Introduction

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) has a great impact on the prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury. There is a lack of consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria of AI. In these patients with acute stress we compared fasting cortisol, low and high dose cosyntropin stimulation tests to assess adrenal function in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Material and methods

This multicenter, cross-sectional study recruited 50 consecutive patients (aged between 15 and 70 years old) with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury who survived more than 5 days after the event. The patients’ adrenal function was assessed using the fasting cortisol, 1 and 250-µg ACTH stimulation tests.

Results

More cases of AI were detected by the 1-µg ACTH stimulation test compared to those detected by the basal serum cortisol level and 250-µg ACTH stimulation test. The κ test showed no agreement between these tests. The incidence of AI in the first 10 days after traumatic brain injury varied from 34% to 82% according to the various definitions of AI. The incidence of hypotension and need for vasopressors was higher in the patients diagnosed by the 250-µg ACTH stimulation test (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The incidence of secondary AI in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury seems to be high. A combination of stimulation test (either 250 or 1 µg) and basal cortisol level may improve diagnostic ability compared to either test alone. Hence performing both tests for the assessment of adrenal function in patients with traumatic brain injury is recommended.

Objective. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of different combinations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors among a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Methods. The study sample, obtained as part of the third study of the school-based surveillance system entitled CASPIAN III, was representative of the Iranian adolescent population aged from 10 to 18 years. The prevalence of different components of MetS was studied and their discriminative value was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. The study participants consisted of 5738 students (2875 girls) with mean age of 14.7 ± 2.4 years) living in 23 provinces in Iran; 17.4% of participants were underweight and 17.7% were overweight or obese. Based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation for the adolescent age group, 24.2% of participants had one risk factor, 8.0% had two, 2.1% had three, and 0.3% had all the four components of MetS. Low HDL-C was the most common component (43.2% among the overweight/obese versus 34.9% of the normal-weight participants), whereas high blood pressure was the least common component. The prevalence of MetS was 15.4% in the overweight/obese participants, the corresponding figure was 1.8% for the normal-weight students, and 2.5% in the whole population studied. Overweight/obese subjects had a 9.68 increased odds of (95% CI: 6.65–14.09) the MetS compared to their normal-weight counterparts. For all the three risk factors, AUC ranged between 0.84 and 0.88, 0.83 and 0.87, and 0.86 and 0.89 in waist circumference, abdominal obesity, and BMI for boys and between 0.78 and 0.97, 0.67 and 0.93, and 0.82 and 0.96 for girls, respectively. Conclusion. The findings from this study provide alarming evidence-based data on the considerable prevalence of obesity, MetS, and CVD risk factors in the adolescent age group. These results are confirmatory evidence for the necessity of primordial/primary prevention of noncommunicable disease should be considered as a health priority in communities facing a double burden of nutritional disorders.

Background: Defects in the CYP21A2 gene cause steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency, which is the most frequent cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Forty four affected families were investigated to identify the mutation spectrum of the CYP21A2 gene. Methods: Families were subjected to clinical, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification was used for eight common mutations followed by dosage analysis to exclude CYP21A2 deletions. Results: The most frequent mutations detected were gene deletions and chimera (31.8%). Other mutation frequencies were as follows: Q318X, 15.9%; I2G, 14.8%; I172N, 5.8%; gene duplication, 5.7%; R356W, 8%; and E6 cluster mutations, 2.3%. Direct sequencing of the CYP21A2 gene revealed R316X, P453S, c.484insT, and a change at the start codon. Different modules carried by patients were classified into five different haplotypes. The genotype phenotype correlation (positive predictive value) for group null, A, B, and C were 92.3%, 85.7%, 100%, and 0, respectively. Conclusions: Methods used will be helpful for carrier detection and antenatal diagnosis, especially with inclusion of the multiplex ligation probe dependent amplification technique, which is easier for routine tests in comparison with other methods. Mutation frequencies indicate that Iranians are possible descendants of Asians and Europeans.

Background:

In the recent years, advances in medical technologies for end stage cancer patients’ care have affected the end-of-life decision-making in clinical practice and exposed oncologists to serious ethical dilemmas. But little is known about oncologists’ viewpoints in our country regarding their ethical problems in this mention. We aimed to clarify the ethical dilemmas which Iranian oncologists may face in our health care setting and to determine factors influencing decision-making process.

