prevalence

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is highly consequential to global health among chronic diseases. Due to a limited researches that have examined relationships between liver enzymes and DM, this study aimed to investigate the link between elevated liver enzymes and diabetes among Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN) Guilan cohort study (PGCS) population.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 10519 individuals. The demographic and clinical information of the participants was recorded. The changes in alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were evaluated. IBM SPSS Version 21 was used to analyze the data, with a significance level < 0.05.

The frequency of diabetes was 24.1% and was more prevalent in women than men (27.4% vs. 20.2%, p< 0.001). After removing all confederates, patients with elevated ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP levels were 1.27, 1.27, 1.52, and 1.46 times more likely to have diabetes, respectively. The likelihood of developing diabetes rose in correlation with the number of elevated liver enzymes, up to almost 1.77-fold among subjects with three or four increased liver enzymes.

Patients diagnosed with diabetes exhibited significantly increased levels of liver enzymes compared to those without diabetes. Also, impairment of three or four liver enzymes demonstrated a positive correlation with an elevated likelihood of DM. This indicates the importance of considering the liver status in the management of the DM population.

The increasing prevalence of preterm birth in many societies has raised concerns. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with preterm birth in hospitals in Neyshabur, Eastern Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 273 neonates born before 37 weeks of gestational age between 2017 and 2019 in the educational hospitals of Neyshabur. The infants were included in the research through convenience sampling. The research tool consisted of items addressing issues related to both mothers and newborns. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, employing descriptive and analytical statistics, including chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

The rate of preterm birth in Neyshabur over the three-year period was 2.85%. Bicornuate uterus (1.83%) and cervical insufficiency (1.46%) were the most observed uterine factors, while umbilical cord prolapse (1.83%) and placental adhesion (1.46%) were the most prevalent placental factors. Moreover, breech presentation (10.98%) was the most common co-occurring fetal factor in preterm birth. A significant difference was found between the length of pregnancy and the type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) (P=0.003).

Due to the high prevalence of preterm birth in Neyshabur, it is recommended that mothers undergo periodic evaluations before and during pregnancy to identify and manage any accompanying problems or underlying conditions promptly.

Examine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction among COVID-19 recov-ered patients and whether this condition improved over time. The retrospective study of 50 male patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection previously hospitalized in dr. H Abdul Moeloek General Hospital between March 2020 – March 2021.

All of these patients were evaluated in terms of erectile and ejaculation function via phone interview. The International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and Male sexual health questionnaire ejaculatory dysfunction (MHSQ-EJD) were used to assess the erectile function and ejaculatory dysfunction. Sta-tistical analysis was performed to evaluate whether there was a difference between IIEF-5 & MHSQ-EJD scores within 6 months, 6 to 12 months, and >24 months after COVID-19 infection.

The prevalence of ED was 70% and EJD was 2 % during 0-6 months after COVID-19 infection. Mean age and BMI were 50.4 ± 8.5 years and 23.6 ± 1.6 kg/m2 respectively. There are 26 patients (52%) had an educational background lower than bachelor’s degree and 24 patients (48%) had an educational background of bachelor’s de-gree or higher. It was reported that 4 patients (8%) had Diabetes Mellitus and 12 patients (24%) had Hypertension. Most were active smokers (74%) and 2 patients (4%) had reported as active alcohol drinkers. There was a statisti-cally significant IIEF-5 scores difference between three periods of time (p <0,001).

The prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction was high in COVID-19 recovered patients. There was a tem-porary erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction among COVID-19 patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection is common all over the world mainly in developing country around 50% of population may carry it, it’s usually asymptomatic in early childhood but may cause significant problems like peptic ulcer.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated factors during infancy.

This study is a cross-sectional study of 110 infants aged from 6 months to 1 year, from 1st Feb. to 1st Aug. 2023. Stool Helicobacter antigen was done for infants and their mothers. Certain demographic and clinical information were obtained then statistical analysis applied.

The results showed 20% of infants were positive for H. pylori stool antigen, mean age of the infants was 8.99 ± 2.074 months. Sixty-two (56.4%) samples were male while forty-seven (42.7%) babies were breastfed. There was a significant association between infantile infection with prematurity, improper hygienic measures, maternal Helicobacter infection and overcrowding.

Helicobacter infection is not uncommon during infancy, Exclusive breast feeding decrease the risk of H. pylori infection in infancy, while other Variables such as gestational age, overcrowding and mother’s H. pylori positivity are known as predictors of H. pylori infection.

The human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1/2 is a retrovirus that can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, tissue-necrotizing lymphadenitis, and tropical spastic paraparesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HTLV infection in pregnant women receiving care in Urmia, sited in northwest Iran.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 86 pregnant women in Urmia between May and September 2014. Following interviews and blood sample collection, the participants were screened for IgG antibodies against HTLV-1/2 using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

The average age of the participants was 25.56 ± 5.30 years, with 3 individuals (3.49%) reporting a history of blood transfusion and 18 patients (20.93%) having experienced previous abortions. Serological testing did not reveal any evidence of HTLV-1/2 infection in the study population.

