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

Health related quality of life in the female-headed households

Introduction: According to psychological research female-headed households have a lot of physical and mental problems because they experience more stress and anxiety than other women in general population. Aims of this study determine of quality of life and associated factors in Female-headed households under cover Welfare Organization of Ilam Province. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 787 Female-headed households under cover Welfare Organization of Ilam in urban and rural Ilam province participated. Systematic random sampling used to as a sampling method. A validated questionnaire (SF - 36) completed in a Six-month interval and the data were collected for analysis. Findings: From 787 Female-headed households contributing to the project, the numbers of subjects missing were 79 and 708 of subjects completed questionnaires (response rate 89.9). Mean ± SD age of participants was 53.3± 19.18. We found that having the chronic disease and life in rural area was associated with a worse health related quality of life (p

The Relationship between Zinc Levels and Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

How to Cite This Article: Babaknejad N, Sayehmiri F, Sayehmiri K, Mohamadkhani A, Bahrami S. The Relationship between Zinc Levelsand Autism: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2016; 10(4):1-9. AbstractObjectiveAutism is a complex behaviorally defined disorder. There is a relationship between zinc (Zn) levels in autistic patients and development of pathogenesis, but the conclusion is not permanent. Materials & MethodsThe present study conducted to estimate this probability using meta-analysis method. In this study, Fixed Effect Model, twelve articles published from 1978 to 2012 were selected by searching Google scholar, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus and information were analyzed. I² statistics were calculated to examine heterogeneity. The information was analyzed using R and STATA Ver. 12.2. ResultsThere was no significant statistical difference between hair, nail, and teeth Zn levels between controls and autistic patients: -0.471 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): -1.172 to 0.231]. There was significant statistical difference between plasma Zn concentration and autistic patients besides healthy controls: -0.253 (95% CI: 0.498 to -0.007). Using a Random Effect Model, the overall Integration of data from the two groups was -0.414 (95% CI: -0.878 to -0.051).ConclusionBased on sensitivity analysis, zinc supplements can be used for the nutritional therapy for autistic patients. References1. Arnold LE, Farmer C, Kraemeret HC, et al. Moderators, mediators, and other predictors of Risperidoneresponse in children with Autistic Disorder and Irritability. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2012; 20(2): 83-92.2. Karimzadeh P. Recent finding about etiology of autism. Rehabilitation 2000; 1(2):58-63.3. Dufault R, Schnoll R, Lukiw WJ, et al. Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children. Behav Brain Funct 2009; 5(44): 1-15.4. Morris CR, Agin CM. Syndrome of allergy, apraxia, and malabsorption: characterization of a neurodevelopmental phenotype that responds to omega 3 and vitamin E supplementation. Altern Ther Health Med 2009; 15(4): 34-43.5. An centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders-Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) Among Multiple Areas of the United States in 2008, United States, Morbidity and Mortal Weekly Report (MMWR); Vol. 61(3).6. Dufault R, Lukiw WJ, Crider R, et al. A macro epigenetic approach to identify factors responsible for the autism epidemic in the United States. Clin Epigenetics 2012; 4(6): 2-12.7. Faber S, Zinn GM, Kern GC, et al. The plasma zinc/ serum copper ratio as a biomarker in children with autism spectrum disorders. Biomarkers 2009; 14(3): 171–180.8. Cornish E. Gluten and casein free diets in autism: a study of the effects on food choice and nutrition. J Hum Nutr Dietet 2012; 15: 261-268.9. De Palma G, Catalani S, Franco A, et al. Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2012; 42(3):342–353.10. Adams JB, Romdalvik J, Ramanujam VM, Legator MS, et al. Mercury, Lead, and Zinc in Baby teeth of children with Autism versus controls. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2007;7(12): 1046-1051.11. Blaurock-Busch E, Amin OR, Rabah T. Heavy metals and Trace elements in hair and urine of a sample of Arab children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Maedica (Buchar) 2011;6(4): 247-252.12. Russo AJ, Devito R. Analysis of Copper and Zinc Plasma Concentration and the efficacy of Zinc therapy in individuals with Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS) and Autism. Biomarker Insights 2011; 6:127–133.13. Shearer TR, Larson K, Neuschwander J, Gedney B. Minerals in the hair and nutrient intake of Autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 1982; 12(1): 25-30.14. Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and metaanalyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ 2009; 21: 339- b2700.15. Hartung J, Knapp G, Sinha BK. Statistical Meta- analysis with application. John Willey and Sons 2008, INC, USA.16. Babaknejad N, Sayehmiri F, Sayehmiri K, et al. The relationship between selenium levels and breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res 2014;159(1-3):1-7.17. Al-Ayadehi LY. Heavy metals and trace elements in hair samples of autistic children in central Saudi Arabia. Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2005; 10(3):213-8.18. Blaurock-Busch E, Amin OR, Dessoki HH, Rabah T. Toxic metals and essential elements in hair and severity of symptoms among children with Autism. Mædica J Clin Med 2012;7(1): 38-47.19. Elsheshtawy E, Tobar S, Sherra K, et al, Study of some biomarkers in hair of children with autism. MECPsych 2011;18 18:6–10.20. Russo AJ. Increased Copper in individuals with Autism normalizes post Zinc therapy more efficiently in Individuals with in current GI Disease. Nutr Metab Insights 2011;4: 49–54.21. Jackson MJ, Garrod PJ. Plasma Zinc, Copper, and Amino Acid levelsin the blood of Autistic Children. J Autism Child Schizophr 1978; 8(2): 203-206.22. Priya MDL, Geetha A. Level of trace elements (Copper, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and toxic elements(Lead and Mercury)in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism. Biol Trace Elem Res 2011; 142(2): 148–158.23. Wecker L, Miller SB, Cochran SR, Dugger DL, Johnson WD. Trace element concentrations in hair from autistic children. J Ment Defic Res 1985; 29(1): 15-22.24. Adams JB, Audhya T, McDonough-Means S, et al. Nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children, and the association with autism severity. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2011; 8(34): 1-30.25. Adams JB, Holloway CE, George F, Quig D. Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of Arizona Children with Autism and associated conditions, and their mothers. Biol Trace Elem Res 2006; 110: 194-207.26. Al-Farsi YM, Waly MI, Al-Sharbati MM, et al. Levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with Autism in Oman: a Case–Control Study. Biol Trace Elem Res 2013;151(2): 181-6.27. Russo AJ. Decreased serum Cu/Zn SOD in children with Autism. Nutr Metab Insights 2009; 2: 27-35.28. Xia W, Zhou Y, Sun C, Wang J, Wu L. A preliminary study on nutritional status and intake in Chinese children with autism. Eur J Pediatr 2010; 169(10):1201-1205.29. Russo AJ, Bazin AP, Bigega R, et al. Plasma Copper and Zinc Concentration in Individuals with Autism Correlate with Selected Symptom Severity. Nutr Metab Insights 2012;5: 41–47.30. Bjørklund G. The role of zinc and copper in autism spectrum disorders. Acta Neurobiol Exp 2013; 73: 225–236.31. Yasuda H, Yoshida K, Yasuda Y, Tsutsui T. Infantile zinc deficiency: Association with autism spectrum disorders. Sci Rep 2011; 1(129): 1-4.32. Frye RE, Rossignol D2, Casanova MF, et al. A review of traditional and novel treatments for seizures in autism spectrum disorder: findings from a systematic review and expert panel. Front Public Health 2013; 1(31): 1-17.33. Yasuda H, Tsutsui T. Assessment of Infantile Mineral Imbalances in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013;10(11): 6027–6043

Prevalence of Epilepsy in Iran: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

