The Prevalence of Central Auditory Processing Disorder in Elementary School Students of Kerman, Iran.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) in elementary school students in Kerman, Iran, during 2018-2019. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1369 elementary school students in Kerman. These students were selected by cluster sampling from different areas of Kerman and then screened using the Buffalo Model Questionnaire (BMQ). Based on the data obtained from the questionnaire, normal children were excluded from the study. Then, children with suspected central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) underwent ear exams and were excluded from the study in case of abnormal results in the tympanic membrane examination (rapture-effusion). The remaining subjects underwent peripheral audiometry evaluation, and children with abnormal audiometry were excluded from the study. Finally, the remaining children with suspicious screening results, a normal examination, and normal audiometry underwent a specific test to detect Central auditory processing disorder. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software. Results: One thousand three hundred sixty-nine primary school students with a mean age of 9.15 ±2.63 years enrolled in this study. 52%% of students were male. 8.03% of them had CAPD. A statistically significant relationship was found between the prevalence of CAPD and gender (P<0.001), place of residence (P<0.001), history of middle ear inflammation (P<0.001) and history of head injury. Conclusion: The quality of life of these students with CAPD can be improved via timely recognition of CAPD and the provision of appropriate preventive and therapeutic facilities.

Temporomandibular treatments are significantly efficient in improving otologic symptoms.

Symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) could be present as otologic symptoms like earache and dizziness in some patients. In most cases, these symptoms are not recognized because otolaryngologists fail to diagnose TMD as a source of the problem. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of TMD treatments on the otologic symptoms which after taking history and clinical examinations seemed to be related to TMD. In the present study, the patients who were complaining of otalgia, ear fullness, tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness were evaluated by an ear fellow. Forty patients who had no known otologic or other primary causes to explain their symptoms, were referred to the orofacial pain clinic with the possible diagnosis of TMD. If the diagnosis was confirmed by an orofacial pain specialist, a combination of TMD treatments was administered to each case and the patients were followed up. The results showed that following implementation of treatment protocols for TMD, more than 50% of the patients reported complete or partial recovery in the second follow-up (p < 0.05). The most common otologic symptom of the referred cases was earache, and the most common associated complaint was neck pain. All the patients had one or more parafunctional habits. This study showed that TMD treatments were significantly efficient in improving otologic symptoms partially or completely and the authors concluded that for the patients with otolaryngologic unexplained symptoms, an overhaul examination is needed to assess TMD as a possible cause of the patient complaint. It is recommended that in cases with unexplained otologic symptoms, otolaryngologists care more about the neck trigger points (TP) and ask about the patient's parafunctional habits. Otolaryngologists and dentists need to be aware of the risk of developing otologic symptoms caused by these habits or cervical TPs.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis presented as bilateral otitis media with effusion, a rare case report.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) or histiocytosis X is considered as a rare disease that may have effect on multiple organs. The initial presentation of LCH is varied. The signs and symptoms of otologic histiocytosis can be the same as the acute or chronic infectious ear diseases. Definitive diagnosis of LCH is confirmed by biopsy and immunohistochemically staining of S-100 protein and CD1a antigen. Chemotherapy is the main mode of treatment. Case presentation: In this report, we explained the clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of a case of 15 month-old girl with diagnosed of LCH that initially presented with otitis media with effusion (OME). Conclusion: LCH is a rare disease that presented with variable sign and symptoms and have an effect on multiple organs. LCH should be regarded in cases with recurrent ear infection without response to medical treatments. Moreover, biopsy with IHC is the gold standard of diagnosis and chemotherapy is the main form of treatment.

Epidemiology of Sleep Disorders Among Adolescents in Kerman, Iran, in 2019.

It is an important fact that the onset of adolescence is a time of both physiological and social changes that affect sleep. In this study, the prevalence of sleep disorders in adolescents and the association between them were investigated. Anthropometric dimensions (such as height and weight) of individuals in Kerman in 2019 were also assessed. A total of 451 adolescents (mean age: 14.72 years; 51.88% females) of Kerman, Iran, took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, and then demographic (age, gender) and anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected. The prevalence of sleep disorders in this population was 31.9%. Among those with self-rated sleep disorders, 53.5% were males. Participants with sleep disorders were younger and showed lower anthropometric values such as height, weight, and body mass index. However, there was no difference between sleep disorders and gender (P-value > .05). This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of sleep disorders among adolescents. This research was done with the aim of encouraging the healthcare organization to design educational programs to evaluate and reduce sleep disorders.