Methods:

In this qualitative study, a phenomenological approach was used. We interviewed 8 cancer specialists in teaching hospitals in Iran and used content analysis to identify codes and categorize themes in the data.

Results:

During the process of analysis, three main themes emerged about ethical dilemmas in end of life care for advanced cancer patients: illness factors, socio-cultural context and patient-physician relationship. Cancer specialists identified ethical problems on several main issues, the most important of which were telling the truth in Iranian cultural context, uncertainty in end stage definition, multidisciplinary team working and cost consideration in Iranian health care system.

Conclusion:

Health care and insurance system in Iran face to end of life care challenges; therefore, health care providers and policy makers need to allocate appropriate resources and programs to improve quality of care in terminal stages. Appropriate physicians’ communication skills training, multidisciplinary team working and supplementary insurance services that provide essential health care can improve the quality of care of patients with end stages of cancer. The findings of this study can help us to provide ethical policies for decision-making in end-of-life care.

“Invasive giant prolactinoma” is a large prolactinoma (>4 cm in dimension) presenting with serum prolactin levels of >1000 ng/dL and mass related clinical symptoms. Here we report a patient with a giant prolactinoma presented with central hypogonadism, suppressed adrenal and thyroid function, supra sellar extension, visual field impairment and high prolactin level.

The patient was treated with cabergoline, levothyroxin and prednisolone. After 18 months, tumor size markedly reduced, associated with adrenal function and visual field improvement, but central hypogonadism and secondary hypothyroidism persisted.

Previous studies showed normalization of thyrotropin secretion after treatment but it remained low in our patient even after 18 months follow up.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a critical complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive tool to assess cardiac autonomic function. We aimed to evaluate whether CAN is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in T2DM. A total of 57 diabetic and 54 nondiabetic subjects, free of coronary heart disease, were recruited. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), coronary calcium score (CAC), and brachial Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD) were measured. Heart rate variability and vagal components of autonomic function were determined. Significant reduction of normalized HF power (P < 0.05) and total power (P < 0.01) was observed in T2DM. CIMT and CAC scores were significantly higher while FMD was significantly lower in diabetics (P < 0.01 for all). Median HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetics. CIMT was inversely and independently associated with total power both in diabetics and controls (P < 0.01 for both groups). There was also an inverse association between total power and median HbA1c. Autonomic dysfunction, especially parasympathetic neuropathy, was present since early-stage T2DM. This was related to subclinical atherosclerosis. Early detection of cardiac autonomic neuropathy can help us detect the development of atherosclerosis earlier in T2DM to prevent unfavorable outcomes.

Background and purpose of the study

Diabetes mellitus has been recognized as a major risk factor for osteoporosis in which bone turnover is affected by different mechanisms. As the morbidity, mortality and financial cost related to osteoporosis are expected to rise in Iran in coming years, and considering the efficacy of Angipars® for improvement of different ulcers which made it a new herbal drug in diabetic foot ulcer, there is a need to evaluate the effect of this new drug on different organs including bone resorption and bone formation markers.

Methods

In this randomized, double- blind clinical trial, 61 diabetic patients were included. The subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Subjects of intervention group received 100 mg of Angipars® twice a day. Laboratory tests including bone resorption and bone formation markers were performed at baseline and after 3 months.

Result

31 patients in study group and 30 patients in control group finished the study. The mean age of the study population and the mean disease duration was respectively 51.8 ± 6.2 and 7.5 ± 4.7 years with no significant differences between intervention and control patients. No statistically significant differences between patients and controls were observed in pyridinoline, osteocalcin, urine calcium, bone alkaline phosphatase and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). Only urine creatinine level significantly changed between two groups after 3 month of treatment (p-value: 0.029)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that Semelil (Angipars®) had no beneficial or harmful effects on bone. It might be other effects of this new component on bone turnover process which need more studies and more time to be discovered.

Objective

The importance of pediatric research especially in the ethically proven trials resulted in considerable legislative attempts in association with compiling ethical guidelines. Because of children's vulnerability conducting pediatric research raises different ethical issues; the two most important of which are informed consent and risk-benefit assessment. Differences in religious and socio-cultural context limit implication of ethical standards.

Methods

At the aim of finding a solution we critically reviewed guidelines, and literatures as well as Islamic points in addition to comparing different viewpoints in application of ethical standards in pediatric research.

Findings

The literature review showed that pediatric research guidelines and authors’ viewpoints have the same basic ethical core, but there are some variations; depend on cultural, religious, and social differences. Furthermore, these standards have some limitations in defining informed consent according to child's age and capacity upon application.

Conclusion

In this regard Islamic approach and definition about growth development and puberty sheds light and clarifies a clearer and more rational address to the issue.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a rare familial syndrome caused by mutations in the RET protooncogene and it is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. The underlying problem for all the MEN syndromes is failure of a tumour suppressor gene. The genetic defect in MEN2 is on chromosome 10 (10q11.2) and has also been identified both for MEN2A and MEN2B. The reported patient is an 18-year-old girl presented with long-term diarrhea and enterocutaneous fistula. Her thyroid nodules, marfanoid habitus and bumpy lips, were also highly suggestive for MEN2B.

Background

Apolipoprotein E (apo E) plays a major role in lipid metabolism, obesity and accordingly in development of diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). Our main objective was to evaluate the association between apo E gene polymorphism with anthropometric measures.

Methods

Participants were selected from zone 17 Tehran/Iran. We assessed height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, serum fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Genotyping for apo E gene polymorphism was carried out using PCR-RFLP technique.

Results

Among total study population (n=311), 156 subjects were diabetic. The apo E3/E3 was the most common genotype in our population while E2 and E4 alleles had lower frequencies, respectively. After adjustment for diabetes, the apo E2 and E4 alleles were significantly associated with hypercholesterolemia and WC, respectively (p= 0.009, 0.034). This association was also related to sex and age. The probability of having abdominal obesity in E4 allele carriers was increased from 0.22 to 8.12 in women and to 3.08 in age ≥ 50 years.

Conclusions

Apo E polymorphism had significant influences on WC and total cholesterol level in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study highlights the importance of lifestyle modifications which may be more beneficial in hypercholesterolemic women carriers of E2 and E4 alleles concomitant central obesity.

Background

The clustering of metabolic abnormalities defined as metabolic syndrome is now both a public health and a clinical problem .While interest in herbal medicine has greatly increased, lack of human evidence to support efficacies shown in animals does exist. This clinical trial study designed to investigate whether herbal medicine, Anethum graveolens (dill) extract, could improve metabolic components in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel design was conducted. 24 subjects who had metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria (update of ATP III) were randomly assigned to either dill extract (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) for 3 months.

Results

Across lipid component of metabolic syndrome, no significant differences in triglyceride (TG) concentration and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were seen between the two groups. However TG improved significantly from baseline (257.0 vs. 201.5p = 0.01) with dill treatment but such a significant effect was not observed in placebo group. Moreover, no significant differences in waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were seen between two groups after 3 months follow up period.

Conclusion

In this small clinical trial in patients with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of dill extract treatment had a beneficial effect in terms of reducing TG from baseline. However dill treatment was not associated with a significant improvement in metabolic syndrome related markers compared to control group. Larger studies might be required to prove the efficacy and safety of long-term administration of dill to resolve metabolic syndrome components.

Hypoglycemia is one of the most important complications of diabetes treatment. The risk of severe hypoglycemia is higher in elderly patients, those having comorbidities such as vascular disease or renal failure, pregnant women and in children with type 1diabetes. Moreover, in type 2 diabetes, progressive insulin deficiency, longer duration of diabetes, and tight glycemic control increase the risk of hypoglycemia as much as type 1 diabetes.Episodes hypoglycemia may lead to impairment of counter-regulatory system, with the potential of development of hypoglycemia unawareness. So, hypoglycemia may increase the vascular events even death in addition to other possible detrimental effects. Glycemic control should be individualized based on patient characteristics with some degree of safety. Recognition of hypoglycemia risk factors, blood glucose monitoring, selection of appropriate regimens and educational programs for healthcare professionals and patients with diabetes are the major issues to maintain good glycemic control, minimize the risk of hypoglycemia, and prevent long- term complications.

Background

Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which can predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is known as a surrogate measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictor of CVD. Although, it has shown the association between Mets and CIMT, this relation regarding sex differences is limited. We aimed to find out whether gender differences in this association.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we recorded height, weight, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and lipid profiles. We used Mets; defined based on NCEP ATP III definition, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors; age, body mass index (BMI), WC, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, in multivariate regression models which including;. The CIMT measurement < 0.73 or ≥0.73 mm was considered as low- or high risk to CVD.

