Effects of " vitex agnus castus" extract and magnesium supplementation, alone and in combination, on osteogenic and angiogenic factors and fracture healing in women with long bone fracture

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of vitex agnus castus extract, as a source of phytoestrogens, plus magnesium supplementation on osteogenic and angiogenic factors and callus formation in women with long bone fracture. Material and Methods: In a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 64 women with long bone fracture, 20-45 years old, were randomly allocated to receive 1) one Agnugol tablet (4 mg dried fruit extract of vitex agnus castus) plus 250 mg magnesium oxide (VAC + Mg group (n = 10)), 2) one Agnugol tablet plus placebo (VAC group (n = 15)), 3) placebo plus 250 mg magnesium oxide (Mg group (n = 12)), or 4) placebo plus placebo (placebo group (n = 14)) per day for 8 weeks. At baseline and endpoint of the trial, serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured together with radiological bone assessment. Results: There were no significant differences in the characteristic aspects of concern between the four groups at baseline. Despite the increased level of alkaline phosphatase in the VAC group (188.33 ± 16.27 to 240.40 ± 21.49, P = 0.05), administration of VAC + Mg could not increase alkaline phosphatase activity. However, treatment with VAC + Mg significantly enhanced the osteocalcin level. The serum concentration of VEGF was increased in the VAC group (269.04 ± 116.63 to 640.03 ± 240.16, P < 0.05). Callus formation in the VAC + Mg group was higher than the other groups but the differences between the four groups were not significant (P = 0.39). No relevant side effect was observed in patients in each group. Conclusion : Our results suggest that administration of vitex agnus castus plus magnesium may promote fracture healing. However, more studies need to further explore the roles of vitex agnus castus in fracture repair processes

Osteoporosis guideline awareness among Iranian nurses: results of a knowledge and attitudes surveyIntroduction: Osteoporosis is a chronic and progressive disease associated with gradual bone loss and elevated risk of fracture. Role of health care profess

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a chronic and progressive disease associated with gradual bone loss and elevated risk of fracture. Role of health care professional especially nurses in lowering burden of osteoporosis via patients and public education is critical. Current study conducted to evaluate knowledge and belief regarding osteoporosis among the nurses in orthopedic wards and their experience with national clinical osteoporosis guideline. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2016 among all nurses in orthopedic ward of hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The 23- item self-administered scale consisted of knowledge and belief questions was used. Moreover, data regarding participation in osteoporosis training courses and awareness of the national osteoporosis clinical guideline were collected. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS (V. 16), p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. &nbsp;Results: From total of 160 nurses, 143 of them completed the questionnaire (response rate: 89.3%). Six nurses (4.2%) had participated in osteoporosis training courses after graduation, and 39 (27.3%) had been aware of the national osteoporosis clinical guideline. The median total knowledge score was 11 out of the maximum of 18 points, and 35.0% of the participants scored above this value. In belief, most of nurses had positive attitude about necessity of osteoporosis screening and patient education. &nbsp;However, only 29 (20.3%) of them confident in giving counselling to public and patients. &nbsp; &nbsp;Conclusion: Our findings reveal that we need more empowered nurses to lowering burden of osteoporosis and its consequences in the future

MORTALITY AND FUNCTION AFTER SURGICALLY-TREATED HIP FRACTURE IN ADULTS YOUNGER THAN AGE 60

<div><p>ABSTRACT Objective: Hip fractures in young adults can cause poor functional capacity throughout life because of several complications. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate 1-year mortality and functional outcomes for patients aged 60 years or younger with hip fracture . Methods: We prospectively obtained data for all consecutive patients aged 60 or younger with any type of hip fracture who were treated operatively between 2008 and 2014. After one year, patient outcomes were evaluated according to changes in pain severity, functional status (modified Barthel index), and mortality rate . Results: Of the total of 201 patients, 132 (65.7%) were men (mean age: 41.8 years) and 69 (34.3%) were women (mean age: 50.2 years) (p<0.001). Reduced pain severity was reported in 91.5% of the patients. The mean modified Barthel index was 22.3 in men and 18.6 in women (p<0.001). At the one-year follow-up, 39 cases (19.4%) were dependent on walking aids while only 17 patients (8.5%) used walking aids preoperatively (p<0.001). Seven patients (4 men and 3 women) died during the one-year follow-up period; 2 died in the hospital after surgery . Conclusion: Hip fractures in young adults have a low mortality rate, reduction in pain severity, and acceptable functional outcomes one year after surgery. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study.</p></div

COVID-19 Pandemic is Not Over for Survivors with Long COVID Syndrome: Evidence of a One-Year Retrospective Follow-up Study from Iran

Background: Most patients who are infected by COVID-19 develop recovery from it; however, some of these patients experience a variety of mid-and long-term physical and/or mental effects after their initial illness recovery. These mid and long-term effects are collectively known as post-COVID-19 conditions or “long COVID.” Objectives: We aimed to detect the incidence of long COVID syndrome (LCS) and its determinants. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, previously hospitalized subjects due to COVID-19 were selected by systematic random sampling. A valid checklist was filled out by phone interview with each participant, while hospitalization data were extracted from hospital information system. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean age of 1,738 interviewees was 54.2 ± 14.5 years. The median time of follow-up was 352 days. Overall, 1,526 (87.8%) interviewees had at least one symptom of LCS. Among physical symptoms, hair loss (23.9%) and among psychological complaints, depression (69.1%) were predominant. Anemia (odds ratio (OR): 3.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-6.98), patients of second epidemic wave (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.57-5.07), use of vitamins/minerals (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.53-3.3) or antibiotics (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.02-3.33), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.11-3.23), who were not the head of their families (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.18-2.32) and use of antivirals (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03-2.61) were significantly associated with LCS. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and most COVID-19 survivors suffer from LCS. Therefore, the establishment of integrated post-COVID care systems for these patients is highly needed and recommended