The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the north of Iran. An epidemiologic comparative study

Background and Objective: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the main aim of this study is to explorer prevalence of it in the north of Iran with comparison of Turkman and non-Turkman ethnic groups in 2012. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that conducted on the 248 subjects aged 25-70 years (Turkman=88 and non-Turkman=160). Individuals were chosen randomly from 25 clusters. Waist circumference was measured with the subject standing at the end of normal breathing; blood pressure was measured in three times and 5 ml of venous blood drawn after 8-12 h fast in the morning for laboratory test. Biochemical analysis including fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was assayed using a commercially kit (Pars Azmoon, Karaj, Iran). ATP-III method and SPSS 16.0 software (Chicago II, USA) were used for diagnosis of MetS and for statistical analyzes, respectively. P-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Compare to Turkman group, the mean of FBG (fasting blood glucose), triglyceride and waist circumference are 15.9 mg/dl, 30.2 mg/dl and 6.5 cm were more in non-Turkman group, respectively (P<0.05 for all). The Pearson's correlation coefficient is positive between age and MetS (r=0.287, P=0.01). Generally, MetS was common in 37.9 of subjects and it was 14.7 in non-Turkman more than in Turkman people (P=0.015). Prevalence rate of MetS in men and women was 29.7 and 43.5, respectively (P=0.001). Conclusion: In the north of Iran, the prevalence of MetS is high and it was in non-Turkman ethnic group more than in Turkman group and in women more than in men while gender differences only was shown in non-Turkman ethnic group

Differences in the prevalence of obesity among Fars-native, Turkman, and Sisstanish ethnic groups in Iranian northern adults in 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of obesity rate among three ethnic groups in northern adults in IR Iran in 2010. Methods: The present cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 2994 cases of the same age and sex in three ethnic proportions (Fars-native=1625, Turkman=977, and Sisstani=392). The subjects aged between 15 and 65 years old and were selected by multistage cluster sampling techniques including 150 clusters each containing 20 subjects in urban and rural areas in 11 districts in Golestan province (northern IR Iran). Obesity was defined after WHO classification by BMI (Body Mass Index) equal or over 30 kg/ m2. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis and P value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Mean±SD of BMI in Fars-native, Turkman, and Sisstanish ethnic groups was 26.72±5.56, 26.18±5.34, and 24.59±6.72 kg/m2, respectively. Averagely, obesity was common in 22.8% of the subjects and was significantly higher among the females compared to males (32.3% vs13.3%) (P=0.001). Also, its prevalence was estimated as 25%, 22.6%, and 14% in Fars-native, Turkman, and Sisstanish ethnic groups, respectively. Statistical differences were significant among the three ethnic groups (P=0.001). The risk of obesity was 2.041 [95% CI, 1.502-2.722] in Fars-native and 1.781 [95% CI, 1.298-2.472] in Turkman groups compared to Sisstanish ethnic group. Conclusions: Over one out of five adults in northern IR Iran suffer from obesity and an alarming rate was shown among the women. Among the three ethnic groups, the highest and the lowest rates were seen in Fars-native and Sisstanish ethnic groups, respectively. Variation of obesity among the three ethnic groups should be studied in future studies

Influence of education in the prevalence of obesity in Iranian northern adults

Background: The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether prevalence of obesity in educational levels is different and some related factors in Iranian northern adults. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study based on population and 2452 cases (1224 men and 1228 women) aged 15e65 years were chosen by cluster and stratify sampling. Subjects were randomly chosen from 125 clusters and each cluster included 20 cases. Interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire including socio-demographic indexes. Results: As a whole, the prevalence of obesity was seen in 24% of subjects (15.5% in male and 32.5% in female) and significantly was seen in 3.1% and 14.1% of uneducated people more than in 1e9 year schooling and in high school or college-educated people, respectively (P = 0.001). The risk of obesity was 2.294 (P = 0.001) in uneducated compared to high school or college-educated people, 1.668 (P = 0.001) in urban area compared to rural area, 2.619 (P = 0.001) in 40e65 year people compared to 15e40 year people, and 1.534 (P = 0.003) in good economic compared to poor economic groups. After adjusted for location area, gender, age, and economic stats, the risk of obesity was 2.044 (P = 0.001) in uneducated people compared to high school or college-educated subjects. Conclusion: The obesity as a health problem in Iranian northern adults supported in this study and it was negatively associated with educational levels. Public health programs that aim to reduce obesity should primarily focus on the illiterate and low-educated people. Copyright © 2013, SciBioIMed.Org, Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved

