The effect of atrovastatin on the ovarian arterial blood flow and serum androgen level in PCOS patient

Various researches have been conducted over the recent years on the therapeutic effects of statins on the metabolic and hyper-androgenic state of the patients suffering from PCOS. The present research seeks to evaluate the treatment with atorvastatin and its effect on the lipid profile level, serum androgen status and morphology and blood flow of polycystic ovaries. A double blind clinical trial was designed for this research where the women with PCOS resorting to the gynecology clinic of Firouzgar Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: case and Control. Early at the beginning of the research, variables such as body mass, lipid profile, blood androgen level, fasting blood Sugar, size of the ovary, and resistance of the stromal artery of ovary were studied. For a period of 6 weeks, one group was given with a daily dose of 40 mg atorvastatin, while the other group just received placebo. All the variables were studied once again after 6 weeks and the results were analyzed using SPSS v.16. The case group included 20 patients suffering from PCOS who received atorvastatin, while there were 20 patients with PCOS in the witness group who just received placebo. The average ages in the atorvastatin and placebo groups were 27.7 ± 3.41 and 30.9 ± 4.8 years old respectively. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of changes in the average cholesterol and LDL levels before and after the intervention. This reduction was more significant in the atorvastatin group. After prescription of atorvastatin, the level of Androstenedione had decreased significantly in treatment group. A statistically significant reduction was observed in the size of left and right ovaries in the group receiving atorvastatin. No significant changes were observed in the size of the ovaries in the group receiving placebo. The average arterial resistance level of left and right ovaries before and after intervention in atorvastatin group exhibited a significant reduction. Having discarded the confounding effect of RI, this difference with the witness group was statistically significant. Keeping in mind the effects of atorvastatin such as improving the lipid profile status and reduction of androstenedione among those with PCOS, it can be used as an auxiliary treatment to control symptoms and long-term side effects among patients. Considering the shrinkage of ovary size and enhancement of blood flow to PCOS ovary, future researches can focus on effectiveness of statins in improving the ovulation status of performance of PCO ovaries

Educational Environment of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital; Viewpoints of Speech-Therapy Learners

Aims: Clinical trial plays an important role in the enhancement of practical skills of the medical students. Then, to be sure about the effectiveness of clinical trial on learning, it is required to assess the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the educational environment based on DREEM model from the viewpoints of speech therapy interns in neurology and ENT wards of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Instrument & Methods: In the cross-sectional descriptive study, 59 BS speech therapy interns (final semesters) were studied in neurology and ENT wards of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital in the first and second semesters of academic year 2013-14. The subjects were selected via census method. Data was collected using 44-question standard DREEM questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software using independent T test. Findings: Mean scores of five educational domains were 125.7 of 176, showing favorable educational quality (71.44%). Intern’s comprehension of the teacher’s learning capability was assessed very favorable, while other four domains were assessed favorable. There was no significant difference between the viewpoints about the educational environment based on gender (males and females), marital status (single and married), and semesters (seven and eight; p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the DREEM model, the educational environment of neurology and ENT wards of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital of Iran University of Medical Sciences is assessed favorable by speech therapy interns.&nbsp

The role of training workshops of newborn cares in promotion of mothers' knowledge

Background: The objective was to determine the role of newborn workshop in promoting mothers' knowledge. Methods: This is an interventional study (before and after study). Training courses in neonatal care were held with participants including 150 women visiting the child health center. Learning material was offered in two parts, 1. taking care of healthy newborn and, 2. common neonatal problems. Findings: The rate of correct answers to the questions related to neonatal problems was significantly higher than that of incorrect answers. In one half of the questions concerning nutrition and neonatal care there was no difference between rates of correct and incorrect answers, and in the other half, the rate of correct answers was significantly higher than incorrect ones. The study also showed a significant difference between mothers' knowledge before and after workshops (p=0.00). Several variables, such as age, job, number of pregnancies, number of children, and mother's level of education were evaluated. Results showed that none of them had any effect in increasing mothers' knowledge before and after classes. Conclusions: Regarding the extension of necessary information for mothers and to exterminate wrong attitudes facing neonates (especially first child), there is a need for education of mothers dealing with neonatal daily care, breast feeding and common neonatal problems