Comparison of serum level of some trace elements and vitamin D between patients with premenstrual syndrome and normal controls: A cross-sectional study

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem among women and is identified by reversal emotional, psychological, and physical signs during the luteal phase. These signs, however, lower down in the follicular phase. The cause of PMS isn’t very well-known up to now control group and many researchers have suggested that mineral compounds and vitamins can inhibit these symptoms. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the serum level of some trace elements and vitamin D between normal controls and patients with PMS. Materials and Methods: 300 female students (19–21 yr old) from Falavarjan County were randomly selected and asked to complete a standard questionnaire on PMS during three menstruation cycles. The students were divided into two groups: healthy persons (control) and PMS persons, and PMS was determined on the basis of the answers to the questionnaire. Thereafter, the serum concentrations of zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and Vitamin D3 were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: Our results showed that the PMS prevalence was about 41.5%. The level of vitamin D decreased in both the control and PMS groups, with a significantly lower range of vitamin D (p 0.05) in the PMS group. Other factors had no significant change between the two groups. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was probably one of the most important causes of unpleasant symptoms of PMS between these students. Key words: Premenstrual syndrome, Trace elements, Vitamin D

A massive stroke in a pregnant woman following COVID-19 infection: A case report

Background and aims: COVID-19 infection increases the risk of pathological thrombotic events in venous and arterial circulation. COVID-19 patients are reported, a wide range of neurovascular symptoms is highlighted, such as cerebral vascular accidence. This study aimed to report a massive stroke in a pregnant woman with COVID-19 infection. Case Report: We report a 41-year-old pregnant woman, gravid 5 para 2 living 2 abortion 2 at gestational age 22 weeks and 4 days with Covid-19 infection, which developed into a massive stroke in the Basilar artery despite receiving a therapeutic dosage of Enoxaparin Sodium. Conclusion: The possibility of thrombosis should be considered in COVID-19 patients with symptoms indicating an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) such as decreased consciousness, strabismus, and agitation. Considering the higher risk of thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) could be a possible consequence. Thus, the precise observation of neurologic manifestations in covid-19 patients, especially in pregnant women, is recommended

Comparison of Serum Level of Some Trace Elements and Vitamin D Between Patients with Premenstrual Syndrome and Normal Controls: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem among women and is identified by reversal emotional, psychological, and physical signs during the luteal phase. These signs, however, lower down in the follicular phase. The cause of PMS isn't very well-known up to now control group and many researchers have suggested that mineral compounds and vitamins can inhibit these symptoms. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the serum level of some trace elements and vitamin D between normal controls and patients with PMS. Materials and Methods: 300 female students (19–21 yr old) from Falavarjan County were randomly selected and asked to complete a standard questionnaire on PMS during three menstruation cycles. The students were divided into two groups: healthy persons (control) and PMS persons, and PMS was determined on the basis of the answers to the questionnaire. Thereafter, the serum concentrations of zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and Vitamin D3 were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: Our results showed that the PMS prevalence was about 41.5%. The level of vitamin D decreased in both the control and PMS groups, with a significantly lower range of vitamin D (p 0.05) in the PMS group. Other factors had no significant change between the two groups. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was probably one of the most important causes of unpleasant symptoms of PMS between these students. Key words: Premenstrual syndrome, Trace elements, Vitamin D

Proposing Appropriate National Standards for Nursing and Midwifery Education Derived from International Standards: a Case Study, Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery

Introduction: Applying foreign standards for accreditation of Master of Science in nursing and midwifery in Iran seems anomalous. Taking advantage of these foreign standards as well as the views of experts in nursing and midwifery, the researcher in this study tried to develop the accreditation standards according to educational circumstances in Iran. Methods: This study was performed in the years of 2005-2006 during multiple stages. In the first stage, international standards were gathered through the internet, and in the second stage, using these standards and the views of expert faculty members, proper standards for the context of Iran were set. During the third stage, Delphi technique was employed for taking votes. Whereas 50 persons having the criteria for entering the study were selected through purposeful sampling method and their viewpoints toward appropriateness of suggested standards for the educational circumstances of the country was obtained using the questionnaire designed in the second stage. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: After applying experts’ views about applicability of these standards to circumstances in the country, 28 standards and 224 indices for nursing and midwifery education were proposed as final standards. Conclusion: Most standards had almost 90% desirability. Issues such as presenting evidences indicating the ability of speaking in English or qualification for education in Master of Science courses had less desirability. It seems that the main cause of their undesirability is the educational status in Iran

Need for Consultation and Training during Bed Rest in Women with High Risk Pregnancy Experience: a Qualitative Study

Background:  Pregnancy in a woman's life is a unique experience. But due to high risk pregnancy and the need to rest in bed, the women and her family are faced with different challenges and needs. The inability to manage these needs will result in crisis and understanding the needs of pregnant women during bed rest is essential to provide comprehensive health care for them. So this qualitative study was designed and conducted to examine the needs of women with high-risk pregnancy experience during bed rest to improve health in this group. Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted in 1393 using inductive qualitative content analysis. 32 individual semi-structured interviews were performed with 21 women with high-risk pregnancy and four members of their family (mother of a participant and husbands of three participants) and seven medical staff involved in their healthcare. Collected information was analyzed concurrently with information collecting. Results: Data analysis led to the emersion of the last category of need that was training and consultation. This main category has sub-categories such as: need for consultation on physical problems, psychological problems, marital problems, fear and the stresses caused by bed rest, common problem in pregnancy and childbirth and the need for help for planning various activities during bed rest. Conclusion: Conducting a comprehensive nursing and education services and counseling to women with high-risk pregnancy during bed rest leads to a reduction in their physical and psychosocial problems