Serum C-reactive Protein Level and Its Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction and Aims A growing body of evidence indicates the role of inflammation and inflammatory indicators such as Cytokines and other inflammatory mediators as triggering factors in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other metabolic disorders. This study was designed to investigate the possible association between high sensitivity C reactive proteins (hs-CRP) with components of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods In this case control study a total of 421 individuals including 215 patients with metabolic syndrome and 206 healthy controls were selected randomly from Mashhad as a second largest city in Iran. MetS was defined based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Anthropometric variables such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as biochemical profiles and inflammatory marker (hs-CRP) were measured by standard methods. Results The mean values of anthropometric and clinical variables, including FBS, TG and total cholesterol, were significantly higher in MetS group compared with controls (P<0.05), while HDL was significantly higher in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the distribution of gender and age between controls and patients with MetS. In subjects with the MetS, hs-CRP concentration was higher than those in controls (P<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the concentration of hs-CRP and serum triglyceride levels in men with MetS and serum HDL- cholesterol levels in women of the control group. Conclusion hs-CRP concentration increased in patients with MetS and was positively associated with TG levels in men and HDLcholesterol in healthy women. * Corresponding Author: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Clinical Research Development Unit. Email: [email protected]

Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Cancers (Stomach, Esophageal and Colorectal) in Neyshabur City during 2006-2012

Introduction and Aims Gastrointestinal cancers (GI) are considered as the most common cancer among men and are the second in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in crude and age specific incidence rates of gastrointestinal cancers in Neyshabur during 2006-2012. Materials and Methods In this study the recorded data of Neyshabur&rsquo;s patients with cancer in the hospitals of Mashhad and Neyshabur were analyzed using Excel and SPSS v.16. Crude and age specific incidence rates were also estimated. Results Three hundred and thirty-five (42.8%) out of all 783 patients with cancer, were GI cancers. Gastric cancer showed the highest prevalence (41.8%) with the rate of 63.3 and 36.7 percent in men and women respectively. The results indicated the incidence of gastric cancer had a falling tendency. Conclusion About half of all the cancers in Neyshabur are of the GI type and their incidence rate up to 2012 showed a decreasing trend so that, this rate is higher in men and older age groups. This decline may be due to numerous reasons such as control of risk factors, failure to identify eligible patients, referring to medical centers outside the province, or an increase in mortality and etc. that needs further investigation. * Corresponding Author: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Clinical Research Development Unit. Email: [email protected]