Exploring suicidal ideation prevalence in multiple sclerosis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study on the relationship between drug use and suicidal ideation.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated psychological challenges, leading to increased rates of clinically significant depression and suicidal ideation among MS patients. Despite advancements in MS treatments, there remains a need to investigate the impact of different drugs on the prevalence of suicidal ideation, particularly in the context of the pandemic. METHOD: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2021, received ethics approval from the Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Science. The study involved 234 MS patients selected from the MS Association in Kerman Province. Questionnaires were prepared and distributed via Google Drive and WhatsApp, with participants providing informed consent. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Inclusion criteria encompassed adults diagnosed with MS according to specific criteria and willing to complete the questionnaires, while exclusion criteria included unclear diagnostic criteria and lack of cooperation. The instruments included a demographic questionnaire, medication checklist, and the Beck Suicidal Thought Scale questionnaire, which has been validated in Iran. RESULTS: 202 MS patients completed the questionnaires, most of whom were women and married. The prevalence of Suicidal Ideation was 46.5 %, with 8.9 % at high risk. Factors such as gender, marital status, education, occupation, and city did not show statistically significant differences in SI. Patients with SI had a longer duration of illness and were more likely to have seen a psychiatrist. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the necessary care for 44.6 % of patients and worsened symptoms in 28.7 %. Additionally, 30.2 % of patients had seen a psychiatrist, and the prevalence of SI was significantly higher in this group. The study also explored the prevalence of SI with comorbidities and types of drugs used, finding no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a high prevalence of suicide ideation among MS patients, emphasizing the need for tailored comprehensive support. Factors contributing to SI included limited healthcare access, fear of COVID-19 complications, social isolation, and heightened anxiety. Recommendations for healthcare providers stress early diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and collaborative efforts to enhance the well-being of individuals with MS in Iran post-COVID-19.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on marriage, divorce, birth, and death in Kerman province, the ninth most populous province of Iran.

This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marriage, divorce, birth, and death rates using the Poisson regression model and an interrupted time-series Poisson regression model. Before the pandemic, marriage and birth rates were decreasing, while divorce and death rates were increasing, with only the trend in birth rates being statistically significant. The immediate effect of the pandemic was a significant decrease in the divorce rate, but there were non-significant effects on birth and marriage rates. However, in the months following the onset of the pandemic, there was a statistically significant sustained effect on increasing death and divorce rates. Forecasts based on pre-pandemic data showed that by the end of 2020, marriage, divorce, death, and birth rates were higher compared to pre-pandemic levels. In conclusion, the pandemic has greatly impacted society, particularly in terms of death and divorce rates. Birth rates were not immediately affected to the time lag between decisions and actual births. Fear of COVID-19 may have increased death rates as people avoided seeking medical help. Vaccination and effective treatment strategies are vital in reducing the pandemic's impact on mortality. Supporting families financially is important due to the role of economic issues in couples' decisions.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis Following COVID-19 Infection in Iran.

Background & Objective: Mucormycosis (also called black fungus) is an opportunistic serious fungal infection caused by mucormycetes. It can occur in diabetes mellitus patients and other immunosuppressive conditions with recent predisposing factors such as maxillofacial surgery and corticosteroid usage. Methods: In this study, 14 patients were referred to the otorhinolaryngology or ophthalmology ward of Shafa Hospital (Kerman, Iran) with primary symptoms of nasal fullness and facial nerve dysfunction; they were admitted to the hospital to rule out the fungal infection. An endoscopic biopsy was taken from facial sinuses or orbit, and a microscopic evaluation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining methods to rule out mucormycosis. Results: In the histopathological examination, broad-based nonseptate branching fungal hyphae were found in nasal sinuses through the endoscopic biopsy. Most of the patients had diabetes mellitus with a primary symptom of facial nerve palsy; also, most of them received corticosteroids (intravenous [IV] or intramuscular [IM] injection). All patients have recently been infected with COVID-19 (less than 1 month ago). Conclusion: COVID-19 infection might be a predisposing factor for many opportunistic infections, such as fungal elements); thus, the physician should be aware of the dosage and duration of corticosteroid therapy to prevent the development of these infections.

An analysis of suicide rates in Kerman province, the largest province in Iran, before and after COVID-19: (2017-2020).

This study aimed to investigate the suicide incidence rate in Kerman before and after the pandemic and the characteristics of suicides. During four years, 642 suicide occurred in Kerman province. The suicide rate of suicide has increased in 2020 compared to previous years. Suicide among females, singles, people with bachelor's degrees, students, governmental, non-governmental occupations, and people without a history of mental illness, and suicide history increased in 2020. Identifying individuals at risk is crucial in order to get exceptional support from the government and society during crises like COVID-19.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation Following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerman Province: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation (SI) serves as an important predictor of suicide. The prevalence of SI has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with SI after the pandemic in the Kerman province. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 23 counties of the Kerman province between 2021 and 2022. The Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) was utilized to estimate SI, while multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the impact of various variables on SI. RESULTS: A total of 1421 individuals (47.7% men, 50.0% women and 2.3% unknown) with an average age of 35.17±9.47 years participated in this study. The estimated prevalence rate of SI was 9.2%, with variations ranging from 0% to 42% across different counties. Individuals with SI exhibited a significantly younger mean age and fewer family members. Furthermore, SI was significantly more prevalent among single participants, unemployed individuals, students, those with a history of mental illness, prior psychiatric medication use, and previous SI. Employed individuals had 87% lower odds of experiencing SI compared to the unemployed. Individuals with a history of prior SI had 239 times higher odds of SI than those without such a history. Additionally, each year increase in age corresponded to an 8.8% decrease in the odds of SI. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of SI is concerning, and it is essential to remain vigilant regarding its health and social consequences as the pandemic continues. Therefore, it is imperative to provide enhanced mental health services, particularly targeting at-risk groups.