Investigation of the Serum Level of Vitamin D in Patients with Ear Cholesteatoma.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the serum level of vitamin D in patients with ear cholesteatoma. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 62 patients with middle ear cholesteatoma (case group) and 62 patients with simple chronic otitis media (control group). Both groups had the same age (32±1 in the case group and 34±1 in the control group; P=0.973) and gender. Vitamin D serum level was measured in the two groups. Data analysis was conducted using t-test and ANOVA. Results: According to the statistical analysis, a significant relationship was observed between the serum level of vitamin D and middle ear cholesteatoma (P=0.000). The results showed that the serum level of vitamin D was lower in the case group, compared to the control group. Conclusions: Vitamin D serum level was lower in the cholesteatoma group. Moreover, it was strongly associated with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

Combination of Pulse Steroid with Intratympanic Injections in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

INTRODUCTION: Oral prednisolone was suggested as the first step to treat idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). This study aimed to investigate the effect of pulse therapy with methylprednisolone and intratympanic methylprednisolone, compared to traditional oral prednisolone therapy on patients with ISSHL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized control trial included an experimental group receiving 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone for three sequential days, followed by 1 mg/kg oral prednisolone for 11 days, and intratympanic Depo-Medrol four times twice a week. On the other hand, the control group received 1 mg/kg oral prednisolone for 14 days. Hearing change was assessed through pure tone audiometry. Subsequently, hearing recovery was investigated and analyzed in this study. RESULT: This study was conducted on 51 patients who were divided into two groups of experimental (n=26) and control (n=25). The result revealed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of hearing improvement (P=0.28). CONCLUSION: This revealed no added benefit in pulse steroids combined with intratympanic injections in cases with sudden hearing loss.

Epidemiology of Sleep Disturbances Among Primary School Students in Kerman, Iran, in 2019.

Primary sleep disturbances are common in both children and adults and can lead to cognitive problems and educational and psychological disorders. In this study, we evaluated the epidemiology of sleep disturbances among children in Kerman, Iran, in 2019. This cross-sectional study was done in 2019 with 561 children in elementary schools of Kerman, Iran. Data were collected by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire that was filled out by parents and analyzed statistically. A total of 561children with a mean age of 9.54 ± 1.55 years were enrolled. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.01 and consistent across age groups. The prevalence of sleep disturbances in this population study was 26.7% (150 patients); 51.3% of them were girls. Sleep disturbances were associated with mothers' lower education level and parents' higher job positions (P < .05). This study showed the relatively high prevalence of sleep disturbances among children in this region. It can be reduced by a program such as sleep training or by promoting the level of parents' education. We recommend some educational programs and preschool screening to evaluate sleep disturbances and educating the parents to increase their responsiveness.

C-590T Promoter Polymorphism of the Interleukin (IL)-4 Gene Is Associated with an Increased usceptibility to Nasal Polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown interleukin 4 (IL-4) and 5 lipoxygenase (5-LO) to play an important role in development of nasal polyposis. Investigation into the genetic factors associated with allergic and non-allergic nasal polyposis has been examined for more than fifteen years. Despite these efforts, the genetic factors underlying the development of nasal polyposis have yet to be clearly understood. The current study examined the relationship between C-590T promoter polymorphisms of the IL-4 gene and the presence of nasal polyps. Additionally, we examined the levels of 5-LO expression in nasal polyp tissue and its association with the IL-4 promoter gene polymorphisms. METHODS: A total of 320 subjects were enrolled in the study, of which 256 were healthy controls and 64 were patients with nasal polyps. The Real-Time PCR HRM-based method was used to determine the genotypes of IL-4 C-590T. The expression of 5-LO within the 64 samples of nasal polyp tissue was determined by immunohistochemical staining to examine the association of 5-LO with the IL-4 C-590T genotype. RESULTS: Genetic analysis showed a significant difference in the frequencies of the IL-4 polymorphisms at C-590T in patients with nasal polyps as compared with controls (p<0.001). No significant difference was seen in the expression of 5-LO among genotypes in patients with nasal polyps (p=0.139). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the inheritance of TT and CT genotypes at the IL-4 C-590T promoter gene is associated with nasal polyps however, there is no association between the expression of 5-LO in nasal polyp tissues and IL-4 C-590T genotypes in patients with nasal polyps.

