Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common and chronic disorder but long term, prospective studies of the fate of patients seeking medical advice are scarce. This is especially prominent when looking at non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We designed a prospective cohort to assess the long term outcome of GERD patients referring to gastroenterologists. Consecutive consenting patients, 15 years of age and older, presenting with symptoms suggestive of GERD referring to our outpatient clinics undergo a 30 minute interview. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed for them with protocol biopsies and blood samples are drawn. Patients are then treated according to a set protocol and followed regularly either in person or by telephone for at least 10 years.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Our data show that such a study is feasible and follow-ups, which are the main concern, can be done in a fairly reliable way to collect data. The results of this study will help to clarify the course of various subgroups of GERD patients after coming to medical attention and their response to treatment considering different variables. In addition, the basic symptoms and biological database will fuel further molecular epidemiologic studies.</p

Relation of Helicobacter pylori infection and multiple sclerosis in Iranian patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent central nervous system demyelinating disease. There are known risk factors for MS. However, there is uncertainty in its protective factors. Few studies have demonstrated that some chronic infections may have protective effects on this disease. We carried this study to investigate the relation between <em>Helicobacter pylori </em>(HP) infection and the prevalence and severity of MS. In this case-control study, 163 MS patients and 150 sex- and age- matched controls were included. Blood samples for IgG and IgM anti HP antibodies were collected from all individuals. Also, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to evaluate the MS patients. Suitable statistical analysis was applied. A Significant difference was observed in seropositivity between these two groups (P&lt;0.001) but no significant difference was seen in seropositivity between conventional and opticospinal MS (P=0.522). No significant difference was observed in seropositivity among ages (P=0.075) and between genders (P=0.204). A significant difference was seen in EDSS value between seropositive and seronegative patients (P=0.017). We concluded that patients with HP infection had lower incidence of multiple sclerosis and MS patients with HP infection showed lower neurologic complications, which can demonstrate that HP infection may have a protective influence on MS pathogenesis

A comparison of cerebral vasomotor reactivity in diabetic and nondiabetic Iranian patients

Background: Cerebral microangiopathy is one of the most important complications in diabetes. It may interfere with cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) which may lead to disability, stroke or even death. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare VMR changes in diabetic and non- diabetic patients. Methods: Fifty three diabetic and 51 non- diabetic patients (with no other vascular abnormality) were recruited. Vaso- motor reactivity was evaluated with Trans- Cranial Doppler (TCD) before and after CO2 inhalation. Results: There were 69 (66.30%) males. The mean age was 41.53 ± 17.80 years. The general average of VMR was 5.79 ± 3.00%, the figures in diabetic and nondiabetic patients were 5.31 ± 2.60% and 6.62 ± 2.00%, respectively (p = 0.02). The average of flow velocity (FV) change was 42.47± 29.00 in diabetics and 53.34 ±16.70 in non- diabetic pa-tients (p = 0.04). Conclusions: It is recommended that such non- invasive method is necessary for evaluation of cerebral vasculature in diabetic patients for better prevention

Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/7/42</p><p>BMC Gastroenterology 2007;7():42-42.</p><p>Published online 20 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2212633.</p><p></p> junction across the z-line, C: Cardia, D: Body, E: Antrum

Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/7/42</p><p>BMC Gastroenterology 2007;7():42-42.</p><p>Published online 20 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2212633.</p><p></p>Presenting just by minor symptoms