Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:25 | Issue:3 (107)|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and is one of the major health problems in our country. Considering its nonspecific symptoms, diagnosis of this disease is often made by laboratory methods. The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA and a relatively new modified Rose Bengal test in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 162 patients who had been diagnosed by an infectious disease specialist as suspected brucellosis. We used clot tube for serum preparation and anticoagulant tube to prevent coagualation. Serum was used for modified Rose Bengal test and ELISA tests and blood with anticoagulant was used for PCR test, as a gold standard test. Results: The results of this study showed that modified Rose Bengal test had high sensitivity (94%) and relatively good specificity (70%), compared to PCR. In addition, ELISA test for IgG specific to Brucella antigen also had the same sensitivity and specificity as the modified Rose Bengal test (sensitivity 94% and specificity 71%). In contrast, ELISA test for IgM specific to Brucella antigen, showed high (84%) specificity, but low (65%) sensitivity. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the modified Rose Bengal test were similar to those of ELISA test for IgG and could be a good alternative to this expensive and complex test in the diagnosis of brucellosis.

Background and Aim: Proximal femoral fracture is one of the most common fractures, especially among elderly people. Skin and skeletal traction are usually used to reduce the pain in the patients before surgery. In this study we investigated the effects of skin traction and use of pillow under knee before surgery on pain relief in the patients with proximal femoral fracture. Material and Methods: This study included patients with proximal femoral fractures referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord in 2016. Patients were randomly assigned to skin traction and under knee pillow groups. Demographic data including gender, age, body mass index and other information such as type of fracture, time interval between the accident and referring to the hospital, the amount of sedatives taken, the time interval between admission and surgery, type of device used for surgical fixation and pain assessment by VAS were obtained after interview with the participants and recorded in a questionnaire. Results: The traction group included 19 men and 19 women with a mean age of 74. 81 ± 13. 10 years and the under knee pillow group consisted of 15 male and 20 female participants with a mean age of 73. 08 ± 13. 11 years. The mean pain scores did not show any significant differences at the first visit (traction group 7. 31± 2. 08; pillow group 6. 94± 2. 54) and also on every separate day of the study up to the fifth day of hospitalization in the traction (2. 40± 2. 07) and pillow groups (2± 0) (P>0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the complications of skin transaction such as skin ulcers and its subsequent cost of treatment, in this study we found that use of pillow under knee was associated with a reduction in pain similar to the traction method and had fewer complications.

Background and Aim: Vision improvement and reduction of refractive errors are considered as important goals of cataract surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate residual refractive errors after cataract surgery in the patients with senile cataract in Shahid Rahimi Hospital in Khorramabad City between 2017 and 2018. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 178 patients. Visual acuity, refractive errors and biometry of 192 eyes with senile cataract were evaluated before and one month after surgery. Refractive error and biometry measurements were performed with an autorefractometer and IOL master, respectively. SRK/T formula was used for IOL power calculation. We used paired T-test for analysis of data with normal distribution and nonparametric Wilcoxon test for the rest of data. P<0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean equivalent spherical refraction decreased from-0. 7 ± 0. 22 before surgery to -0. 04 ± 0. 06 after surgery (P≤ 0. 001). Before and after surgery, the mean values for corrected visual acuity were 0. 42± 0. 01 D and 0. 91± 0. 01 D (P≤ 0. 0001) and the mean values for axial length of the eyes were 23. 13± 0. 05 and 23. 07± 0. 05, respectively (P≤ 0. 001). The mean values for anterior chamber depth of the eyes was 3. 07± 0. 02 mm before the surgery which changed to 3. 73 ± 0. 03 mm after the surgery (P≤ 0. 0001). Conclusion: The results showed that refractive errors (%86) after cataract surgery were within acceptable range (± 1. 00 D) and the best corrected visual acuity was better than 0. 5.

Background and Aim: Grief counseling in the parents with pregnancy loss can lead to feelings of support and security when experiencing painful feelings and can pave the way for completing the grief process. The present study aimed to determine the effect of an intervention based on Warden's principles on the severity of grief in the mothers with pregnancy loss. Material and Methods: In this clinical trial we used availability sampling method and 100 mothers who had lost their pregnancy in Urmia in 2018 were entered into the study. The participants were divided into intervention and control groups by randomized block design. The intervention group attended 6 sessions of intervention based on Warden's counseling principles and the control group received usual care. Data were collected using Perinatal Grief Scale in two stages (pre-test and post-test) and were introduced into SPSS-22 software. Chisquare, Fisher exact test, paired t-test and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Significance level was considered less than 0. 05. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to the mean scores of total Perinatal Grief Scale and all of its different aspects before intervention. But the results of the Post-test of the intervention group revealed a significantly lower score compared to the scores of the control group and also pretest scores of the intervention group. Conclusion: Intervention based on Warden's counseling principles in women with early and late pregnancy loss reduces the severity of mourning and relieves its symptoms more rapidly and can facilitate the process of adjustment in these mothers.