Five-year trend in hydrogenated vegetable oil consumption among Northern Iranian families

Background: The main aim of this study was to assess the trends in hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) consumption and some related factors among northern Iranian families from 2006 to 2010. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted with 6497 subjects, 15 to 65 years old, who were chosen by multistage cluster random sampling. The subjects were randomly chosen by 325 clusters with an equal size (n = 20 subjects). A multidimensional questionnaire including so-ciodemographic questions and type of cooking oil used were administered by interviewers. Results: The percentages of the sample reporting HVO consumption across the 5 years are as follows: 2006,85.2%; 2007, 79.7%; 2008, 75.9%; 2009, 59.3%; and 2010, 55.7%. Consumption decreased 29.5% during the 5 years of study and an average of 5.9% per year (P < .05). The estimated odds ratio of HVO consumption in rural areas verus urban areas was 2.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.31-2.90); for poor compared with good economic level the odds ratio was 3.99 (95% CI, 3.13-5.10 for; for the uneducated versus college-educated sample it was 5.75 (95% CI, 4.10-8.17); and the odds ratio was 3.34(95% CI, 2.51-4.45) for Sisstani compared with Fars-native ethnic group. Conclusion: HVO consumption decreased during the 5-year study (2006 to 2010), but HVO is still used extensively in northern Iran. Preventive early intervention strategies are needed to target uneducated and poor families, with an emphasis on the Sisstanish ethnic group, to increase awareness about the negative consequences of HVO consumption

The trend of seat belt use among drivers in the north of Iran, 2007-2010: An epidemiologic study

Backgrounds and Objectives: Using seat belt has a considerable role in reducing human damage. The aim of this study was to compare trend of seat belt use rate during 4 years, from 2007 to 2010, in Golestan province (northern Iran). Materials and Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study that enrolled 3999 subjects aged 15-65 years during four years (2007 = 1000 cases, 2008 = 1000 cases, 2009 = 999 cases and 2010= 1000 cases) using stratified cluster sampling. Interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire including anthropometric indexes. Using seat belt in the case of sitting in the front seat of car (as a driver or passenger) of all samples was asked. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical data analysis. Results: The rate of seat belt use in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were 71%, 69.8%, 74.5 and 86.4%, respectively. Seat belt use during the four years increased up to 15.4%. Statistical differences among four years was significant (P<0.01). The increasing seat belt use rate was 19% and 14.9% in urban and rural areas, respectively. The seat belt use rate was higher in subjects with =35 years old people in proportion to 35= years old people (17.85% versus 14.3%). During the latest year of study, using seat belt was about 14.8% higher in men comparing with women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using seat belt increased up to 3.9% per year and the trend in the rural areas was lower than in the urban areas. Seat belt used in men more than women. Using seat belt and its growing trend, will help in reducing mortality caused by accidents in Iran. © IDOSI Publications, 2012

The association of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference in northern adults in Iran: A population based study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) level and Waist Circumference (WC) in men and women among 25-65 years old people in the north of Iran.Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytical research gender that carried out on the 1797 subjects (941 males and 856 females) between 25-65 years old using multistage cluster sampling technique. FBG was measured in the morning after a 12-hour fast and was determined by using laboratory kits (enzymatic methods) and spectrophotometry technique. Central obesity was defined based on World Health Organization criteria: waist circumference ≥102 cm and ≥88 cm in men and women, respectively. The SPSS.16 software was used for statistical analysis.Results: As whole, the mean of FBG in women (98.3 ± 40.1 mg/dl) was higher than in men (94.6 ± 32.2 mg/dl). Also, the mean of WC in men 4.5 cm was lower than in women. In men, the mean of FBG statistically differs between normal and central obese subjects both in 35-45 year-age group (P = 0.001) and in 45-55 year-age group (P = 0.042). As whole, in men, the FBG level increased up 2.82 mg/dl in each 10 cm of WC with the highest rate in 35-45 year-age group. In totally, in women, the FBG level increased up 3.48 mg/dl in each 10 cm of WC and in 25-35 year-age group and it was higher than in other age groups. In men, the regression coefficients were constant with age increasing while in women it was decreased. Constant trend in men and decreasing trend in women with age was shown between FBG and WC. The cut-off point of WC for detecting of diabetes obtained 89 cm and 107 cm in men and women, respectively.Conclusion: The positive correlation was seen between WC and FBG level and it was declined with age in women. Cut-off point for detecting of diabetes in men was less than in women. WC is useable as a predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus risk among adults in the north of Iran. © 2014 Veghari et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Impact of literacy on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adults in Golestan province (northern Iran)

