The Iranian Study of Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN): Rationale, design, and initial findings

Background: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified opium use as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, much remains to be studied on the relation between opium and cancer. We designed the Iranian Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN) study to further investigate the association of opium use and cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum. In this paper, we describe the rationale, design, and some initial results of the IROPICAN Study. Methods: The IROPICAN is a multi-center case-control study conducted in 10 provinces of Iran. The cases were all histologically confirmed and the controls were selected from hospital visitors who were free of cancer, were not family members or friends of the cancer patients, and were visiting the hospital for reasons other than their own ailment. The questionnaires included detailed questions on opium use (including age at initiation, duration, frequency, typical amount, and route), and potential confounders, such as tobacco use (e.g., cigarettes, nass and water-pipe), and dietary factors. Biological samples, including blood and saliva, were also collected. Results: The validation and pilot phases showed reasonably good validity, with sensitivities of 70% and 69% for the cases and controls, respectively, in reporting opium use. The results also showed excellent reliability, with intra-class correlation coefficients of 0.96 for ever opium use and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.92) for regular opium use. In the main phase, we recruited 3299 cancer cases (99% response rate) and 3477 hospital visitor controls (89% response rate). The proportion of ever-use of opium was 40% among cases and 18% among controls. Conclusion: The IROPICAN study will serve as a major resource in studies addressing the effect of opium on risk of cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum

Prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence among Iranian women

Background: Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, it dramatically influences the quality of life. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its risk factors among Iranian women in Kerman, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted on 3100 Iranian women aged 15�80 years in 2017 in Kerman, Iran. The participants were selected via cluster sampling and were invited to complete the questionnaires. Their demographic information and medical history were assessed, the urinary incontinence questionnaire was completed, and the associated risk factors were also recorded. Quantitative variables are reported as mean ± SD, while qualitative and ranked variables are expressed in percentage. All analyses were conducted in Stata version 12 (Stata Corp.). Results: The mean age of the participants was 46 years, and the overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated to be 63. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of urinary incontinence were reported in the elderly and the youth, respectively (79 and 41, respectively). Age, increase of body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, diabetes, anxiety, and depression were the associated risk factors. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of urinary incontinence is high in Iran. Therefore, to control this condition and improve women's quality of life, effective plans are needed. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LL

The prevalence and properties of intracranial vascular abnormalities in CT angiography of patients with non-traumatic intracranial Hemorrhage

Introduction: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is divided into two traumatic and non-traumatic categories. The present study sought to investigate the anatomical properties ofnon-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in Kerman, Iran. Method: A total of305 non-traumatic ICH cases were chosen in Shafa medical center. Data from patients' files and CT scan images, including demographic factors and type of malformation, aneurysm size and shape, as well as the invovled location and artery were gathered and statistically analyzed. Results: Most cases were 40-60 years old. SAH, ICH and SAH+IVH were 69.5, 14.4 and 8.5 respectively. From all, 65.2 had arteriovenous malformation and following furthure assessment, aneurysm with 148 cases (74.4) was the most frequent and 57.4 of aneurysm cases were located in the right hemisphere. In 14.9 of cases, multiple aneurysms were observed. According to the results of this study, non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhages caused by arteriovenous malformation were in the shape of an aneurysm; an increase in age may result in higher probability of aneurysm occurence. © 2020, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Safety and efficacy of Berberis integerrima root extract in patients with type 2 diabetes. A parallel intervention based triple blind clinical trial

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of methanol extract of Berberis integerrima root on type 2 diabetes compared to metformin. Methods: In a parallel triple blind clinical trial, 80 type 2 diabetic patients, were randomized into two groups (treated with Berberis integerrima root, 480 mg (oral), compared to control group treated with metformin 1000 mg daily). Efficacy was evaluated by fasting and prandial glucose and HbA1c and side effects confirmed by physical examination, biology and hematology tests and urinalysis on days 15, 45 and 90. They were followed for 3 months. Results: Two hundred and eighteen patients were recruited and 80 (55female and 25 male) patients randomized in two groups and 60 patient were analysed. The mean age of patients was 51.8 ± 9.3 and 46.5 ± 10 in the experimental (Berberis integerrima) and control (metformin) groups respectively (P = 0.02). The mean HbA1c at baseline was 8.1 ± 1.6 and 7.9 ± 1.6 for B. integerrima and metformin group respectively (P = 0.53), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (7.5 vs. 7.2) after 3 months (P = 0.34). Weight loss was observed in both groups compared to baseline. No adverse event led to preventing the study was reported. Conclusion: Berberis integerrima root not only was effective as much as metformin in reducing blood glucose and controlling type 2 diabetes but also, no specific side effect was reported (in short term).So, it might be an effective and safe complementary therapy in diabetic patients. Iranian Research and Clinical Trial (IRCT) registeration number; 201,207,191,774 N5. Funding: Vice chancellor for research, Physiology Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences and the Exir pharmaceutical company. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG