COVID-19 pandemic and methanol poisoning outbreak in Iranian children and adolescents: A data linkage study.

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of COVID-19, many Iranians were poisoned by ingesting hand sanitizers and/or alcoholic beverages to avoid viral infection. To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increased prevalence of accidental hand sanitizer/alcoholic beverage exposure in children and adolescents, we compared pediatric hospitalization rates during COVID-19 and the previous year. For poisoning admissions during COVID-19, we also evaluated the cause by age and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective data linkage study evaluated data from the Legal Medicine Organization (reporting mortalities) and hospitalization data from nine toxicology referral centers for alcohol-poisoned patients (age 0 to 18 years) for the study period (February 23 to June 22, 2020) and the pre-COVID-19 reference period (same dates in 2019). RESULTS: Hospitalization rates due to ethanol and methanol exposure were significantly higher in 2020 (n = 375) than 2019 (n = 202; OR [95% CI] 1.9 [1.6, 2.2], p < 0.001). During COVID-19, in patients ≤15 years, the odds of intoxication from hand sanitizers were significantly higher than from alcoholic beverages, while in 15- to 18-year-olds, alcoholic beverage exposure was 6.7 times more common (95% CI 2.8, 16.1, p < 0.001). Of 375 children/adolescents hospitalized for alcoholic beverage and hand sanitizer exposure in 2020, six did not survive. The odds of fatal outcome were seven times higher in 15- to 18-year-olds (OR (95% CI) 7.0 (2.4, 20.1); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Iranian methanol poisoning outbreak during the first wave of COVID-19 was associated with significantly increased hospitalization rates among children and adolescents-including at least six pediatric in-hospital deaths from poisoning. Public awareness needs to be raised of the risks associated with ingesting alcoholic hand sanitizers.

Association between cancer risk and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

Nowadays, a large number of health endpoints such as disease rates, treatment costs, and death, by air pollutants, have been a serious health problem for humans. One of the most hazardous air pollutants, which is highly dangerous for human health, is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The existence of the emission of industries' pollutants and seasonal variations are the primary agents affecting PAHs' concentration. The purposes of this study were to calculate the cancer risk and measure PAHs' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, during 2017. Three distinct areas ((S1) industrial, (S2) high traffic, and (S3) residential) of Ahvaz metropolitan were selected. Omni sampler equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters were used for active sampling of PAHs. To detect the level of PAHs, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) were used to estimate the health risk caused by PAHs. The results showed that the residential and industrial areas had the lowest and highest level of PAHs. Moreover, the average levels of PAHs in industrial, high traffic, and residential areas were 8.44 ± 3.37, 7.11 ± 2.64, and 5.52 ± 1.63 ng m-3, respectively. Furthermore, ILCR in autumn and winter was higher than EPA standard, 0.06307 and 0.04718, respectively. In addition, ILCR in different areas was significantly higher than standard. Research findings imply that the levels of exposure to PAHs can increase ILCR and risk of health endpoint. The cancer risk attributed to PAHs should be further investigated from the perspective of the public health in metropolitans.

[Pattern of drug abuse in addicts self-referred drug rehabilitation centers in Khuzestan province - Iran, 2014-2015].

AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to determine the pattern of drug use and the affective demographic factors in addicts in self-referred drug rehabilitation centers in Khuzestan province. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study which has done on 4400 addicts in self-referred drug rehabilitation centers in Khuzestan province from March 2014 to March 2015. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS version 22 software. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for continuous variables and the frequency and percentage frequency were calculated for nominal and classified variables, and also t-test, χ2 and ANOVA were used to examine the relationships between variables. The level of significance was considered less than 0.05. RESULTS: Finding has shown that 97.5% were male. The average age of subjects was 38.21 ±10.52. Most consumable drug in these people was opium (50.6%) and the main way of drug use was smoking (69.4%). In terms of motivation of using drug, in men were enjoyment and in women family problems had the highest relative percentage. The majority of subjects (67.2%) had a history of drug abandonment. The reason of referring to rehabilitation centers for treatment, types of using drug and the number of drug using, was significant difference between males and females (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that it is necessary to consider some issues including of provincial drug policy and increasing awareness at different levels of society and making appropriate cultural and sports spaces in order to achieve the primary preventive goals.

