The effectiveness of neurofeedback on attention deficit disorder in Iran: A meta-analysis study

Background and aims: Neurofeedback is a relatively new therapy focusing on the core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.We undertook a meta-analysis to estimate the effectiveness of neurofeedback on attention deficit disorder in Iran. Methods: International databases of Pubmed, Scopus, ISI, Google Scholar, and national databases of Sid, Med lib, Iranmedex, Magiran were searched using the terms of neurofeedback, attention deficit and hyperactivity. The standardized effect size (SMD) of the control group’s mean difference was calculated by the standard deviation integration. Data were analyzed using meta-analysis (random effects model). Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using I2 index and the DerSimonian-Laird method. Results: 9 studies were reviewed with a sample size of 204 individuals during 1997 to 2005 and Neurofeedback’s overall standardized effect size (SMD) on attention deficit disorder was significant in the experimental group before and after the intervention (SMD = 1.14; 95 CI, 0.91-1.38, P = .000). The SMD was not significant in the control group before and after the intervention (SMD = .09; 95 CI, .07-.24). Meta-regression showed no statistically significant relationship between the year of study, sample size and SMD. Conclusion: Although international randomized clinical trials have shown that neurofeedback is not effective in ADHD treatment, In Iran, results of the studies showed that neurofeedback was effective in the treatment of some ADHD’s indicators and ineffective in some other ADHD’s indicators. Overall, neurofeedback was effective in the treatment of ADHD

Effectiveness of hypnosis in the treatment of pain and enhancing mental performance in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims: Nowadays, hypnosis has opened its position in the medical community. Based on controlled trials, hypnosis has been superior compared to other interventional procedures to reduce acute pain. This investigation aims to determine the effectiveness of hypnosis in the treatment of pain and enhancing mental performance in Iran, using the meta-analysis method. Methods: The search has been conducted in international database such as: ISI, Scopus, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Iranian databases such as: Medlib, SID, Magiran, and Iran Medex. The data have been analyzed using meta-analysis method (random effects model). Heterogeneity between articles was assessing using I2 index and “Dersimonia and Lardi” statistics. In all studies, hypnotic effect size was expressed as a dichotomous (yes or no) variable. Relative Risk (RR) was used to show effect size. Results: Among the 45 articles, 6 of them had eligibility to inter to meta-analysis. Sample size of 6 articles was 546. The effectiveness of hypnosis in the case group has been 20 more than the control group RR=1.20 (Confidence interval 95: 0.97 to 1.46), But, there was no significant difference between test and control groups. Conclusion: There was not statistical significance evidence in effectiveness of hypnosis in pain and reduction of psychological tensions, but 20 of effectiveness can be important from medical view of point. So, this method can be used as a routine procedure in the treatment of pain and enhancing mental performance

Prevalence of Depression among Iranian Elderly: Systematic Review and M

Objective: depression is one of the most serious and prevalent mood disorders. Aging population is an important economic, social, and health challenge of the 21st century. The present study aimed at estimating the prevalence of depression among the Iranian elderly through meta-analysis method. Method: Studies were searched in ISI, Scopus, Pub Med, Google Scholar, and in Iranian databases including Iran Medex, Magiran, SID, and Med Lib using the following keywords: "depression", "prevalence", and "elderly". Data were analyzed using meta-analysis (random effects model). Heterogeneity among the results of the studies was examined by "I2" index. Beck, DASS-21, GHQ-28, and G DS questionnaires were used in this study, and analyses were performed using STATA Ver.11. Results: A total of 26 studies in Iran with a sample size of 5781 individuals had been found during 2001 and 2015. Prevalence of depression among Iranian elderly was estimated to be 43% (95% confidence interval (CI):30% - 55%). The findings showed that the prevalence of depression among Iranians were49% in women, 48% in men, 37% in unmarried, and 45%in the married. In addition, the prevalence of very severe, severe, moderate, and mild depression levels were estimated to be 5%, 19%, 33%, and 38% of the participants, respectively. No significant difference was observed between married and unmarried individuals. Most of Iranian elderly suffered from mild depression. Conclusion: There was high level of depression prevalence among Iranian elderly, and women were more depressed than men. So, policy makers must design and run mental health programs to decrease the prevalence of depression among Iranian elderly

Study of the Epidemiological Features and Clinical Manifestations of the Preceding Epidemic of Influenza A (H1N1) as a Guide for Dealing With the 2015 Outbreak in the Qazvin Province, Iran

