Prescription pattern among Iranian community dwelling older adults

Aim To assess prescription pattern among Iranian community-dwelling older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study employed a cluster random sampling to obtain a sample of 1591 patients aged 60 years and over referred to pharmacies in Tehran, 2017. Data were collected using a questionnaire: socio-demographic characteristics, type of pharmacy visited, the municipal district, the university covering the pharmacy, the number and names of prescribed drugs, drug category, type of insurances and physician’s socio-demographic profile (age, gender, type of specialization, and work experience). Results The mean age of the patients was 70.51±7.84. A total of 5838 drugs were prescribed, giving an average of 3.73±2.24 drugs per patient (ranging of 1-15). Polypharmacy was noticed in 32.4% patients. Cardiovascular ‏drugs accounted for 20.8% of the prescriptions, antidiabetics 8.8%, nutritional agents and vitamins 7.6%, and analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretics accounted for 7.5%. Conclusion Developing educational programs on geriatric pharmacology general practitioners and more supervision among community-dwelling older adults might have effects on prescription pattern. There is a need for prescriber training and retraining with emphasis on the geriatric population

Validity and reliability of the perceived benefits/barriers scale of physical activity among Iranian elderly

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was investigating the validity and reliability of Persian version of perceived benefits/barriers of physical activity in Iranian elderly. Methods: 388 elderly subjects (up to 60 years) completed demographic characteristics questionnaire, Exercise Benefits/Barriers (EBBS) and Yale physical activity scale. Results: Persian version of EBBS showed nine components, and 31 items predicted 60.26% of variance. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency in total and subscales was respectively 0.75, 0.91 and 0.71. As well positive and significant correlation between total benefits and its subscales and between total barriers and its subscales were found. Research results showed significant and positive correlation between physical activity and the benefits of physical activity (r=0.178, P<0.05) and significant and negative correlation between physical activity and the barriers of physical activity (r=0.249, P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed acceptable reliability and validity of Persian version of perceived benefits/barriers of physical activity in Iranian elderly

Prevalence of Complains and Rehabilitation Needs in 150 Patients

Objective: Many studies and researches have been done regarding elderly care health in countries with approved geriatrics as an independent branch. Because geriatrics is a new subject in Iran, this study was done in order to assess about social conditions and prevalence of elderly complaints and their rehabilitation services. Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive study. 150 elderly who were admitted ambulatory in the educational, research and rehabilitation center for older people in 1999, were assessed, and required information were taken. Results: 150 elderly patients assessed, 58% female, 42% male, minimum age: 55 years. Maximum age: 100 years, 17.3% were illiterate, 19.3% had college studies. In female group 13% were widows and in male group 1.2% were widowers. 2 women and 1 man had never married. Cardio pulmonary disorders were the most common complaints (63.3%), then musculoskeletal disorders (55.6%), psychological disturbances (24.6%), neurological disorders (18%), 35% of above cases received physiotherapy, 13% occupational therapy and 2% speech therapy. Conclusion: It seems that in our community, rehabilitation services are given less than the countries with approved geriatrics medicine. Perhaps the role of rehabilitation in the quality of elderly life, for both, patients and their physicians is ignored. It is suggested that, rehabilitation disciplinary must be introduced more than before to physicians, especially who are working in the field of geriatrics