How to Cite This Article: Sayemiri K, Tavan H, Sayemiri F, Mohammadi I, Carson KV. Prevalence of Epilepsy in Iran : A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Iran J Child Neurol. 2014 Autumn; 8(4):9-17.AbstractObjectiveEpilepsy is one of the most common diseases in Iran contributing to an array of health problems. In light of this, the aim of the present study is to examine the prevalence of epilepsy in Iran through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Materials & MethodsA systematic search of several databases including PubMed, scientific information databases, Google, Google scholar, Elsevier and Scopus was conducted in June 2013. Observational studies were considered for inclusion ifthey were published in Iranian and examined epilepsy prevalence and/or related risk factors. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect model with the DerSimonian/Laird method. Heterogeneity was examined using the Breslow- Day test and inconsistency using the I2 statistic.ResultsA total of 45 studies were identified from the search strategy. Of these, nine published manuscripts with a total of 7,723 participants were included within the review. The pooled prevalence of epilepsy in Iran was estimated to be around 5% (95% confident interval (CI) 2 to 8). For each region the prevalence of epilepsy in central, northern and eastern Iran were 5% (95%CI 2 to 8), 1% (95%CI -1 to 3) and 4% (95%CI 3 to 11) respectively. The most common risk factors in order of prevalence were somatic diseases 39% (95%CI 15 to 62),convulsion 38% (95%CI 11 to 65), mental diseases 36% (95%CI 15 to 95) and hereditary development 26% (95%CI 9 to 42). A meta-regression model identified a declining trend in the prevalence of epilepsy within Iran for the last decade.ConclusionPooled analyses from the nine included publications in this review estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in Iran to be around 5%. Although this result is much higher than rates in other countries, a declining trend in prevalence over the pastdecade was also identified. References1. Valizadeh L, Barzegar M, Akbarbegloo M, ZamanzadehV, Rahiminia E, Ferguson CF. The relationship between psychosocial care and attitudes toward illness in adolescents with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior 2013;27: 267–271.2. Widera E, LikusW, Kazek B, Niemiec P, Balcerzyk A,Aleksander L, Siero N, gak I. CYP3A5 * 3 and C3435TMDR1 Polymorphisms in Prognostication of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Biomed Research International 2013;12: 7 -10.3. Koochaki E, Daneshvar R. Evaluation of Seizure Attacksin Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident. Zahedan J ResMed Sci 2013; 15: 29-32.4. Asadi-PooyaA, Sharifzade M. Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in south Iran: Electro-clinical manifestations. Seizure 2012; 21: 760-763.5. Motamedi M, Sahraian M, Moshirzadeh S. A Cross Sectional Study Evaluating Perceived Impact of Epilepsy on Aspects of Life. Zahedan J Res Med Sci 2012; 14: 33-366. Scott RA, Lhatoo SD, Sander J. The treatment of epilepsy in developing countries: where do we go from here? Bull WHO 2001;79:344–345.7. Bharucha, N.E. Epidemiology of epilepsy in India. Epilepsia 2003;44: 9-11.8. Ronnie D. Horner.Racial/ethnic disparities in the treatment of epilepsy: What do we know? What do we need to know? Epilepsy & Behavior 2006; 9: 243–264.9. Nachvak M, Haghighat HR, Rezaei M. Prevalence and monitoring of retarded Childs in Tehran at 2002. Quarterly of science-research journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.2004; 3: 34-42.10. Etemadifar M, Mirabdolbaghe P. Demographic and clinical characteristics of young epilepsy mortalities in Isfahan. Two quarterly of south pediatric, Persian golf center of health researches in Boushehr University of Medical Sciences. 2005; 2: 160-164.11. Najafi MR, Rezaei F, Vakili Zarch N, Dehghani F, Barakatein M. Survey of pattern of personality and psychopathology in patients with Grandmal and complexpartial epilepsy and comparison with control group. Journal of Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. 2010; 2:84-91.12. Pashapour A, Sadrodini A. Grandmal epilepsy and EEG variations in primary school children at Tabriz. MedicalJournal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. 2001; 50: 23- 27.13. Mohammadi M, Ghanizadeh A, Davidian H, MohammadiM, Norouzian M. Prevalence of epilepsy and co morbidity of psychiatric disorders in Iran. Seizure. 2006; 15: 476-482.14. Nasehi M.M, Mahvalati Shamsabadi F, Ghofrani M. Associated Factors in Response to Treatment in Childrenwith Refractory Epilepsy. J Babol University Med Sci (4):2010; 12: 61-66.15. Kaheni S, Riyasi HR, Rezvani Kharashad MR, Sharifzadeh Gh, Nakhaei S. Prevalence of epilepsy in children at primary schools and awareness of teachers about epilepsy at primary schools of Birjand at 2010. Novel cares, Quarterly of science journal of nursing and midwifery in Birjand University of Medical Sciences. 2011; 3:135-142.16. Rezaei AK, Saeidi Sh. Survey of starting age and genderof epilepsy and effective parameters on the Sina and Ghaem hospitals patients at 1989 till 1995. Rehabilitation magazine. 2000; 2: 52-57.

