Burden of pediatric asthma in Kurdistan Province, West of Iran

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease (CRD) and one of the most serious and important pediatric diseases in developing countries. The present study aims to estimate the burden of asthma among children in Kurdistan Province, Iran.METHODS: Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) was used in order to estimate the burden of asthma. In a cross-sectional study, with a sample size of 4000, and using the multi-stage sampling method and Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, the prevalence of asthma was estimated for two 6-7 and 13-14 age groups in Kurdistan Province in 2013. In addition, some necessary data were extracted from the death registration system in Kurdistan Provincial Health Center and Statistical Center of Iran (SCI).RESULTS: Burden of asthma for 6-7 age group was 71.6 DALYs in boys (2.77 DALYs per 1000 population) and 48 in girls (2.22 DALYs per 1000 population) with a total burden of 119.6 DALYs (2.52 DALYs per 1000 population). Moreover, its burden for 13-14 age group was 121.1 DALYs in boys (4.86 DALYs per 1000 population) and 82.3 in girls (3.98 DALYs per 1000 population) with a total burden of 203.4 DALYs (4.46 DALYs per 1000 population).CONCLUSION: Considering the significant prevalence of asthma and its burden among children in Kurdistan Province, it is suggested that prevention and management of this disease be considered as a priority by policy makers and in health programs, in addition to attempting to prevent and reduce its burden by setting out effective interventions

Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in Regular Blood Donors Referred to the Blood Bank of Kurdistan Province, Iran

Background: West Nile virus is an infection that is most commonly caused by infected mosquito bites, however, blood transfusions, organ transplants, breast feeding, pregnant mother-to-the-fetus transmission, and occupational transmission among laboratory and medical staff are also the less common routes of infection. Given the endemic nature of this virus in the Middle East, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of this virus in regular blood donors, as the reliable source of blood supply needed for patients in hospitals. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, venous blood samples were collected from 259 regular blood donors referred to the Blood Transfusion Organization of Kurdistan. After separating blood serum, the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus was measured via ELISA test. Results: Concerning antibodies, IgG and IgM against West Nile virus were positive in 14 patients (5.4%) and 3 patients (1.2%), respectively. Seropositive IgG levels were observed in 11 patients over the age of 40 (12.5%) but only in 3 patients under 40 years of age (1.8%). The difference was statistically significant (OR = 7.95; 95% CI: 2.16–29.32; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Given the value of blood and blood products obtained from regular blood donors for therapeutic purposes and the significant prevalence of the virus and considering the presence of cases with positive IgM, it seems necessary to screen blood donors in blood transfusion centers in the western parts of Iran

Frequency of medical malpractice in deceased patients\' records in Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj in 2017

Introduction: The number of lawsuits against doctors and healthcare personnel and medical institutions has steadily increased in recent years worldwide. The evaluation of medical malpractice in hospital’s mortality committees is one of the ways to investigate medical errors, which, despite the lack of complaints against doctors, addresses malpractices in cases of deaths in hospitals. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of medical malpractice in dead patients examined at the Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran in 2017. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study. In this study, after obtaining the Ethics Committee approval of the Kurdistan University of medical sciences, the records of all the patients died at Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj in 2017 evaluated. Out of these cases, referral cases to the Mortality committee and the outcome of the evaluation of the baccalaureate of the committee were evaluated, and eventually information was extracted from cases where the malpractice was recorded by the hospital mortality committee. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, percentage and for analytical purposes, Chi-square test was used. Data analysis was done using SPSS 22 software. Results: Among the total 732 deaths in Tohid Hospital, the highest number of cases was males (52.6%), illiterate (70.2%), urban residents (73.7%) and housewives (32.9%). The mean age of the deceased was 69.8 years. The largest cause of death was cancers (22.7%). Of the total number of deaths, 25 cases (3.5%) were suspected of having errors in the preliminary evaluation, which malpractice confirmed in 2.3% of all deaths and 68% of the cases referred to the mortality committee. The most type of malpractices were due to Indifference in 58%. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the most cases of medical failure were due to medical indifference in medical personnel. Considering the improvement of the abilities of physicians and other medical staff in various stages of treatment during their education and in the form of effective workshops after graduation, and paying more attention to religious standards and ethics can reduce the deaths due to medical malpractice have a significant impact on treatment centers

Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms among Students in Kurdistan: a North-west Province of Iran

