Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Year:2000 | Volume:- | Issue:15|Papers Count:26

Background: Protrusion or extrusion of intervertebral disc needs medical or surgical treatment. Anti-inflammatory drugs also seem to have an effective role.Objective: To determine the effect of epidural steroids on surgical pain and duration of hospitalization.Methods: In a double blind study, a research was conducted on 40 patients with lumbar disc in L4/L5 or L5/s1 area in Emam Khommaini hospital of Tehran. The patients were categorized into two equal groups of steroid and control. 16 mg of dexamethasone was dropped on nerve roots in steroid group after the surgery. Stilled water with same volume was used in the control group. After surgery, the amount of methadone, duration of hospitalization and the degree of pain in both groups were compared using straight line method.Findings: Statistical data revealed that the degree of pain, period of hospitalization of patients in steroid group were less than the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Prescription of steroids after surgery on nerve roots is effective and has no side-effects.

Background: Knowledge of low back pain risk factors and prevention of exposure to them is important in control and management of the disease.Objective: To investigate the relationship of low back pain with gravidae and delivery.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 133 housewives with the age range of 20 to 35. A pretest was done on 30 samples, and later on, in four groups considering incidence of deliveries. Each sample filled up a questionnaire containing personal appearance, history of low back pain and exercise. Back arch was evaluated by flexible measure and abdominal muscles were clinically evaluated by manual testing.Findings: Incidence of low back pain was mostly correlated with first pregnancy and delivery and significantly increased with the incidence of gravidae (P=0.047). No significant findings were observed between ladies with daily exercise versus no specific exercise. Also no significant difference was observed between different post delivery exercises versus no exercise.Conclusion: It is concluded that general social knowledge and training could be of importance in decreasing the incidence and severity of low back pain in first and following pregnancies.

Background: Simple myopia is one of tire most common ocular abnormalities.Objective: To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on physiologic myopia.Methods: In a descriptive and through a cross-sectional study, 118 simple myopic students with tire age range of 15 to 25 were selected in four educational centers in 1999. They were Muslim and did fasting. Their eyes were examined before and after Ramadan and after Shavval (one month after Ramadan). The data was analyzed by spss statistical program. Findings: 101 left eyes and 97 right eyes were tested in this study. The mean age of tire cases was 19.28. The mean number of fasting was 23 days. At tire end of Ramadan, there was 0.21 D for left eyes and 0.24 D for right eye increase of myopia. There was also 0.17 D for left and 0.14 D for right eye at tire end of Shavval. The difference between myopic changes in Ramadan as compared with Shavval was not statistically significant.Conclusions: Since Ramadan is only one month in tire year, it may not have adverse effects on simple myopic students.

Background: Phototherapy seems to be the most useful therapy for jaundice.Objective: To compare the efficiency of conventional white light (day light) and blue light in lowering of high blood level of bilirubin in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: Neonates suffering from jaundice, who were admitted in Amir Al-momenin Hospital of Semnan University from May to Sep. 1998, were randomly divided into two groups.Patients in group one were put under blue light and the other group under conventional white light. Blood sample (2 cc) was taken before therapy and 12hr and 24hr after phototherapy. Total and direct bilirubin blood levels were measured using standard laboratory procedures.Findings: The data indicated that total and direct bilirubin blood levels at 12hr and 24hr after phototherapy were significantly lower than those of pretreatment levels (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between direct bilirubin levels at 12hr and 24hr posttreatment among groups, but total bilirubin levels of blue light treatment group was significantly more than white light treatment group (P<0.01).Conclusion: Both white light and blue light are effective in lowering the levels of bilirubin in neonates. Therefore, each light alone or a combination of both lights can be used for treatment of neonatal jaundice.

