Suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic among a large-scale Iranian sample: the roles of generalized trust, insomnia, and fear of COVID-19

The novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still not under control globally. The pandemic has caused mental health issues among many different cohorts and suicidal ideation in relation to COVID-19 has been reported in a number of recent studies. Therefore, the present study proposed a model to explain the associations between generalized trust, fear of COVID-19, insomnia , and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic among a large-scale Iranian sample. Utilizing cluster sampling with multistage stratification, residents from Qazvin province in Iran were invited to participate in the present study. Adults aged over 18 years (n = 10,843; 6751 [62.3%] females) completed 'paper-and-pencil' questionnaires with the assistance of a trained research assistant. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to understand the associations between generalized trust, fear of COVID-19, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. Slightly over one-fifth of the participants (n = 2252; 20.8%) reported suicidal ideation. Moreover, the SEM results indicated that generalized trust was indirectly associated with suicidal ideation via fear of COVID-19 and insomnia. Furthermore, generalized trust was not directly associated with suicidal ideation. The proposed model was invariant across gender groups, age groups, and participants residing in different areas (i.e., urban vs. rural). Generalized trust might reduce individuals' suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic period via reduced levels of fear of COVID-19 and insomnia. Healthcare providers and policymakers may want to assist individuals in developing their generalized trust, reducing fear of COVID-19, and improving insomnia problems to avoid possible suicidal behaviors

Effect of core stability and general exercise on functional activity in non- specific low back pain patients

Background and Objective: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Core stability exercises have been recommended to improve neuromuscular skeletal system function in order to increase the protection of vertebral column and improve functional activities. This study was done to evaluate the effect of core stability and general exercise on functional activity in non- specific low back pain patients. Methods: In this clinical trail study, sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into general exercise (n=30) and core stability (n=30) groups. The protocol of intervention included 4 weeks (3 sessions in week) of designed exercise for each group. The functional activities were measured before and after intervention. Results: Functional activity indicators were significantly increased in core stability exercise compared to general exercise (P<0.05). Conclusion: Core stability exercise is more effective than general exercise to improve functional activities in patients with non-specific low back pain

An unusual presentation of pruritic urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy: a case report

&quot;n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1&quot;:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP) is a specific dermatosis of the third trimester of pregnancy, commonly seen in primigravid women.&quot;n&quot;nCase presentation: A 24-year-old primigravida woman who had developed a rash immediately after delivery was admitted to Razi Hospital in Tehran, Iran. She had an erythematous eruption, particularly concentrated on the abdominal striae with umbilical sparing and involvement of limbs and extremities. Skin biopsy of the lesions on the lower abdomen, showed superficial perivascular infiltrates with occasional neutrophils and eosinophils. Both direct and indirect immunofloresence assays were negative. The patient was ultimately treated with topical clobetasol butyrate and oral chlorpheniramine for pruritus. Within a week, the lesions and the itchings had disappeared completely.&quot;n&quot;nConclusion: Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy are often, but not always, seen during the third trimester of pregnancy, but sometimes they present in postpartum period without any prior manifestations during pregnancy

Serum uric acid levels in patients with psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease of the skin, in which both genetic and environmental factors play a critical role. The most characteristic lesions consist of red, scaly plaques present particularly over extensor surfaces and scalp. Studies have reported association between psoriasis and many other diseases in both cutaneous and systemic forms of the disease. Several studies with different and sometimes controversial results have been done about the relationship of hyperuricemia and psoriasis. The aim of our study was to assess serum uric acid levels in patients with psoriasis. Methods: We studied 126 patients with psoriasis in a case-series study in Razi Hospital during one year. After recording the age, sex, duration, type and severity of the disease and presence or absence of psoriatic arthritis in the patients, they were referred to the laboratory for the determination of serum uric acid concentrations. Results: The mean (±SD) serum uric acid level was 5.4±1.5 mg/dL (ranging from 1.9- 9.5 mg/dL). Although the mean serum uric acid levels were in the normal range but the values were significantly higher in patients with more severe forms of psoriasis (P<0.001), its longer duration (P<0.001) and psoriatic arthritis (P=0.003). Moreover, serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in patients with non-plaque-type than plaque-type psoriasis (P=0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed that serum uric acid levels exacerbate by increases in the severity and duration of psoriasis, in psoriatic arthritis, and in patients with non-plaque-type psoriasis

