Evaluation of Relation between HbA1c Level with Cognitive Disorders and Depression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

BACKGROUND: The role of HbA1c level in cognition decline and depression in type 2 diabetic patients is reported in some studies. AIM: We evaluated the possible significant relationship between HbA1c level and cognition decline and depression in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 512 patients with a different HbA1c level and ages range. All subjects were administered a structured clinical interview. Cognitive functions and depressive disorders were assessed through the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) respectively. Chi-square test was used for relationships between variables. RESULTS: HbA1c mean in all patients was 7.58%. MMSE score mean in total was 27.28. 83.3% of patients had a depressive disorder, and 8.59% of patients had an MMSE score < 24. There was no significant relationship between HbA1c level and cognitive problems, but there was a significant relationship between recent memory declines with the level of HbA1c (P = 0.03). Also, there was no significant relationship between attention-deficit with HbA1c level. CONCLUSION: Our finding provides that even though there is no significant difference between HbA1c level and cognitive problems and depression, recent memory state in these patients are more affected than the normal population and these patients have a worse state of depressive disorders

Unusual Presentation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Ocular Leishmaniasis

The leishmaniases are parasitic diseases that are transmitted to humans by infected female sandflies. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of 3 main forms of the disease. CL is the most common form of the disease and is endemic in many urban and rural parts of Iran and usually caused by two species of Leishmania: L. major and L. tropica. We report a case of unusual leishmaniasis with 25 lesions on exposed parts of the body and right eyelid involvement (ocular leishmaniasis). The patient was a 75-year-old male farmer referred to health care center in Aran va Bidgol city. The disease was diagnosed by direct smear, culture, and PCR from the lesions. PCR was positive for Leishmania major

An epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan (2007-2008)

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a parasitological disease, which is common between human andanimals. This disease cause always serious health problems for the human communities. This diseaseis prevalent in many parts of the world. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a prevalent parasitologicaldisease with diverse clinical manifestations in Iran. It is an important health problem in many parts ofIran as well and its incidence has doubled over the last decade. This study was designed to determinethe epidemiology of CL in Kashan during 2007- 2008.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 5098 persons were randomlyselected in thirteen rural and urban districts of Kashan. The disease was diagnosed based on clinicalexamination and microscopic observation of the parasite in the ulcer site. The patient's informationsuch as age, sex, job, number and sites of ulcer(s) or scar(s), date and place of the ulcer, and results ofclinical examination and laboratory tests were recorded. Data analysis was performed using statisticalKi-square test.Results: The prevalence rate of disease in 5089 inhabitants studied was 6.4%. One hundred andthree persons (2%) had active ulcers and 223 persons (4.4%) had scar. Fifty three out of 200(26.5%)infected male suffering from CL, and fifty out of 126 (39.7%) infected female had active ulcer(P=0.013) The highest frequency and the least infected age groups were observed in 20-29 years oldpatients with a rate of 23.3% and 0-9 years old with the rate of 7.8%, respectively. 49.5% of theinfected cases were under 30 years old. 64.1% of the patients had one and 35.9% had two or moreulcers. The most common location of ulcers were on hands (46.6%) and then on feet, on face and onthe other parts of the body. 75.8% of the patients were infected in Kashan city. The estimated rate forCL incidence was approximately 37.6 cases in 100000 people in Kashan during 2007-2008Conclusion: The prevalence and incidence rate of CL are higher than expected rate in Kashan city.Such a high prevalence and incident rate is alarming and require control and prevention measures.Further epidemiological investigations of disease particularly CL are suggested

The prevalence of pediculosis capitis and relevant factors in primary school students of Kashan, Central Iran

Objective: To help health authorities in adopting the ways to control pollution in the Kashan city and improve public health. Methods: In descriptive epidemiologic research, 2 151 students were examined in 23 male and female schools. Their hair was examined for head louse infestation. Demographic data and related information were obtained by interview and observation. The data were recorded in the standard questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS statistical software by using Chi-square and fisher's exact tests. Results: The prevalence of head louse infestation in students was 0.70. This survey showed that 0.75 and 0.60 of the students in female and male schools were infected to head louse respectively. Statistical tests showed significant relation between pediculosis and, father's and mother's job, father's and mother's education, previous history of infection, itchy scalp and school health teachers (P<0.05). Conclusions: The study indicated that the prevalence of pediculosis wasn't a major concern and health priority in Kashan's schools (2013). However, it was suggested that individual hygiene should be considered as a priority in the city to prevent the increase of infestation incidence, and also measures should be taken to increase the level of knowledge of individuals within the city. © 2014 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press