Editorial
Najmeh Maharlouei; Hassan Joulaei
Review Article
Alireza Salehi; Maryam Marzban; Fatemeh Amini
Abstract
Context: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women.
Objectives: This study aimed to summarize the results of all relevant clinical trials to draw a conclusion regarding the effect of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
Methods: In this study, we searched 19 databases (including Medline/PubMed, ...
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Context: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women.
Objectives: This study aimed to summarize the results of all relevant clinical trials to draw a conclusion regarding the effect of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
Methods: In this study, we searched 19 databases (including Medline/PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science) for the effects of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea up to November 2016. The reference lists of the reviews and related articles were consulted to identify eligible articles. Studies investigating combinations of fennel and other products, without a control group, addressing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and bleeding as the primary outcomes, and not being a randomized clinical trial (RCT) were excluded. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain a pooled estimate of effectiveness. The methodological quality was assessed using the modified Jadad scale. The registration number of this study is 95-01-65-11733.
Results: Our search identified nine relevant articles for inclusion. The meta-analysis showed favorable effects of Foeniculum vulgareon primary dysmenorrhea for fixed effect (n = 727, OR = 0.573, 95% CI: 0.414 to 0.793, P = 0.001) and random effect (n = 727, OR = 0.141, 95% CI: 0.027 to 0.742, P = 0.021). The analysis also revealed a remarked heterogeneity (Q value = 198.318, P = 0.000, I 2= 95.96, τ 2= 6.065).
Conclusions: We found that the fennel extract is effective for primary dysmenorrhea. However, due to the heterogeneity of various findings, we were unable to find the effective dosage and concentration of this herbal medicine. We recommend multicenter clinical trials worldwide for evaluating the effectiveness of fennel in primary dysmenorrhea.
Research Article
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada; Okechukwu Ernest Orji; Ademola Matthew Iyiola; Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi; Esther Kikelomo Afolabi; Ojukwu Chidiebele Petronilla; Abolaji Blessed Adeyemi; Olabisi Aderonke Akinwande; Moses Oluwatosin Makinde
Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity and fatigue are two common phenomena in pregnancy with attendant negative consequences. However, reports on the nexus between physical activity (PA) and fatigue seems to be sparse in literature.
Objectives: This study evaluated levels and correlation between PA and pregnancy-related ...
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Background: Physical inactivity and fatigue are two common phenomena in pregnancy with attendant negative consequences. However, reports on the nexus between physical activity (PA) and fatigue seems to be sparse in literature.
Objectives: This study evaluated levels and correlation between PA and pregnancy-related fatigue among Nigerian pregnant women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 189 consenting pregnant women from five selected health facilities in Osun State, south west, Nigeria, yielding a response rate of 94.5%. PA and fatigue were assessed using the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire and fatigue symptoms checklist over a three-month period (July to September, 2016). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant level was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of respondents in this study was 29.8 ± 5.11 years. The highest and least form of PA was household (1263 ± 633.4) and vigorous intensity (6.4 ± 6.8) PA. Fatigue was most severe in the third trimester of the pregnancy (48.7 ± 11.7) and least in the second trimester (43.7 ± 8.1). There was a significant difference in the fatigue scores across trimesters of pregnancy (P = 0.042), while there was no significant difference in the PA scores across trimesters of pregnancy (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between total PA and fatigue (r = 0.195; P = 0.009).
Conclusions: Nigerian pregnant women seem averred to vigorous intensity, occupational, and sports related PA; however, they are mostly involved in light intensity and household physical activity. Pregnancy-related fatigue is dominant in the third trimester and least severe in the second trimester. There is significant relationship between pregnancy-related fatigue and physical activity except sedentary, moderate intensity, and occupational physical activity.
Research Article
Afshin Mansourian; Leila Malekmakan; Taraneh Tadayon; Narges Izadpanahi
Abstract
Background: This research evaluated the effects of propofol and midazolam/fentanyl on maternal blood pressure, heart rate, recall, and full satisfaction with spinal anesthesia. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed.
Methods: The sample size was calculated as 100 patients (a type ...
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Background: This research evaluated the effects of propofol and midazolam/fentanyl on maternal blood pressure, heart rate, recall, and full satisfaction with spinal anesthesia. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed.