A National Iranian Cochlear Implant Registry (ICIR): cochlear implanted recipient observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients who receive cochlear implants (CIs) constitutes a significant population in Iran. This population needs regular monitor on long-term outcomes, educational placement and quality of life. Currently, there is no national or regional registry on the long term outcomes of CI users in Iran. The present study aims to introduce the design and implementation of a national patient-outcomes registry on CI recipients for Iran. This Iranian CI registry (ICIR) provides an integrated framework for data collection and sharing, scientific communication and collaboration inCI research. METHODS: The national ICIR is a prospective patient-outcomes registry for patients who are implanted in one of Iranian centers. The registry is based on an integrated database that utilizes a secure web-based platform to collect response data from clinicians and patient's proxy via electronic case report forms (e-CRFs) at predefined intervals. The CI candidates are evaluated with a set of standardized and non-standardized questionnaires prior to initial device activation(as baseline variables) and at three-monthly interval follow-up intervals up to 24 months and annually thereafter. RESULTS: The software application of the ICIR registry is designed in a user-friendly graphical interface with different entry fields. The collected data are categorized into four subsets including personal information, clinical data, surgery data and commission results. The main parameters include audiometric performance of patient, device use, patient comorbidities, device use, quality of life and health-related utilities, across different types of CI devices from different manufacturers. CONCLUSION: The ICIR database could be used by the increasingly growing network of CI centers in Iran. Clinicians, academic and industrial researchers as well as healthcare policy makers could use this database to develop more effective CI devices and better management of the recipients as well as to develop national guidelines.

A Case-Control Study of Comparison of Plasma Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Inhaled Opium Addicts and Clinically Healthy Persons.

BACKGROUND: Metalloproteinase-9 exists in the basement membrane of normal tissues and is a major factor in cancer invasion and lymphatic metastasis. Smoking has been reported to increase the metalloproteinase level, but the role of opium consumption in metalloproteinase level has not yet been examined. The current research intended to examine the impacts of opium consumption on the serum levels of metalloproteinase. METHODS: This case-control research was conducted in Kerman (in the southeast of Iran), after getting medical approve by the ethics committee. Case group of 33 non-smokers with no active inflammatory diseases who had the experience of inhaled opium and its derivatives were compared with a control group of 40 non-smokers with no active inflammatory disease and no experience of inhaled opium and its derivatives. Student's t-test, mean, and chi-square test were employed to determine the correlation between the variables. FINDINGS: No statistically meaningful variation was detected in plasma metalloproteinase concentration between the case and control groups (P = 0.160). Also, there was no significant relation between the plasma metalloproteinase concentration and urinary morphine in case groups (P = 0.410), but a statistically significant correlation was found between gender and metalloproteinase in both the case and control groups (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: According to the possible role of opioid drugs in cancer and its prognosis both directly and through their impact on serum levels of metalloproteinase, further studies are suggested.

Pesticide Exposure and Head and Neck Cancers: A Case-Control Study in an Agricultural Region.

INTRODUCTION: Causes of head and neck cancers (HNCs) are multifactorial, and few studies have investigated the association between chemical exposure and HNCs. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between HNCs, agricultural occupations, and pesticide exposure. The potential for the accumulation of pesticides in the adipose tissue of patients was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, occupation, and exposure to pesticides in a hospital-based case-control study. Pesticide residue in the adipose tissue of the neck in both cases and controls was also monitored via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-one HNC cases were included in this study as well as 32 gender-, age-, and smoking-matched controls. An agricultural occupation was associated with HNC (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-9.43) after controlling for age, sex, and smoking. Pesticide exposure was associated with total HNC cases (OR, 7.45; 95% CI, 1.78-3.07) and larynx cancer (OR, 9.33; 95% CI, 1.65-52.68). A dose-response pattern was observed for HNC cases (P=0.06) and larynx cancer (P=0.01). In tracing the pesticide residue, five chlorinated pesticides, namely dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodipheny-ldichloroethane (DDD), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, and lindane, were identified in the adipose tissue. Chlorinated pesticide detection was significantly associated with HNC (OR, 3.91; 95% CI 0.9-0.16.9). CONCLUSION: HNCs were found to be associated with pesticide exposure after controlling for confounders. A high education level was identified as a modifying factor decreasing the risk of HNCs. Further studies with larger number of subjects are recommended to assess these relationships in greater detail.

Pulse steroid therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate in patients with idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss whether pulse therapy with methylprednisolone leads to better recovery of hearing than traditional oral prednisolone therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients diagnosed with idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss were randomly divided into two groups based on therapy. The study group received 500-mg daily intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days, followed by 1 mg/kg (maximum 60 mg) oral prednisolone for 11 days (total treatment: 14 days). The control group received 1 mg/kg (maximum 60 mg) oral prednisolone for 14 days. Hearing change was evaluated by comparing initial hearing tests and the third-month hearing tests in three ways: 1) pure tone improvement in each individual tone (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz); 2) word-recognition score improvement; and 3) complete, partial, and no recovery of hearing calculated (as defined by American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines). RESULTS: Sixty of 67 patients, 29 of 34 patients in the study group and 31 of 33 patients in the control group, completed the study. Frequency-specific hearing improvement did not differ significantly among the groups. Word-recognition score improvement was 20.34% ± 27.35% for the study group and 13.41% ± 23.48% for the control group, which had no statistically significant difference. There was also no significant difference in hearing recovery rates for the two groups. CONCLUSION: Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone and traditional oral prednisolone therapy resulted in similar hearing improvement.

