Tehran University Medical Journal
Year:2007 | Volume:65 | Issue:2|Papers Count:22

Background: Until a few decades ago, celiac disease was considered to be essentially a disease of European people and to be very rare in Middle Eastern countries. During the last two decades, having met the criteria for the WHO general screening, the advent and application of novel serological assays used to screen for celiac disease and the use of endoscopic small bowel biopsy have led to increasing numbers of diagnoses of celiac disease in western countries. With this new data, our knowledge on both the clinical pattern and epidemiology of celiac disease has increased, and is now known to be a relatively common autoimmune disorder. Studies performed in different parts of the developing world have shown that the prevalence of celiac disease in this area is similar to or even higher than those in western countries. In fact, celiac disease is known to be the most common form of chronic diarrhea in Iran. However, contrary to common belief, celiac disease is more than a pure digestive alteration. It is a protean systemic disease, and, with a 95 percent genetic predisposition, has a myriad of symptoms including gastrointestinal, dermatological, dental, neurological and behavioral that can occur at a variety of ages. Monosymptomatic, oligosymptomatic, atypical (without gastrointestinal symptoms), silent and latent forms of celiac disease have been identified. In this study we review the epidemiology of celiac disease based on the studies performed in Iran and discuss its pathogenesis, the role of antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease and the importance of its diagnosis and treatment in Iran.

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients throughout the world. The incidence is increasing despite the major advances in the development of antimicrobial agents and other supportive treatments. Based on multiple studies, it has been shown that patient outcome depends on Thl and Th2 cytokine response. Moreover, whenever the Th2 response is predominant, the sepsis is more severe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cytokine levels and the severity of sepsis in patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study on the cellular levels of several proinflammatory cytokines was carried out in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis. The study included 37 patients (24 men and 13 women), 26 of them had sepsis and 11 had the severe form of sepsis Thirty-seven healthy volunteers served as controls. The average age of the patients was 57 years (±23.3 years), with a range of 21 to 92 years. From the whole blood of the subjects, we separated the monocytes and leukocytes, which were then cultured. Using an ELISA method, we measured levels of IFN-y and IL-12 (associated with Th1), and IL-4 and IL-10 (associated with Th2) in the cultured cells with and without cell stimulation. Results: No correlation was found for IFN-g production in the cells of patients with sepsis and severe sepsis, regardless of whether the patients had died or survived. However, IL-12 levels were significantly decreased in severe sepsis compared with those of sepsis patients (P=0.048).Furthermore, the cells of expired patients also had significantly decreased IL-12 levels compared with those of surviving patients (P=0.028). We also found that the levels of IFN-g, IL-4, and IL-10 were decreased in patients compared with those of controls, which correlated to their production.However, there was no correlation for IL-12 production between the cells of the patients compared with those of the controls. There was also no correlation for cytokine production between men and women with sepsis and in adults compared with that of elderly patients (>55 years old).Conclusion: We have shown that the predominating T helper cell subset in patients with severe sepsis, as well as expired patients, is Th2. In conclusion, the correlation of Th1 cytokine production and progression of sepsis was demonstrated. Most probably IL-12 levels would be significantly lower in patients with severe sepsis and those who expired.

Background: Cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome consists of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), anomalously located chordae tendinae of the left ventricle, or a combination of the two. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance, as measured by the physical working capacity (PWC170) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), in athletes with cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome.Methods: Of the 183 male athletes studied, 158 had cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome and 25 were normal, healthy controls. Their mean age was 16.23 (±5.48) years and mean training time was 5.2 (±-4.6) years. Athletes with cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome were divided to four groups. Group 1 consisted of those with MVP; Group 2 had patients with an additional cord in left ventricle; Group 3 was made up of athletes with a combination of MVP and additional cord; Group 4 contained athletes with a combination of MVP and MR. All sportsmen were studied by echocardiograph, veloergometer, and those with arrhythmias were studied and recorded using a Holter monitor.Results: The most common form of this syndrome in our study groups was MVP. The PWC170 and VO2 max among the athletes with the combination of MVP+MR (Group 4) was lower than that of athletes in other groups (P<0.05). The most common arrhythmia among the athletes with anomalously located left ventricular chordae, Group 2, was Wolf-Parkinson- White (WPW) syndrome and early repolarization syndrome. The PWC170 and VO2 max in athletes with WPW syndrome, was lower than the other athletes who did not have WPW syndrome (P<0.05).Conclusion: The lowest PWC170 and VO2 max were in those athletes with a progressive abnormality. However, the PWC170 and VO2 max among athletes with anomalously located left ventricular chordae was normal. Therefore, among athletes with a combination of anomalously located left ventricular chordae and disruption of rhythm, the PWC170 and VO2 max are lower than normal.