Methods: The sample size was calculated as 100 patients (a type I error of 5% and statistical power of 80%) who were scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. These patients were randomized into two equal groups by block randomization used for allocation sequence: midazolam/fentanyl and propofol groups. We measured the maternal heart rate (HR), systolic, and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) before induction, every three minutes in the operating room, and every five minutes until discharge from the recovery room. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 and P value < 0.05 was considered as the significance level.
Results: 100 women (mean age: 29.7 ± 5.1 years and gestational age: 37.2 ± 1.2 weeks) were enrolled. The SBP and HR decreased during the study in both groups, but it was significant only in the midazolam/fentanyl group (SBP: from 120.0 ± 10.3 to 113.9 ± 4.8, P = 0.025; and HR: from 75.0 ± 7.6 to 65.3 ± 5.5, P = 0.046). DBP reduced in both groups, but it was only significant in the propofol group (from 68.5 ± 7.2 to 56.9 ± 2.1, P = 0.039). The maternal recall of the birth time, child weight, and full satisfaction were significantly better in the propofol group than in the midazolam/fentanyl group (P = 0.046, P = 0.009, and P = 0.039, respectively).
Conclusions: Propofol and midazolam/fentanyl could be useful in cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia thought propofol may induce more effective sedation with higher satisfaction. Accordingly, the propofol use during caesarian sections under spinal anesthesia is suggested due to its anti-stress effects, good delivery recall, and good sedation satisfaction.
Research Article
Khadijeh Irandoust; Morteza Taheri
Abstract
Background: Physical and physiological changes in obese middle-aged women cause hormonal changes, which are threatening factor for quality of life and health of elderly. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a one-week HIIT on serotonin and cortisol levels in obese women ...
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Background: Physical and physiological changes in obese middle-aged women cause hormonal changes, which are threatening factor for quality of life and health of elderly. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a one-week HIIT on serotonin and cortisol levels in obese women with sleep disorders.
Methods: The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test post-test design, in which 34 middle-aged obese women with mean age of 47.11 ± 2.3, body mass index of 33.4 ± 2.7, and body fat percentage of 35.8 ± 2.3 were selected based on convenience sampling. Subjects were randomly divided to experimental groups (HIIT exercises) and control group. The experimental group performed a training program for one week, including three sets of RAST protocol (six bouts of 35 meters with 10 seconds of rest between each) with a four-minute rest between each set. Pittsburgh sleep test was used to diagnose sleep disorders (score 11 and above). Actiwatch 8 was used to evaluate quality of sleep in the post-test. In order to to measure the serotonin and cortisol levels, a serotonin kit from the German company LBL and SSGN kit was used, respectively. Independent and dependent t-test were used for data analysis at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results suggested that cortisol level of HIIT training group was decreased significantly after the exercise intervention (P = 0.01; t = 0.93). On the other hand, the serotonin levels of the HIIT training group was significantly lower (P = 0.001; t = 11.02), while in the control group, the change was not significant (P = 0.15; t = 1.53) and the quality of sleep in the training group was improved significantly (P = 0.001; t = 6.52).
Conclusions: In conclusion, HIIT exercises can improve the quality of sleep through hormonal changes and as a result, improve the physiological functions of middle-aged women.
Research Article
Wahida A Ibrahim; Shameran Daniel; Nawfal R Hussein; Mahde Saleh Assafi; Ramadan Othman
Abstract
Background: Human Papillomavirus infection is sexually transmitted and associated with several cancers, such as cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, head and neck, anal, and penile carcinoma. Health education plays a pivotal role in building knowledge and positive attitude about health issues.
Objectives: ...
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Background: Human Papillomavirus infection is sexually transmitted and associated with several cancers, such as cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, head and neck, anal, and penile carcinoma. Health education plays a pivotal role in building knowledge and positive attitude about health issues.
Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the knowledge of final and pre-final students of colleges of medicine and nursing.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between September 2017 and December 2017. The project was carried out in the College of Nursing and Azadi Teaching Hospital of Duhok, Iraq. An HPV knowledge questionnaire was used covering three HPV-related subjects, including cervical cancer-HPV association, HPV features, and HPV vaccines. All final and pre-final students of the college of medicine and nursing were recruited.