The Grammatical Correlates of Social Class Factors: The Case of Iranian Fifth-Graders

Ever since Bernstein theorized the relationship between social class and language pattern, this issue has resulted in a growing body of research. However, few studies have been conducted in the context of Iranian society. In response to this shortcoming, a survey was designed to investigate the relationship between the linguistic and the social class patterns in the compositions of 350 male fifth-grade elementary school students. Accordingly, a Language Pattern Elicitation Prompt and a Social Class Questionnaire were designed to collect relevant data. Using the most common social class indices, through a set of pilot studies and factorial analysis, six social class factors of Life Style, Property, Parental Education, Paternal Occupation/Income, Accommodation, and Vehicle/Transportation were addressed. The administration of the Language Pattern Elicitation Prompt and the Social Class Questionnaire to students and their parents yielded a rich corpus of language and social class data. The language data was analyzed for frequencies of the grammatical categories, Total Number of Words, T-units, Adjectives, Adverbs, Personal Pronouns, Impersonal pronouns, First Person Singular Pronouns, Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Mean T-unit Length. The social class data were analyzed for total social class scores and scores for each social class factor. The results of the correlation analyses suggested a significant relationship between the total social class scores and a number of the grammatical categories. The relationships between the language data and the social class factors represented similar trend as well. The findings of the present study support Bernstein's theory to a great extent

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

The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in Iran (1991-2015): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The prevalence of Iran Deficiency Anemia (IDA) in pregnant women is in Variable between 40-80 in developing countries. There are some differences among different studies on this disorder. So, this present study is been performed for evaluating the prevalence of IDA among pregnant Iranians with systematic review and Meta analysis method. Method: This study is based on received information achieved from Magiran, , Iran medex, SID, Med lib, IranDoc, Scopus, Pubmed, SceinceDirect, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Springer, Online Library Wiley and Google Scholar in chronological order of 1 January 1991 to 31 march 2015 with using standard key words. Search and extraction of data were done by two independed reviewers. To pooled of results of studies random effects model in meta-analysis was used. Results: In the 32 eligible studies, the 63372 individuals were been evaluated. The prevalence of Anemia among pregnant Iranians was estimated 14.2 (95 CI: 12- 16.3). most prevalence of Anemia was seen in the study, which it is used the samples collected in several parts of country, (21.5) and the lowest prevalence was seen in the West of country(7). The prevalence of Anemia in urban and rural pregnant women was estimated 13.7 and 20 approximately, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant Iranians in current 24 years were less according to WHO system report for developing countries, that it is related to appropriate plan and care in pregnancy period in countries

The prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with thalassemia major in Iran – a systematic review and meta-analysis study