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD), often called eczema or atopic eczema is a very common skin disease; AD looks different in infants, children, and adults. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the disease in Kurdistan province. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study using written questionnaires ISAAC  where 4,000 students in two age groups 7-6 and 14 -13 years in the province were using multi-stage sampling was carried out so that the first two floors rural and urban communities in every city and in every school pupil samples were selected based on 8-digit code. Results The prevalence of itchy rashes in the past 6 months, itchy rashes in the past 12 months and rashes at flexural areas were 7.5%, 8.9%, and 10.3%, respectively; the prevalence was higher in 13-14 years old than 6-7 years old and was higher in boys than in girls(Odds Ratio (OR)=1.44, Confidence interval (CI)= 1.49-2,

The Prevalence of Asthma Symptoms in Elementary and Middle School Students in Kurdistan Province, the West of Iran

Background Asthma is one of the most important childhood diseases in developing countries. The prevalence, mortality, and economic burden of the disease have taken a rising trend since 1960, and this increase was more marked in children. The presents study aimed to assess the prevalence of asthma symptoms diagnosed by International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire in Kurdistan province, Western Iran. Materials and Methods In  a  cross-sectional study, to collect the required data 4,000 questionnaires were distributed among student aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years; and the response rate was 97 percent. An ISAAC questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic variables, past health history, and respiratory health. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and Chi-square test were use for analysis. Result. The prevalence of asthma diagnosed by physician was 3.9%. The prevalence of wheezing was 26.5% in the province in the past 12 months. There was a large difference between different cities in terms of the prevalence rates, so that it varied from 1.7% in Dehgolan to 8% in Sarvabad; hence, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion There was a relatively high prevalence of wheezing in the past 12 months and previous diagnosis of asthma among the students in Kurdistan province which was higher than that in other similar studies

Inverse correlation of soluble programmed cell death-1 ligand-1 (sPD-L1) with eosinophil count and clinical severity in allergic rhinitis patients

Background: T-cell response outcome is determined by co-stimulatory/inhibitory signals. Programmed cell death-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a member of these co-signaling molecules with known soluble form in human serum. Soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) is also recognized in patients with some types of malignancy or autoimmune disorders, though there are few studies on sPD-L1 roles in allergic diseases. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the association between sPD-L1 levels with eosinophil count as well as disease severity in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Methods: 90 patients with AR were selected. Disease severity was determined by a modified Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification as mild, moderate and severe. Whole blood samples were collected. Then eosinophil count and serum sPD-L1 were detected by a hematologic analyzer and a commercial ELISA kit. Results: 13 (14.44%), 31 (34.44%), and 46 (51.12%) of patients had mild, moderate and severe disease, respectively. The mean levels of sPD-L1 and eosinophil count were ascertained 18.38 ± 14.42 ng/ml and 422.43 ± 262.26 cell/μl. A significant inverse correlation was determined between sPD-L1 levels and eosinophil count (r = −0.364, P < 0.001). Moreover, we detected a significant negative association between sPD-L1 levels and disease severity (r = −0.384, P < 0.001). Conclusions: It is deduced that sPD-L1 can be used as a helpful marker to determine the severity of AR. Furthermore, this study indicated that sPD-L1 may have an inhibitory role in AR development, and its modulation may be considered as a useful accessory therapeutic approach for reduction of AR progression

The impact Atopic dermatitis on the life quality of childrens 1-6 year

Background: Eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent skin diseases in the world. Although, the disorder is not fatal, it can cause life quality reduction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of atopic dermatitis on life quality of 1-6-year-old children. Materials and Methods: The current study is a descriptive and analytical one designed to assess quality of life (QOL) in 1-6-year-old children with atopic dermatitis in Kurdistan province (West of Iran). All the children who attended skin clinic of Besat Hospital, Sanandaj- Iran, during 2014 and 2016, participated in the study. Quality of life questionnaires were used to obtain data. Parents of the participating children were asked to complete the questionnaire. Index of Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) was used to determine the severity of the disease. The study data were analysis using Stata-12 software. Results: During the study, 53 children with atopic dermatitis were identified and 66.04% were male. According to the classification of SCORAD index, 54.36% of the children (19 subjects) were included in the moderate group (SCORAD 14-40) and 63.46% (33 persons) in the severe group (SCORAD> 40). Mean of life quality score was 9.24 ± 10.48 (range 0-30) and there was no statistically significant difference between the genders (P >0.05). Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between the quality of life and pain severity in AD children; and children with atopic dermatitis had low quality of life and itching, wound, discomfort and sleep disorder, were the factors that mainly impact on their life quality