While screening for HTLV-1/2 infection in pregnant women holds significance, it appears that during the study period, this issue was not recognized as a major health concern among pregnant women in Urmia. This observation aligns with findings from other research in Iran, where awareness and emphasis on HTLV-1/2 screening in pregnant populations remain relatively low.

Smoking, particularly hookah use, has become a growing public health concern among adolescents globally.

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence and underlying factors related to hookah smoking among female students in Kermanshah-Iran.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 secondary school girls in Kermanshah in 2021. In this study, an electronic, confirmed, valid and reliable questionnaire was used. The participants were selected through a simple random sampling from the secondary schools. The data were entered into SPSS 22 software and analyzed.

The results showed that 5.6% of students have used hookah during the last year and 10.5% in their lifetime. The starting age of hookah smoking among students was 13.4 years old. 19.2% of families and friends of students had used hookah. A relationship was found between hookah smoking in students with hookah smoking family and friends. The risk of hookah smoking in students whose family use hookah is 28.1 times those whose families do not use hookah (95% confidence interval = 5.8, 2.92). The first place of hookah smoking was at home (43.5% of cases).

The current study clarified the role of family and friends in the use of hookah in female students. Considering the increase in hookah smoking among adolescent girls and the important role of family and friends, the inclusion of this subject in future preventive interventions is suggested.

Excessive prescription of antibiotics is the main factor contributing to the emergence of resistant bacteria.

To complement the global research conducted by Belgium's Antrop University and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Iran, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic prescriptions in Ahvaz hospitals.

This was a descriptive longitudinal study. The statistical population consisted of all patients hospitalized at Imam Khomeini, Golestan, and Abuzar Hospitals in Ahvaz between 2020 and 2021 (2035 patients). The data collection tool was a checklist from the educational department and special care department, completed by clinical assistants and recorded in the Global Point Prevalence online software. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.

The overall prevalence of antimicrobial use in Golestan, Imam Khomeini, and Abuzar Hospitals was reported as 43.2%, 44.1%, and 57.9%, respectively. The most common antibiotics for treating sepsis in both adults and children were vancomycin and meropenem. The most commonly used antibiotics for treating upper and lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) and for surgical prophylaxis were ceftriaxone and meropenem. Meropenem was the most commonly used antibiotic for treating pneumonia. The highest rates of antimicrobial resistance were reported for cefazolin (81.42%), ampicillin (93.77%), and ampicillin (94.02%) in Golestan, Imam Khomeini, and Abuzar Hospitals, respectively. The lowest rates of antimicrobial resistance were reported for ciprofloxacin (18.57%) in Golestan Hospital, ciprofloxacin (15.58%) in Imam Khomeini Hospital, and piperacillin/tazobactam (12.04%) in Abuzar Hospital.

Due to the high consumption of ceftriaxone and the significant resistance to ampicillin and cefazolin, continuous monitoring is essential to adjust antibiotic usage and resistance patterns in local, provincial, and national referral hospitals.

Statement of the Problem: 

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) will appear if there is a problem with the temporomandibular joint, bones, related muscles, or ligaments. This complication causes severe joint pain near the ears, head, neck, and jaws. TMD has been reported to affect 40 to 70% of adults.

Based on previous studies, the present review aimed to determine the prevalence of TMD among the Iranian population.

This review and meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. All relevant studies published during 2000-2023 were retrieved by a systematic search in available international databases, including Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, and domestic Persian databases, including SID, Magiran, and Iran Medex. Finally, 22 completely related studies were selected to investigate the main objective. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) software was used for data analysis in this systematic review.

Initially, 212 articles were retrieved, of which 116 were duplicate studies. Further, 39 studies were excluded after evaluation of the title and abstract, and 35 studies were excluded after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 22 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of TMD in Iran was 0.56 (0.44-0.68).

In general, the prevalence of TMD in the Iranian population is relatively high. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies to educate people, especially those at risk. Furthermore, due to the presence of TMD in children and students in some parts of the country, it is necessary to perform essential examinations in preschools to prevent the development of this disorder in later life.

The burden of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is worsening globally. Recognition of paediatric SCA burden is vital to comprehending the overall SCA burden. Aim was to determine the prevalence, disease manifestations and outcomes of paediatric SCA.

It was a retrospective study of all children with SCA, 0.5 year (6months) - 17 years old, managed from 2018 through 2023. Data obtained were sex, age at first visit per year, diagnoses and date per visit, location (clinics or emergency-room) of visit, intervals between visits, and death. Disease manifestations per subject were summarized into diagnosis while default was defined as >3 months visit interval.