The Efficacy Of Low-Dose Oral Corticosteroids In The Treatment Of Vitiligo Patients

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder that affects 1% of population. It presents as depigmented patches. One of the most probable theories regarding the pathogenesis of vitiligo is autoimmunity. Systemic corticosteroids may arrest the progression of vitiligo and lead to repigmentation by suppressing immune system. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids in actively progressing vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Seventy four patients with vitiligo were evaluated. The patients took daily doses of oral prednisolone (0.3 mg/kg) initially for 2 months. Then the dosage was halved monthly, for the five subsequent months of treatment. The effects of treatment were evaluated using photography&apos;s before and after the study. Side effects were assessed at the first, second, third and fourth month of the treatment. Results: Arrested progression of vitiligo and repigmentation were noted in 74.3% and 62.1% of patients respectively. The mean pigmentation was 26.8%. The localized form, lower age of disease onset, no hair whiteness on the lesions and less affliction percent showed increased repigmentation with statistical significance. There was no significant difference between sexes and positive family history of vitiligo in patients. The best therapeutic results were obtained for facial lesions and the worst for mucosal lesions. The side effects of treatment were minimal and did not affect the course of the treatment. Conclusion: Low-dose oral corticosteroids are effective and have few serious side effects in preventing the progression of actively progressing vitiligo but regimentation is not significant and this regimen is effective in patients who are refractory to topical corticosteroids or phototherapy

The frequency of cigarette smoking in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: a comparative study

&quot;n 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin. Recently, nicotinic cholinergic receptors have been demonstrated on keratinocytes, stimulating calcium influx and accelerating cell differentiation. Therefore, smoking and nicotine seem to influence inflammatory processes in psoriatic skin. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of cigarette smoking as an independent risk factor in patients with psoriasis who attended the department of dermatology at Razi Hospital in Rasht during the years 2008 and 2009. &quot;n&quot;nMethods : In this descriptive-inferential study, we recruited 96 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 96 individuals as the controls. The participants were adjusted for sex, age and body mass index. The collected data related to smoking status, duration of smoking habit, smoking intensity, pack-year smoking history, and passively exposure to smoking were documented in a researcher-devised questionnaire. Subsequently, the data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics such as &amp;chi;2, t-test and Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS software.&quot;n&quot;nResults : The smoking rate was 33.3% in the patients and 19.4% in the controls. Pack-year history, regarded as the intensity and duration (years) of smoking, significantly increased the risk of psoriasis vulgaris (P&amp;lt;0.05, OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.17-3.68). Being a passive smoker did not make significant differences between the cases and the controls. &quot;n&quot;nConclusion: Our study demonstrated that psoriasis vulgaris had a relationship with duration and intensity of cigarette smoking and revealed the importance of smoking cessation, particularly among patients with psoriasis

"Prevalence of inhibitors in a population of 1280 Hemophilia A patients in Iran "

Development of inhibitor to factor VIII is the most serious complication of hemophilia therapy. To determine the prevalence of inhibitors in Iran hemophilia A patients exposed to blood products, 1280 hemophilia A patients (age range 9 months-84 years) were evaluated. All patients received several blood products such as fresh frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate, and factor VIII. 635 of 1280 patients (49.6%), 277 patients (21.6%) and 368 patients (28.8%) had severe, moderate and mild disease, respectively. 184 of 1280 patients (14.4%) developed inhibitor. The prevalence of inhibitor for severe, moderate and mild in hemophilia A patients was 22.8%, 9.4%, and 3.5% respectively. 41 patients (22.2%) and 143 patients (77.8%) were high responder and low responder respectively. Among 184 patients with inhibitor, 67 patients (36.4%) had blood group O and for B, A, AB blood groups, number of patients with inhibitor was 55 (29.9%), 50 (27.2%), 12(6.5%) respectively and 153 patients (83.1%) had Rh blood group