Relationship between the stature and the length of long bones measured from the X-rays; modified trotter and gleser formulae in iranian population: A preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine specific formulae by which we are able to estimate the body stature from the length of ulna and tibia calculated from the X-rays in order to be a reference for skeletal remains-based identification in Iranian population. METHODS: The length of right ulna and tibia of 49 male and 52 female adults, who were anatomically healthy, were measured on the antero-posterior X-rays. Body height of each subject was also recorded. RESULTS: Mean stature of the male and female adults was reported to be 171 ± 3.6 and 160 ± 3.9 centimeters (cm), respectively. Four single linear regression equations and 2 multiple regression equations were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Lengths of ulna and tibia measured on the X-rays may be useful for estimation of the stature in cases of forensic personal identification. KEYWORDS: stature - length of long bones - ulna - tibia - radiological evaluation - skeletal remains.

Brain computed tomographic scan findings in acute opium overdose patients.

AIM: Early radiologic evaluations including noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) scan of the brain have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis and management of the intoxicated patients. Changes in the brain CT scan of the acute opium overdose patients have little been studied to date. This study aimed to evaluate changes of the brain CT scans in the acute opium overdose patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records of all acute opium overdose patients hospitalized in Loghman-Hakim Poison Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between September 2009 and September 2010 were identified. Those who had undergone noncontrast brain CT within the first 24 hours of hospital presentation were included. Patients with any underlying disease, head trauma, underlying central nervous system disease, epilepsy, and multidrug ingestion were excluded. The patients' demographic information, vital signs, and laboratory data at presentation were extracted and recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were included. Fifty-eight patients (80.5%) survived, and 10 (13.8%) died. Fourteen cases (19.7%) had abnormal CT findings including 8 cases of generalized cerebral edema and 6 cases of infarction/ischemia. There were no statistically significant differences between the patients with and without abnormal CT scan findings with respect to age, sex, systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, respiratory rate, occurrence of seizures, pH, Pco(2), HCO(3)(-), blood sodium level, and blood glucose level (all P values were > .05). However, a statistically significant difference was found between these patients in terms of outcome (P = .007). CONCLUSION: Abnormal brain CT findings are detected in about 20% of the acute opium overdose patients who are ill enough to warrant performance of the brain CT scan and associate with a poor prognosis in this group of the patients.

Characterization of functioning in breast cancer survivors: an interpretive descriptive analysis study based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Item-Perspective Classification Framework.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer survivors may experience a variety of disabilities that could potentially compromise their independent functioning. This study aimed to examine their perspectives and experts on their functioning and interpret concepts with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Item-Perspective Classification Framework (IPF). METHODS: Interpretive descriptive methods were used with in-depth interviewing with 16 breast cancer survivors and 22 experts using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. The extracted data were linked to the ICF Core Set for Breast cancer and were interpreted by the IPF. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged to define the functioning of breast cancer survivors: body functioning, physical functioning, social functioning, and mental functioning. Three other factors were also categorized as modifiers of functioning personal, emotional, and environmental. The 592 extracted meaningful concepts were linked to 38 (47%) categories from the ICF: 16 Body Functions, 14 Activities and Participation, and 8 Environmental Factors. The IPF classified all the extracted concepts, and most rational appraisals fell in the biological (B) domain. The concepts that required emotional appraisal were classified in Psychology (P). CONCLUSION: Psychological and emotional factors were pivotal in defining functioning in patients with BC.