Results

Overall, 150 subjects were enrolled to study that their ages were 36-75 years. The 47.3% of them (71 subjects) had Mets. CIMT was increased in Mets group compared non-Mets group (P = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, a significant association was found between Mets and CIMT in women, but not in men (p = 0.002, and p = 0.364, respectively). After adjustment to age, WC, BMI, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, this association was significant just in women (p = 0.011) independent of WC, BMI, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

Conclusion

Our data showed that MetS is a stronger risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in women than in men. So, we suggest the assessment of CIMT along with definition Mets in middle-aged women could be lead to earlier detection of at risk individuals to CVD.

Background

In this study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was assessed in a group of children and adolescent patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods

Fifty-three patients with age 8–18 years and duration of T1DM less than 8 weeks were recruited. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary vitamin D and calcium intake. Sunshine exposure was measured using a questionnaire to quantify the amount of time children spent in the sun and other sun-related habits, and a sun index score was generated. Serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml was considered as vitamin D deficiency. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of vitamin D deficiency.

Results

All patients were vitamin D deficient (77%) or insufficient (23%). In a logistic regression model, it was shown that the risk of being vitamin D deficient was significantly decreased by sunlight exposure ≥ 15 minutes during the weekends versus < 15 minutes (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.75; P=0.029). In addition, vitamin D deficiency in boys was lower than girls in this model (OR: 0.164 [95% CI: 0.02–1.11]; P = 0.063).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with T1DM in Iran. Boys and children with ≥ 15 minutes sunlight exposure in weekends were less likely to be vitamin D deficient than girls and those with < 15 minutes sunlight exposure.

Background & the purpose of the study

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. To reduce its risk and progression, preventive strategies are needed. Vitamin supplementation such as vitamin D is one of the strategies. This study was designed to investigate the effect of injection of vitamin D on insulin resistance and anthropometric parameters in T2DM.

Methods

This randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 42 diabetic patients in two groups; intervention group with single intramuscular injection of 300,000 International Unit (IU) of vitamin D3 and the placebo group. After recording demographic and anthropometric factors (waist circumference, blood pressure and body mass index), fasting blood samples was taken for measurement of blood glucose, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3), insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and estimation of Homeostasis Model Assessment Index (HOMA) in two times; before study and after three months.

Results

Two groups had similar baseline characteristics (each group = 21 subjects). Three months after vitamin D injection, HbA1c, anthropometric factors and HOMA index in intervention group stayed constant, however, serum 25- OHD3 was significantly increased (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The present data is not convincing and further studies with large sample sizes are needed to show the definite effect of injection of vitamin D on control of diabetes and its risk.

Background

Increasing diabetes incidence demands investigation of risk factors, prioritization and designing modification interventions. We calculated the potential modifiable incidence of diabetes due to reduction in risk factors.

Methods

We used counterfactual analysis model to estimate avoidable burden of incident diabetes related to each risk factor. The potential impact fraction (PIF) index calculated utilizing the data of current prevalence, magnitude of impact and counterfactual status of risk factors. We considered the levels of evidence while giving higher priority to domestic data.

Results

The estimated PIF regarding minimum feasible risk for the impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), combined IFG/IGT, low HDL, high triglyceride, high total cholesterol, hypertension, general obesity, central obesity and physical inactivity were 0.13, 0.10, 0.18, 0.01, 0.12, 0.03, 0.13, 0.03, 0.02 and 0.10, respectively.

Conclusion

While the combined risk factors of IFG and IGT should be noticed as the most important potential factor in prevention of diabetes and reducing its incidence burden, among the other risk factors, modification of hypertension, high triglyceride, and physical inactivity could have more impact.

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Inspired by previous report the release of ATP from RBCs, which may participate in vessel dilation by stimulating NO production in the endothelium through purinergic receptor signaling and so, the aim of this study is to clearly determined relationship between RBC ATP/ADP ratio with nitric oxide.

Methods

The ATP/ADP ratio of erythrocytes among four groups of normal individuals (young & middle age), athletes’ subjects and diabetic patients were compared and the relationship between ATP/ADP ratio and NO level of plasma was determined with AVOVA test and bioluminescence method.

Results

ATP/ADP level in four groups normal (young & middle age), athletes, diabetes] are measured and analyzed with ANOVA test that show a significant difference between groups (P-value < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between RBC ATP/ADP content (r = 0.705; P < 0.001). Plasma NO content is also analyzed with ANOVA test which shows a significant difference between groups.

