ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Some Iranian pilgrims are referred to Iran because of catching a new disease or exacerbation of their disease during the Hajj ceremony. These diseases need prolonged and specialized treatments. Investigation of the reasons led to their return to Iran is useful and effective in policy-making and planning of preventive health services. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the causes of referring Iranian patients to Iran during Hajj in 2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all Iranian pilgrim cases in Hajj (2012) who referred to Iran were studied, and data analysis was performed. Demographic data and the causes of return to Iran during and after Hajj rituals were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 106 cases were referred Iran during Hajj 2012. Psychiatric problems, with 26.4% allocated the highest rate of return to Iran during Hajj days, and significant difference was observed in the reasons before and after performing Hajj rituals (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric, neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory diseases are the most frequent reasons of referring patients to Iran. More accuracy in screening and care of patients are recommended before Hajj in order to prevent references to Iran and its complications.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a relatively prevalent disease which causes high costs due to the required diagnostic tests, specialized treatments, and hospital admission. In recent decades, implementation of thromboprophylaxis protocols has significantly reduced the incidence of thromboembolism in hospitals. The present study aimed to compare the incidence of venous thromboembolism before and after implementation of the mentioned protocol in hospital with identified risk factors and underlying diseases. METHODS: In this case-control group, 385 patients at the risk of DVT, some before and some after implementation of the protocol were studied. Therefore, the level of thromboprophylaxis and the incidence of venous thromboembolism were compared before and after the protocol. Data was entered into SPSS(15) and analyzed by chi-square and t tests RESULTS: Out of 385 patients, 34 patients (8.8%) had venous thromboembolism while 351 (91.2%) were not affected. The incidence of venous thromboembolism was significantly different before and after the implementation of the protocol (17.7% vs. 5.9%; P < 0.001). The incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients not receiving thromboprophylaxis was almost 5 times higher than those who received it (20.7% vs. 5.1%). The frequency distribution of thromboembolism had a significant difference in the two above mentioned groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Thromboprophylaxis protocol reduced venous thromboembolism incidence in patients with underlying diseases which increase the risk of the complication.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of streptokinase on left ventricular ejection fraction and mortality rate of patients with inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI). METHODS: Fifty five consecutive patients with the diagnosis of inferior AMI without RVMI in the coronary care unit (CCU) of Shariati Hospital in Isfahan were selected for this study. Patients who had a history and/or electrocardiogram (ECG) evidence of previous myocardial infarction, evidence of bundle branch block, historical or clinical findings of valvular or other non-coronary heart diseases or heart failure were excluded. Participants were divided into two groups. Group one (n=28) had no contraindication for taking thrombolytic therapy and group two (n=27) had at least one contraindication for this treatment. Patients in group one took 1,000,000 units streptokinase for one hour. Three days later, LVEF of all participants was measured by an experienced cardiologist using 2-dimentiona1 echocardiography. Patients were followed up until four weeks to assess the mortality rate. RESULTS: One death in the first 24 hours was reported in group one. However, no death was reported in any group until four weeks after discharge. There was no significant difference in mortality rate during the first 24 hours and four weeks after discharge between the two groups. Mean LVEF in the two groups did not show any significant difference (P=0.21). CONCLUSION: Probably streptokinase has no effects on one-month mortality rate and LVEF in patients with inferior AMI without RVMI. Therefore, streptokinase side effects must be taken into consideration when being administered for this group of patients.