Association of cagA Positive Helicobacter pylori Infection and Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A PCR Approach.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacillus causing benign and malignant gastric diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In larynx, H. pylori causes chronic inflammation and mucosal destruction that may lead to malignant changes. Although, H. pylori poses several virulence factors, cagA is probably the main factor in this regard. To evaluate the role of cagA gene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), a case-control study was conducted on patients with laryngeal complaints during 2010-2012. Seventy-two patients with LSCC (case group) and 72 patients without malignancy (control group) were included in the study. The H. pylori and cagA factor were assessed in laryngeal specimen of patients with PCR technique. 33 % of patients in case group (24 patients) and 45.8 % (33 patients) of control group were positive for H. pylori. CagA gene was present in 13.8 % (10 patients) of case group specimens and 31.9 % (23 patients) of control group. This difference was statistically significant with Mantel-Haenszel statistical test analyses. The results showed that patients with LSCC have significantly lower incidence of laryngeal H. pylori infection and cagA virulence factor than those without LSCC. Findings from this study support the protective effect of H. pylori infection against laryngeal cancer.

Effect of depth of general anesthesia on the threshold of electrically evoked compound action potential in cochlear implantation.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate effect of depth of general anesthesia on the threshold of electrically evoked compound action potential in cochlear implantation. A prospective clinical study in a single-subject design was conducted in the cochlear implant center of a tertiary care University-based hospital. Sixty-one cochlear-implanted children with bilateral, severe to profound sensory neural hearing loss were enrolled in the study. During the operation electrically evoked compound action potentials (e-ECAP) were measured in two phase of general anesthesia; in deep and in light anesthesia. Thresholds of e-ECAP in these two phases of anesthesia were compared. Thirty-one children received HiRes90k1j prosthesis and 30 children received CI24RE prosthesis. Thresholds difference of electrically evoked compound action potential between light and deep anesthesia in all tested electrodes in either group were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Non-measurable e-ECAP in some electrodes at deep anesthesia was measurable in light phase of anesthesia. Depth of anesthesia can have significant influence on e-ECAP threshold and it is important to reduce the depth of anesthesia to achieve better results.

Cerebrospinal fluid gusher in cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To share our experience of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher in cochlear implantation. METHODS: Demographic, radiological, and surgical results of patients with CSF gusher in 523 consecutive cochlear implant recipients including children and adults as well as our management technique were evaluated and a review of the literature has been included. RESULTS: Fifteen (2.87%) cases had CSF gusher. Two patients (13.3%) were adults with post-lingual hearing loss and the rest 12 (86.7%) were children with congenital hearing loss. Twelve patients (80%) had various types of inner ear malformation. Three patients (20%) had no predictable risk of CSF gusher from history or pre-operative imaging. In all patients, CSF gushers were controlled with our technique of packing the electrode entrance site with no additional measures. CONCLUSION: CSF gusher may occur with post-lingual hearing loss and in children with apparently unremarkable imaging and history. Thus, surgeons should always be ready to manage it. Management of CSF gusher can be mainly performed during the initial surgery by precise tight packing of the electrode entrance site. Furthermore, non-surgical or surgical measures are rarely required to stop a persistent leak. Our results show that our management technique may be recommended as well.

Survey on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its effect on the quality of high school students' life.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common airway disease. In order to study the prevalence of AR in high school students in Kerman, the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) was used and the quality of life in the students affected by rhinitis was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, analytical, descriptive study, based on the SFAR scale. Quality of life in students with AR was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: From 1511 students who completed the SFAR questionnaire, 291 (52.6%, girls; 47.4%, boys) had AR. Domestic dust was the most common cause of the disease. The most common symptoms of AR were rhinorrhea (76.6%), epiphora (76.3%), nasal congestion (64.3%), and itching (54.3%). According to the ARYA scale, (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), 41.9% of students had moderate-to-severe rhinitis and 58.1% had mild rhinitis. A total of 43.1% of patients with moderate-to-severe rhinitis had a persistent condition and 56.9% had an intermediate condition. Results of the SF-36 questionnaire among students with AR showed a significant difference in physical functioning and bodily pain in comparison with healthy students. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the prevalence of AR among Kerman high school students is 19.3%. Because of the effect of this disease on the life quality of high school students in terms of both physical functioning and bodily pain, efforts should be made to reduce allergen levels as far as possible.