A Cost-Benefit and Accurate Method for Assessing Microalbuminuria: Single versus Frequent Urine Analysis

Background. The purpose of this study was to answer the question whether a single testing for microalbuminuria results in a reliable conclusion leading costs saving. Methods. This current cross-sectional study included a total of 126 consecutive persons. Microalbuminuria was assessed by collection of two fasting random urine specimens on arrival to the clinic as well as one week later in the morning. Results. In overall, 17 out of 126 participants suffered from microalbuminuria that, among them, 12 subjects were also diagnosed as microalbuminuria once assessing this factor with a sensitivity of 70.6%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, a NPV of 95.6%, and an accuracy of 96.0%. The measured sensitivity, specificity, PVV, NPV, and accuracy in hypertensive patients were 73.3%, 100%, 100%, 94.8%, and 95.5%, respectively. Also, these rates in nonhypertensive groups were 50.0%, 100%, 100%, 97.3%, and 97.4%, respectively. According to the ROC curve analysis, a single measurement of UACR had a high value for discriminating defected from normal renal function state (c=0.989). Urinary albumin concentration in a single measurement had also high discriminative value for diagnosis of damaged kidney (c=0.995). Conclusion. The single testing of both UACR and urine albumin level rather frequent testing leads to high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy as well as high predictive values in total population and also in hypertensive subgroups

The impact of workplace intervension on controling hypertension

Background: We evaluated the impacts of a workplace intervention project "Stop Hypertension in Mobarakeh Steel Company" (SHIMSCO) on controlling hypertension in industrial workers. Methods: This clinical trial was carried out in workers and employees of Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan All individuals were evaluated for the presence of hypertension (HTN). According to examinations and after calculating Framingham score for each person, 500 subjects referred to Isfahan Cardiovascular research Institute. HTN considers as having systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or those using antihypertensive medications. They were questioned for socio-demographic characteristics, past medical history and medication use. They received an educational program including healthy lifestyle and self-care recommendations of HTN management and control as well as training for accurate blood pressure measurement and home monitoring for two years. SBP, DBP, weight, height and routine lab tests were measured for all hypertensive subjects before and after the interventions. Paired t-test, generalized estimation equation (GEE) and ordinary linear regression were used for statistical analysis in SPSS. Results: The comparison of SBP and DBP before and after the educational program showed significant reductions in both parameters (-7.97 ± 14.72 and -2.66 ± 9.96 mmHg, respectively). However, a greater decrease was detected in case of DBP. GEE analysis showed SBP and DBP to decrease about -0.115 and -0.054 mmHg/month. OLR also revealed reductions of 4.88 and 2.57 mmHg respectively in SBP and DBP upon adding each antihypertensive drug. Conclusion: interventional project in workplaces could be effective in reducing SBP and DBP among hypertensive employees and workers through improvement in awareness regarding healthy lifestyl

Self-rated health and its determinants in patients with hypertension in Isfahan in 2019

Abstract Background and objectives Self-rated health (SRH) serves as an assessment of contentment regarding one’s social, mental, and physical well-being and has been linked to both cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Nonetheless, the relationship between SRH and medical outcomes in individuals with hypertension unsettled. This research endeavors to pinpoint the determinants that affect SRH in Iranian patients with hypertension. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study took place in Isfahan, Iran, from November 2018 to August 2019 and involved 886 patients with essential HTN. The data collection methods included a checklist for demographic information and risk factors, blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic), the Persian version of the 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence scale, and a self-rated health questionnaire recommended by the World Health Organization. Independent sample T-test and chi squared test were used for comparison of variables between two groups of SRH. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing self-rated health status. Results Among 886 participants (mean age 57.8 ± 8.8 years, 71.9% women), 89.62% reported good SRH. Comorbid conditions were significantly associated with poorer SRH (p < 0.05). Notably, higher education (odd ratio (OR) = 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–3.11, p = 0.015) and increased income (OR = 4.34, 95% CI = 1.43–13.18, p = 0.010) were identified as positive determinants of good SRH. Conclusion We concluded that socioeconomic factors (education and income) and comorbid conditions (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and pulmonary diseases) are risk factors for poor SRH among hypertensive patients. These findings could help planning of health enhancement initiative

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the Isfahan province, Iran; A situation analysis and needs assessment

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is considered as a choice of treatment in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). PPCI has been performed in the Isfahan Province for several years. This study was performed to describe the situation, and determine in-hospital and early (30 days) clinical outcomes of the patients in order to provide sufficient evidence to evaluate and modify this treatment modality if necessary. METHODS: All patients, who underwent PPCI for STEMI from July to December 2011 at Chamran and Saadi Hospitals (PPCI centers in the Isfahan Province), were included in this case series study. Premedication, angioplasty procedure, and post-procedural treatment were performed using standard protocols or techniques. All discharged patients were followed for 30 days by phone. Endpoints consisted of clinical success rate, and in-hospital and 30 day major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (death, reinfarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization). RESULTS: 93 patients (83 (89.2%) at Chamran Hospital and 10 (10.8%) patients at Saadi Hospital) had PPCI. Mean Age of the patients was 59.60 &plusmn; 11.10 and M/F ratio was 3.89. From the 181 involved vessels (involved vessels/patient ratio = 1.97 &plusmn; 0.70), the treatment of 105 lesions (lesions/patient ratio = 1.13 &plusmn; 0.368) was attempted. The clinical success rate was 72%. Pain-to-door and door-to-balloon times were, respectively, 255.1 &plusmn; 221.4 and 148.9 &plusmn; 168.5 min. The reason for failure was impaired flow (n = 17 (18.3%)), failure to cross with a guidewire (n = 2 (2.2%)), suboptimal angiographic results (n = 2 (2.2%)), and death in one patient. The in-hospital and 30 days MACE rates were, respectively, 8.6% and 3.2%. CONCLUSION: Low success rate in our series could be due to prolonged pain-to-door and door-to-balloon times and lack of an established, definite protocol to regularly perform PPCI in a timely fashion. We should resolve these problems and improve our techniques in order to prevent and treat slow/no-reflow phenomenon. &nbsp; Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, Cardiogenic Shock, No-Reflow Phenomenon</div