Association Between the Prevalence of Common Diseases and Demo-Graphic, Occupational Factors in Elderly Staff in IRIB in 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explaine the association between the prevalence of common diseases and demographic, occupotional factors in elderly staff in IRIB (Tehran center) Regarding the increasing of elderly populationin the world, indluding IRAN, the prevalence of the physical disability in this age range is raised which leads to several unfavarable out comes such as: hospitalization, overuse of health care system and mortality rate. For achiving elderly health and preventing of chronic diseases and decreasing prevalence of elderly common diseases, the firsrt step is indentification of their health status. By which, we can recognise their health and medical needs and also prevent their occurrence. Considring relationship between demographic occupational factors and common disease in elderly staff in radio and television centers , unfortunately, I could not find any article. Methods & Materials: This study is a cross-sectional one wich was conducted on 152 enderly patient who were reffered to IRIB Clinic and studied for association between demographic and occupational factors with prevalenc of common diseases. In this reaserch a questionnaire contaning demographic information and history of diseases was used. They were complated with elderly paintent. then the phesition examined them. Data were analyzed with analysis of T-test chi-2 and pearson correlation in spss16. Results: The analysis of our data showed that osteoarthrities (46%), hypertension (36%), heart diseases (35.5%) and diabet (21%) were the most common diseases in elderly patient that were reffered to IRIB clinic during the year 1389. In this study a significant relactionship was observed between osteoarthrities, hypertension, heart disease and age (P=0.000), BMI (P=0.000), Incom level (P=0.000), education (P=0.000) and physical activity (P=0.01) while, ther was no singificany relationship between heart diseases and diabet whit gender (P=0.17), reffering times to the general practitioner and life satisfaction. (P=0.07) Conclusion: osteoarthrities, heart diseases, Hypertention and diabet are the most common diseases in the elderly staffs in IRIB. According to this study, there is a significant relation between prevalence of common diseases and health related variable. therfore through implementation of such programs like: changing life style, regular and periodic clinical examination ,changing diet habit, we can identification of these diseases in the primary stage and preventation of disability in the future will be possible

The Effect of Romberg Exercise on Falling Episodes of Elderlies With History of Past Fallings

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Romberg exercise on balance improvement in elderly persons, 70 elderly persons with the history of two or more falling during recent 3 months were selected from Kahrizak nursing home in Tehran (38 as cases and 32 as controls). Methods & Materials : Romberg exercise was done in case group every day (45 minute per day and one time each day) for 3 months. Among all persons, 28 persons in case group and 21 persons in control group were followed for 6 months and incidence and frequency of falling were assessed during this time. Results: The Incidence of one or more falling in case and control groups was 31.3% and 47.6% in men and 57.9% and 27.3% in women, respectively. We found no significant relation between gender and the incidence of falling (P=0.460). Also, no significant relation was found between age and incidence (P=0.554) and frequency of falling (P=0.144) in elderly persons. Conclusion: Although the effect of Romberg exercise on improvement of balance disturbance and falling was not demonstrated, it needs additional studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up

A Comparison Between the Institutionalized Elderlies Versus Those in Community-Dwelling in Iran

Objectives: Ageing of population is a new phenomenon that has occurred in recent center especially in developed countries and it has named as &quot;papy Bomb&rdquo; In developing countries also there are some problems due to Family pattern changes and transition to Nuclear Family. Methods & Materials: In Iran, elderly population is increased during two decade and elder lies plus 60 years from 5.43% in 1986 are increased to 7.27% in 2006. Results: The total population of Iran was more than 70 millions in 2006 and there was more than 5 million elder lies plus 60 years. Conclusion: The Augmentation of elderly population in Iran is one of our motivation for investigation and assessment of status between the elder lies lives in institutes and whose lives in Community - dwelling

Young Male’s Post Appendectomy Complication of Pulmonary Thromboembolism

The main goal of this report was to share with clinicians an atypical presentation of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in a young male`s post-appendectomy, whom he had no significant predisposing factors for such disease. The case also introduced for re-examining the challenges of PTE clinical manifestations which may mimic other differential diagnosis. PTE is an abrupt blockage of the pulmonary artery by a thrombus. Such thrombus is generated by a blood clot which has been formed, separated and migrated from the leg and/or pelvic veins toward the lung.The lung tissue`s circulation is impaired which later episode results hypoxia and infarction. These events initiate a set of PTE clinical manifestations

Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly Referred to a Health Center in Sabzevar