Background: Streptokinase is administered during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is prepared from beta haemolytic streptococci and in some cases pre-existing antibodies may compromise the use of streptokinase.Objective: To study levels of anti-streptokinase antibodies in AMI patients during thrombolytic therapy.Methods: Specific IgG, IgA, IgM and anti- streptokinase antibodies (ELISA) were studied in 246 cases. Pre-and post-therapy levels of these antibodies were examined in 10 cases given streptokinase for AMI.Findings: Neutralising anti-streptokinase was detectable in 61.7% of the controls which 0.43% of them had levels above the normal range. Neutralising anti-streptokinase antibodies showed a positive correlation with the level of IgG anti-streptokinase antibodies (r=+0.55, P<0.001).By streptokinase administration, antibody levels dropped in day 1; however, they rose to pre-therapy values afterwards. One patient with elevated antibodies to streptokinase had an adverse immunological reaction to streptokinase (serum sickness).Conclusion: Elevated pre-therapy levels of antibodies, the isotype IgG and possibly IgA, appear to be contradictory for further treatment with streptokinase.

Background: Systemic arterial hypertension is associated with an increased risk of stroke heart attack, renal disease and retinal complication.Objective: To evaluate and determine retinal complications in essential hypertension.Methods: In a descriptive study, 100 recently diagnosed hypertensive patients (PTS) who referred to Bou-Ali medical center for eye examination and hypertensive complications underwent complete eye examination including indirect, three mirrors and +90 funduscopy.Finding: The mean age of PTS was 68.14 (SD 9.2). There were 57 males and 43 females.Mean of their systolic pressure were 173.3 and 96.04 mmHg respectively. 78 cases had hypertensive retinopathy. All cases had arteriolar sclerosis (A/S) change (scheie classification). 4 cases had branch retinal vein occlusion (B.R.V.O). 1 had inacroaneurism, 5 ischemic optic neuropathy and 8 had macular ischemia. All cases had fallen in grade IV A/S. Conclusion: Arteriolar sclerosis grade IV and hypertension are the main causes of retinal complications in this study.

Background: Hysterectomy is the most common major obstetric gynecological operation. Objective: To evaluate indications of hysterectomy. Methods: Retrospective study of hysterectomies was performed in Kosar teaching hospital from 1995 till 1998, excluding cesarean hysterectomies. Finding: Of 369 hysterectomies, 96 cases (26%) were vaginal and 273 (74%) were abdominal. Indication for all vaginal hysterectomies was uterine prolapse. The most common symptom in abdominal hysterectomies was vaginal bleeding. Final pathologic repol1s in order of prevalence included: myoma, normal, adenomyosis, glandular hyperplasia, polyp, simple hyperplasia, and cancer of endometrium. In almost half of the cases of TAH, preoperative indications were appropriate (49%). Of 51% of cases with inappropriate preoperative indications, 26% had pathology in uterus (e.g adenomyosis), and the remaining 25% had no organic lesion in final pathologic report. Positive and negative predictive values of clinical diagnoses were 0.75 ± 0.04 and 0.49 ± 0.05 respectively, (P= 0.05). Conclusion: To prevent unnecessary hysterectomy, accurate preoperative evaluation, understanding of gynecologic pathology and knowledge of new alternative medical and surgical modalities are essential.    

Background: C.B.C is one of the most useful and prevalent test which is applied by physicians. The diagnosis of abnormal hematologic value depends on determination of normal measure. Objective: To determine normal values of hematologic indexes in normal young adults. Methods: From 534 male and female cases who intended to get married, 250 males and 250 females, were randomly selected. The data were processed by Spss program to determine typical blood value of blood indexes. Findings: Mean, median, mode, SD, SE and a distribution curve for each parameter was obtained. The mean and normal range of MCV, MCH, MCHC, R.D.W and plateletes in both sexes were either identical or very close to each other. Conclusion: Normal value and mean of hematolgical indexes were very similar to previous studies and no significant difference was found between them.

Background: The abundance of opioid and opium dependence and its consequnet social, cultural, economic and psychologic problems demands more study and knowledge on addiction relevent factors.Objective: To determine the prevalence of widespread psychiatric disorders among opium and opioid dependent people.Method: In a descriptive study, 150 people referrfing to the out- patient clinic of dead diction of social welfare organization of Esfehan in summer of 1998 filed a questionnaire under the supervision of the researcher and a psychiatrist.Findings: The frequency of the disorders was calculated to be as follows: hyposexuality 68.7%, hypersomnia 59.3%, major depressive disorder 58.7% and panic disorder 64.7%. On the whole 91.3% (137 people) had at least one psychiatric disorder.Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders have important roles in the beginning, continuation and relaps of addiction, therefore special attention must be paid to psychic health of patients.

