A comparison between the efficacy of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D in improving women’s general health

Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D on young women's general health. Method: One hundred and eighty students studying at Shiraz University were recruited. Students completed the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-28) prior to participation. They were then randomly assigned to take a tablet containing either 5 mg of dydrogesterone, 500 mg of calcium plus 200 mg of vitamin D, or a placebo twice daily from the 15th to the 24th day of their menstrual cycle for 2 consecutive cycles, and to complete the same questionnaires during both the intervention cycles. Results: The effects of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D on general health scores were similar during the first month of intervention (11.41±4.28, 12.23±3.76, respectively) (p>0.05) and both of them were more effective than placebo (16.69±3.28) (

Predictors of quality of life in breast cancer patients under chemotherapy

Background: Today, the quality of life studies has an important role in health care especially in chronic diseases. Breast cancer has third order among women′s malignancies. Now, survival rate for this cancer is long. However breast cancer has several complications that affected the patient′s life. Aims : The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in Breast cancer patients under chemotherapy. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study conducted on 119 breast cancer patients that were admitted and treated in chemotherapy ward of Namazi hospital in Shiraz city, south of Iran, between Jan and Feb 2006. Materials and Methods: The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life in these patients. Statistical Analysis: We used univariate methods. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of quality of life. Results: Mean age of patients was 48.27±11.42 with quality of life total score 64.92±24.28. All symptoms scales had reverse association with quality of life except appetite loss (P>0.05) and diarrhea (P=0.752). The results of the regression analyses showed that only grade of tumor, occupational status, menopausal status, financial difficulties and dyspnea were statistically significant in predicting patients′ quality of life. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the strength of the relationship between clinical and sociodemographical factors and breast cancer patients′ quality of life. Psychological and financial support for women experiencing breast cancer diagnosis may improve quality of life

Predictors of quality of life in breast cancer patients under chemotherapy

Background: Today, the quality of life studies has an important role in health care especially in chronic diseases. Breast cancer has third order among women\u2032s malignancies. Now, survival rate for this cancer is long. However breast cancer has several complications that affected the patient\u2032s life. Aims : The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in Breast cancer patients under chemotherapy. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study conducted on 119 breast cancer patients that were admitted and treated in chemotherapy ward of Namazi hospital in Shiraz city, south of Iran, between Jan and Feb 2006. Materials and Methods: The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life in these patients. Statistical Analysis: We used univariate methods. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of quality of life. Results: Mean age of patients was 48.27\ub111.42 with quality of life total score 64.92\ub124.28. All symptoms scales had reverse association with quality of life except appetite loss (P>0.05) and diarrhea (P=0.752). The results of the regression analyses showed that only grade of tumor, occupational status, menopausal status, financial difficulties and dyspnea were statistically significant in predicting patients\u2032 quality of life. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the strength of the relationship between clinical and sociodemographical factors and breast cancer patients\u2032 quality of life. Psychological and financial support for women experiencing breast cancer diagnosis may improve quality of life

The Impact of Magnesium Supplementation on Serum Alkaline Phosphatase, Osteocalcin and Fracture Healing in Women with Bone Fracture

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential mineral in bone formation. This nutrient incorporates in bone metabolism and enhances bone mineralization. This study was designed to assess the effect of magnesium supplementation on alkaline phosphatase , osteocalcin, and also callus formation in women with long bone fracture. Methods: In this double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 32 women with long bone fracture, aged 20-45 years old, were randomly divided into the Mg group and control, receiving 250 mg magnesium oxide daily and placebo respectively for 8 weeks. Serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were measured at the beginning and the end point, and also callus formation was checked at the end of study. P value < 0.05 was considered as the significant level. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels at the beginning and the end of study. Serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were increased in both groups, but they were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the callus formation, which revealed the fracture healing, was not different between 2 groups. Conclusion: This study concluded that Magnesium supplementation did not change the serum markers of bone formation and fracture healing; however, further studies need to approve this finding

Comparison of Two Methods of Fixation with Carnoy`s Solution and 96% Ethyl Alcohol in Pap Smear Slides

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Cervical carcinoma is a significant health care problem world wide. The Papanicolaou test is the most common effective tool available for early detection of cervical cancer. Blood could have a negative influence on the quality of the pap smear. Good fixation reduces red blood cells of the back ground slides and can help to improve this technique. One of the effective solutions for hemolyzing red blood cells is using Carnoys solution. The aim of this study was to compare two methods of fixation with Carnoys solution and 96% ethyl alcohol in bloody pap smear slides. Material & Methods: This study was done on 450 bloody slides of pap smear prepared from cervical cells of 225 women who referred for annual screening of cervical cancer from 1384 -85 in Zeinabie and Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz. In each case, after observation of contact bleeding, two samples with conventional pap smear method were prepared. In the first method one of the samples was fixed in 96% ethyl alcohol for 5 minute and another sample was fixed with Carnoys solution for 20 minutes. Then the slides were stained with papanicolaou method and were evaluated by two pathologists. Collected data were analyzed with Fishers exact test, Pearson chi – square test and Independent sample T test. Results: Results of this study showed that presence of squamous cells and glandular cells in Carnoys fixed slides was more than alcohol – fixed slides. The reduction of red blood cells of the back ground of slides and increase of slide clearance in Carnoys fixed slides were more than alcohol fixed slides. The diagnosis of inflammatory cells and pathogen microorganisms in Carnoys fixed slides were more than alcohol fixed slides but diagnosis of epithelial cells and glandular cells abnormalities in two methods was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Carnoys stain can be effectively used for proper fixation of Pap smear slides