Results: In cervical cancer-HPV association knowledge dimension, which composed of four questions, there were significant differences in knowledge regarding HPV-cancer association (77.6% for medical students versus 51.6% for nursing students, P < 0.001) and cancer prevention (81.9% versus 38.7%, P < 0.001), when the correct answers were stratified according to college. When the answers were stratified according to the study years, significant differences were found in awareness about the detection of HPV in cervical cancer between pre-final and final year students in college of medicine (68.3% for pre-final versus 87.5% for final P = 0.02) and college of nursing (33.3% versus 72.4%, P < 0.001). Then, the researchers tested awareness of HPV features and there were significant differences in the awareness of students between both colleges (P < 0.01 for all questions). A significant difference was found between males and females when they were asked about the genotypes and cervical cancer (67.3% for males versus 78% for females P = 0.043). Finally, this research tested the awareness of students about HPV vaccine. The participants were asked whether HPV vaccine protects against all STD; 81.9% of medical students and 60.5% of nursing students gave correct answers (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The knowledge of students varied according to college, study year, and gender. Attention must be paid to HPV and quick revision is mandated to increase the awareness of students.
Research Article
Maryam Pakfetrat; Leila Malekmakan; Taraneh Tadayon; Amin Nikfar; Afshin Mansourian
Abstract
Background: Nephrolithiasis is a worldwide health problem. Objectives This study investigated the frequency of urinary and serum metabolic abnormalities and their association with demographic characteristics in patients with nephrolithiasis.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 376 patients ...
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Background: Nephrolithiasis is a worldwide health problem. Objectives This study investigated the frequency of urinary and serum metabolic abnormalities and their association with demographic characteristics in patients with nephrolithiasis.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 376 patients with nephrolithiasis who referred to Motahari Medical Center, Shiraz from March 2017 to June 2017. Patients’ history, 24-hour urine analysis (for volume, calcium, uric acid, sodium, citrate, phosphate, and oxalate), and serum tests (for calcium, uric acid, and parathyroid hormone) were recorded in a data gathering sheet. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The most common abnormality was a low volume of 24-hour urine (< 2000 mL), (73.7%), followed by hypercalciuria (23.9%), and hyperoxaluria (19.4%). Low 24-hour urine volume was more frequent in women (80.0% vs. 64.3%, P < 0.001), while hypercalciuria (37.0% vs. 18.3%, P < 0.001), and hyperphosphaturia (6.0% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.03) were more frequent in men. Moreover, hypercalciuria was more frequent in outdoor workers (39.7% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.003), whereas low urine volume was more frequent in indoor workers (79.0% vs. 61.1%, P = 0.006). Metabolic abnormalities were not different in terms of patients’ family history.
Conclusions: Multiple factors affect the frequency and type of nephrolithiasis. Since these parameters are also influenced by race, culture, and dietary habits; thus each region must determine its own demographic features of renal stone. Based on our results, women had lower urine volume and higher urine citrate than men. Moreover, water intake is one of the most important factors that correlate with renal stone formation.
Brief Report
Ensieh Shahrjooye Haghighi; Maryam Koushkie Jahromi
Abstract
Background : Different body composition indices may indicate various physiological statuses. Objectives : The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between body composition indices (body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and abdominal fat) as well as physical and psychological ...
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Background : Different body composition indices may indicate various physiological statuses. Objectives : The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between body composition indices (body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and abdominal fat) as well as physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods : The current cross sectional study was conducted on 60 voluntary female students of Shiraz University (age: 18 - 25 years) in December 2016. Inclusion criteria were regular menstrual cycles, being single, no pregnancy, and no history of thyroid disease, polycystic ovaries, cancer, diabetes, and diagnosed psychiatric complications. Subjects completed Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Weight and height of subjects were recorded to calculate BMI, BFP and abdominal fat were calculated using the body composition analyzer. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results : The results of the current study revealed significant and positive correlation between BMI and physical symptoms of PMS (P = 0.045), BMI and psychological symptoms (P = 0.024), BFP and physical symptoms (P = 0.019), BFP and psychological symptoms (P = 0.023), abdominal fat and physical symptoms (P = 0.017), and abdominal fat and psychological symptoms of PMS (P = 0.049). Conclusions : The higher level of body composition indices were related to higher PMS symptoms and abdominal fat was the most important predictor for PMS symptoms.
