An Evaluation of the Association between Periodontal Disease and Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the etiology of preeclampsia, one of the most common causes of maternal mortality is the release of inflammatory and immunological factors. On the other hand, periodontal disease also leads to persistent gingivitis. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the association between periodontal disease and preeclampsia. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted among 80 pregnant women with preeclampsia (case group) and 80 healthy pregnant women as control group. The mean of periodontal disease indices, including Plaque Index (PI), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was measured and compared between the two groups. FINDINGS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age, BMI, gestational age and number of pregnancies. The mean CAL in the case group was 14.14±1.0 mm and in the control group was 13.14±1.0 mm (p=0.68), the mean PI score in the case group was 1.18±1.13 and in the control group was 1.18±0.17 (p=0.87), and the mean GBI in the case group was 14.2±7.8% and in the control group was 14.3 ± 3.1% (p=0.35). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the difference between the mean of periodontal disease indices in preeclampsia group and control group was not statistically significant

BREAST CANCER SCREENING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG WOMEN IN SOUTHEAST OF IRAN

"nBreast cancer is the most common cancer occurring among women. The mortality rate of breast cancer can be reduced by regular breast cancer screening program. This study was carried out to identify the knowledge and practice of women about breast cancer screening in Zahedan, southeast of Iran. In this cross- sectional study, 384 women were selected as an improbability sample of women referring to Qouds maternity hospital. Knowledge and practice of them about breast cancer screening were investigated through face-to-face interview based on a purposed questionnaire, and data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Only 8.3% of women were aware of breast cancer screening methods. About breast self-examination 21.6%, and about mammography 3.4% had good knowledge. Overall knowledge of breast cancer screening was insufficient in 67.4%. There was statistically significant relationship between knowledge of breast cancer screening and level of education, history of individual breast disease, and history of breast cancer in their families (P < 0.001). There was statistically significant and inverse relationship between knowledge of how to examine the breasts and knowledge about mammography with age (P < 0.001). Practices of women in Zahedan about Breast cancer screening were very low. Only 4.5% of women performed breast self examination (BSE), on a regular basis, 4.1% had ever had a clinical breast examination (CBE), and %1.3 had a mammography throughout their life. Our findings suggest that knowledge and practice about breast cancer screening was relatively in a weak level and it needs to be improved

Propranolol decreases the post-operative pain and analgesic administration following abdominal hysterectomy

Post-operative pain results in many complications. Studies suggest beta blockers to be effective in decreasing postoperative pain and analgesic requirements. This study evaluated the influence of perioperative administration of 40mg orally propranolol on patients' post-operative pain score and analgesic consumption following abdominal hysterectomy. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 73 women who had referred for elective abdominal hysterectomy surgery during years 2010-2011 were reviewed. Patients were randomly divided into case (receiving 40 mg orally propranolol tablet 30 min before surgery) and control (receiving orally placebo 30 min before surgery). General anesthesia was done the same for both groups. Postoperative time of first need to morphine, total morphine consumption dose and pain severity during the first 24 hours after surgery was measured among both groups. age and hysterectomy indication was not statistically different between two groups (p>0.05). Total morphine consumption in the propranolol group (2.85±2.5 mg) was lower than control group (10.35±2.2 mg) (p<0.001). The Initial morphine administration time (min) in the propranolol group was significantly longer than the control group (998.7 ± 49 vs. 261.7 ± 139.1) (p<0.001). The Pain Score (VAS scoring) (Mean±SD) in propranolol group was lower than the control group (1.03±0.58 vs. 2.76 ±0.8) (p< 0.001). administration of 40mg orally propranolol 30 minutes before abdominal hysterectomy is effective in decreasing patients' post-operative pain and morphine administration dosage. It also elongates the Initial morphine administration time in the first 24 hours following abdominal hysterectomy