Comparison of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lesions in Opium Addict and Non-addict Patients with Thrombotic Stroke: A Case-Control Study

Background: There is no consensus on the effect of opium on stroke yet. Some studies show the negative effects of opium on ischemic strokes. Here, we attempt to compare the volume of lesions in opium addict and non-addict patients with thrombotic stroke. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on patients with thrombotic stroke at Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical examinations, imaging, and laboratory tests. The volume of lesions was calculated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and linear regression analysis. Findings: A total of 60 patients were studied, 30 of whom were opium addicts and the rest were non-addicts. The mean volume of the lesion was 46.008350 ± 7.488990 (in the addict group) and 31.023335 ± 1.441570 (in the non-addict group), indicating a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.005). Regression analysis results showed a significant relationship between the volume of stroke with opium addiction (P = 0.017), ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) (P = 0.006), hyperlipidemia (HLP) (P = 0.016), age (P = 0.035), and smoking (P = 0.044). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a higher volume of lesion in opium-addict patients compared to that in non-addicts as an indicator of stroke severity

Multiple Sclerosis and Mines: An Epidemiologic Study from Kerman Province, Iran

Background and Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Metals are suspected of being involved in MS. There is not any epidemiologic study about mines and MS. The purpose of this study was to determine MS prevalence according to mines in Kerman province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 932 patients in Kerman province in 2012. The details of the patients including age, sex, age at the onset of disorder and disease duration were collected from documents of MS centres of Kerman and Rafsanjan Universities of Medical Science. Diagnosis was confirmed according to the revised Mc-Donald criteria. To analyze the data, SPSS-17 software and descriptive statistics and t-test were used Results: The male/ female ratio was 1:3. The prevalence of MS in Kerman province was 31.7 per 100000. Kerman, Sirjan, Zarand and Rafsanjan had the highest prevalence of MS, respectively. The mean prevalence of MS in mineral areas in Kerman province (Kahnoj, Sirjan, Zarand, Rafsanjan, Baft, Shahrbabak) was 23.01±10.78 and in non-mineral areas (Kerman, Bam, Jiroft) was 39.56±20.34 that show the higher prevalence of MS in non-mineral areas of Kerman province. Conclusion: Our findings showed that prevalence of MS is lower in mineral areas and probably, living in these areas isn’t a predisposing factor for MS

Doppler sonography of extracranial and intracranial vessels in patients with thrombotic stroke

INTRODUCTION: The results of intracranial and extracranial vessel color Doppler sonography, which is now an inseparable part of patient evaluation, vary in different studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of vascular involvement in thrombotic stroke and its relationship with risk factors of stroke.
 METHODS: One-hundred patients (45 males and 55 females) with thrombotic stroke underwent transcranial sonography and color Doppler sonography of extracranial vessels. The pattern of vascular involvement was analyzed. The risk factors of stroke were also evaluated.
 RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the studied individuals had some variations in their color Doppler sonography of extracranial vessels, 27% had changes in the intracranial vessels and 26% showed changes in both. The most frequently involved vessels among the intracranial and extracranial vessels were the middle cerebral artery and the internal carotid artery, respectively. The pattern of vascular involvement was unrelated to hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or history of ischemic heart disease. Extracranial involvement in patients with positive history of MI was more prevalent than in those without such history.
 CONCLUSIONS: Extracranial vessel involvement in thrombotic stroke was found to be more prevalent than intracranial vessel involvement in the city of Rafsanjan; however, intracranial vessel involvement was more prevalent than in western countries.
 KEY WORDS: Thrombotic stroke, color Doppler sonography, intracranial vessels, extracranial, cerebrovascular risk factor

Prevalence of post-stroke depression and its relationship with risk factors for stroke

Background & Objective: Stroke is a major public health problem. Post-stroke depression is one of the common emotional disorders afflicting stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine of the prevalence of depression and its relationship with risk factors for stroke after an episode of stroke. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 100 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Ali Ebn Abitaleb hospital in Rafsanjan .The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was made by a neurologist and confirmed by MRI. Frequency of depression, according to DSM-IV criteria, as well as demographic data and risk factors for stroke were registered and analyzed by T test ، Chi Square and Fishers Exact Tests. Results: % 59 of patients suffered depression. The frequency of depression was significantly higher in women (38%) than men (21%). There was no significant relation between depression and age and risk factors for stroke. Hypertension (65%), diabetes (50%) and hyperlipidemia (40%) were the most common risk factors. Conclusion: Generally, our results show that post stroke depression is prevalent in our society, and this is more prominent among women. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to improve quality of life of these patients

Multiple sclerosis and mines: An epidemiologic study from Kerman province, Iran

Background and Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Metals are suspected of being involved in MS. There is not any epidemiologic study about mines and MS. The purpose of this study was to determine MS prevalence according to mines in Kerman province.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 932 patients in Kerman province in 2012. The details of the patients including age, sex, age at the onset of disorder and disease duration were collected from documents of MS centres of Kerman and Rafsanjan Universities of Medical Science. Diagnosis was confirmed according to the revised Mc-Donald criteria. To analyze the data, SPSS-17 software and descriptive statistics and t-test were usedResults: The male/ female ratio was 1:3. The prevalence of MS in Kerman province was 31.7 per 100000. Kerman, Sirjan, Zarand and Rafsanjan had the highest prevalence of MS, respectively. The mean prevalence of MS in mineral areas in Kerman province (Kahnoj, Sirjan, Zarand, Rafsanjan, Baft, Shahrbabak) was 23.01±10.78 and in non-mineral areas (Kerman, Bam, Jiroft) was 39.56±20.34 that show the higher prevalence of MS in non-mineral areas of Kerman province.Conclusion: Our findings showed that prevalence of MS is lower in mineral areas and probably, living in these areas isn’t a predisposing factor for MS