Chronic Diseases Journal
Volume:12 Issue: 3, Summer 2024

Human hydatid disease (HD) is a chronic parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus species. Classic human hydatid cystic disease is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by the larva of cestode Echinococcus granulosus, leading to serious life-threatening complications. This study examines the range of presentations, mainly uncommon sites and changes in hematological parameters in recurrence and before and after surgery.

Amongst a total of 109 cases of HD, 25 unusual sites of HD were retrospectively studied in central India tertiary care rural hospitals from January 2016 to December 2020. Demographic details, clinical details, treatment reports, hematological reports, histopathology reports, and ultrasonography (USG)/computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports were also retrieved.

Histologically, scolices were found in 40.36% of the cases. Preoperative mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PLT) were significantly higher and lower, respectively, compared to the postoperative period. The recurrence rate of HD after surgery was 3.6%, while in the case of unusual presentation, recurrence was noted as 8%. All 4 cases of recurrence showed increased PLT (P < 0.0001).

Findings of the study highlight essential features of HD, which help early clinical suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and management to reduce morbidity and mortality related to HD. A possibility of HD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic swellings present anywhere in the body, especially at rare and unusual sites. Platelet parameters and eosinophil count could be utilized for early suspicion and ruling out the possibility of recurrence of HD.

Aging is associated with a wide range of sleep complaints. Health-promoting behaviors are the most important and effective factor in maintaining and improving the health of the elderly. The present research aims to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and health-promoting behaviors in older people.

This descriptive correlational research was conducted in Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Firozkoh City, Tehran Province, Iran, in 2020. 384 old people were selected by available sampling. For data collection, the hospital information system (HIS), health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP-II), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. Data were analyzed using a t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by SPSS software.

The highest frequency was related to people with bad sleep quality (72%). Sleep quality had a significant correlation with nutrition (r = -0.129, P = 0.010), stress management (r = -0.096, P = 0.058), and health-promoting behaviors (r = -0.128, P = 0.001). There was an inverse correlation between taking responsibility for health, physical activity, interpersonal relationships, and spiritual growth with sleep quality, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.560).

Health-promoting behaviors depend on a deep link with the sleep quality index, and it is necessary to emphasize sleep quality and other factors of appropriate health-promoting behaviors in the elderly more than anything else.

Trauma is one of the causes of death and part of the cause of disability in the active population in developing countries. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating trauma and consequences in emergency patients of Kowsar Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran, in 2018-2019.

In this cross-sectional study, the files of 245 patients who referred to the emergency department (ED) of Kowsar Hospital from April 2018 to March 2019 with the diagnosis of trauma equal to the prepared checklist were examined and the required information was extracted and analyzed using SPSS software.

74.3% were men and 25.7% were women. The average age was 26.49 ± 11.43 years. 58% of trauma mechanism was related to accidents, 40% to falls, and 2% was due to conflicts. 51% of patients were hospitalized in the emergency room and 5.7% in the intensive care unit (ICU). 41.6% were discharged and 1.6% died as a result of trauma. There was a significant relationship between the scene of the accident, transfer to the hospital from the scene of the accident, and the location of the lesion with the outcome of trauma in the studied patients (P < 0.0001).

The results of the present study showed that accidents and falls were the main reasons for patients to visit the emergency trauma department. There was a significant relationship between the anatomical location of the injury and the trauma's outcome. Most of the patients were admitted to the emergency room. Outcomes were trauma, hospitalization, discharge with personal consent, and death.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression among incarcerated delinquent children and young adolescents with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), as well as to identify the primary reasons for NSSI among these individuals in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

This study was a case series and was conducted at one of the juvenile detention centers (JDCs) in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the year 2023. The study utilized a census approach and included 50 cases with a history of self-injury. The Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) was used to collect data related to depression, while a researcher-developed checklist was utilized to identify the primary reasons for NSSI. Independent t-tests were performed to compare mean depression scores across sociodemographic groups. The significance level in this study was set at P < 0.05. The analyses were conducted using Stata software.

The age of participants ranged from 13 to 17 years, with a mean age of 15.7 years. All participants in this study were boys. The mean depression score for all participants was 26.42 with a standard deviation (SD) of 6.38. Using a DSRS cutoff score of 15 points as a risk of depression, the scores of 92% of the subjects exceeded the cutoff. Among the variables examined, only a history of drug abuse showed a significant association with depression. The three main reasons, with the highest percentages, in descending order, were "To release emotional pressure that builds up inside of me" (75%), "To control how I am feeling" (66%), and "To get rid of intolerable emotions" (61%).