Investigating Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Based on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome phenotypes in the 18-14 year Old High School Girls in Shiraz 2009

Introduction: In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia may represent an increased risk for coronary cardiovascular disease .This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease based on polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes in Shiraz. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was performed on 3200 students aged 18-14. Demographic survey, clinical signs of androgen excess (acne, hirsutism, alopecia), Ultrasound were applied in order to find the cyst. Tests included prolactin, dehydroepiandrodion sulfate, and oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose, blood sugar two hours later, triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein. Data were submitted to SPSS software, version 11.5 and then analyzed by chi-square tests. Results: The serum cholesterol mean in four phenotypes had a statistically significant relationship with non-PCOS patients(p<0.05). Mean of serum cholesterol in oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary phenotype (195.09±30.28) was higher than the other phenotypes. Mean of serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein(LDL-C) were significantly higher in patients with Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian phenotype(130.046±26.27) and oligomenorrhea, Hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype(138.58±28.34) compared with non-infected individuals. Serum glucose mean in all phenotype was higher than non-infected after two hours and it showed a significant relation in oligomenorrhea and also polycystic ovarian phenotype(98.03 ± 20.98 versus 87.5±12.97) with non-infected individuals. Conclusion: Biochemical factors that lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases is increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, it should be attended in prevention program

Using Data Reduction Methods To Predict Quality Of Life In Brest Cancer Patients

Background: Quality of life study has an important role in health care especially in chronic diseases, in clinical judgment and in medical resources supplying. Statistical tools like linear regression are widely used to assess the predictors of quality of life. But usually existed a lot of factor cause difficulty for fitting the models and predicting. In statistical method there are different methods of data reduction that recommended. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on 119 breast cancer patients that admitted and treated in chemotherapy ward of Namazi hospital in Shiraz. QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to assessment quality of life in these patients. Principal component analyzing and factor analyzing are tow statistical method of data reduction was used for reducing the number of predictors. Results: The mean score for the global health status for breast cancer patients was 64.92±11.42. univariate Linear regression showed that only role function, social function and diarrhea were not significant. Principal component analyzing and factor analyzing, consider all of 14 factors to 7 component and 7 factors. According to adjusted R square model fitting with reducing predictors were better than model fitting withinitial predictors. Conclusion: when there are a lot of factors existed in a model, use different method of data reduction causing better and easier model fitting and predictin

A Comparison of Sexual Outcomes in Primiparous Women Experiencing Vaginal and Caesarean Births

<b>Background and Objective:</b> We conducted this study to evaluate and compare postpartum sexual functioning after vaginal and caesarean births. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out in postnatal health care in a hospital. A total of 50 primiprous women who had given birth 6-12 months ago and came to the hospital for postnatal care were asked to join the study. Forty of the women completed the entire questionnaire. Among these women, 20 delivered spontaneously with mediolateral episiotomy and 20 had elective caesarean section. Sexual function was evaluated by a validated, self-created questionnaire. A statistical evaluation was carried out by SPSS v.11. A two-part self-created validated questionnaire for data collection was administered regarding sexual function prior to pregnancy and 6-12 months postpartum. <b> Results:</b> The median time to restart intercourse in the normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy (NVD/epi) group was 40 days and in the caesarean section (C/S) group was 10 days postpartum. The most common problems in the NVD/epi group was decreased libido (80&#x0025;), sexual dissatisfaction (65&#x0025;), and vaginal looseness (55&#x0025;). In the C/S group, the most common problems were vaginal dryness (85&#x0025;), sexual dissatisfaction (60&#x0025;), and decreased libido (35&#x0025;). There were clinically significant differences between the two groups regarding sexual outcomes, but these differences were not statically significant. <b> Conclusion: </b> Postnatal sexual problems were very common after both NVD/epi and C/S. Because sexual problems are so prevalent during the postpartum period, clinicians should draw more attention to the women&#x2032;s sexual life and try to improve their quality of life after delivery

A Comparison of the Labor Progression Pattern with Friedman&apos;s Labor Curve in Nulliparous Women, Fasa, Iran

Background &amp;amp; Aim: Labor refers to a chain of physiologic events that allows a fetus to undertake its journey from the uterus to the outside. Friedman (1954) described a sigmoid pattern for labor. This study was carried out to compare the pattern of labor progression in nullipara women of Fasa with the Friedman&apos;s labor curve. Methods &amp;amp; Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 619 nulliparous women aged 18-35 who had term delivery and had no serious disease. In order to data analysis, we used one way ANOVA for comparing the means, and fixed effect of regression models in reverse method for curves drawings. Results: In all of the subgroups, effacement rate increased by increasing the cervical dilatation. Mean of dilatation rate was significantly higher in induced group than the other groups. Duration of the active phase was longer in the group that had sedation than the other two groups. Means of the duration of active phase and second stage were significantly lower in our study than the durations in the Freidman&apos;s study (P&amp;lt;0.001) (3.87 hours vs. 4.9 hours; and 52 minutes vs. 57 minutes, respectively). We did not observe the deceleration phase in our study. Conclusion: The pattern of labor progression differed from the Freidman&apos;s curve and had not sigmoid shape. The most important factor in latent phase was the time of admission to the labor ward. &amp;nbsp; Key words: Iran, labor, multi level analysi