Background and Aim: Anxiety sensitivity or fear of anxiety and its associated physical sensations as a transdiagnostic construct have attracted increasing attention in the developmental psychopathology of emotional disorders and their treatment. Considering the multidimensional nature of anxiety sensitivity similar response of patients to anxiety, many studies have been conducted on the role of this construct in predicting and maintaining of emotional disorders. The aim of this study was to review various studies in this field for better understanding of the anxiety sensitivity in the development and continuation of emotional disorders, its assessment, and therapeutic measures. Materials and Methods: This was a literature review study. Articles were searched in the Google Scholar search engine and the databases of PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus. Results: Most studies about anxiety sensitivity in emotional disorders have emphasized the role of this construct in the development and maintenance of these disorders. Currently, the third version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index as a validated index has the most psychometric evidence. The importance of this construct in psychopathology has given it a special position in both diagnosis-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy and transdiagnostic cognitivebehavioral therapy. Conclusions: It seems that anxiety treatment not only reduces the symptoms of emotional problems but also improves response to treatment. Therefore anxiety sensitivity should be considered in the assessment, selective conceptualization, and treatment of emotional disorders.

Background and Aim: Malachite green (MG) is an organic compound which his used as a dye in textile industry. This compound is applied incorrectly and illegally in aquiculture as an antimicrobial agent. This compound has mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Materials and Methods: In this study we determined the concentrations of MG and leucomalachite green (LMG) in the muscle tissue of 90 rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss) collected from the local markets in Sanandaj City within a period of six months in 2018. In order to measure the residues of MG and LMG, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC. Results: The results showed presence of MG and LMG in all 90 samples: The residues of MG in the samples were as follows: 1-2 μ g/Kg in 41 (6. 45%), more than 2 μ g/Kg in 45 (50%) and less than 1 μ g/Kg in 4 samples (4. 4%). Furthermore, the residues of LMG in the samples were as follows: more than 2 μ g/Kg in 13 (45. 14%), 1-2 μ g/Kg in 67 (44. 74%) and less than 1 μ g/Kg in 10 samples (11. 11%). Moreover, the limit of detection (LOD) in the method was 0. 43 μ g/Kg. Conclusions: It is concluded that MG is illegally applied in fish farms, which can be a threat to human health and the environment.

Background and Aim: The cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, because of their high prevalence and fatality, are of great importance in most countries like Iran. In terms of prevalence, stomach, esophagus and colorectal cancers in Iran are ranked first, second and eighth, respectively. Therefore, this study aimed to model the incidence of the frequency of new cases of these cancers and their prediction in Kurdistan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the incidence of stomach, esophagus and colorectal cancers were analyzed from April 2000 to March 2017. In order to model time series data of the cancers, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) with Box-Jenkins approach were applied. After determining the suitable models, the frequencies of new cases for the cancers were predicted until March 2020. Data analysis was performed using R-3. 4. 2 statistical software package. Results: A total of 6439 gastrointestinal cancers were recorded during the study period, among which stomach, esophagus and colorectal cancers had the highest frequencies with 2548, 1722 and 989 new cases, respectively. The best fited model for stomach, esophagus and colorectal cancers were SARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 0, 1)4، SARIMA (3, 1, 0) (0, 0, 1)4 and ARIMA (0, 1, 1), respectively. It is predicted that the incidence pattern of these cancers have an upward trend with moderate slope by March 2020. Conclusion: The high incidence of stomach, colorectal and esophagus cancer, as well as their increasing trend in the predicted time can be a serious alarm. Therefore, in order to prevent and reduce the frequency of these cancers, it is vital to design and implement the effective programs such as screening, especially in high risk groups, early diagnosis of the cancers, increasing public awareness and controlling the risk factors to prevent and reduce of these increasing trends.

Background and Aim: Long time working with seriously ill patients and handling protective role for the patients with specific diseases makes nurses susceptible to various types of physical disorders, which can lead to mood disorders, social isolation, fatigue, anger, depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to compare the general health level of nurses working in educational hospitals of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences and Social Security Hospital in 2018-2019. Method and Material: This descriptive-analytical study included 400 nurses working in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (300 nurses) and Social Security Hospital (100 nurses) in 2018. Data collection tool was a general health questionnaire which was completed after interview with the participants. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by t-test and chi-square. P value less than 0. 05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that nurses of the University of Medical Sciences had a lower level of physical health and social relations and a higher level of health in regard to anxiety and sleep disorder in comparison to the Social Security Hospital nurses (p = 0. 01). However, there was no statistically significant differences in suicidal desire and depression between the nurses in the 2 hospital (p = 0. 06). There was also a significant relationship between the scores of general health level of the nurses at the University of Medical Sciences and Social Security Hospitals (p = 0. 001), indicating that Social Security Hospital nurses had better general health compared to the nurses at medical university hospitals. Conclusions: Considering the results of this study, nurses working at at medical university hospitals and Social Security Hospital are at risk of health problems which can result in low quality nursing care and low health level in the community. Therefore proper programs are required to improve nurses' health level which can lead to improvement of the health level of the community.