Background: Knowledge of pathophysiologic effects and its complications seem to be necessary due to the progression in the use of laparascopy instead of laparatomy. Objective: To study the effects of laparascopy on cardiovascular and respiratory system of patients . Methods: This study was conducted on 50 laparoscopic gynecologic cases of surgery for tubal ligation. Under equal anesthetic techniques, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and arterial blood gas were measured before developing pneumoperitoneum and after rising of intreabdominal pressure to about 20 mmHg. Findings: After pneumoperitoneum, mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased 18.7% and 19.7% respectively, which indicated a significant statistic difference (P<0.0001) but no significant change in heart rate. In arterial blood gas analysis, respiratory acidosis had been observed. PaO2 and SaO2 had 27.6% and 1.55% decrease respectively which indicated a significant statistic difference (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Increase in minute ventilation inhibits development of respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia and consequently prevents changes in hemodyamic system.    

Background: Success of contraceptive methods depends on correct usage of them. Objective: To investigate the degree of knowledge, attitude and practice of OCP users. Methods: In an analytic- descriptive study, 488 women who had referred to health and treatment centers of Qazvin city were randomly chosen. The subjects filled a questionnaire containing 34 questions. Findings: The findings indicated that the duration of OCP using was between 1 month to 17 years. 3.5% of women had become pregnant despite using OCP. Only 10% of the subjects had the proper knowledge. Most of them (91.2%) had positive attitude toward OCP and their practice was at moderate and proper revel. Research findings showed statistical meaningful relationship between knowledge and practice; knowledge and revel of education; attitude and duration of OCP using; and attitude and pregnancy along with OCP using. Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge about OCP using among women demands the improvement of educational programs in family planning centers and accomplishment of continuous educational programs.      

Background: It is possible to prevent and treat amblyopia which is one of the common complications of the eye.Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of amblyopia.Methods: Visual ability of 510 patients was evaluated by saellen chart at the eye clinic of Bou-Ali hospital of Qazvin. Those cases who had definite organic causes of decreased visual acuity were eliminated from the study.Finding: The findings indicated the prevalence of Amblyopia to be 6.28% (32 cases). 15 cases (46.87%) had strabism, 4 had anismoetropia and 3 were involved in isoametropia. Conclusion: It is recommended that media and medical community should pay more attention to detect strabismus and reflective error of childhood.

Background: Breaking the head of ampules may cause glass particle contamination of the ampule contents, causing thrombosis and embolism when injected intravenously.Objective: To evaluate the probability of glass particle contamination and find out the best method to reduce glass contamination.Methods: Contents of the ampules were aspirated by syringes and collected in lab tubes. Each sample contained 36 tubes and each tube contained 5 ampules. The tubes were centrifuged and the last drop was examined by a microscope. Glass particles were counted in 5 fields of microscope by objective 10.Findings: The finding indicated that the mean of glass particles in lined-ampules was less than unlined ones (7.3 vs 15.5, P<0.01). When needles were used, the particles were less as compared to aspiration without needles (15.5 vs 17.9, P<0.05). The mean of glass particles was less when needles were placed 0.5 cm above the bottom of ampules than placing them at the bottom of ampules (12.5 vs 14.1, P<0.05).Conclusion: We can reduce glass particle contamination of ampules contents by employing lined-ampules, using needles when aspirating the contents of ampules and not placing needles at the bottom of ampules.

Background: Today hirsutism is one of the problems of patients referring to dermatologic and endocrinologic clinics. Objective: To investigate 100 hirsute women in a period of 12 months in Qazvin. Methods: The following indexes were investigated in 100 hirsute women: age, marital status, weight, rate of fertility, similar problems in first grade relatives, distribution of hirutism, alopecia, history of drug consumption, habit of smoking and coincident diseases. Paraclinical investigations included measurement of serum testesterron, serum prolactic, serum cortisol and DH EA- So 4. Findings: The findings indicated that 13% of the cases had alopeci, 24% had acne, 16% had the history of hormonal drug consumption, 33% had the history of psychotropic drug consumption and 84% had normal paraclinical tests. Conclusion: The etiology of most cases revealed a racial- genetic or idiopathic factor.