Conclusion

In this study, a positive relationship between RBC ATP/ADP ratio and NO was found. Based on the obtained result, higher RBC ATP/ADP content may control the ratio of plasma NO in different individuals, also this results show that ATP can activate endothelial cells in NO production and is a main factor in releasing of NO from endothelial cells.

Background

Various risk of mortality due to hip fracture has been reported by different studies. There is scarce controlled study on hip fracture mortality from developing countries and no data from Middle East region. The objective of this study is to determine mortality and its risk factors one year after low trauma hip fracture.

Methods

One hundred and two patients after hip fracture not caused by high impact injuries or local bone diseases followed up prospectively for one year. Control group consisted of sex and age matched patients admitted to ophthalmology ward for eye surgery. Data about comorbidity obtained from both groups at baseline. Functional state and health-related quality of life for the participants were measured using RDRS-2 and SF-36 questionnaires, respectively.

Results

The overall survival was 83% in cases and 92% in controls (log rank test 3.62, df = 1, P = 0.057). Early mortality within the first 6 months of observation was significantly higher in patients than controls (13 in patients vs. 2 in controls) (log rank test 8.84, df = 1, P = 0.003). The risk of mortality in the first year after fracture was significantly and independently associated with age and baseline RDRS score. By the end of follow-up, in the patient group, 55.4% of survivors were able to walk without any assistance and 10.8% were not able to walk.

Conclusions

The risk of mortality within the first 6 months of observation was significantly and independently associated with low trauma hip fracture. However, age and baseline RDRS score were independent predictors of mortality in the first year following hip fracture.

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is associated with serum level of retinol- binding protein-4 (RBP4) and total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) without clinical symptom of atherosclerotic disease.

Method

101 type 2 diabetic patients (mean age, 53.63 ± 8.42 years) and 42 body mass index (BMI) matched control (mean age 50.1 ± 8.4) were recruited. The CIMT was assessed by using B-mode ultrasonography, while serum levels of RBP4 and total and HMW adiponectin were measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Linear regression analysis was performed with CIMT as dependent variable and adipokines and cardio metabolic risk factors as independent variables.

Result

The CIMT was higher in diabetic group compared to control group (p <0.05). The mean concentration of RBP4 and total and HMW adiponectin did not differ between two groups.

Age (B = 0.44 P <0.05), blood pressure (B = 0.37 P = <0.05), waist circumference (B = −0.21 P <0.05) and TG (B = 0.1 P <0.05) were identified as independent predictors for CIMT in diabetic group, while RBP4 and adiponectin were not associated with CIMT neither in diabetic group nor in control group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the present study showed that serum levels of RBP4 or total and HMW adiponectin were not potential predictors of CIMT in type 2 diabetic patients who exposed to this risk factor at least for nine years.

Background

This study was designed to determine the primary psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (IR-DES-28).

Methods

After translating the questionnaire into Persian, re-translating it into English and obtaining the confirmation of the diabetes specialists regarding the accuracy of the translated questionnaire, 100 patients with type 2 diabetes selected using a systematic random sampling method completed the Iranian-DES-28. The validity of IR-DES-28 was evaluated by construct, concurrent and criterion validity, whereas its reliability was assessed by test re-test, internal consistency and splitting method.

Results

Psychometric analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the IR-DES-28 in three subscales: Self-awareness and managing psychological aspects of diabetes (α=0.80), goal achievement ability (α=0.50), the ability of setting goals (α=0.79). Test-retest reliability, evaluated through Pearson coefficient correlation, was equal to 0.74 (P <0.01). The total score of IR-DES-28 and that of the extracted subscales were correlated with HbA1c levels (metabolic control) (P <0.01). The findings also supported the concurrent validity of the questionnaire.

Conclusion

The validity and reliability of the Iranian-DES scale is acceptable. Thus, the scale could be an appropriate instrument in evaluating the empowerment-based education programs.

Objective: Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) is an autosomal recessive form of hypophosphatemia with hyperphosphaturia, hypercalciuria, and hypercalcemia. In two reports on six affected kindreds with HHRH, the disease was mapped to chromosome 9q34, which contains the SLC34A3 gene that encodes the renal type 2c sodium-phosphate cotransporter. Our objective was to define the clinical course of these cases in a family with HHRH and to screen for SLC34A3 gene in order to determine whether these mutations are responsible for HHRH.