A high percentage of incarcerated delinquent children and young adolescent with NSSI have symptoms of depression, which should be given special and immediate attention by health policy makers. It is recommended that the findings of this study be used in designing psychological and educational programs and interventions to reduce NSSI among children and young adolescents.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cognitive disorder and people with Down syndrome face this disease from middle age onwards, leading to numerous problems for the individuals and their families. Important factors, such as psychological, health, and educational variables, have not been investigated so far. This study aimed to compare the emotional bond and reading skills in adults with Down syndrome with and without AD.

This study has descriptive-causal-comparative prospective research aspects. The statistical population used in this research was all adults with Down syndrome in Kermanshah Province, the western part of Iran, which included 70 people from September to November 2013. The sampling was done in a census manner. Information was collected through a demographic questionnaire, a researcher-made reading skills questionnaire, and Hillburn's Emotional Scale. Data analysis was performed in the descriptive dimension using statistical indices, and in the inferential dimension using the independent t-test and SPSS software.

There was no significant difference between the two groups of individuals with Down syndrome with and without AD in terms of family emotional bonds and subscales (t = 1.56, P = 0.05), but there was a significant difference in reading skills and subscales between the two groups with and without AD (t = 4.87, P = 0.05).

Adults with Down syndrome without AD were at a higher level in terms of reading skills compared to adults with Down syndrome with AD. This issue shows the importance of reading skills in preventing AD in these people and makes it stand out.

Nowadays, attention to patient safety is important in providing hospital services and any failure to do so can have adverse consequences. Safety is one of the most salient rights of patients when receiving health services. The purpose of this study was to evaluate personnel perspective about patient safety culture in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, Iran.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 101 medical personnel of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan in operating rooms, intensive care, endocrine surgery, pulmonary, and emergency surgery in December 2019. Patient Safety Culture Survey Standard Questionnaire was used to assess patient safety culture. The first part of the questionnaire contained demographic information and the second part contained 42 questions. The results were analyzed by SPSS software.

27.7% of study participants were operating room personnel. 36.6% (n = 37) of personnel were men and 63.4% (n = 64) were women. In terms of attitude toward patient safety in different parts of the hospital, the operating room received the highest score (143) and the emergency room the lowest score (124).

Increasing attention to the patient safety culture will lead to the development and advancement of the country's hospitals and will lead them to a patient-friendly hospital. Moreover, the lower average dimensions in this study should be considered in order to enhance these dimensions.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN), marked by velvety skin plaques, signifies an underlying systemic disorder linked to rising obesity and diabetes rates. This study explores a comprehensive investigation of current AN treatment options, aiding clinicians in choosing effective and appropriate interventions for patients.

A literature review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and MEDLINE, focusing on AN treatments in the last decade and totally 32 articles were evaluated.

Topical treatments, including retinoids, vitamin D analogs, keratolytics, and peels, are explored. Topical retinoids, especially tretinoin and adapalene, have demonstrated efficacy in clinical studies, while vitamin D analogs like calcipotriol show promise. Systemic treatments, such as oral retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin, etretinate), insulin sensitizers (metformin, rosiglitazone), and other oral medications, are discussed. Metformin stands out for its effectiveness in treating AN associated with insulin resistance (IR). Cosmetic lasers, including alexandrite and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, offer successful outcomes in treating AN although cost and availability can be limiting factors. Other treatments, such as podophyllin, fish oil, photochemotherapy (PUVA), and surgery, are also considered.

AN necessitates a multifaceted approach, targeting both underlying systemic disorders and cosmetic concerns. The findings underscore the significance of topical treatments, systemic therapies like metformin, and the promising role of cosmetic lasers in AN management. Despite limitations in available studies, this comprehensive overview provides valuable insights for healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment strategies. As the prevalence of AN rises globally, continued research and clinical exploration are essential to refine and expand treatment options for this dermatological condition.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population of this study included all mothers of children with ASD in Tehran (Marjan Kindergarten and Psychology Center), Iran, in the year 2021. At first, 30 people were selected by the available sampling method and then randomly divided into experimental and control groups (15 experimental and 15 control). For the experimental group, the CBT was implemented in 10 sessions, each session lasting 90 minutes. The instruments used in this study included the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), the COVID stress scale (CSS), and the PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview (PSS-I). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software in two sections: descriptive [mean and standard deviation (SD)] and inferential [analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc test].

CBT significantly improved COVID-19 anxiety, COVID stress, and PTSD, and the results had enough consistency in the follow-up period, as well (P < 0.05).

CBT had a positive effect on reducing anxiety, stress, and PTSD caused by COVID-19 and can be used as an effective intervention to improve the behavior of mothers of children with ASD.