Background: Preterm labor is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Recurrence of preterm labor in future pregnancies is 6-8%. History of preterm labor is a strong risk factor for future preterm labor. Preterm labor is the leading cause of neonatal mortality in developed countries, but permanent morbidity in these premature neonates has many side effects for the newborn as well as their family members and society. For this reason we conducted a survey to identify risk factors for recurrent preterm delivery among primiparous women with previous preterm delivery.Methods: This prospective case-control study included patients from three university hospitals, namely Imam Khomeini, Shariati and Mirza Koochakkhan Hospitals, all in Tehran, Iran. Subjects, including 539 primiparous women who delivered preterm (22-36 weeks), were divided into two groups: 47 had a second preterm delivery (study group) and 492 had first preterm delivery (control group). Exclusion criteria were induced preterm delivery due to medical indications in mother and primigravid. Data collection and analysis was performed using SPSS 10 and t-test and X2 test were used to analyze the significance of the results.Results: From a total of 6,537 deliveries, we found 539 cases of preterm delivery, among which 47 cases were identified as recurrent preterm delivery. The control group was composed of 492 deliveries. The recurrence of preterm delivery was 8.7%. Uterine anomaly, cardiovascular, renal and thyroid. disease in mother and blood group A had a significant correlation with recurrent preterm delivery.Conclusion: Expectant mothers with uterine anomalies, cardiovascular, renal or thyroid diseases or group A blood type should receive extra care, observation and instructions in order to limit the risk of preterm delivery and its subsequent effects.

Background: Propofol, an anesthetic noted to give rapid recovery, causes discomfort at the site of injection. A number of methods to reduce propofolinduced pain have been tried, including pretreatment with lidocaine, with varying results. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of magnesium sulfate compared to that of lidocaine and normal saline in mitigating propofol-induced pain.Methods: One hundred ASA I and II adults, aged 20-50 years, scheduled for elective surgery requiring two IV lines with 20-gauge cannulae in the dorsum of each hand, were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups of 50 patients. In each patient, one hand was the case study and other hand was the control. Group A received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and normal saline in the other hand. Group B received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and 1% lidocaine in the other hand. All injections had a volume of 2 ml. After 30 seconds, 2 cc of 1% propofol was injected simultaneously into each hand. Pain was assessed according to the VAS rating system, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain), with a minimum interval of 3 as significant pain. Data were analyzed by chi-square and independent t tests. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: In Group A, the mean pain in the hand premedicated with magnesium was 1.46±1.07, compared to 4.54±2.15 for that of the other hand that had received normal saline (P=0.001). In group B, the mean pain in the hand that had received magnesium was 0.82±1.34, compared to 0.78±1.07 for that of the other hand, which had received lidocaine (P=0.86).Conclusion: Intravenous magnesium and lidocaine pretreatments are equally effective in attenuating propofol-induced pain, and were better than normal saline in attenuating propofol-induced pain.

