Evaluation of the Quality of Teaching in Neurology Ward, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from the Point of View of Medical Students

Background & Objective: In educational systems, evaluation is considered as one of the key elements. The evaluation of university students on the educational processes is of specific value. There has been no study on the evaluation of the Neurology Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, through carrying out a poll. Therefore, we intended to improve the quality of education in the department through evaluation. Methods: From among the medical students admitted in 2007 in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 67 students participated in the present study. The questionnaire used was prepared according to reliable sources and the professors’ points of view, and considered validity and reliability. The questionnaire’s data was entered into SPSS, and it was statistically analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: 63 students (94%) rated the methodology of the professors of the ward, and 62 students (92.5%) rated the methodology of the professors of theoretical courses a moderate or high score. 65 students’ (97%) evaluation of good behavior of professors with students was moderate or high. In terms of efficiency, 35 students (52.2%) rated morning reports, 28 students (41.7%) rated weekly conferences, and 18 students (26.8%) rated journals a moderate to high score. Conclusion: According to the medical student’s opinion, the neurology department has a good position in general standards of medical education, ethics, and regulation. However, it has to reconsider some parts of educational procedures such as conferences and journal clubs which are held in collaboration with the residents. Keywords Medical students Evaluation Neurolog

Effects of Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia on Visual Evoked Potential in Women

Background: Visual evoked potential is one of the main methods to investigate visual pathway. Some studies in children show that iron deficiency anemia affects on visual evoked potential waves. In this study, we evaluated the effect of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on visual evoked potential in adults. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 99 non-pregnant women. Patients divided into three groups. Women whose ferritin and hemoglobin levels are less 15 ng/1 and 12 mg/dl placed in iron deficiency aimena group, women whose ferritin level is less than 15 ng/1 and hemoglobin level is more than 12 mg/dl, placed in iron deficiency puorg and women whose ferritin and hemoglobin levels are more than 50 ng/1 and 12 mg/dl, chosen as control group. Visual evoked potential was done from both eyes and the results evaluated by ANOVA test. Results: The average of N75 latency was 65.24±5.06 miliscecond in anemia group, 66.27±7.77 miliscecond in iron deficiency group and 67.19±6.79 miliscecond in control group. The average of P100 latency was 101.60±9.05 miliscecond in anemia group, 102.75±7.91 miliscecond in iron deficiency group and 100.67±7.34 miliscecond in control group. The average of N135 latency was 139.18±31.21 miliscecond in anemia group, 144.81±10.73 miliscecond in iron deficiency group and 141.81±10.73 miliscecond in control group. There is no significant difference between the average of waves’ latency in iron deficiency and anemic groups with control group. Conclusion: Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia don’t make any disruptions on visual evoked potential and are not considered as confounding factor of visual evoked potential in adults

Serum uric acid as an independent predictor of recurrence in ischemic stroke patients

Background and Purpose: The relationship between uric acid and stroke recurrence is ambiguous. Some studies have explored this relationship in acute ischemic stroke but had different results. We evaluated the association of admission uric acid level with risk of stroke recurrence in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: We studied ischemic stroke patients presenting to our hospital with Magnetic Resonance Imaging-confirmed acute ischemic stroke. Blood samples were drawn within 24 h of admission for uric acid concentration. Information on age, prior hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and smoking status was collected. We assessed the relationship between uric acid level and stroke recurrence at 90 days after stroke onset.Results: Two hundred patients were studied. Twenty-seven patients suffered from a recurrence event. Hyperuricemia was found in 48 (24%) patients. Mean serum uric acid level in patients with recurrence was 6.6±1.3 and in patients without recurrence was 5.2±1.5 mg/dl. On multiple logistic regression analysis, the independent relationship between higher uric acid level levels and recurrence was confirmed (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.73; p=0.01).Conclusion: Elevated uric acid concentration is significantly and independently associated with increased risk of stroke recurrence in ischemic stroke patients

Frequency of Opium Addiction with Ischemic Stroke Patients and Comparing Their Cerebrovascular Doppler Ultrasound Alternations to Non-Addicts

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Various studies on the etiology of this disease are in progress. Some studies have suggested that opium abuse may is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to analyze the frequency of opium addiction and to compare cerebrovascular ultrasound patients’ changes to non-addicts. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients with ischemic stroke. The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and paraclinical studies. All the patients underwent cerebrovascular ultrasound in the first 4 days of symptoms onset. A questionnaire containing demographic data, opium use information [based on the 4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria], and vascular ultrasound findings were completed for each patient and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings: In this study, 38 patients (39.18%) were addicted to opium and the remaining were non-addicts. Among the addicted patients, 31 patients were male and 7 patients were female, while 26 and 33 patients of non-addicts were male and female, respectively (P < 0.01). Among the risk factors for stroke, smoking was higher in the addicts than in non-addicts (P = 0.04). Frequency of vascular stenosis and stenosis location did not show a statistical significant difference between the addicted and non-addicted patients. Conclusion: More than one-third of the patients with stroke were addicted to opium which was higher than general population; although the pattern of stenosis in these patients was similar to the non-addicts. Keywords: Opium, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, Strok

Frequency of Opium Addiction in Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Comparing their Cerebrovascular Doppler Ultrasound Changes to Non-Addicts

Abstract Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Various studies on the etiology of this disease are in progress. Some studies have suggested that opium abuse may is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to analyze the frequency of opium addiction and to compare cerebrovascular ultrasound patients’ changes to non-addicts. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients with ischemic stroke. The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and paraclinical studies. All the patients underwent cerebrovascular ultrasound in the first 4 days of symptoms onset. A questionnaire containing demographic data, opium use information [based on the 4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria], and vascular ultrasound findings were completed for each patient and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings: In this study, 38 patients (39.18%) were addicted to opium and the remaining were non-addicts. Among the addicted patients, 31 patients were male and 7 patients were female, while 26 and 33 patients of non-addicts were male and female, respectively (P < 0.01). Among the risk factors for stroke, smoking was higher in the addicts than in non-addicts (P = 0.04). Frequency of vascular stenosis and stenosis location did not show a statistical significant difference between the addicted and non-addicted patients. Conclusion: More than one-third of the patients with stroke were addicted to opium which was higher than general population; although the pattern of stenosis in these patients was similar to the non-addicts. Keywords: Opium, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, Strok