Comparison of causes of headache diagnosed by neurologist and nonneurologist physicians, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran

Headache is a leading cause for consultation in many patients. We compared the agreement between non-neurologist physicians and neurologists in diagnosis of the cause of headache among 19 854 patients attending the neurology clinic of Yahyanejad Hospital, Babol, from 1995 to 2004, who were first diagnosed by the non-neurologist physician. The diagnoses of the neurologists were based on International Headache Society criteria. The commonest causes of headache diagnosed by the neurologist were tension-type and migraine, while sinusitis and ophthalmic disorders were the commonest diagnoses of the non-neurologist physicians. There is a need to inform physicians about the common causes of headache to ensure prompt and correct diagnosis

[Rural women's use of indoor air pollutants in Alexandria Governorate: relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and illness]

This study determined the relationship between women's use of indoor air pollutants and sociodemographic variables and illness. Data were collected by observation and interview of 240 rural women in Alexandria Governorate. The use of chemical and microbial indoor air pollutants was high in 87.5% and 67.5% of the women respectively. Also, 27.5% of the women had chronic headache, 25.5% respiratory diseases and 16.3% eye diseases. There was a significant positive relationship between women's level of use and number of sons, type of family and number of family members; there was a significant negative relationship with women's education and their son's education. There were significant positive relationships between illness and overuse of insecticides, garbage burning in front of the house and having an unclean house

Prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache in primary-school children in Shiraz

From January to June 2003 we determined the prevalence of the various types of headache in 2226 schoolchildren in Shiraz [age 6- 13 years] selected by multistage random sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire and clinical examination. International Headache Society criteria were used for diagnosis. The overall prevalence of headache was 31%. Prevalence rates of migraine and tension- type headache were 1.7% and 5.5% respectively. The prevalence of headache increased with age and girls were significantly more likely to report tensions-type headache. Positive family history of headache and abnormal sleep pattern were significantly associated with migraine

Is Q fever an emerging infection in Turkey?

Between 4 May and 8 August 2002,46 cases of acute fever were reported near the Black Sea region in northern Turkey. The infection was treated rapidly and successfully with tetracyclines, so clinical diagnosis of rickettsial or ehrlichial infection was considered. Analysis of serum and blood samples taken from 19 patients identified the causative organism as Coxiella burnetii; 7 cases were reported as acute Q fever and 8 as seropositive for past infection. The most common clinical symptoms among the acute cases were vomiting [100.0%], nausea [85.7%], diarrhoea [57.1%], fever [42.9%], abdominal pain [42.9%] and headache [42.9%]. Liver enzymes were elevated in all patients. It is considered that epidemiological investigation for Q fever will be essential in the affected region in future