Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Services in Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Tehran, Iran

Children with specific learning disabilities are at a greater risk of mental health problems than their non-disabled peers. Further interventions and research will be required. This is a cross-sectional study. A sample of 107 students (7 to 11 years old) with specific learning disabilities were randomly selected from educational and rehabilitation settings in Tehran. The Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) (parent checklist) was administered. Among children studied, 86 subjects (82.8 %) in some of the categories of psychiatric symptoms gained scores above the cut-off point. The most prevalent psychiatric symptoms were related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. There were not any statistically significant differences between the genders. In addition to direct education, 15 subjects (14 %) were receiving medication, 2 subjects (1.9 %) were receiving only occupational therapy, 2 subjects (1.9 %) were receiving only speech therapy, and 5 subjects (4.7 %) were receiving both occupational and speech therapy. The emphasis on considering co-morbid symptoms and usage of mental health services are important issues for students with specific learning difficulties

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on the intolerance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Objectives—To identify SNPs associated with switching from an ACE-inhibitor to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Methods—Two cohorts of patients starting ACE-inhibitors were identified within the Rotterdam Study in the Netherlands and the GoDARTS study in Scotland. Cases were intolerant subjects who switched from an ACE-inhibitor to an ARB, controls were subjects who used ACE-inhibitors continuously for at least 2 years and did not switch. GWAS using an additive model was run in these sets and results were meta-analysed using GWAMA. Results—972 cases out of 5 161 ACE-inhibitor starters were identified. 8 SNPs within 4 genes reached the GWAS significance level (P<5×10-8) in the meta-analysis (RBFOX3, GABRG2, SH2B1 and MBOAT1). The strongest associated SNP was located in an intron of RBFOX3, which contains a RNA binding protein (rs2061538: MAF=0.16, OR=1.52[95%CI: 1.32-1.76], p=6.2x10-9). Conclusions—These results indicate that genetic variation in abovementioned genes may increase the risk of ACE-inhibitors induced adverse reactions

Telomere length and survival in primary cutaneous melanoma patients

Dermatology-oncolog

Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Services in Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Tehran, Iran

Children with specific learning disabilities are at a greater risk of mental health problems than their non-disabled peers. Further interventions and research will be required. This is a cross-sectional study. A sample of 107 students (7 to 11 years old) with specific learning disabilities were randomly selected from educational and rehabilitation settings in Tehran. The Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) (parent checklist) was administered. Among children studied, 86 subjects (82.8 ) in some of the categories of psychiatric symptoms gained scores above the cut-off point. The most prevalent psychiatric symptoms were related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. There were not any statistically significant differences between the genders. In addition to direct education, 15 subjects (14 ) were receiving medication, 2 subjects (1.9 ) were receiving only occupational therapy, 2 subjects (1.9 ) were receiving only speech therapy, and 5 subjects (4.7 ) were receiving both occupational and speech therapy. The emphasis on considering co-morbid symptoms and usage of mental health services are important issues for students with specific learning difficulties. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Supervised group-exercise therapy versus home-based exercise therapy: Their effects on Quality of Life and cardiovascular risk factors in women with type 2 diabetes

Objectives: Exercise is an integral part of diabetes care. In Iranian women with type II diabetes, we compared the effects of supervised group exercise therapy with the effects of home-based exercise therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), anthropometric parameters, glycaemic control and lipid profile. Materials and methods: One hundred and two diabetic women were randomised to supervised and home-based groups. Methods: Over 12 weeks, participants received supervised group-exercise therapy or a home-based exercise-therapy program. During the intervention, they were assessed three times: at baseline, and at weeks 6 and 12. Generalized Estimating Equation models were used to examine the associations between the type of exercise-therapy program and changes over time in anthropometric and biochemical outcomes, and in HRQOL scales of SF36 questionnaire. Results: Relative to home-based group, supervised group improved significantly regarding role-physical, general health, mean body weight and body mass index from baseline to week 12 (p = 0.01). Their reduction in mean body-fat mass from baseline to week 6 (p = 0.04) was greater. Similarly, their role-physical, general health and role-emotional improved significantly during the intervention (p < 0.05). From baseline to the twelfth week, the HbA1c level fell significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups. Conclusions: Supervised group-exercise therapy was more effective than home-based exercise therapy in improving HRQOL and body composition in diabetic women. However, home-based exercise therapy also produced significant improvements in glycaemic control, body composition and lipid profile. Whether in a supervised or home-based setting, the exercise intervention can therefore be effective in improving health outcomes in diabetic patients. © 2016 Diabetes Indi

Prescription patterns of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for various indications: A UK population-based study

AIM: Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are widely prescribed for several cardiovascular indications. This study investigated patterns of ACEI use for various indications. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective population‐based study was conducted using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients starting ACEIs (2007–2014) were selected and ACEI indications were retrieved from electronically recorded medical records. Stratified by indication, we distinguished between persistent and nonpersistent ACEI use, considering a 6‐month interval between two prescription periods as a maximum for persistent use. Five‐year persistence rates for various indications were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared in a log‐rank test. Nonpersistent users were subdivided into three groups: (i) stop; (ii) restart; and (iii) switch to an angiotensin II‐receptor blocker. Patients who received ACEIs for hypertension who switched to other classes of antihypertensive medications were further investigated. RESULTS: In total, 254 002 ACEI initiators were identified with hypertension (57.6%), myocardial infarction (MI; 4.2%), renal disease (RD; 3.7%), heart failure (HF; 1.5%), combinations of the above (17.2%) or none of the above (15.8%). Five‐year persistence rates ranged from 43.2% (RD) to 68.2% (MI; P < 0.0001). RD and HF patients used ACEIs for the shortest time (average 23.6 and 25.0 months, respectively). For the nonpersistent group, the percentage of switchers to angiotensin II‐receptor blockers ranged from 27.6% (RD) to 42.2% (MI) and the restarters ranged from 15.0% (HF) to 18.1% (group without indication). CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the indication, there are various rates of ACEI nonpersistence. Patients with RD are most likely to discontinue treatment