Comparison of sertraline, venlafaxine and desipramine effects on depression, cognition and the daily living activities in Alzheimer patients.

RATIONALE: The effects of antidepressants on mood, cognition and the daily activities of Alzheimer patients are ambiguous. The effects of antidepressants SSRIs (serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), in particular, are unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of sertraline, venlafaxine and desipramine on depression, cognition and the daily activities of Alzheimer patients. METHODS: This randomized double-blind trial was approved by the Research and Ethics Committees of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. 59 moderate Alzheimer patients with major depressive disorder were randomly divided into 3 groups (sertraline, venlafaxine and desipramine), treated for 12 weeks (150 mg maximum dose) and assessed by the Hamilton Depression Test (HRSD), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Barthel index at the week 0 and the 2(nd), 4(th), 8(th), 12(th) weeks thereafter. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, using ANOVA and paired t-tests. RESULTS: In the sertraline group, the results of all 3 tests, HRSD, MMSE and Barthel, in the 12(th) week showed significant improvements in comparison to the baseline (P<0.05 in all 3 tests). In the venlafaxine group, the results of MMSE and Barthel revealed significant improvements (P<0.05 in both tests). In the desipramine group, there was a significant improvement only in the Barthel test at the 12(th) week (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this trial, sertraline treatment was associated with superior effectiveness in relation to depressive, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms.

Association between Malnutrition and Depression in Elderly People in Razavi Khorasan: A Population Based-Study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and depression in free-living elderly people and their relationships (If any) in Razavi Khorasan, Iran 2007. METHODS: To evaluate nutritional status, we used Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) method in free-living elderly people (n=1565 using cluster sampling, 720 males and 845 females, aged≥ 60 yr) and their relationship to Socio Economic Conditions (SECs). Based on the final scores, our patients were classified into three groups: score 17-23.5 (at risk for malnutrition), score less than 17 (with malnutrition), and score 24-30 (well nourished). To determine the mood status (here depression), we used Geriatric Depression Score (GDS). According to this score our participants turned out to be in two distinct groups: depressed (score ≥8) and non-depressed (score < 8). RESULTS: From the total subjects entered the study (1495), 22.07% were depressed and 11.5% and 44% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition respectively. In depressed group, the prevalence of malnutrition was 14.5% (48 out of 330) and the prevalence of "at risk of malnutrition" was 45.8%, whereas the prevalence of malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition in non-depressed population were 10.6% and 43.3% respectively. From the aforementioned information we have concluded that there is a significant statistical difference between the prevalence of malnutrition in depressed and non-depressed individuals (P= 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the high rate of vegetative symptoms in elderly depressed individuals, malnutrition would have a higher prevalence in the depressed people.

Association between sociodemographic factors and nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits among Iranian girls.

Prolonged duration of finger- and pacifier-sucking may be a risk factor for maldevelopment of orofacial structures and dental occlusion. This study assessed the prevalence of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and their association with some contributing factors among 7-year-old girls in Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on a questionnaire to the parents of 436 schoolgirls, the rate of current or previous pacifier-sucking was 26.6% and of finger-sucking was 10.6%. Child's birth rank and number of siblings and parents' educational level were significantly related to ever pacifier-sucking but not to finger-sucking. The highest prevalence of ever pacifier-sucking was among children who had been breast- and bottle-fed but finger-sucking was more common among exclusively breastfed children.

Association between sociodemographic factors and nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits among Iranian girls

Prolonged duration offinger-and pacifier-sucking may be a risk factor for maldevelopment of orofacial structures and dental occlusion. This study assessed the prevalence of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and their association with some contributing factors among 7-year-old girls in Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on a questionnaire to the parents of 436 schoolgirls, the rate of current or previous pacifier-sucking was 26.6% and of finger-sucking was 10.6%. Child's birth rank and number of siblings and parents' educational level were significantly related to ever pacifier-sucking but not to finger-sucking. The highest prevalence of ever pacifier-sucking was among children who had been breast- and bottle-fed but finger-sucking was more common among exclusively breastfed children

Management of a midroot and complicated crown fracture: a case report.

This case report illustrates the management of a permanent right central maxillary incisor with midroot fracture and complicated crown fracture, which was treated by cervical pulpotomy and fixation of the fragments. After 4-month follow-up, radiography showed healing with interproximal bone and connective tissue at the fracture line at midroot. After 3 years, the tooth was still functional without any clinical sign and symptom.