Frequency of cataract in Iran: A meta-analysis and systematic review

PURPOSE: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and the second cause of low vision in the world. In the world, Asia has the highest number of blind population. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the frequency of clinical cataracts in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The frequency of clinical cataract was defined based on the international criteria and the measured outcome of the disease. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. We explored PubMed, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, and national databases (scientific information database, Magiran) to evaluate the clinical cataract of cataract in the Iranian populations from 1995 to July 2017. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14.0 software. RESULTS: Of 283 studies, 27 studies utilized meta-analysis. In 2017, the pooled overall frequency of clinical cataract in 59668 people was 9.27 (95 confidence interval CI: 8.09, 10.45, I2 = 98.82%). Based on subgroup analysis, in the random effect method, the frequency of clinical cataract in males and females were 8.03% (CI: 6.78, 9.28) and 8.32% (CI: 7.08, 9.55), respectively. CONCLUSION: Regarding the high frequency of clinical cataract in Iran, it seems that paying attention to the results of the current study and the application of international policy plans may contribute to better cataract control in Iran. © 2018 Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology

Attitude and practice regarding breast cancer early detection among Iranian women: A systematic review

Objectives: To determining attitudes and practice regarding breast cancer early detection techniques (breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography) among Iranian woman. Methods: International (PubMed, ISI, and Google Scholar) and national (SID and Magiran) databases were reviewed up to September 2017 to identify articles related to the attitudes and practices of Iranian women concerning breast cancer screening behavior with reference to BSE, CBE and mammography. The screening steps, analysis of quality of the studies and extraction of the papers were performed by two reviewers. Results: Of the 532 studies included initially, 21 performed on 10,521 people were considered eligible. Subjects with a positive attitude toward BSE in various studies were 13.5 to 94.0 with an average of 47.6. Positive attitudes to CBE and mammography were found in 21.0 and 26.4, respectively. Participant performance of BSE ranged from 2.6 to 84.7, with an average of 21.9. The respective figures for CBE and mammography were 15.8 and 16.7. Conclusion: Considering the poor performance and low rates for positive attitudes, it is suggested that educational programs should be conducted across the country

Effects of gene polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes on the association between red and processed meat consumption and the development of colon cancer; a literature review

The role of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility in the development of colon cancer (CC) has been already proven, but the role of gene polymorphisms in modifying the risk of environmental factors such as nutritional factors is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polymorphisms of involved genes in the association between red meat consumption and the development of CC. The present review was carried out using keywords such as polymorphism and/or protein and/or red meat and/or processed meat and/or colon cancer. PubMed and Science Direct databases were used to collect all related articles published from 2001 to 2017. The presence of SNP in the coding genes of proteins involved in metabolism of nutrients could play significant roles in the extent of the effects of nutrition in the development of CC. The effect of dietary proteins greatly depends on the polymorphisms in the metabolising genes of these substances. Gene polymorphisms may have a role in colorectal cancer risk, especially in people with high meat intake, and this leads to a difference in the effects of meat consumption in different individuals. To conclude, dietary recommendations for the prevention and control of CC should be modified based on the genotype of different individuals. Increasing our knowledge on this field of nutritional genomics can lead to personalised preventive and therapeutic recommendations for CC patients

Polymorphisms in Genes Coding for Folate-Related Enzymes and Colorectal Cancer

This review examined the association between folate and risk of colorectal cancer and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 4 genes coding for folate metabolism-related enzymes may be involved. Individuals with single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these key enzymes in the folate pathways may need different amounts of dietary folate to prevent colorectal cancer