in Tehran University of Medical Science hospitals were selected by convenience sampling [accidental sampling]. For data gathering, questionnaires were used. Statistical analysis was performed using chi[2] test, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. To compare results and for describing the results, descriptive analysis were used. Results indicates that knowledge and attitude of samples is in a high school [level of knowledge 76% and level of attitude 86.6%]. The correlation between knowledge and attitudes is [R=0.350], [p=0.000] that means there is a direct relation between nurses knowledge and attitudes and by increasing one of them, the other will increase. Some of features like level of education, taking part in continuing education, working in chemotherapy and radiotherapy ward, operating room and facing to cancer patients, influence on nurses knowledge and attitudes

Comparative assessment of chlamydia trachomatis infection in Iranian women with cervicitis: a cross-sectional study

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections [STI] recognized throughout the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among a randomized statistical group of women suffering from cervicitis in Tehran- Iran. During a 12- month- period, Jan 2003 to Jan 2004, 142 endocervical samples were taken from women suffering from cervicitis attending to Mirzakoochakkhan Women Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Direct fluorescent antibody [DFA] and PCR techniques were used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical samples. Twenty two [15.5%] [95% CI, 9.54-21.4] of 142 samples were diagnosed as Chlamydia positive according to PCR results, while DFA diagnosed 20 [14.1%] positive cases [95% CI, 8.37-19.8]. No statistically significant difference was found between two diagnosis methods applied in this study. The prevalence was the highest [25%] among women aged 25 to 29 yr and 35 to 39 yr. The x 2 test showed a significant relationship between positive test result and bearing a history of STI [P= 0]. The results of this study showed high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among women suffering from cervicitis and suggested that patients diagnosed with genital Chlamydia infection should be referred to the genitourinary medicine clinic for further STI screening and partner notification