Methods: After clinical and biochemical evaluations, the entire SLC34A3 gene was screened using PCR amplification followed by direct sequencing technique. In this paper, we describe a new kindred with HHRH and a case of progressive and complicated HHRH presenting at age 27 years.

Results: We found 101-bp deletion in intron 9 of the SLC34A3 gene. The index patient was homozygous for this mutation which has been previously reported in a Caucasian population. This is the first report for presence of SLC34A3 intron 9 deletion in an Iranian population.

Conclusions: These data showed that HHRH can be easily missed or underdiagnosed. Genetic evaluation of patients with familial hypercalciuria, hypophosphatemia and nephrolithiasis is needed for further information on the prevalence and management of this rare disorder.

Conflict of interest:None declared.

Background:

A school-based surveillance system entitled the childhood and adolescence surveillance and prevention of Adult Noncommunicable disease (CASPIAN) Study is implemented at national level in Iran. This paper presents the methods and primary findings of the third survey of this surveillance system.

Methods:

This national survey was performed in 2009–2010 in 27 provinces of Iran among 5570 students and one of their parents. In addition to physical examination, fasting serum was obtained. Body mass index was categorized based on the World Health Organization growth charts.

Findings:

Data of 5528 students (2726 girls, 69.37% urban, mean age 14.7 ± 2.4 years) were complete and are reported. Overall, 17.3% (17.3% of girls and 17.5% of boys) were underweight, and 17.7% (15.5% of girls and 19.9% of boys) were overweight or obese. Abdominal obesity was documented in 16.3% of students (17.8% of girls and 15% of boys). 57.6% of families consumed breads, the staple food for Iranians, prepared with white flour. Most families (43.8% in urban areas and 58.6% in rural areas) used solid hydrogenated fats. 22.7% of students did not add salt to the table food. 14.2% of students reported to have a regular daily physical activity for at least 30 min a day. Overall, 10.4% of students (11.7% in urban areas and 7.3% in rural areas) reported that they used tobacco products, often waterpipe. 32.8% of students experienced at least three times of bullying in the previous 3 months. During the year prior to the survey, 14.46% of students had an injury needing the interference by school health providers.

Conclusion:

This survey is confirmatory evidence on the importance of establishing surveillance systems for risk behaviors to implement action-oriented interventions.

Background:

Clinical studies have reported that osteoporosis after spinal cord injury (SCI) can be the inflammation-induced base condition and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study documents the effects of n-3 PUFAs on cytokines in a group of patients after chronic SCI.

Methods:

This double-blind, placebo- controlled trial was designed in 82 (69 males and 13 females) osteoporotic patients with SCI for 4 months. All participants received 1000 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily. The patients received two MorDHA capsules (435 g of DHA and 65 mg of EPA per day) or two placebo capsules (one with lunch, and the other with dinner) in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Serum interleukins and Dietary intakes were assessed in the beginning and end of the study. Mean difference for each group was compared by using Student's t test.

Results:

A total of 75 (13 females, 62 males) participants completed the study over 4 months. The supplemented and control groups did not show any difference in their baseline characteristics. There were significant difference neither between two groups at the end of the study nor in each group between beginning and end of the study.

Conclusins:

MorDHA supplementation for 4 months had no significant effect on inflammatory markers. Although mean difference in all pro-inflammatory cytokines were not significant in both treatment and control groups during the study (P>0.05), the decrease in treatment group was weakly higher that it may be important in point of clinical view.

Background:

This article is a report of psychometric testing of the Farsi version of Resources and Support for Chronic Illness Self-management (RSSM) scale.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 160 patients with type 2 diabetes, registered with the Charity Foundation for Special Diseases’ team-focused diabetes clinic, were recruited (response rate=83.7%; n=134). Participants older than 18 years who had active medical files in the system completed the questionnaire. Content validity was established using translation and back-translation procedures, pilot testing of the instrument, and getting views of the expert panel. Construct validity was determined using explanatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha. The stability was confirmed using intra-class correlation coefficients.

Results:

Using exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor model emerged, which explained 75.24% of the total variance. Internal consistency reliability was sufficient (α=0.70; range=0.66 – 0.87). The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.74 – 0.81 for individual items.

Conclusion:

The RSSM-Farsi seems to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure outcomes of diabetes self-management education programs in Farsi. The RSSM-Farsi version scale could be a useful, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive scale for assessing resources and support for self-management between type 2 diabetic patients.