Background and Aim: Dexamethasone affects testis hemostasis through reduction of testosterone level. In one study dexamethasone induced spermatogenesis defects through epithelial vacuolizations and sloughing of germ cell layer. Material and Methods: Forty NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. Control and dexamethasone groups received normal saline and dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) respectively for 7 days. Dexamethasone and Nigella sativa ( )NS (5 mg/kg) were given to the third group and the fourth group(Nigella sativa group) received 5 mg/kg Nigella sativa for 7 days. Epididymal sperm parameters were used for evaluation of the effects of dexamethasone and Nigella sativa on testis. Results: Epididymal sperm parameters (count, motility and abnormal sperm) showed significant alterations in dexamethasone group (p<0. 05). Treatment with NS+ dexamethasone significantly prevented these changes (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Numerous studies have been performed to evaluate destructive effects of dexamethasone on male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to assess protective effect of Nigella sativa against the side effects of dexamethasone on male reproductive system. We found that dexamethasone could decrease sperm parameters. These changes were reduced by using Nigella sativa.

Background and Aim: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is the second leading cause of chronic headaches. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of three medication regimens in the treatment of MOH in the patients referring to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia in 2018. Material and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial. Participants in this study selected from MOH patients referring to neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia from Feb to Aug 2018. Our study included 60 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 groups; prednisolone, celecoxib or a combination of both medications. The duration of treatment was 15 days for all the patients. At the end of the study period, the patients provided the information in regard to the severity, duration, and the number of headache days. Results: The mean duration of headache was 3. 55 ± 1. 58 months. Gender had no significant relationship with age and the duration of headache. The mean values for severity of headache were 8. 2 ± 0. 71, 2. 33 ± 0. 84 and 2. 3 ± 0. 95 at the first, second and third visits respectively. The mean values for severity of headache at first visit was higher in the patients receiving celecoxib compared to those in the other two treatment groups. At the second and third visits, the mean values for severity of headache were lower in the patients receiving combination therapy. Difference between the scores of severity of headache at the first visit was higher than those at the second and third visits in the combination group which indicated greater effect of this treatment regimen on reducing the severity of the headache compared to the other treatment groups. Conclusion: All three-treatment regimens were effective in reducing headaches, but the combination regimen was more effective. Both celecoxib and prednisolone had beneficial effects on reducing the severity of headache, but celecoxib was more effective.

Background and Aim: Assembly lines are associated with health risk and musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in the upper limbs. The aim of this study was to analyze three risk factors of posture, duration and force by using the postural ergonomic risk assessment (PERA) method in the workers of the assembly unit of automobile parts. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the assembly unit of one of the auto parts manufacturing industries. Using the occupational task analysis method, task identified in one hierarchical task analysis (HTA) was divided into a set of sub-tasks. Risk factors of posture, duration and force were assessed by PERA method for each task. Results: Based on hierarchical task analysis, the vehicle assembly task included four subtasks of deburring, washing, vacuum testing and packaging which consisted of a total of 15 operations. Based on the risk factor analysis, we found the greatest risk of force in loading operations and the most awkward posture in sub-task of deburring and packaging. The risk level was estimated high and unacceptable in all three sub-tasks of washing, vacuum testing, and packaging. Conclusion: Factors of force, posture and duration of work contributed to unacceptable risk in the loading operations of the cylinder head on the pallet and placing it inside the carton. Using tables with adjustable height (reducing the vertical distance between origin and destination) and rotating plates at all angles, together with reducing the exposure time to risk factors by rotation programs for workforces can prevent forward and lateral trunk and neck bending and reduce unacceptable risk levels.

Background and Aim: Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory pancreatic disease that is associated with low or no fibrosis of the pancreas. Standard non-surgical treatment in all patients involves correcting water and electrolyte disorders, pain relief and avoiding pancreatic secretion. Given that pancreatitis is an inflammatory process, and NSAIDs have been shown to modulate inflammatory processes and even prevent pancreatitis in those who received ERCP, as well as complete studies on this issue, we concluded that In this study, we evaluated the effect of diclofenac on the treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 79 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. The two groups received the standard treatment of acute pancreatitis and the intervention group received 100 mg diclofenac suppository and the control group received placebo suppository excessive to the standard treatment. This double-blind study was conducted to investigate the effect of diclofenac suppository on the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between sexes and age (p>0. 05). Also, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of mortality, cholangitis, organ failure, bactericidal necrotizing pancreatitis, cholangitis, intrathecal or extracellular pancreatic insufficiency, necrotizing surgery, length of stay in the hospital and hospitalization in the care unit there were no special cases (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: Diclofenac suppositories have not had a positive effect on the treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis.