The effectiveness of cognitive- behavioral therapy on quality of life in women with hypothyroidism in the reproductive age: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, hypothyroidism affects 3.7% of the population, and is associated with impaired quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) on the quality of life in women with hypothyroidism. METHODS: 96 women with hypothyroidism randomly allocated into two groups: CBT group (n = 48) and control group (n = 48). Women in the CBT group were classified into four sub-groups of 12, and each sub-group received eight sessions of counseling (each session lasting 90 min). We collected data using a demographic questionnaire and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF 36) for measuring the quality of life. We used the independent t-test, chi-square test and ANCOVA to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five women from each group withdrew from the study, leaving 43 women in each group. The scores on physical functioning, physical health problems, social functioning and pain improved in the CBT group after the intervention, but the differences between the two groups were not significant. The scores on emotional health, emotional health problems, energy and emotions, and general health were significantly better in the CBT group than those in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Counseling using CBT can improve some aspects of quality of life, including emotional health, emotional health problems, energy and general health in patients with hypothyroidism. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Iranian Registry for Clinical Trials: 20190323043101 N1. https://www.irct.ir/.

Impaired activity of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin in diabetes mellitus.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is the prototypic member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily of proteins, which has a major role in inactivating neutrophil elastase and other proteases to maintain protease-antiprotease balance. In this study, the serum AAT was measured using enzymatic assay in diabetic patients. The serum trypsin inhibitory capacity (s-TIC) was determined in 144 outpatients with uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (n=47) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (n=97). The s-TIC values were 1.960+/-0.399, 2.002+/-0.4304 and 2.867+/-0.395 micromol/min/ml in IDDM, NIDDM and healthy subjects, respectively. The diabetics individual had a significantly lower s-TIC than controls (P<0.0001). It was found that there was a negative correlation between the s-TIC and the duration of diabetes (r=-0.5420; P<0.0001). There was no correlation between s-TIC and age of patients (P=0.865). Thus, diabetes is associated with reduced trypsin inhibitory capacity of plasma.

Effects of a subdermal levonorgestrel contraceptive implant (Norplant) on serum cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST in Iranian women.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of Norplant (36 mg of levonorgestrel, six capsules) on serum cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transminase (AST), we enrolled 465 healthy women from Zahedan, Iran, into a longitudinal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast before implant insertion and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of use. RESULTS: Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not significantly change during Norplant use. Although there were statistically significant increases in ALT and AST levels during Norplant use, the values were within the reference range.