Epidemiological study of hospitalized road traffic injuries in Iran 2011

Background: In Iran, Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) is the second-leading cause of deaths, and the first leading cause of disabilityadjusted life year, and has one of the highest rates of death (32.1 per 100 000 population) all over the world. This study's aim was to investigate the epidemiological pattern and underlying components of hospitalized RTIs in 31 provinces of Iran in 2011. Methods: This study conducted on all hospitalized RTIs during one-year period (March 21, 2011 to March 21, 2012). Data extracted from a hospital-based traffic injury registration system. According to a national law passed in 2005, all hospital expenses of traffic injuries should be covered by ministry of health based on governmental tariffs. The medical costs of eligible patients will be paid to the hospitals only if the patient data are sent to the above mentioned database. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA), and spatial maps are provided using GIS 10.2. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used to compare means. World (WHO 2000-2025) standard population used to calculate age-adjusted incidence rate. All statistical tests were performed at the 5 level of statistical significance. Results: There were 322,064 injured cases recorded in the registration system during the study period. The national age-adjusted incidence rate of RTIs was 405 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence rates were in the age group of 15-29 years (643 per 100,000 population), followed by 30-44 year age groups (401 per 100,000 population). The incidence rate in men was 3.36 times more than women. Motorcyclist were the most frequent type of road users (39.2) who involved in RTIs, followed by passengers (28.9) and pedestrians (20.0). Head injuries were among the most affected part of the body which occurred in 27.2 of the patients. The proportion of urban crashes was 60.7. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the majority of RTI occurred on motorcyclists and head injuries was the most commonly affected body part. Therefore, in order to reduce motorcycle accidents and avoiding head injury among them, stricter law enforcement is urgently needed for helmet use and promotion of safety behaviors among motorcycle riders. © Iran University of Medical Sciences

Comparison of dosimetric parameters of small-field electron beams between Advanced Markus, Semiflex 3D, and Diode E responses

The usage of dosimetry of small fields in radiotherapy to measure radiation dose is difficult because of high-dose gradients, lateral electronic disequilibrium, and detector volume effects. In this study, three dosimeters namely, Markus, Semiflex 3D, and Diode E were tested using the Elekta-accelerator electron beams. The electron beam parameters, penumbra, and output factor were determined using these dosimeters for each field size and energy. According to the results, Diode E and Advanced Markus exhibited the greatest difference in Rq among the electron beam parameters. Furthermore, the greatest difference in penumbra was observed between Diode E and Advanced Markus for the field size of 3 cm2 at 10 MeV. In terms of output factor, three dosimeters exhibited the greatest difference between Diode E and Advanced Markus for the field size of 3 cm2 at 10 MeV. The findings indicate that the Semiflex 3D can be regarded as an appropriate dosimeter for electron small-field dosimetry. © 2020, Japanese Society of Radiological Technology and Japan Society of Medical Physics

Comparison of the Effects of Preemptive Gabapentin and Dextromethorphan on the Postoperative Pain after Open Prostatectomy

<p><strong><em>Background and Objectives</em></strong>: Preemptive administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan has been shown to be effective for reduction of postoperative pain; but the effect of these two drugs has not yet been compared. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan on the postoperative pain after open prostatectomy.</p><p><strong><em>Methods: </em></strong>In a randomized clinical trial, 80 adult males with ASA class of I, II and III who were candidate for open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia in Shahid Hasheminejad Educational Center (in Tehran) were enrolled and randomly allocated to two groups of gabapentin (n=40) and dextromethorphan (n=40). In dextromethorphan group, 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup and in gabapentin group, 300 mg of gabapentin syrup were administered 2 hours preoperatively. During operation, the maximum height of block was determined at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia establishment. In postoperative period, at 1, 2, 12, and 24 hours, the pain intensity was measured through Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS); and, overall opioid consumption and the time to first analgesic request were recorded as well.<strong></strong></p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><strong>: </strong>While the pain intensity in all the measurements was comparable between groups, at the 2<sup>nd</sup> hour, the pain was significantly lesser in gabapentin group (2.70±1.51 vs. 3.74±1.77, P=0.006). Also, the time for the first analgesic request was comparable between study groups; however, the total dose of postoperative opioid consumption was lesser in gabapentin group (45.0±39.32 vs. 64.45±32.12 mg, P=0.018). Moreover, the height of block showed no significant difference. <strong></strong></p><p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong>: Preemptive oral administration of 300 mg of gabapentin syrup in patients undergoing open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia significantly lessens the pain intensity and the total dose of opioid consumption compared with 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup. Meanwhile, the level of spinal anesthesia and the time for the first analgesic request were comparable between groups.</p&gt

Comparison of the Effects of Preemptive Gabapentin and Dextromethorphan on the Postoperative Pain after Open Prostatectomy

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Preemptive administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan has been shown to be effective for reduction of postoperative pain; but the effect of these two drugs has not yet been compared. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan on the postoperative pain after open prostatectomy. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 80 adult males with ASA class of I, II and III who were candidate for open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia in Shahid Hasheminejad Educational Center (in Tehran) were enrolled and randomly allocated to two groups of gabapentin (n=40) and dextromethorphan (n=40). In dextromethorphan group, 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup and in gabapentin group, 300 mg of gabapentin syrup were administered 2 hours preoperatively. During operation, the maximum height of block was determined at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia establishment. In postoperative period, at 1, 2, 12, and 24 hours, the pain intensity was measured through Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS); and, overall opioid consumption and the time to first analgesic request were recorded as well.Results: While the pain intensity in all the measurements was comparable between groups, at the 2nd hour, the pain was significantly lesser in gabapentin group (2.70±1.51 vs. 3.74±1.77, P=0.006). Also, the time for the first analgesic request was comparable between study groups; however, the total dose of postoperative opioid consumption was lesser in gabapentin group (45.0±39.32 vs. 64.45±32.12 mg, P=0.018). Moreover, the height of block showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Preemptive oral administration of 300 mg of gabapentin syrup in patients undergoing open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia significantly lessens the pain intensity and the total dose of opioid consumption compared with 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup. Meanwhile, the level of spinal anesthesia and the time for the first analgesic request were comparable between groups. Keywords: Gabapentin; Dextromethorphan; Anesthesia, Spinal; Analgesia