Electroretinographic Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Abnormal Visual Evoked Potentials

Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of nervous system which is accompanied by degeneration of visual pathway in certain cases. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) are among the diagnostic techniques in detecting this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible electroretinography (ERG) changes among these patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty eyes of the patients with definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and delay in latency of visual evoked potential P100 peak entered the present prospective case control study as the case group. Latency and amplitude of ERG b-wave peak were measured in each eye. The result was compared with normal eyes thirty from age and sex marched individuals to evaluate the possible differences between the two groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding the demographic data (age, UCVA) between the case and control groups. The b-wave latency did show a statistically significant difference between patients with MS and normal controls (P < 0.001). The ERG b-wave amplitude did not show statistically significant difference between patients with MS and the control group. Conclusion: From the result of the present study it seems that the latency of b-wave in flash ERG might be used as an indicator to evaluate the retinal dysfunction in MS patients with abnormal VEP pattern.Keywords:  Multiple sclerosis; retinal changes; flash electroretinograph

Severe Headache Initiated by Flash Stimulation during Visual Evoked Potential Recording in a Patient with Monocular Optic Neuritis and History of Migraine Headache

Headache is a common sign during optic neuritis. These headaches are usually one sided and worsen when the affected eye moves. The aim of the present manuscript is to report severe headache in a patient with optic neuritis and history of migraine headache initiated by flash stimulation of affected eye during visual evoked potential (VEP) recording.  Based on our findings we suggest that patients with a history of migraine headache should be informed about possible headache before VEP recording using flash stimulus.  Keywords: Headache, optic neuritis, visual evoked potential, flash stimulation

Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam Versus Phenytoin for Treating the Acute Phase of Neonatal Seizures

  Objectives Neonatal seizure is a significant problem in this life course, and its timely and effective treatment is crucial. In this study, we compared the efficacy of levetiracetam versus phenytoin for treating the acute phase of neonatal seizures. Materials & Methods In this single-blind case-control study, 60 consecutive children with neonatal seizures referred to the Children’s medical center in Tehran, Iran, in 2018 were studied. Those neonates who had at least 30 minutes of seizure after Phenobarbital treatment were assigned to receive either phenytoin (20 mg/kg) or levetiracetam (initial dose of 40-60 mg/kg) through block randomization. The efficacy and safety of the two drugs were compared between the groups. Results The response rate was 83.3% and 86.7% in phenytoin and Levetiracetam groups, respectively, which was not significantly different between groups (P=1.000). Adverse effects were nearly similar between groups (6.7% in the phenytoin group and 3.3% in the Levetiracetam group, P=1.000). ConclusionLevetiracetam and phenytoin are both practical and safe for treatingneonatal seizures

Pattern of Antibiotic Prescription among Dentists in Iran

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the antibiotic prescription in dentists participated in 9th Congress of Iranian Association of Endodontists in Esfahan/2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire for this cross sectional study was designed for evaluating the patterns of antibiotic prescription. It included some demographic information, clinical signs, and conditions in need for antibiotic and prophylactic prescription and their choices. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test. RESULTS: High percentage of responders prescribe antibiotic for fever (78.2%) and diffuse swelling (85.1%). However, some situations such as acute pulpitis, chronic periapical lesions and marginal gingivitis were irrationally prescribed. CONCLUSION: This study showed a fairly good pattern of antibiotic prescription but it was far from ideal

Dropouts and Social Determinants of Health; Policy for the Prevention of School Dropout, Qualitative Study of the Causes and Interventions

Background: Indicators of the level of education are the most important parameters influencing each country′s development. Social indicators considered to be a determinant of one′s health consists of two constituents namely; (1) Rate of students enrolled in elementary, guidance, secondary and higher education and (2) the rate of adult literacy. This study is aimed to evaluate the situation of school dropouts in Iran, their causes, and appropriate interventions. Methods: Data were collected through literature review (including published researches and analysis of documents), focus group discussions with the presence of experts from (Department of Community Health, Academy of Medical Sciences) and interviews with stakeholders then these data were classified and presented in three sections namely; current situation, causes and solutions. Results: Results showed that Iran′s current situation in terms of school dropouts is unsatisfactory in comparison to developed countries and in some countries in the region. Influencing factors for school dropouts were classified into (1) Individual factors such as intellectual disability and behavioral disorders (2) group factors such as peer groups, family problems and children′s reduced interests in school and (3) major factors such as educational system and the changes of value, economic, cultural, and political issues. Conclusions: The present study, with the presentation of statistical documents specifically of the current problem of school dropouts in all levels of the Iranian society has been determined and aside from identifying the causes and factors affecting school dropouts, provision of strategies in three levels of prevention to combat this problem has been addressed

A Comparative Study of Social Anxiety of Blind and Visually-impaired People With Sighted People

Background and Objectives: Social anxiety is a type of disorder in which a person becomes anxious and afraid in social interactions and situations. It is well known that 90% of a person’s social interactions are related to their vision, so blind people definitely have problems in all their social interactions. Methods: Leibovitz’s social anxiety scale is the only tool that is based on social situations. Participants were asked to answer the questions of the data collection tool. Normal subjects were also randomly selected from the normal population who are similar to the patient group in terms of age and gender. The results were analyzed with relevant statistical software. Results: The results show that the average score of social anxiety in the blind group is 43.27 and 44.25 in the sighted group. The average score of avoidance in the blind group is 39.83 and 41.66 in the sighted group. The amount of social anxiety between the blind and the visually impaired group has a significant difference compared to normal people. There is also a significant difference in the comparison between totally blind and mildly impaired people (P=0.027). The amount of avoidance is also different between totally blind and sighted people. There is a significance (P=0.024) and there is a statistical difference between the totally blind and mildly visually impaired (P=0.022). Conclusion: People with normal vision or mild vision loss experience more degrees of social anxiety as well as avoidance than totally blind people