Hypertension control in industrial employees: findings from SHIMSCO study

Background: Hypertension prevention and control are among the most important public health priorities. We evaluated the impacts of a workplace intervention project "Stop Hypertension in Mobarakeh Steel Company" (SHIMSCO) on controlling hypertension in industrial workers. Methods: The study was carried out in Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan among 7286 male workers and employees. All individuals were evaluated for the presence of hypertension (HTN). According to examinations, 500 subjects with&nbsp; systolic blood pressure (SBP) &ge; 140 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) &ge; 90 mmHg, and/or those using antihypertensive medications were confirmed to have HTN and thus included in this study. They were questioned for sociodemographic characteristics, past medical history and medication use. They received an educational program including healthy lifestyle and self-care recommendations of HTN management and control as well as training for accurate blood pressure measurement and home monitoring for two years. SBP, DBP, weight, height and routine lab tests were measured for all hypertensive subjects before and after the interventions. Paired t-test, generalized estimation equation (GEE) and ordinary linear regression (OLR) were used for statistical analysis in SPSS. Results: The comparison of SBP and DBP before and after the educational program showed significant reductions in both parameters (-7.97 &plusmn; 14.72 and -2.66 &plusmn; 9.96 mmHg, respectively). However, a greater decrease was detected in case of DBP. GEE showed SBP and DBP to decrease about -0.115 and -0.054 mmHg/month. OLR also revealed reductions of 4.88 and 2.57 mmHg respectively in SBP and DBP upon adding each antihypertensive drug. Conclusion: SHIMSCO, a 3-year interventional project in workplaces, was effective in reducing SBP and DBP among hypertensive employees and workers. We conclude that implementing simple educational programs in worksites can improve the management and control of hypertension and perhaps other chronic diseases. Keywords: Hypertension, Worksite, Industrial, Blood Pressure, Control &nbsp;</p

Evaluation of correlation between digital vs. mercury sphygmomanometer in a middle-income country: The role of socio-economic situation

Background Using manometer sphygmomanometers as standard measurement tool, there are controversial data regarding accuracy and validity of digital manometers for measurement of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Thus, we aimed to compare the accuracy of readings of digital sphygmomanometer in reference to mercury sphygmomanometer in a large population of healthy adults. Methods and Materials This cross-sectional study was performed on 1119 healthy adults. We measured participant’s blood pressure once with mercury sphygmomanometer, as gold standard and again with digital mercury sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure was measured in sitting position after 5 min of rest and preferentially from right arm unless deformed. Results The mean ± standard deviation of age of participants was 37.25 ± 10.45 years. Majority of participants were male 588 (52.5%). The right/left SBP measured by digital sphygmomanometer were significantly higher compared with those measured by mercury sphygmomanometer: 115.37 ± 12.33 vs 110.95 ± 10.06/113.69 ± 11.77 vs 110.23 ± 10.34, respectively (P < .001), while an opposite result was observed about right/left DBP: 68.60 ± 8.55 vs 70.60 ± 8.31/69.39 ± 8.31 vs 70.75 ± 8.41, respectively (P < .001). In subgroup analysis in terms of marital status, education, and income, we observed similar findings. Conclusion According to the results of our data analysis, it was shown that the digital device measurements had significant incompatibility with the mercury sphygmomanometers and it seems that digital devices still cannot be used as the gold standard in blood pressure measurement

The impact of generic form of Clopidogrel on cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery stent: results of the OPCES study

Background: To compare the early and late cardiovascular events as well as side effects of Osvix, a generic form of Clopidogrel versus Plavix regimens in patients with chronic stable angina, undergoing bare metal stent (BMS) or drug eluting stent (DES) placement, this study was carried out. Methods: A total of 442 patients with chronic stable angina who were scheduled for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in a randomized, double blind, multi-centric clinical trial being performed in 6 distinct university hospitals in 5 cities of Iran from March 2007 to November 2009. Baseline, demographic and history of risk factors were recorded using the patients′ medical charts. Stenting procedure was performed via transfemoral approach using low osmolar contrast agents. Patients underwent BMS or DES placements based on the physician selection and were randomly assigned to Osvix or Plavix groups. Patients were followed by telephone in 0 and 6 months intervals regarding the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction, in-stent thrombosis, stroke, target lesion revascularization, and target vascular revascularization. Angina episodes, bleeding, liver enzymes, neutrophils and platelets count were also assessed in these intervals. Results: There was not any significant difference between these two groups regarding the baseline characteristics. In the DES group, the 6-month mortality rate and the incidence of MACE in Osvix and Plavix groups were 0.9% and 1.9% (p = 0.61) and 1.8% and 4.9% (p = 0.26), respectively. During the follow up period after DES or BMS placement, there wasn′t any significant difference regarding neutrophil and platelet counts or liver enzymes between study groups. Conclusions: Using Osvix and Plavix are followed by similar major cardiovascular events and side-effect profile in patients undergoing PCI