Background: Hypertension is considered as a major health problem in our society. The association between educationallevel with hypertension and its control in the Golestan Province (northern Iran) were the main objectives of this study. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study that enrolled 3497 subjects aged 15-65 years using stratifiedand cluster sampling. The interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire, including blood pressure level. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5 minutes interval and defined based on Join National Committee (JNC-7). Results: Totally, 741 (21.2 %) cases suffered from hypertension and illiterate people were significantly more aware of their disease (p=0.011). In the aware group, 435 (89.6%) cases used one method to control their disease and it wasnot statistically significant as far as educational levels was concerned. The control of hypertension was significantly greater in college educated group than the illiterate one (32.4% vs 68.8%) (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that illiteracy is a risk factor for hypertension (p<0.001). Conclusion: In spite of awareness in the illiterate people was high, the rate of hypertension control was low in this group. Prevention, detection, treatment, and control of hypertension especially the illiterate people should be given high priority

The effects of collaborative reasoning strategies on improving primary school students’ argumentative decision-making skills

This study investigates the effects of three Collaborative Reasoning (CR) strategies including pre-trained CR, scripted CR, and pre-trained + scripted (mixed) CR on the argumentative decision-making skills of primary school students. Forty-six school students were requested to write a reflective essay on a social-moral issue, and after participating in a six-week story-based CR with three different conditions, they were asked to write their reflective essay. A follow-up test was conducted two weeks later. The results showed that students in the pre-trained CR condition performed better than students in the scripted CR condition with regard to acquiring and transferring decision-making skills. However, compared to students in the mixed CR condition, the performance of the students in the pre-trained condition was lower for acquiring and transferring decision-making skills. In terms of learning satisfaction, students with the mixed CR condition declared higher learning satisfaction compared to students in the other two conditions. We discuss these results and provide agenda for future research and practice

Topical mitomycin-C for treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis after the treatment with laser and dilatation

&quot;n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Laryngotracheal stenosis is one of the most challenging problems for otolaryngologists. Several methods were developed to treat this problem. However, in many cases, this symptom could be recurred and the patients would suffer from operations for treatment. In this survey, the effect of topical mitomycin-C after laser therapy and dilatation for preventing laryngotracheal stenosis is considered.&quot;n&quot;nMethods: Twenty three cases suffered from laryngotracheal stenosis were studied in a clinical trial between years 2006-2007 in Amir-alam educational Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The patients were divided into two groups. In 12 patients (case group), we used topical mitomycin-C (1mg/ml for 4 min) after dilatation and laser therapy, and in 11 of them (control group), this solution was not used. All patients were controlled by endoscopy one and three months later, and then followed up. The results of this study were compared statistically.&quot;n&quot;nResults: In the control group after treatment (dilatation and laser), the average changed- vertical and horizontal lengths of stenosis were 0.47&amp;plusmn;0.77mm and 0.50&amp;plusmn;0.60mm respectively. However in the control group these changed averages were 2.28&amp;plusmn;1.15mm and 2.23&amp;plusmn;1.03mm, respectively after treatment (p&amp;lt;0.0001). The average changed cross section between the two groups were different significantly (p&amp;lt;0.0001), too.&quot;n&quot;nConclusions: In the laryngotracheal stenosis, the use of topical mitomycin-C could reduce the recurrence of the stenosis after dilatation and after the laser procedures. In addition, the need for repeated therapy will be reduced