Prevalence of cigarette smoking in Tehran: A household study

Objective: Cigarette smoking is a highly addictive behavior and nicotine dependence is a well known model for drug dependence. It also acts as a gateway drug for the use of other illicit substances. In 1999, Iran Ministry of health and the national research center carried out a study which revealed that 11.9 of Iranian population use cigarette. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional household survey which was carried out in 2004.The target population of this study consisted of residents (age>15) of the sixth district of the municipality of Tehran. The sample was selected through multistage stratification and systematic randomization (n= 2705). Data was gathered using face-to-face interviews. Results: Our study showed that five hundred and forty (19.9) subjects reported regular use of cigarette sometimes in their life. 381 (14.1) reported that they were current smokers. The Prevalence of smoking and the mean number of cigarette smoked daily were lower in women compared to men. 74.1 of the smokers reported that they smoked their first cigarette before the age of 25. Only 7.8 reported that they started smoking after the age of 35. Conclusion: The self-reported lifelong prevalence and the prevalence of current smoking are much lower in Iran compared to many other Middle East countries. Moreover, according to the findings of this study, the number of attempts to quit smoking in Iran is lower than the reported rate in other countries of the region

Transgenderism in Iran

In this narrative review, the concept of transgenderism will be discussed in Iranian culture, and its distinctive features will be highlighted. Considering the differences between Iran and Western countries in terms of religion and its role in ordinary life, religious authorities� hegemony, and the attitude towards gender and human rights, transgenderism is conceptualized in a completely different framework in Iran. This study aims to answer these questions: How does the social context, including patriarchal, ideological, heterosexist attitudes, and the traditional binary gender model, affect the presentations of transgenderism in Iran? In what ways is the present medicolegal approach shaping the phenomenon of transgenderism and how is it perceived by the society and transgender individuals? What are the effects of this approach on the other sexual minorities? What is the outcome of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in this community?. © 2018 selection and editorial matter, Oren Gozlan; individual chapters, the contributors

Transgenderism in Iran

In this narrative review, the concept of transgenderism will be discussed in Iranian culture, and its distinctive features will be highlighted. Considering the differences between Iran and Western countries in terms of religion and its role in ordinary life, religious authorities� hegemony, and the attitude towards gender and human rights, transgenderism is conceptualized in a completely different framework in Iran. This study aims to answer these questions: How does the social context, including patriarchal, ideological, heterosexist attitudes, and the traditional binary gender model, affect the presentations of transgenderism in Iran? In what ways is the present medicolegal approach shaping the phenomenon of transgenderism and how is it perceived by the society and transgender individuals? What are the effects of this approach on the other sexual minorities? What is the outcome of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in this community?. © 2018 selection and editorial matter, Oren Gozlan; individual chapters, the contributors

The effect of empowerment on the reinforcement of positive emotions in methamphetamine addicts

As a vulnerable group of the society, in addition to physical consequences, addicts have to face psychological and emotional problems as well. With long-term consequences of drug abuse including psychological dysfunction, crime involvement. This study aimed to assess the effect of empowerment on reinforcement of positive emotions in a group of Methamphetamine addicts. This clinical trial was conducted at the Psychiatric Health Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and affiliated centers between February and August 2012 on 285 glass addicts after detoxification and during group therapy. The subjects were randomly selected from the list of those in the quitting process and divided into case and control groups. The case group consisted of two sub-groups of 1) educating the quitting addict, 2). The control group consisted of quitting addicts who did not receive any intervention. In this study. The data collection tools included a demographics check-list and Watson's perceived emotions questionnaire. The SPSS-15 software was used for descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (chi-square and covariance). The results of the study showed that mean scores of perceived emotion changed significantly (P<0.001) when compared to before training (based on subjects, level of training, age group, gender)The findings of this study showed that recognition of positive and negative perceived emotions helps quitting addicts to successfully continue their efforts with no relapse. Therefore, a more effective treatment program can be designed with recognition of mental-psychological factors and offering educational programs with the help of psychologists and psychiatrists. © IDOSI Publications, 2013

Are andropause symptoms related to depression?

Background: Andropause is a middle-age condition in which men experience changes in their physical, spiritual and emotional health. The association between andropause and psychological symptoms such as depression are not very clear yet. Aims: The objective of this study was therefore to determine the association between the �Aging Males Symptoms Scale� (AMS) and depression. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 521 old men. To collect data, the AMS and the Patient Health Questionnaires 2 and 9 were used to screen depression, in addition to questions on background and fertility. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between andropause symptoms and depression. Results: Based on our results and the AMS score, 51.5 of the study population had clinical symptoms of androgen disorder, 3.7 of which had severe symptoms. There was a strong correlation between the AMS score and depression. Depression, diabetes, cigarette smoking and spousal age retained their significant associations even after entering the relevant demographic, anthropometric, smoking and disease variables in the multivariable model. As a positive predictive factor, depression had the strongest association with AMS. Conclusions: Based on our results, there is a direct association between andropause symptoms and depression, where the increasing AMS score corresponds with the severity of depression. Discussion: Our results show the need of screening for depression when evaluating andropause symptoms. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland

High-risk sexual behaviors among transgender individuals in tehran, iran

Global evidence indicates that transgender people are disproportionately at risk for HIV infection. However, limited data are available characterizing sexual behaviors and HIV infection among transgender people in Iran. This study aims to determine the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors and HIV infection among transgender people in Iran. In 2009, we assessed data of 58 transgender individuals (41 female-to-male (FTM) and 17 male-to-female (MTF)). Their demographic characteristics and risky sexual behaviors, and other risky behaviors such as substance use were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Rapid tests were used to confirm HIV seropositivity. Fifty-four participants who provided blood samples, none were positive (exact 95 confidence intervals: 0.0, 0.07). 75.6 of FTM and 64.7 of MTF reported having sex in the past six months, respectively. Of the sample who reported having sex in the past six months (n=42), only 19 reported using condoms. No participants reported a history of injection. In this study of HIV infection among a small sample of transgender people in Iran, no one was HIV positive. Some reasons for these findings can be outlined as a lack of history of intravenous drug use and related behaviors, limited high-risk relationships and behaviors, and the limited number of males among the samples. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Palmitoylethanolamide as adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder: A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial

Background: Experimental studies provide evidence for antidepressant effects of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in animal models of depression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEA add-on therapy in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: In a randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, 58 patients with MDD (DSM-5) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score � 19 were randomized to receive either 600 mg twice daily Palmitoylethanolamide or placebo in addition to citalopram for six weeks. Patients were assessed using the HAM-D scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Results: Fifty-four individuals completed the trial. At week 2, patients in the PEA group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in HAM-D scores compared to the placebo group (8.30 ± 2.41 vs. 5.81 ± 3.57, P =.004). The PEA group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms F (3, 156) = 3.35, P =.021 compared to the placebo group throughout the trial period. The patients in the PEA group experienced more response rate (� 50% reduction in the HAM-D score) than the placebo group (100% vs. 74% respectively, P =.01) at the end of the trial. Baseline parameters and frequency of side effects were not significantly different between the two groups. Limitations: The population size in this study was small and the follow-up period was relatively short. Conclusions: Palmitoylethanolamide adjunctive therapy to citalopram can effectively improve symptoms of patients (predominantly male gender) with major depressive disorder. PEA showed rapid-onset antidepressant effects which need further investigation. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

Palmitoylethanolamide as adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder: A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial

Background: Experimental studies provide evidence for antidepressant effects of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in animal models of depression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEA add-on therapy in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: In a randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, 58 patients with MDD (DSM-5) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score � 19 were randomized to receive either 600 mg twice daily Palmitoylethanolamide or placebo in addition to citalopram for six weeks. Patients were assessed using the HAM-D scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Results: Fifty-four individuals completed the trial. At week 2, patients in the PEA group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in HAM-D scores compared to the placebo group (8.30 ± 2.41 vs. 5.81 ± 3.57, P =.004). The PEA group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms F (3, 156) = 3.35, P =.021 compared to the placebo group throughout the trial period. The patients in the PEA group experienced more response rate (� 50% reduction in the HAM-D score) than the placebo group (100% vs. 74% respectively, P =.01) at the end of the trial. Baseline parameters and frequency of side effects were not significantly different between the two groups. Limitations: The population size in this study was small and the follow-up period was relatively short. Conclusions: Palmitoylethanolamide adjunctive therapy to citalopram can effectively improve symptoms of patients (predominantly male gender) with major depressive disorder. PEA showed rapid-onset antidepressant effects which need further investigation. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

L-Carnosine combination therapy for major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Evidence for antidepressant effects of L-Carnosine was shown in some experimental studies. In this study we tried to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of L-Carnosine combination therapy in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Fifty-eight patients with MDD (DSM-V) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score � 19 were randomized to receive either 400 mg twice daily L-Carnosine or placebo in addition to citalopram (maximum dosage of 40 mg/day) for six weeks in a randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Patients were assessed using the HAM-D scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Results: Fifty-two patients completed the trial. General linear model repeated measure showed significant difference for time � treatment on HAM-D score F = 3.17, df = 2.39, p-value = 0.03. Significantly greater improvement was detected in HAM-D score of the L-Carnosine group compared with the placebo group from baseline to weeks 2, 4 and 6 Ps = 0.013, 0.028 and 0.023; respectively. Patients in the L-Carnosine group experienced significantly greater response and remission rate than the placebo group Ps = 0.023 and 0.012; respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline parameters and frequency of side effects. Limitations: Short follow-up period and small population size were two important limitations of this study. Conclusions: L-Carnosine combination therapy with citalopram can effectively improve symptoms of patients with major depressive disorder. Rapid-onset antidepressant effects of L-Carnosine were also shown which need further investigation. © 2020 Elsevier B.V