Background: In 2009, a pandemic associated with a new type of influenza A virus (H1N1) affected many countries worldwide. After five years of silence, in 2015 we encountered another outbreak of H1N1 influenza A. Objectives: The present study aimed to study the epidemiological and clinical features of this disease in the cold and dry climate of Qazvin province, Iran in the last epidemic, during 2009. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of confirmed cases of influenza A virus (H1N1) in the province of Qazvin were investigated. The definite diagnosis of cases was performed using real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on oropharyngeal washing specimens from adults and throat swabs from children and severely ill patients. Results: During the time course between July to December 2009, 76 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) were discovered in the province of Qazvin. The mean age of patients was 25.67 ± 16.9 years. The most affected people were students and housewives. Coughing was found to be the most common clinical symptom (96.1%) followed by fever (92.1%), myalgia (48.5%), and diarrhea and vomiting (34.2%). In laboratory confirmed patients, 62 were hospitalized and two cases deceased. Regarding the total population of the Qazvin province (1,100,000), the rate of hospitalization was calculated at 5.42 per 100,000 individuals, with a mortality rate of 0.175 per 100,000 individuals (3.2% of hospitalized cases). Conclusions: Concerning the higher prevalence of disease in younger age groups, and more severe disease in high-risk groups, including overweight patients and pregnant women, the authors recommend special attention to clinical symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, cough, myalgia and fever in patients with cold symptoms. Also, for severely ill patients, the allocation of adequate intensive care units should be of prime importance. Keywords: Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Comorbidity; Epidemiolog

The prevalence of kidney scarring due to urinary tract infection in Iranian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common diseases in childhood, and can lead to severe complications such as renal scarring in case of lack of diagnosis and timely treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of kidney scarring caused by urinary tract infection in Iranian children by meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: English -language databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Springer, and Persian -language sites including SID, Magiran, Iranmedex, and Medlib, and the Google Scholar search engine were searched by in March 2018 using MeSH keywords. The heterogeneity of studies was studied using the I2 index. Data were analyzed using STATA software, version 15.1. RESULTS: In 18 studies, the prevalence of kidney scarring from urinary tract infections in Iranian children was 31% (95% confidence intervalCI: 22%-39%), (which was 14% in girls and 23% in boys. Also, the prevalence of kidney scar in children with urinary reflux was 47% and in children without urinary reflux was 12%. The most common symptom of the renal scar was fever in 61%, followed by urinary reflux in 45% (unilateral in 42% and bilateral in 30%). Also, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe reflux, respectively, was 31%, 27%, and 13%. Meta-regression also showed that the prevalence of kidney scar due to urinary tract infections had no significant relationship with the number of samples and years of research (P > 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: About one-third of Iranian children suffering from urinary tract infections had kidney scarring, so that the prevalence is lower in girls than in boys. Also, the prevalence of renal scarring in children with urinary reflux is about four times higher than that in children without urinary reflux

The Relationship between Prostate Cancer and Metformin Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis study.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer in men worldwide and after lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prostate cancer and metformin consumption in men. METHOD: The current study is a systematic and meta-analysis review based on the PRISMA statement. To access the studies of domestic and foreign databases, Iran Medex, SID, Magiran, Iran Doc, Medlib, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Google Scholar search engine were searched during the 2009-2018 period for related keywords. In order to evaluate the heterogeneity of the studies, Q test and I2 indicator were used. The data were analyzed using the STATA 15.1 software. RESULTS: In 11 studies with a sample size of 877058, the odds ratio of metformin consumption for reducing prostate cancer was estimated 0.89 (95%CI: 0.67-1.17). Meta-regression also showed there was no significant relationship between the odds ratio and the publication year of the study. However, there was a significant relationship between the odds ratio and the number of research samples. CONCLUSION: Using metformin in men reduces the risk of prostate cancer but it is not statistically significant

Effect of Palliative Care on Quality of Life and Survival after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Systematic Review