Of the 532 subjects, 55.6% were males with overall median (interquartile [IQR]) age on first visit of 9 (5 - 13) years. On average, paediatric SCA constituted 4% of first visits per year. There were 252 sick visits per year, 544 diagnoses per year and 146 hospitalisations per year. Commonest diagnosis in emergency-room and clinics were bone pain crises (46.2%) and steady-state (48.5%), respectively. The 11 - 17-year-olds were more likely to have bone pain crises than 0.5 - 4-year-olds (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.381; 95%CI: 0.487-0.787) and 5 - 9-year-olds (OR 0.298; 95%CI: 0.573-0.861). They were also more likely to have avascular necrosis than the 0.5 - 4-year-olds (OR 0.789; 95%CI: 0.047-0.938) and 5 - 9-year-olds (OR 0.777; 95%CI: 0.064-0.781). Overall median (IQR) default time was 6 (5 - 7) months with more defaults (85.1%) than compliants (14.9%) (p<0.001) while 0.56% died.

The overall prevalence of Paediatric SCA in the region is 4% with approximately one hospitalisation per sick visit and more than one diagnoses per visit. There is a high default rate but a low mortality rate (0.56%). Sustained improvement in the management of SCA, from childhood through adulthood, may help alleviate the increasing burden of the condition.

Stress is an important psychosocial factor responsible for the hypertension. Globally, university employees reported a high prevalence of hypertension, and perceived stress; however, in Indian context, as few studies documented this association, we conducted a study documenting the prevalence of hypertension and perceived stress among employees of Solapur University.

A cross-sectional study was conducted during June – September 2022 to screen 231 university employees for hypertension following International Society of Hypertension guidelines. Perceived psychological stress was assessed with Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Chi-square test and both univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the hypotheses. The significance level for the p-value was set at ≤0.05, and statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 12.1. 

The overall prevalence of hypertension was 39%. More than half of employees (54%) were under moderate to high levels of stress, and they were more likely to be hypertensive than those under low stress. Staff with more than 30 years and in non-teaching posts were about two times more at higher risk of hypertension, and male staff, and those having moderate to high-stress levels were 2.5 times more likely associated with the risk of hypertension as compared to others.

University employees are under high levels of stress which are prone to developing hypertension. There is a need to screen more and more Indian university employees for the presence of hypertension and stress to design appropriate hypertension prevention programmes.

A prevalent occupational health issue that may have a detrimental effect on nurses' mental health and general well-being is musculoskeletal problems. This narrative review aimed to explore the social, economic, and personal implications of Musculoskeletal Disorder on nurses in India, and examine support, and intervention strategies available for them.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using relevant keywords related to Musculoskeletal Disorder, mental health, nurses, social, personal, support, and intervention. The inclusion criteria were articles published in English and focused the nursing workforce in India.

A total of 15 articles were selected for review synthesis. According to the summary, nurses in India who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders deal with serious social and personal repercussions that impact their everyday life and general well-being. Musculoskeletal Disorder can lead to decreased social connections, reduced job satisfaction, and physical and emotional distress. However, limited interventions are available that address Musculoskeletal Disorder and the mental health of nurses in India.

There is a significant effect of Musculoskeletal Disorder on the mental health, quality of life, and economic well-being of nurses in India. However, limited scientific research exists exploring the prevalence and psychosocial implications of Musculoskeletal Disorder in the Indian nursing population. Consequently, additional research is essential to comprehend the scope and ramifications of this occupational health concern. To create interventions and support systems that are effective in the unique cultural and occupational context of nursing in India, it is imperative to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Skin cancers are among the most prevalent skin diseases across the globe. In recent years, we are witnessing an increasing rate of skin cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed at epidemiological evaluation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in patients referring to the dermatology clinic of Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital from 2016 to 2019.

The present retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with suspected BCC referring to the skin clinic of Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital from April 2015 to September 2018. Their skin biopsy samples were sent to Allameh Behlool Gonabadi Hospital Pathology Laboratory for diagnosis. Based on the research criteria, 149 completed pathology reports were examined, and BCC was on the list of clinical differential diagnoses of skin lesions. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In the present study, the prevalence of BCC was calculated at 36.2%. Based on the location of the BCC lesion, the most affected area was the face. A statistically significant relationship was found between age and the prevalence of BCC. Nonetheless, the prevalence of BCC displayed no statistical relationship with gender and place of residence.

As evidenced by the obtained results, old age and male gender increase the probability of facial BCC. This finding can be ascribed to more prolonged contact of the face with direct sunlight or carcinogenic substances; therefore, screening programs are recommended for the diagnosis of this disease in its early stages.

Campylobacter, a zoonotic pathogen, is the primary bacterial agent responsible for gastrointestinal (GI) infections in humans. Domestic animals, including cattle, are reservoirs of this bacterium, and can be one of the main sources of infection transmission to humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter species using a multiplex PCR assay in cattle in the Gorgan province. A total of 200 fecal samples were collected from healthy dairy cattle and genus and species were identified using multiplex PCR. The frequency of the genus Campylobacter in 200 samples in our study was 17.5% (35 cases), C. jejuni and C. coli species were not identified in these 35 cases. Isolating Campylobacter from animal fecal samples is a challenging process, but this study showed that Campylobacter contamination was relatively high in cattle in the Gorgan province, and its transmission to humans through meat consumption must be monitored.