Objectives Old age is a period of life in which elderly are exposed to potential threat. These factors lead to decreased quality of life in elderly. Social interaction is of the factors affecting the quality of life and health in the elderly. We aimed to assess the relationship between social integration and health-related quality of life in seniors in Sabzevar city. Methods & Materials This descriptive study was performed on 135 elderly referred to a health center city in Sabzevar using the proportional sampling method. Data collection tools included health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) and a researcher made questionnaire regarding the participants' social integration and demographic information. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and Pearson's correlation, T, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests. Results The mean&plusmn;SD score for social integration in the elderly was 30.6&plusmn;9.5 (33.26&plusmn;9.4 in men and 27.46&plusmn;9.6 in women) which was average. The mean&plusmn;SD health-related quality of life scores in physical and mental health domains were 10.87&plusmn;2.65 and 11.41&plusmn;2.96, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between social integration and health-related quality of life (r=0.73, P<0.001). Also there was a significant correlation between social integration and age (r=-0.3, P=0.001), marital status (P<0.001), employment (P<0.001), sex (P<0.001), and education level (r=0.4, P=0.003). Conclusion Policy makers can plan interventions in the field of social integration to improve the quality of life in the elderly

Botulinum Toxin Type A on an Intranasal Sponge for Chronic Allergic Rhinitis: Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: In this study, we examined the effect of botulinum toxin A (BTA) on chronic allergic rhinitis (CAR). We tested the effects of BTA, applied to an intranasal sponge, on patients who had CAR for a minimum of three years and had been treated unsuccessfully with conventional medications. Methods:The study was an interventional case-control single-blind randomized clinical trial. Forty-four male and female CAR patients who were referred to Tehran&rsquo;s Saee & Pasargad Hospitals, and Saadat-Abaad, Sarv and Karimkhan Clinics in 2012 aged 20-40 years were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=22) or control group (n=22). The intervention group received BTA (100 IU/ml Dysport), on a 5cm nasal sponge retained in each nasal cavity for 30 minutes. The control group received normal saline. The groups were evaluated by the same examiner. Pre-and post-tests (1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks) were performed according to the authors&rsquo; pre-designed checklist, the validity and reliability of which was previously established. The symptoms scored from none (0) to severe (10) at the test points. The statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS-19, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Based on ANOVA, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in symptomatic relief between the intervention and control groups. No marked adverse effects were observed during the study. Discussion: An intranasal 5cm sponge impregnated with 100 IU/ml BTA, retained in each nasal cavity for 30 minutes, may alleviate CAR symptoms with no significant adverse effects

Diagnostic Distribution of Mental Disorders in Geril Atric Outpatients Tehran 2002

Objectives:&nbsp;Reports on the epidemiology of mental disorders in the elderly mostly arise from the studies on the populations of the western developed countries.&nbsp;Due to gross social and cultural differences, these findings may not be generalizable to the oriental countries and the need for native studies is increasingly felt. to determine a primary estimate of the prevalence of mental disorders in elderly people with health problems residing in the community. Methods & Materials:&nbsp;probable psychiatric cases among 314 patients successively presented to the only outpatient geriatric clinic in Tehran, after careful examination by a physician, referred for psychiatric evaluation. These subjects were examined by a psychiatrist and 100 of them received a diagnosis according to DSMb4 criteria. Data about related factors gathered and analyzed by the software SPSSb Version 10th. Results:&nbsp;31.8% of the original sample received a psychiatric diagnosis. Depressive disorders (58%), cognitive disorders (29%) and anxiety disorders (12%) were most frequent diagnosis. Symptoms had been appeared after a life event in 52% of cases. Conbcurrent physical problems were prevalent. Hypertension was the most frequent physical problem (31%) and Poly-pharmacy found in many cases&nbsp; (m=1.4&plusmn;2.89) Conclusion:&nbsp;The need for psycho-geriatric services is widespread among elderly living in Tehran and the con-current physical problems and poly pharmacy complicate the situation