Background: Cardiac and respiratory arrest is reversible through immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, survival after CPR is very low for various reasons. This systematic review study was conducted to assess the effect of palliative care on quality of life and survival after CPR. Methods: In the present meta-analysis and systematic review study, two researchers independently searched Google Scholar and MagIran, MedLib, IranMedex, SID, and PubMed for articles published during 1994–2016 and containing a number of relevant keywords and their Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) combinations. A total of 156 articles were initially extracted. Results: The success of initial resuscitation was reported to be much higher than the success of secondary resuscitation (survival until discharge). Moreover, the early detection of cardiac arrest, a high-quality CPR, immediate defibrillation, and effective postresuscitation care improved short- and long-term outcomes in these patients and significantly affected their quality of life after CPR. Most survivors of CPR can have a reasonable quality of life if they are given proper follow-up and persistent treatment. Conclusions: Concerns about the low quality of life after CPR are therefore not a worthy reason to end the efforts taken for the victims of cardiac arrest. More comprehensive education programs and facilities are required for the resuscitation of patients and the provision of post-CPR intensive care. Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, palliative care, postcardiopulmonary resuscitation survival, quality of lif

Effect of Palliative Care on Quality of Life and Survival after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Systematic Review

Background: Cardiac and respiratory arrest is reversible through immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, survival after CPR is very low for various reasons. This systematic review study was conducted to assess the effect of palliative care on quality of life and survival after CPR. Methods: In the present meta-analysis and systematic review study, two researchers independently searched Google Scholar and MagIran, MedLib, IranMedex, SID, and PubMed for articles published during 1994–2016 and containing a number of relevant keywords and their Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) combinations. A total of 156 articles were initially extracted. Results: The success of initial resuscitation was reported to be much higher than the success of secondary resuscitation (survival until discharge). Moreover, the early detection of cardiac arrest, a high-quality CPR, immediate defibrillation, and effective postresuscitation care improved short- and long-term outcomes in these patients and significantly affected their quality of life after CPR. Most survivors of CPR can have a reasonable quality of life if they are given proper follow-up and persistent treatment. Conclusions: Concerns about the low quality of life after CPR are therefore not a worthy reason to end the efforts taken for the victims of cardiac arrest. More comprehensive education programs and facilities are required for the resuscitation of patients and the provision of post-CPR intensive care. Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, palliative care, postcardiopulmonary resuscitation survival, quality of lif

Serum levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 as diagnostic markers of acute pyelonephritis in children

PurposeEarly diagnosis and treatment of acute pyelonephritis in children is of special importance in order to prevent serious complications. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in children with acute pyelonephritis.MethodsEighty-seven patients between 1 month to 12 years old with urinary tract infection (UTI) were divided into 2 groups based on the result of 99m-technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan: acute pyelonephritis (n=37) and lower UTI (n=50) groups. White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (Neutl) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, platelet count, and serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations of both groups were measured and compared.ResultsThere was a significant difference between two groups regarding WBC count, Neutl count, ESR, and CRP concentration (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the two groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations was not significant (IL-6, 60 and 35.4 pg/mL and IL-8, 404 and 617 pg/mL, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of serum IL-6 and IL-8 for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis were 73%, 42% and 78%, 32%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of serum IL-6 and IL-8 were less than those of acute phase serum reactants such as CRP.ConclusionThis study showed that there was no significant difference between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels. Therefore, despite confirming results of previous studies, it seems that IL-6 and IL-8 are not suitable markers for differentiating between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI

The evaluation of obsessive-compulsive disorder prevalence in iran: A metaanalysis and systematic review

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common psychiatric disorder after phobia, addiction and depression. There is not yet a comprehensive assessment of OCD prevalence in Iran; thus, in this meta-analysis study, it is tried to obtain a review of OCD frequency. To conduct a systematic literature review, keywords used for searching in databases include “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” and “Iran”. The designated international and domestic databases are Scopus, ISI, Google Scholar, PubMed and Medlib, Iran medex, Magiran, Sid, respectively. The data were analyzed by meta-analysis method (random effects model). Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2. The data evaluation was handled by STATA software package Ver.11 and different questioners were applied. In 15 examined articles with 1484 sample size, the prevalence of OCD in Iran was estimated 21.57 (CI: 95;14.15-28.99). In addition, the prevalence forrumination, obsessive-compulsive, checking obsession, washing obsession, and obsessives lowness were 70.06, 64.55, 41.81, 11.9 and 2.49,respectively. Theprevalence for severe, moderate and mild obsessive-compulsive disorder in Iran was 13, 25 and 9 respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of OCD in Iran is higher than other countries. It is suggested that comprehensive prevalence surveys as well as etiological factors in Iran to be evaluated to gain a better resolution of this complex disease in this country. © 2016, International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. All rights reserved