Background and aims: Hypogonadism is one of the most common endocrine complications in patients with thalassemia major. A simple review of studies show different hypogonadism prevalence and has been reported between 31.3-88% in Iranian patients with thalassemia major. So, this meta-analysis study was conducted to determine the hypogonadism prevalence in Iranian patients with thalassemia major. Methods: This study was conducted based on PRISMA checklist for systematic review and meta-analysis studies. A comprehensive search by two researchers was conducted according to MESH keywords in databases such as Magiran, Iranmedex, SID, Medlib, IranDoc, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, Embase, Springer, Online Library Wiley and also search engine Google Scholar. Then, all articles were examined without any time limited until October 2015. Data were analyzed using random effects model and Stata ver. 11.1 software. Results: Sixteen studies involving 2938 patients with average age of 17.34 were identified to analyze in the meta-analysis. Hypogonadism prevalence in patients with thalassemia major in Iran has been estimated 42.3% (CI 95%: 30.7-53.8). Minimum and maximum prevalence in Iran were related to the center (41%) and east (45%), respectively. Hypogonadism prevalence in male and female patients was 49% and 45.2%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between hypogonadism prevalence and year of the study and sample size. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypogonadism in Iranian patients with thalassemia major is high and it is needed to perform a continuous and regular plan and follow up for these patients

Effects of vitamin B6 on premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review and meta-Analysis

Background and Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a range of physical and psychological symptoms which regularly occur during the luteal phase of a menstrual cycle and disappear short after menstruation starts. Considering the negative effects of PMS on women's daily life, various treatments have been developed to alleviate its symptoms. Vitamin B6 is one of the complementary therapies used to treat PMS. The present meta-Analysis aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin B6 on PMS. Methodology: Different databases including PubMed, ISI, Scopus, SID, Magiran, Science Direct, and Medlib were searched to identify studies addressing the effects of vitamin B6 on PMS. The relevant data obtained from these papers were analyzed by a random-effects model. Data were analyzed using R Ver. 3.2.3 Software and STATA. Results: There were significant reductions in the mean scores of PMS after treatment with vitamin B6 compare to control groups. Moreover, the mean PMS scores of the two groups were also significantly different after the treatment. The mean difference between the two groups was -1.19 [95% CI: -1.94,-0.44; P = 0.002]. Significant reductions were also observed in physical symptoms (P = 0.006) and psychological symptoms (P < 0.001) of PMS after the intervention. Conclusion: The results of our meta-Analysis confirmed vitamin B6 as a beneficial, inexpensive, and effective treatment for PMS symptoms. Therefore, the administration of this treatment option will enable midwives to achieve the important goal of reducing PMS symptoms

Health technology assessment of Bevacizumab compare with combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Introduction: Effective and efficient treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that can increase survival rate with limited side effects, is important. The purpose of this study was health technology assessment of Bevacizumab compare with combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods and Results:In the present investigation first a systematic review on finding the studies was conducted. To reach this goal a comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CRD, American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society for Medical Oncology databases using the PICO based keywords was performed. Then, a retrieved study by means of two independent and expert reviewer during several steps (based on title, abstract and full-text, excluding of duplicated or unrelated cases) was chosen and non-qualified studies was exiled from the study. After that, 20 chosen randomized trial studies were evaluated by two experienced evaluators by Cochrane tool in terms of types of Bias. Eventually obtained data from the investigation was meta-analyzed by Revman5.3 software and safety, effectiveness and economical evaluation of the device were studied based on this data. To calculate the expenses of Bevacizumab and Erlotinib, Cost-effectiveness Analysis with the perspective of the service provider in the public sector was performed. In total, three randomized controlled trials with 682 patients met the inclusion criteria.&nbsp; The combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for maintenance therapy of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer improved progression free survival by 0.19 and overall survival by 0.22. Degree three and four side effects of developed during treatment were limited and manageable. The combination of the two drugs was cost effective from the perspective of the service provider. Conclusions:Based on current evidence, prescribing the combination of Bevacizumab and Erlotinib in the maintenance treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients is cost effective from the perspective of service provider in the public sector, and the use of this combination in the health system is economically viable