Celiac disease and multiple sclerosis in the northwest of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of celiac disease (CD) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls using tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (anti-tTGA) as a screening tool. BACKGROUND: CD and MS are immune-mediated diseases, and it has been hypothesized that the genetic similarities between these conditions can predispose individuals to suffer from both. Data regarding this association are limited, particularly in Eastern countries. METHODS: One hundred clinically defined MS patients were randomly selected from Tabriz, northwest of Iran. The control group consisted of 121 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. All subjects were screened with anti-tTGA. Total IgA was obtained for investigation of IgA deficiency. RESULTS: The mean age of MS patients (32 male and 68 female) was 33.06±8.79 years; the mean age of controls was 32.98±9.62 years. The mean expanded disability scale score (EDSS) for MS patients was 3.86±1.91. Approximately 78.5 % of MS patients suffered from a remitting relapsing type of MS. All subjects (MS patients and controls) were negative for anti-tTGA. IgA deficiency was demonstrated in 14 % of MS patients and 11 % of controls (p>0.1). No IgA-deficient subjects consented to undergo a duodenal mucosa biopsy. CONCLUSION: The present study failed to demonstrate a positive relationship between MS and CD. Therefore, we conclude that there is no basis for recommending the routine screening of MS sufferers for celiac disease (Ref. 23).

Efficacy of metoclopramide and dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting: a double-blind clinical trial.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complications of anaestnesia. This double-blind clinical trial assessed the incidence of nausea and vomiting after cataract surgery with intravenous anaesthesia in 100 patients randomly assigned to preinduction placebo (saline), metoclopramide (10 mg), dexamethasone (8 mg) or the 2 drugs combined. The incidence of nausea in the recovery room was 44% with placebo, 20% with metoclopramide, 16% with dexamethasone and 8% with the combination. The incidence of vomiting was 20%, 4%, 4% and 0% respectively in the 4 groups. Metoclopramide plus dexamethasone combination significantly decreased nausea and vomiting both in the recovery room and 24 hours afterwards and is recommended for high-risk groups, especially in outpatient surgeries.

MEFV mutations in Iranian Azeri Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder with more than 60 disease-associated mutations in the responsible gene, MEFV. In the present study, we determined 15 MEFV mutations in Iranian Azeri Turkish FMF patients. Five hundred and twenty-four unrelated patients were tested for 15 known mutations in the MEFV gene using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Thirty-five different genotypes were characterized among the studied patients. Of the alleles investigated, the most common mutation was p.M694V (42.4%), followed by p.V726A (17%), p.E148Q (16.2%), and p.M680I (c.2040G>C) (15.2%). The p.R761H mutation (4.7%) was found to be the most frequent among the rare mutations. The mutations p.M680I (c.2040G>A), p.I692del, p.M694del and p.K695R were not found in this cohort. The remaining mutations account for 7.7% of the identifiable mutations. Five different types of complex alleles were also identified. The results show the diversity and the frequency of the mutations in the Iranian Azeri Turkish FMF patients. The p.R761H mutation is rather prevalent in Azeri Turks; therefore, it should be included in the routine molecular diagnosis of FMF patients from this ethnic group.

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus among male blood donors in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Serum samples from 399 voluntary male blood donors were tested for anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG during July and August 2004 at a blood transfusion centre in Tabriz city. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 7.8% (95% CI: 5.2-10.4). Risk factors for infection included age and a low educational level. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age, from 3.3% in subjects under 30 years of age to 37.5% in individuals 50 years and over. Illiterate individuals were at significantly higher risk for infection than educated persons. The high seropositive rate among our male blood donors is compatible with endemicity of HEV in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Efficacy of metoclopramide and dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting: a double-blind clinical trial

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complications of anaesthesia. This double-blind clinical trial assessed the incidence of nausea and vomiting after cataract surgery with intravenous anaesthesia in 100 patients randomly assigned to preinduction placebo [saline], metoclopramide [10 mg], dexamethasone [8 mg] or the 2 drugs combined. The incidence of nausea in the recovery room was 44% with placebo, 20% with metoclopramide, 16% with dexamethasone and 8% with the combination. The incidence of vomiting was 20%, 4%, 4% and 0% respectively in the 4 groups. Metoclopramide plus dexamethasone combination significantly decreased nausea and vomiting both in the recovery room and 24 hours afterwards and is recommended for high-risk groups, especially in outpatient surgeries

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus among male blood donors in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Serum samples from 399 voluntary male blood donors were tested for anti-hepatitis E virus [HEV] IgG during July and August 2004 at a blood transfusion centre in Tabriz city. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 7.8% [95% CI: 5.2-10.4]. Risk factors for infection included age and a low educational level. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age, from 3.3% in subjects under 30 years of age to 37.5% in individuals 50 years and over. Illiterate individuals were at significantly higher risk for infection than educated persons. The high seropositive rate among our male blood donors is compatible with endemicity of HEV in the Islamic Republic of Iran