Close association of arterial plaques with left ventricular hypertrophy and ejection fraction in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: In renal failure patients, cardiovascular complications are a major clinical problem. Objectives: This study aimed to test, the possible association of left ventricular hypertrophy and ejection fraction with plaques of carotid and femoral artery hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: Sixty-one patients, who were on regular hemodialysis were selected. For all patients echocardiography and B-mode Ultrsonographic assessment of carotid-femoral arteries for plaque occurrence were conducted. Results: In this study there was a positive correlation between left ventricular hypertrophy with the duration of hemodialysis treatment (p<0.05). Significant positive association between left ventricular hypertrophy and plaque score and also a significant positive association between left ventricular hypertrophy with presence of chest pain was found (p<0.05). Association of diabetes mellitus with the presence of chest pain was positive. Positive correlation between hypertension with plaque score was demonstrated too (p<0.05). Also an inverse association of plaque score with left ventricular ejection fraction was detected too (p<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation of plaque score with the presence of diabetes mellitus was positive. Conclusion: The present investigations, documents parallel cardiac and vascular adaptation in hemodialysis patients and shows the potential contribution of structural and functional large artery alteration to the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy which needs more attention in patients on hemodialysis

Role of alexithymia in predicting psychological symptoms in patients with breast and prostate cancer

Background: Identifying the psychological factors involved in psychological problems of patients with cancer is very important. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the role of alexithymia in predicting psychological symptoms in patients with cancer. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 102 patients with cancer selected by convenience sampling method in Ardabil during 2014. The measurement tools were the Persian version of Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (SCL-25). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Findings: There was significantly positive correlation between alexithymia and all psychological symptoms. In regression analysis, alexithymia was predictor of all psychological symptoms. Conclusion: With regards to the results, it seems that alexithymia is able to predict psychological symptoms. Therefore, paying more attention to psychological determinants in patients with cancer and providing appropriate treatment strategies can be effective to alleviate the mental suffering