Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis in Shahrekord, Iran: A Case-Control Study

Background and aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which involves the rectum and colonic mucosa, and is often constantly expanding. Few data are available on risk factors in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between potential risk factors and UC in Shahrekord. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on patients diagnosed with UC. Overall, 27 new cases of UC and 54 healthy controls in the age range of 20–80 years were studied. Participants were recruited from Pathologic Centers in Shahrekord in 2018. Chi-square test and t test and were used. Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the association between risk factors and UC disease. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 41.74 years (SD: 7.16 years) and 44.94 years (SD: 6.67 years) for case and control subjects, respectively. Moreover, univariate and multiple odds ratio (OR) showed that there was no significant association between UC and any of the risk factors including gender, marital status, education, diastolic blood pressure, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, permanent use of piped water, night shift work, history of thyroid diseases, depression, history of fatty liver disease, history of kidney stones, and sleep time and wake-up time in the morning. Conclusion: Generally, no significant association was observed between UC and the variables in the present study. Thus, further studies with larger sample size are necessary to better understand the other risk factors and environmental determinants of UC. Keywords: Ulcerative colitis Inflammatory bowel disease Risk factors Case-contro

Correlation between expression levels of mRNA IL-6 and H. pylori-infected patients with cagA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with marked infiltration inflammatory cells such as neutrophil, macrophage and H. pylori-specific T and B cell in the gastric mucosa. The molecular pathways that control H. pylori-associated inflammatory reaction are complex, but locally induced cytokines seem to contribute to maintaining the ongoing inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate IL-6 gene expression in the H. pylori-infected and uninfected gastric patients and correlation it’s with cagA among H. pylori infected patients. METHODS: This study is case - control. Biopsies were collected from 58 H. pylori-infected patients and 44 uninfected. Mucosal IL-6 mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. Presence of cagA virulence factor was evaluated using PCR. Cytokine expression is presented as means and differences between infected and non-infected groups were analysed using the T-Test test. FINDINGS: The IL-6 mRNA expression levels were significantly more elevated in H. pylori-positive patients than uninfected. There was no association between cagA virulence factor in H. pylori-infected patients and IL-6 mRNA expression. Conclusion: The enhanced induction of IL-6 may be independent cagA virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis

The frequency and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori in children of 6 years old from Shahrekord in 2006

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: هلیکوباکتر پیلوری یکی از عفونت های شایع در انسان است که در ایجاد گاستریت حاد و مزمن، زخم پیتیک و سرطان معده نقش دارد. شیوع عفونت در کودکی 10 تا 80 درصد بوده و بیشترین شیوع در کشورهای در حال توسعه می باشد. هدف از این مطالعه، تعیین میزان آلودگی به هلیکوباکتر پیلوری در کودکان شش ساله شهرکرد و عوامل موثر بر آن بوده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی – تحلیلی تعداد 215 نفر از کودکان 6 ساله مراجعه کننده برای طرح سنجش کودکان بدو ورود به دبستان شهرکرد وارد مطالعه شدند. نمونه مدفوع جمع آوری و با استفاده از روش ELISA از نظر آنتی ژن هلیکوباکترپیلوری بررسی گردید. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های آماری کای دو و رگرسیون لجستیک مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: بر اساس نتایج 3/23 (50 مورد) از نمونه ها از نظر آنتی ژن هلیکوباکترپیلوری مثبت بودند. شیوع عفونت هلیکوباکترپیلوری رابطه معنی داری با جنس، مصرف سیگار والدین، درد شکم، رشد، تهوع، بی اشتهایی، زخم معده و یا اثنی عشر در والدین و سابقه استفاده از شیر مادر نداشت. ولی با تحصیلات والدین و سابقه سرطان معده در فامیل درجه اول رابطه معنی داری وجود داشت (05/0

Efficacy of hypnotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone on the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background: This study assessed the effects of hypnotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy on the quality of life in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Materials and Methods: This clinical trial used the convenience sampling method to enroll 34 IBS patients. Patients were selected according to Rome III criteria and divided into two groups: i) hypnotherapy plusstandard medical treatmentand ii) standard medical treatment. The QOL-IBS scale assessed patient quality of life at baseline, post-treatment and at the six month follow-up. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: There were significant differences observed between both groups at the post-treatment and follow-up stages in terms of quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: Standard medical treatment in addition to hypnotherapy can be used to improve quality of life in IBS patients

Comparing the Combined Effect of Garlic and Mint Extract with Metronidazole in Helicobacter Pylori Treatment

