Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with chronic psoriasis: a potential association.

BACKGROUND: The immunological abnormalities that lead to the development of psoriasis suggest that these patients may be at increased risk for other inflammatory state which may enhance atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients who haven't associated traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and to correlate these findings with colour Doppler echocardiographic parameters. METHODS: The study included 80 patients with chronic psoriasis together with 50 age and sex matched healthy volunteers served as control group. Patients who had classic cardiovascular risk factors or had cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events were excluded. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques were measured in the carotid arteries by using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Also, echocardiographic study was performed using ultrasound imaging system in all cases and controls. RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis had increased carotid artery IMT compared with controls (means 0.9 +/- 0.2 mm vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1 mm; P < 0.001). Carotid IMT positively correlated with patients age, duration of the disease and severity of psoriasis. There was no significant difference in echocardiographic parameters in psoriatic patients compared with controls, also no significant correlation between carotid IMT and echocardiographic parameters were observed in psoriatic patients. CONCLUSION: The increased carotid artery IMT in patients with chronic psoriasis suggesting that chronic psoriasis is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. So, dermatologists should advice their patients to avoid traditional cardiovascular risk factors and to routinely checkup to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Effect of student's teaching about weaning on rural mother's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP).

PIP: Teaching women the merits of breast feeding, how to use locally available and suitable solid foods to feed infants, and proper methods of weaning can have a considerable and direct positive impact upon infants' nutritional status. 50 mothers aged 15-40 of mean age 24 years from Shoubramant village participated in a study to assess the effect of teaching about weaning. 76% of mothers and 54% of fathers were illiterate. The mothers were interviewed at baseline on their weaning knowledge and practice, then re-interviewed after having been taught relevant information by community nursing students. Mothers' weaning-related knowledge, attitude, and practice were significantly improved by the nutrition education intervention. Mothers' level of education was found to be an important factor affecting knowledge, attitude, and practice.^ieng