Epidemiology of occupational injuries in Kerman province during 2012-2016.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, occupational injuries are significant health issues globally that affect social lives and economic status. This study aimed to assess the situation of occupational injuries in the Kerman province. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all occupational injuries registered in the Department of Cooperatives Labor and Social Welfare of Kerman Province were investigated during 2012-2016. Data were retrieved from an institutional database, including the official institutional software reports of Cooperatives Labor and Social Welfare occupational inspectors. The study used ArcGIS 10.3 software to prepare the geographical distribution of the cumulative incidence of occupational injuries on the map for each city. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 2228 subjects with a mean age of 34 years and a mean work experience of 4.5years were injured during 5 years. 73.2% of them were married. 96.4% of them were Iranian, and 61.3% had insurance. The most number of injuries occurred in the construction industry, fractures being the typical outcome of the injuries. The most injured organ was the hands. Kerman has the highest number of injuries with 804 cases. Incidence rates ranged was 93 to 138 cases per 100,000 people in 5 years. The highest cumulative incidence rates of accidents occurred in Zarand and Kahnuj, respectively, in 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decrease in occupational injuries in recent years, it is a severe problem in Kerman province. Occupational injuries cause irreparable damages to human resources, and it, directly and indirectly, imposes costs for the family and the government. Therefore, considering safety in occupational environments to prevent occupational injuries should be a priority in planning.

Efficacy of Custom-Made Appliance by the Method of CAD/CAM Compared with Conventional Dressing for Reducing Facial Swelling after Maxillofacial Surgery.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Swelling of the surrounding tissue of surgical site is one of the most common, devastating effects after maxillofacial surgery and can have an effect on quality of life and the patients' satisfaction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a custom-made appliance by the method of Computer-aided design/Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) compared with conventional dressing for reducing facial swelling after maxillofacial surgery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This clinical trial accomplished in 14 patients voluntarily referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Bahonar hospital in Kerman. These patients were the candidate for surgical treatment of similar bilateral facial fractures (10 patients) and orthognathic surgery (4 patients). Facial computed tomography (CT) scans of the patients were taken to build up a custom-made appliance. Based on three-dimensional reconstruction from facial CT scan data, custom-made appliance was designed and built. Swelling on one side with custom-made appliance and on the opposite side with conventional dressing measured with paper tape graded before surgery, immediately after surgery, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days later, we divided the patients into two groups of trauma and orthognathic surgical procedures. RESULTS: Based on the defined landmarks, all of the measurements were performed on both sides. Statistical analyses do not show any asymmetry before surgery (p= 0.48). In addition, there was no significant difference between two methods of dressing on the day of surgery and a day later (p= 0.084, p= 0.09), but there was a significant difference between two methods of dressing on second and seventh days. The swelling has decreased faster and further in our new method. CONCLUSION: Regarding the exact adaptation to the surgical site on facial skin, using custom-made appliance by the method of CAD/CAM could be an effective tool that reduces swelling after maxillofacial surgery.

Occupational Stress and Coping Behaviours Among Dentists in Kerman, Iran.

OBJECTIVES: Recognising causes of stress can help prevent associated adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate causes of occupational stress and coping behaviours among general dentists in Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to December 2014. A modified version of the Occupational Stress Indicator questionnaire was used to assess causes of stress and coping behaviours among 142 general dentists in Kerman, Iran. RESULTS: A total of 93 dentists participated in the study (response rate: 65.5%). Of these, 58.9% reported often being stressed. The mean general stress score was 63.33 ± 19.99. The most common causes of stress were maintaining high levels of concentration while working (65.6%), time pressures (64.5%), concern over their ability to deliver dental services in future (60.2%) and rising costs (59.1%). No significant relationships between stress and gender, age, workplace or working hours per week were noted (P >0.05). However, there was a significant correlation between general stress scores and years of job experience (P = 0.05) and number of patients treated daily (P = 0.03). The most common methods for coping with stress were resting (71.0%), sports (45.2%) and entertainment (43.0%). Most dentists felt that stress management courses could help to reduce stress (89.7%). CONCLUSION: General dentists in Kerman were subject to many sources of stress in their workplaces, with significant relationships between stress scores and years of work experience and number of patients treated daily. Dentists should be encouraged to participate in stress management courses to help alleviate stress.