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common human infections which have been associated with many upper gasterointestinal complications. Different treatment regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication have been used. One of these regimes is the quadruple therapy regimen which metronidazole is one of the medications. In recent years several reports on H. pylori resistance to this antibiotic has been presented. This study was performed to compare the effects of garlic and peppermint extract combination with metronidazole in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. In this randomized double blind clinical trial, 142 patients who were eligible for inclusion in study after completing the questionnaire and consent form were randomly divided into two groups, receiving garlic and peppermint extract or metronidazole. Moreover, for both groups the drugs; amoxicillin, omeprazole and bismuth were also administrated. Two weeks after drug administration completion, urease breath test (UBT) was performed and based on the obtained data, the recovery rate in the two groups were compare using SPSS 16 software T-test and Ki squire. The patients mean age was 43.89± 13.37 years. Evaluating the age and sex factors, we found no significant difference between two groups. Results suggest that although the combination of amoxicillin, omeprazole, bismuth plus garlic and peppermint was not successful in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori such as the quadruple therapy, but less than half of cases lead to eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

Role of Regulatory T-cells in Different Clinical Expressions of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization induces vigorous innate and specific immune responses; however, the infection does not disappear and a chronic active gastritis continues if left untreated. It has been shown that the topographical pattern and immune response of gastritis are the main reasons for the bacteria persistence and the clinical outcome. Gastritis due to H. pylori is caused by a complicated interaction among a variety of T cell subsets. Regulatory T (Treg) cells suppressing the immune response of antigen-specific T-cells have recently been demonstrated to play a key role in chronic inflammation by immunologic tolerance. Treg cells have been identified as the major regulatory component of the adaptive immune response and being involved in H. pylori-related inflammation and bacterial persistence. There have been many controversies over the role of Treg cells in H. pylori infection. Many studies have shown that the local Treg response protects the gastric mucosa from intensified inflammation and tissue damage, and the risk of H. pylori-associated diseases has an inverse correlation with Treg accumulation, even if the decrease in the inflammatory response is recognized by Treg it causes increase in bacterial density. This paper reviews the role of Treg in different clinical expressions of H. pylori infection. © 2016 IMS

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the families of the patients with hepatitis C infection in Shahre-Kord, Iran

Background: Chronic hepatitis C is a major health concern around the world. Although transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through parenteral exposure is well documented, sexual transmission of HCV is still debated. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of HCV infection within the families of the patients infected with HCV in a central city of Iran, Shahre-kord. Methods: We examined eighty patients with chronic HCV-associated liver disease and their 230 first degree families in a cross-sectional descriptive serological study. Their serum samples were tested for anti-HCV antibody, using ELISA and Immunobloting. A questionnaire including risk factors for HCV infection specially drugs addiction, sexual behaviors, and duration of partnership was filled in by the cases. Results: About 2.17 of the household contacts were seropositive. Of them, 8.7 spouses and 20 sisters had anti-HCV antibody. Conclusion: The risk of HCV transmission between monogamous sex partners is higher than that of in other family members, depending on the duration of exposure especially sexual exposure. Infection rate in other family members of HCV-infected persons and community members is the same. © Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Effects of hypnotherapy joint with drug therapy and drug therapy on severity and frequency of the symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

زمینه و هدف: سندرم روده تحریک پذیر یکی ازشایع ترین اختلالات عملکرد دستگاه گوارش است که با درد شکمی مزمن و تغییردر اجابت مزاج در غیاب هر گونه اختلال عضوی مشخص می شود. هیپنوتراپی در کاهش علائم این بیماری موثر است اما پژوهش های کمی در این زمینه گزارش شده است. هدف از این مطالعه مقایسه اثر بخشی هیپنوتراپی توام با دارو درمانی و دارو درمانی تنها روی فراوانی و شدت علائم بیماران مبتلا به سندرم روده تحریک پذیر بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی تعداد 34 بیمار دارای علائم غالب اسهال، انتخاب و به صورت تصادفی به دو گروه هیپنوتراپی توام با دارو درمانی و دارو درمانی تنها تقسیم شدند. ابزار اندازه گیری شامل مقیاس فراوانی و شدت علائم روده (BSS-FS) بود که در سه مرحله پیش از مداخلات، پس از مداخلات و شش ماه پس از آخرین مداخلات درمانی بر روی بیماران اجرا گردید. داده های آماری ازطریق آزمون های کولموگراف-اسمیرنف، تحلیل کواریانس (Ancova) و آزمون لوین مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: در مرحله پس آزمون اختلاف معنی داری بین گروه هیپنوتراپی توام با دارو درمانی و گروه دارو درمانی تنها در فراوانی و شدت علائم سندرم روده تحریک پذیر وجود داشت (05/0P). نتیجه گیری: به کارگیری هیپنوتراپی در کنار درمان های دارویی می تواند در کاهش فراوانی و شدت علائم بیماران مبتلا به سندرم روده تحریک پذیر، نسبت به دارو درمانی تنها موثرتر باشد، اما عدم استمرار این نوع درمان ها منجر به عود علائم بیماری می شود

Prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in southwest Iran: a population-based case-control study

Aim of the study: Few population-based studies have been conducted to report the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and determine its risk factors in Iran, particularly in Shahrekord, southwest Iran. The main aim of this population-based, case-control study was to determine the prevalence of NAFLD and its potential risk factors in an Iranian population-based cohort study in Shahrekord, Iran. Material and methods: We compared 1153 cases with NAFLD at 35 to 70 years to 1153 frequency-matched NAFLD-free controls from a population-based Shahrekord cohort study. Data collection and assessed risk factors (demographics, anthropometrics, clinical and biochemical factors, and laboratory tests) were performed based on the Shahrekord cohort study protocol. Chi-square test, stepwise selection with backward likelihood ratio, logistic regression and log-binomial regression model with 95% confidence interval were performed to determine risk factors with significant effects on NAFLD. Results: In this study, the mean (+/- standard deviation) age of the participants was 50.23 (+/- 8.70) years. The prevalence of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome with 95% confidence interval were 16.47% (15.61-17.36%) and 32.74% (30.83-34.70%), respectively. There was a significant difference in the frequency of waist circumstance, triglycerides, body mass index, blood pressure, and alanine aminotransferase between cases and controls (p < 0.001). According to log-binomial model results, socioeconomic status, hypertension, diabetes, and physical activity were significantly associated with NAFLD. Conclusions: Our findings have important clinical and public health implications in southwest Iran for monitoring the prevalence of NAFLD and important risk factors to manage, screen, prevent, and reduce NAFLD and related factors. Keywords Author Keywords:risk factor; prevalence; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Shahrekord cohort study; log-binomial regression model KeyWords Plus:AMERICAN ASSOCIATION; METABOLIC SYNDROME; MANAGEMENT; EPIDEMIOLOGY; PREDICTORS; DIAGNOSIS; COHOR

Determination of fecal Alpha 1-Antitrypsin as marker for differentiation of microbial and non-microbial diarrhea

Alpha-1 anti-trypsin=AAT) یکی از پروتئین های فاز حاد سرم انسان است که سطوح سرمی آن در بعضی از بیماری ها از جمله بیماری های کبدی، کلیوی و ریوی تغییر می یابد و متعاقب اختلالات گوارشی از جمله اسهال، AAT از طریق مدفوع دفع می شود. اندازه گیری AAT مدفوع در تشخیص دفع غیر طبیعی پروتئین مورد استفاده قرار گرفته است. در مطالعات مختلفی، میزان AAT مدفوع به عنوان شاخص در تشخیص افتراقی انواع اختلالت گوارشی اندازه گیری شده است. باتوجه به اینکه تشخیص افتراقی اسهال های میکروبی از غیر میکروبی به علت نیاز به انجام کشت مدفوع وقت گیر می باشد لذا در این مطالعه سنجش میزان AAT مدفوع به عنوان یک آزمایش غربالی اولیه برای متمایز نمودن انواع اسهال ها (عفونی باکتریال و غیر عفونی) مورد مطالعه قرار گرفته است. در این مطالعه مورد-شاهدی مقدار AAT مدفوع کودکان بستری شده در بخش اطفال بیمارستان هاجر شهرکرد اندازه گیری شد. گروه اول شامل 30 کودک مبتلا به اسهال بودند که نتیجه کشت مدفوع آنها از نظر میکروبی مثبت و گروه دوم شامل 30 کودک مبتلا به اسهال بودند که نتیجه کشت مدفوع آنها از نظر میکروبی منفی بوده است و گروه شاهد شامل 30 کودک غیر مبتلا به اسهال بود. در تمام کودکان فوق میزان AAT مدفوع به روش رادیال ایمونودیفیوژن اندازه گیری گردید. میانگین مقدار AAT در گروه اول mg/dl 46.2±50، در گروه دوم mg/dl 34.77±25 و در گروه شاهد (افراد سالم) mg/dl 3.35±1.08 می باشد. از نظر آماری میانگین AAT در سه گروه اختلاف معنی داری نشان داد. نتایج این بررسی نشان داد که میانگین مقدار AAT در گروه مبتلا به اسهال و دارای کشت میکروبی مثبت (گروه اول) بالاتر از سایر گروه ها بوده است. اما در سطح انفرادی تمام افراد این گروه میزان AAT بالایی نداشتند. لذا پیشنهاد می گردد در مطالعه تکمیلی میزان AAT مدفوع در مقایسه با میزان AAT سرم اندازه گیری گردد