Correlation of perceived social support and size of social network with quality of life dimension in cancer patients

Background: Cancer represents a stressful life with negative consequences requiring social support for patients. This study describes the correlation between perceived social support and network with quality of life in cancer patients. Material and Methods: A descriptive-co relational design with continuos sampling method was performed and 220 patients in Firoozgar & Hazrat Rasool hospital and Emam Khomeini cancer Institute. Data obtained through social support questionnaires (SSQ) and the Ferrans and Powers quality of life index- cancer version (QLI-CV) and analyzed using SPSS version 13, Pearson correlation, Onaway Anova and Kruskal- Wallis tests. Results: The mean scores for perceived social support and quality of life were (136.44 and 18.22 respectively) which most of them received moderate to high social support from their meddle-size social network (4.17). Also, statistically, significant relations were found between age and marital status and perceived social support with the quality of life and diagnosis duration, type of treatment and economical condition (P<0.001) while there was not any relation between the quality of life and type of cancer. A significant positive correlation was found between perceived social support and quality of life (r=0.446, p<0.001) especially the family dimensions and size of social network(r=0.200, p<0.001), also quality of life and the size of social network(r=0.246, p<0.05). Conclusions : The results of this study give insights into the importance of perceived social support for promotion of the quality of life in cancer patients. Oncology nurse are recommended to apply findings to enhance the social networks of cancer patients and give them appropriate support. So that, further researches are recommended in this issue

Prevalence of permanent congenital hypothyroidism in Isfahan-Iran

Background: Considering the importance to determine the reasons for the higher occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Iran, in this study we report the prevalence of permanent CH (PCH) in Isfahan province 7 years after initiation of CH screening program in Isfahan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, children with a primary diagnosis of CH studied. They clinically examined and their medical files were reviewed by a pediatric endocrinologist. Considering screening and follow-up lab data, radiologic findings and the decision of pediatric endocrinologists the final diagnosis of PCH was determined. Results: A total of 464,648 neonates screened in Isfahan province. The coverage percent of the CH screening and recall rate was 98.9% and 2.1%, respectively. A total of 1990 neonates were diagnosed with primary CH. PCH was diagnosed in 410 neonates. The prevalence of PCH and transient CH (TCH) was 1 in 1133 and 1 in 294 live births. The most common etiology of CH was thyroid dyshormonogenesis. Conclusions: Though the prevalence of PCH is high, but the higher prevalence of CH in Isfahan is commonly due to cases with TCH. Hence, the necessity of determining new strategies for earlier diagnosis of patients with TCH is recommended

Etiology of congenital hypothyroidism in Isfahan: Does it different?

Background: Considering the higher prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Iran and the importance of determination of the etiology of CH for assessing appropriate treatment strategies, understanding the pathogenesis of CH and the implications of its inheritance and prognosis, the aim of this study was to determine the etiology of CH 7 years after initiation of the program in Isfahan province. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, children with a primary diagnosis of CH studied. They clinically examined and their medical files were reviewed by a Pediatric Endocrinologist. Considering screening and follow-up lab data and radiologic findings the etiology of CH was determined. Screening properties of different etiologies of CH was compared. Results: In this study, 437 patients with permanent CH (PCH) were studied. Etiology of PCH in 316 (72.3%) and 121 (27.7%) of cases was thyroid dyshormonogenesis and thyroid dysgenesis, respectively. Prevalence of agenesis, ectopia, hypoplasia and hemiagenesis in thyroid dysgenetic patients was 13.3%, 6.4%, 4.3% and 3.7% respectively. Mean of thyroid stimulating hormone in screening, recall and after discontinuing treatment at 3 years of age was significantly lower in dyshormonogenetic CH patients than dysgenetic ones(P < 0.01). Conclusion: Seven years of our experiences in CH screening program indicated that the etiology of CH in Isfahan, with a higher rate of CH, with a predominance of thyroid dyshormonogenesis is different from most of the studies world-wide and similar to other reports from Iran. The findings of the current study provide us baseline information for determination of CH pathogenesis in this region