Eleven year epidemiological study of tuberculosis in Golestan Province, Northern of Iran

Background: At present, researchers were aimed at exploring the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in Golestan Province in North of Iran that usually ranks 2nd or 1st, alternatively. Methods: An epidemiological study of 11 years was carried out over 8405 patients with TB from 2005 to 2014 years. Data were collected from Health System of the Ministry of Health in Iran using a patient-sheet. Descriptive statistics were applied to report the results. Results: Of those screened, the vast majority of patients with newly diagnosed smear-positive 1799 (41.6) and smear-positive with relapse 203 (56.5) were referred from Health System (outpatient cases). Given the newly diagnosed TB, 3559 and 264 of smear-positive were treated and died, respectively; while, 1196 and 119 of smearnegative cases were accordingly treated completely and died. Conclusion: The vast majority of TB cases are infected by pulmonary TB, educational preventive programs seem likely more useful to control the disease. © 2020, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

Predictors of survival in oesophageal cancer patients in a high-risk area in Northern Iran: the role of health services utilisation

We aimed to determine predictors of survival in oesophageal cancer (EC) patients in a high-risk area. This study was conducted on EC patients diagnosed in 2007–2008 in Golestan province, Iran. Diagnostic (DU) and Therapeutic (TU) services utilisation indices were determined. DU and TU indices of 1 were considered as good utilisation. EC-specific survival rates were calculated. Multivariate Cox-regression model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs). Two hundred and twenty-three EC subjects were enrolled. The median survival time was 10.47 months and the 5-year survival rate was 11. Cox-regression analysis suggested that stage of tumour (AHRregional = 3.75, 95 confidence interval CI: 2.34–6.00; AHRmetastasis = 12.21, 95% CI: 7.42–20.08) and TU (AHR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.25–2.52) were the strongest variables related to EC survival. The median survival time in patients with good and poor TU were 14.37 and 8.53 months respectively (p <.01). There was no significant relationship between DU and EC survival. We found relatively low survival rates in our EC patients when compared with developed countries. Our results also suggested an increasing trend for EC survival rate during recent years. Good TU could predict higher survival rates. Patients' access to therapeutic services may be considered as an important indicator in decision-making for controlling EC. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Lt