ABSTRACT
Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of probiotics in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Scientific Information Database (SID), IranMedex, and Google Scholar search engine was performed. The search was conducted from inception to 1 October 2022, to identify published English or Persian language randomized control trials (RCTs) of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis who received probiotics as medical treatment. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine checklist All statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) version 2. Results: Six RCTs were included in this review. The results showed that treatment with probiotic was not different from placebo regarding the rate of positive culture (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.390 to 3.26, P=0.825); treatment with probiotic was more effective compared to placebo regarding the rate of recurrence. (OR: 0.14; P= 0.01; 95 % CI: 0.028-0.7). Conclusion: Probiotics have a beneficial effect in the treatment of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Our results provide evidence for an alternative treatment modality for vaginal candidiasis using probiotics.
Subject(s)
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal , Probiotics , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/therapy , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Humans , Female , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Background: Betatrophin may be associated with metabolic diseases. Objective: To investigate the betatrophin level and its association with metabolic and inflammatory parameters in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other infertile women during the intrauterine insemination cycle. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted with 90 infertile women (45 with PCOS and 45 without) chosen by convenience sampling, in the infertility clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Participants were interviewed to obtain their age, body mass index, and reproductive history. Fasting brachial venous blood samples were obtained on the 3 rd day of the menstrual cycle to measure the levels of betatrophin, fasting blood sugar, insulin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estradiol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Results: The results showed that the level of betatrophin in women with PCOS was significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.05). Based on multiple linear regression analyses, the effects of metabolic and inflammatory parameters on betatrophin were not significant (p = 0.19). The results showed no significant difference between groups in folliculogenesis (p = 0.57). Conclusion: According to the results, betatrophin levels were higher in infertile women with PCOS than in those without. The findings suggest that there may be an association between increased betatrophin and increased incidence of PCOS. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to investigate the role of betatrophin in insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, and its effects on infertility treatment outcomes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of male infertility has increased worldwide. It is necessary to study the factors that influence male infertility in each area/region for better management. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors affecting male infertility in the Iranian male population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online search was conducted in electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and Scopus to identify articles on the factors associated with male infertility, published in English and Persian. The keywords used to perform the search included "factor", "epidemiology", "causes of infertility", and "male infertility". The search was conducted without a time restriction, up to April 2020. RESULTS: The search resulted in a total number of 691 studies. After an assessment of the articles, finally 14 studies were included in this study with a total number of 26,324 infertile males. The factors associated with male infertility included semen abnormalities, varicocele and testis disorder, smoking, exposure to heat, obesity, anabolic steroids, vascular abnormalities, anti-spermatogenesis factors, antidepressants, taking ranitidine and cimetidine, penile discharge and genital ulcers, painful micturition, occupational factors, alcohol, chronic disease, sexual disorder, Surgical and urological diseases, genetic factors and herpes infection. Among these, the semen and varicocele disorders were common in most studies. CONCLUSION: The present review suggests that the factors affecting male infertility in Iran are similar to those reported from other countries. The results of this study can be used in adopting appropriate strategies for infertility management in Iran.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Leg edema is a prevalent problem in pregnancy causing activity restrictions for pregnant women. This study was performed to compare the effect of foot massage using grape seed oil and sweet almond oil on physiological leg edema. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 primigravidae referred to public health centres of Zahedan, Iran. The participants' gestational age was 30-40 weeks. The study was conducted from August 2016 to November 2017. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups (massage with grape seed oil, massage with sweet almond oil, and without intervention). After determining the extent of leg edema, foot massages were done for 20 minutes within 5 days in the two intervention groups. Then, foot circumferences were measured on day 5 after the intervention. Foot circumferences for the control group were measured on days 1 and 5. A nonelastic tape measure was used to measure the circumferences. To analyse the data, SPSS 21 software and statistical tests including one-way ANOVA, Tukey's test, and paired t-test were used. RESULTS: The results from this study showed a significant difference in the mean score change of foot circumferences between groups (P=0.001). According to the results of Tukey's test, mean score changes of foot circumferences of both intervention groups were significantly different those of the control group. However, this difference was not significant between the two intervention groups (P=0.865). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirmed the effectiveness of foot massage using grape seed and sweet almond oils to reduce pregnancy physiological edema. Therefore, foot massage with appropriate oils can be used as a useful technique by trained midwives in prenatal care centres or at pregnant women houses. This trial is registered with IRCT2015072723370N1.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The incidence of breast cancer among Iranian women is increasing, and 70% of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. The current study aimed at evaluating the association of health literacy (HL) with breast cancer knowledge, perception, and screening behavior in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current cross- sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 250 women who referred to health centers in Zahedan, Iran. Data collection instrument included a demographic information form, Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (IHLQ), and Champion's health belief model scale. RESULTS: The majority of participants (89.6%) had limited HL. Participants with limited HL had less breast cancer knowledge, and less perceived severity than who had higher HL score. Participants with higher HL score had done breast self-exam (BSE) more than the others. There was no significant relationship between HL and clinical breast examination (CBE), and with perceived susceptibility. CONCLUSION: Interventions to enhance breast cancer knowledge and screening should notice the HL of women.