Background: Imaging abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses are regularly noted as incidental findings on MR!, however, little is known about their prevalence in the Iranian population. The purpose of this study was to classify these findings in the paranasal sinuses as seen on MR! and to investigate the prevalence, according to site and type of paranasal abnormality.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the T2-weighted axial MRI of 256 patients with diseases unrelated to their paranasal sinuses were reviewed between May 2002 and June 2003. The findings were categorized according to the anatomic location and the imaging characteristics of the abnormality. The abnormalities recorded included total sinus opacification, mucoperiosteal thickening ³5mm, air fluid levels and retention cysts or polyps. Unilateral or bilateral involvement and septal deviation were also noted. A sinus was considered normal if it was fully aerated and no soft-tissue density was apparent within the cavity.Results: Among our cases, 111 (43.5%) were male and 145 (56.5%) were female. Of these patients, abnormalities in one or more of the sinus groups were found in 110 subjects (42.9%), 55.5% of which were male and 44.5% were female (P=0.001). Maxillary sinus abnormalities were observed in 66.4% of the patients, while ethmoid sinus abnormalities were found in 63.6%. Of the ethmoid abnormalities, 21% were found in the anterior section, 9% in the middle ethmoid, and 8% in the posterior ethmoid. The most common abnormality found was mucosal thickening. Among our cases, 23.4% had septal deviation, which was significantly higher among those with sinusitis (29% versus 19.1%; P<0.01).Of those patients with sinus involvement, 16% were involved in the sphenoid sinus and 5% in the frontal sinus. The results obtained from the patients with sinus abnormality revealed that 85% suffered from cough, nasal obstruction, runny nose, facial pain and post nasal discharge and 24% had been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis by physician.Conclusion: Our results showed that there was a high rate of incidental abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses that are unrelated to the patient's presenting problems.

Background: For patients requiring chronic hemodialysis, the preferred site for vascular access is an autogenous arteriovenous fistula. Although a properly formed fistula is advantageous because it is less susceptible than other types of vascular accesses to infection and clot formation and can last longer than any other types of vascular access, AV fistula has a high rate of early failure that can increase immediate cost and complications. In this study, the prognostic value of physical examination of arteriovenous fistula by the surgeon at the end of the surgery was evaluated.Methods: In the general surgery ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital in 326 chronic renal failure patients, 354 arteriovenous fistula operations were accomplished by two surgeons from 1377 to 1381 (ca. 1998 to 2002). The performance of each fistula was divided into the following groups by the surgeon at the end of operation: 1) systolic and diastolic thrill, 2) systolic thrill 3) souffle 4) pulse 5) not functional. Clinical function of the fistula was evaluated by the same surgeon in the following days if no souffle or thrill, early failure was detected on initial inspection.Results: In the 354 cases of arteriovenous fistula, the total early failure rate was 12.7%. The lowest early-failure rate was 3.5% in the systolic and diastolic thrill group. The highest early-failure rate was in the not functional group (P<0.001). There was no correlation between early failure and age, sex, surgeon and location of fistula.Conclusion: Optimally, an arteriovenous fistula has a thrill with a soft compressible pulse. At the end of each operation, if the surgeon cannot detect a thrill at the fistula site, can find only pulse, or if the function is otherwise unsatisfactory, considering of a new arteriovenous fistula may be required, however it is better to postpone the surgery.

Background: To identify the clinical manifestations and mortality rate among neonates with early- and late-onset sepsis.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records in Children's Hospital Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences of 104 neonates (50 females and 54 males) diagnosed with septicemia and treated from September 1994 to August 1995. Diagnosis of septicemia was based on standard criteria. According to the time of onset of disease, there were 50 neonate with early-onset and 54 with late-onset septicemia.Results: Of the clinical signs in the 104 patients, respiratory signs were found in 31 patients, poor feeding in 57, jaundice in 42, apnea in 25 and hyporeflexia in 25. Blood cultures were positive in 31 (34.8%) of the neonates: the most common species isolated was Staphylococcus aureus with eight cases, while five had Staphylococcus epidermidis, all of whom had a single species of bacterium isolated. Seventy-three (70%) had normal birth weights (equal to or heavier than 2500 g) and 31 (30%) were classified as low birth weight (birth weight less than 2500 g). Cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive in four (6%) of the patients, including one case of Escherichia coli, one Salmonella typhi, one Klebsiella, and one Staphylococcus aureus. The frequency of infection in male and female infants was 53% and 47%, respectively. Among the infants with early-onset sepsis, 16 (32%) were low birth weight. Overall, the mortality rate among these patients was 30%, including 18 out of the 50 with early onset and 14 out of the 54 with late onset sepsis. Of these infants, 23 had meningitis, including 13 (26%) with early-onset sepsis and 10 (9.6%) with late-onset sepsis. Among the low birth weight infants, the mortality rate was higher (42%) than that of the infants with normal birth weight (26%).Conclusion: Because of the high mortality rate among low birth weight neonates with sepsis, we suggest that this group of patients should receive more care and there should be greater effort to ensure that they are treated with the appropriate antibiotics. Furthermore, all healthcare givers responsible for the management of neonates with sepsis should receive additional continuing education courses to ensure that they are aware of the risks, complications and mortality rate among these patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to review the frequency, histopathology and outcome in children with tumors of the liver.Methods: Included in this retrospective/descriptive study were 30 children treated for liver tumors from 1375-1384 (ca. 1996-2005), at Children's Hospital Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. We included the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data of our patients, focusing on the frequency, etiology and outcome.Results: Patient ages ranged from three months to 12 years (median 3.8 years), with 18 males (60%) and 12 females (40%). Of these, 17 patients had hepatoblastoma (55.66%), including 13 males and four females, with an age range of six months to five years. Four cases (13.33%) had neuroblastoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was found in three cases (10%), all of whom were carriers of hepatitis' B. Two cases (6.66%) were diagnosed with mesenchymal hamartoma, two cases (6.66%) with hemangioendothelioma and two cases (6.66%) with rhabdomyosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma of the biliary tract. Abdominal swelling and hepatomegaly were seen in all of patients. Jaundice was observed in two cases. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels greater than 500 ng/ml were seen in 17 cases (56.66%).All patients were receiving specific treatment. The three-year survival rate was 65% for hepatoblastoma and 2% for HCC.Conclusion: With the introduction of specific treatment, the survival rate for children with tumors of the liver has significantly increased. Further improvement can be achieved using diagnostic biopsy for hepatoblastoma, although it may result in complications, and preoperative chemotherapy followed by complete surgical excision (per International Society of Pediatric Oncology guidelines), yielding an outstanding survival rate of 80%.

Background: Traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation is a common injury of the ear with a high rate of spontaneous healing if the patients strictly adhere to water precautions. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors involved in the spontaneous healing of traumatic TM perforations in order to ascertain the best treatment plan including observation, paper patch and finally surgery.Methods: In this correlative-descriptive study, we recorded the outcome of each patient with three-month follow up. Included in this study were a total of 202 forensic medicine patients from the Dept. of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery at the Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. All patients included in this study had traumatic TM perforation. Based on otoscopic examination, the perforations were classified as pinpoint or large. All patients received an audiometry exam and were followed for three months. The data was collected using a special form and analyzed by chi-square test, Fisher exact test and ANOVA.Results: This study consisted of 118 male and 84 female patients with a mean age of 23.6 years (6-48 years). The types of trauma included compression injury (104 patients), instrumental injury (59 patients), bum-slag injury (2 patients) and blast injury (1 patient). One hundred and eighty patients had pinpoint TM perforations, 99.4% of which healed spontaneously by the second month, and 32 patients had large TM perforations, 50% of which healed spontaneously by the second month. During the first month, 87.3% of the patients observing water precautions had healed, however the healing rate was only 5.6% in patients not adhering to water precautions, who suffered from otorrhea. Therefore, during this study, 185 (91.58%) patients had spontaneous healing by two months and only 6 patients of remaining 17 patients healed with paper patch. The mean hearing loss at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz was 10.55 dB (5-30 dB). conclusion: In our experience, patients with traumatic TM perforations have higher spontaneous healing rate when observing water precautions. Furthermore, we recommend observation and paper patching for three months before attempting any surgical intervention in such patients.

Background: Both isokinetic testing and functional tests are commonly used to evaluate anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed (ACLR) patients. The object of this study was to evaluate motor performance of the knee and determine the relationship of isokinetic test scores to scores on a variety of lower extremity functional tests.Methods: Ten healthy subjects and eleven ACLR patients at least six months after surgery performed the following: knee isokinetic tests at 60 and 180 deg/sec; three functional tests including leg vertical jump, single hop, and triple cross-over hop for distance. The International Knee Document Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDCSKEF) was used to score the self-assessment of each study participant. Paired T-test was used to compare the involved and uninvolved knee. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between the scores on the isokinetictest and functional tests. Significance was determined by P<0.05.Results: IKDCSKEF score was significantly lower in patients than control subjects. Quadriceps peak torque and functional test scores were significantly lower in the involved knee of the ACLR subjects compared to the uninvolved knee. Correlation coefficients of isokinetic peak torque to body weight and functional testing were not significant in patients or control subjects, while the limb symmetry index (LSI) of the quadriceps isokinetics peak torque to body weight and the LSI of the functional tests were significant (r=0.54 to 0.97).Conclusion: These results indicate a significant relationship between the LSI of various functional tests and the LSI of isokinetic testing among ACLR patients. Thus, in situations where an isokinetic dynamometer is not available, the LSI of functional tests can be used to estimate quadriceps deficiency for ACLR patients.

Background: It has been shown that five deficits of the proprioceptive system and poor motor skills are associated with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the exact mechanism is unknown. The objectives of this study were to assess the dynamic postural balance behavior of CLBP patients, as well as the effects of a specific exercise therapy for the treatment of CLBP and related postural imbalances.Methods: Sixteen females with CLBP and 30 healthy females all between 20 and 40 years of age, of similar height and weight, voluntarily participated in this study. Patients underwent a three-month therapeutic exercise program. The disability and back pain of the patients were measured using the Oswestry and Quebec questionnaires, respectively. A dynamic stability platform system (Biodex) was used to evaluate the postural imbalances in both groups. All measurements of the experimental group were repeated after the therapy.Results: Overall deviation of center of gravity (COG) from COBOS in patients and controls were 3 (±0.3) and 1.3 (±0.2), respectively. Thus, postural imbalances were 2.3 times greater in the patients than those of the controls. After the treatment, the disability and pain of the patients were diminished by 53% and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, with the improvement of the patients COG deviation, both groups had similar posture.Conclusions: The postural orientation of CLBP patients was significantly improved by the therapeutic exercise program. The applied exercise therapy significantly reduced both the pain and the disability of the patients. Based on these conclusions, we recommend that postural correction be included in regular therapeutic exercise programs.

Background: Thyroid cancer is a rare disease which includes less than 1% percent of all human cancers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics and risk factors among patients with thyroid malignancy at the Cancer institute and Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran Iran.Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of the charts of 320 patients admitted with the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy based on pathologic reports in the above- mentioned hospitals from 1992 to 2002. Results: From the 320 patients diagnosed with thyroid malignancy 68.1% were papillary cancer, 10.9% were follicular cancer, 10.6% were anaplastic cancer, 9.06% were medullary cancer and 1.2% were lymphoma. The average of the patients was 50.2 years, ranging from 12 to 98 years; 60.6% were female and 39.4 % were male; 22.8% of the patients had histories of thyroid nodule and 5% had received radiation therapy.From the anatomic point of view 57.5% of the cancers were in the right lobe of thyroid, 38.1% were in left lobe and 4.4% in the isthmus. None of the patients had positive family history of thyroid malignancy.Conclusion: Thyroid malignancy is more prevalent in the fifth decade of life and more common among females. Therefore, among patients in this group, alarming symptoms, such as anterior neck mass, thyroid nodule and voice change, should be evaluated more seriously.

Background: Although endometrial cancer is primarily a disease of the postmenopausal female, 25% of patients are premenopausal, with 3-5% in women 40 years old or younger. The younger group of women with endometrial carcinoma is frequently nulligravid with a history of infertility, and a strong desire to preserve fertility. This may pose a therapeutic dilemma for both patients and treating physician.Case report: We reported 3 young patients with atypical; complex hyperplasia or early stage endometrial cancer that treated with conservative hormonal therapy.Conclusion: Medical treatment of young patients with endometrial carcinoma and complex atypical hyperplasia who wish to preserve fertility is a reasonable and appealing option. A comprehensive evaluation prior to counseling the patient should include A complete history and physical examination. A formal D&C with review of history with an experienced gyn-onc pathologist. Evaluation of the pelvic and abdomen preferably with contrast-enhanced MRI or transvaginal ultrasound. In patients found to have a clinical stage I grade I tumor and who want to preserve fertility, thorough counseling include risks and benefits, and explanation that the data is partial and incomplete due to the lack of appropriate controlled studies is mandatory. In patients considered for medical treatment, a high dose progestin regimen should be started with endometrial sampling every 3 months until complete regression of the tumor is documented. Although most responses are long standing, there is a small risk of progression during or after cessation of progestin therapy.