Rehabilitation specialists need to consider a holistic approach to breast cancer survivor care that addresses physical functioning and social, emotional, and environmental factors that may affect their overall well-being.The findings suggest that rehabilitation interventions that aim to improve the functioning of breast cancer survivors should target a range of areas, including body functioning, physical functioning, social functioning, and mental functioning.It is important for rehabilitation professionals to consider personal, emotional, and environmental factors that influence the functioning of breast cancer survivors when designing interventions.Using the ICF Core Set for Breast Cancer and the IPF can help rehabilitation specialists better understand the functioning of breast cancer survivors and develop more effective interventions.

Assessing the content based on ICF and quality based on COSMIN criteria of patient-reported outcome measures of functioning in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To identify currently used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate disability in breast cancer survivors (BC) and critically evaluate their content and measurement properties. METHODS: Four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar) were searched from 2001 to February 2021. PRISMA guidelines were followed. The content of the included PROM was evaluated by linking the items of the questionnaires to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for BC using standard linking rules. Methodological quality and measurement properties were assessed using the COSMIN checklist. Qualitative synthesis was used to summarize the evidence on content validity and measurement properties. The overall quality of evidence on each measurement property was provided using GRADE principles. RESULTS: Ten eligible studies reported measurement properties of seven PROMs. The content of included PROMs mostly focused on disability (70% of items), and less on body function and structure (23%) or environmental factors (6%). There was high linkage to The Comprehensive Core Set for BC, Q-DASH (100%), UEFI (95%) and DASH (92%). The Core Set Unique Disability Representation for DASH, and WHODAS2 was 39% and BCSQ-BC, Lymph-ICF was 34%. BCSQ-BC, and Lymph-ICF represented 32, and 20% of the content of the Core Set for BC, respectively, however, the other questionnaires covered less than 20% of the content of the Core Set. High quality of evidence supports sufficient results for internal consistency, testretest, and measurement error for BCSQ-BC, Lymph-ICF, DASH and WHODAS2. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of evidence on all-important clinical measurement, two generic (DASH and WHODAS2) and two disease-specific (BCSQ-BC, Lymph-ICF) PROM demonstrated emerging evidence of adequate measurement properties. The stronger alignment of the BCSQ-BC to the breast cancer ICF core set makes it preferable is a disease-specific measure. The Lymph-ICF is recommended where lymphedema is a specific focus. The DASH and WHODAS2 might be most useful where patients with a variety of upper extremity conditions, including breast cancer survivors, are being evaluated in the clinic or research study.

Epidemiological, clinical and imaging characteristics of female prisoners with definite COVID-19 in a prison in the southwest, Iran, 2020.

PURPOSE: Prisoners are at greater risk of infectious diseases compared to the general population. While imprisoned, it is often difficult to observe Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) prevention strategies such as social distancing. To the authors' knowledge, no study has been conducted worldwide to examine the condition of female prisoners with COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and imaging characteristics of prisoners with COVID-19 in Ahvaz Women's Prison (southwest, Iran). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The data for this descriptive cross-sectional study was collected using a checklist including epidemiological information, clinical symptoms, X-ray and computed tomography scan findings of the chest, underlying diseases and the final status of all female prisoners whose COVID-19 test was positive. FINDINGS: This study included 139 female prisoners with COVID-19 with a mean age of 37.19 ± 12.67 years. The most common underlying diseases were hypertension (14.4%), obesity (10.8%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.4%). The most common symptoms at the onset of the disease were myalgia (59.0%), cough (41.0%) and dyspnea (37.4%). The most common radiological symptoms were ground-glass opacity (12.9%) and atelectasis (7.2%). In terms of extension of involvement, both lungs were involved in 8.6% of patients. In terms of zonal involvement, the lower lobes were more involved (8.6%). In terms of involvement position, the most common was sub-pleural (10.1%). None of the patients died. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Because the incidence, morbidity and mortality rate of COVID-19 in the prison population are likely to differ from those of the public. This study sought to investigate the situation of prisoners with COVID-19 in Ahvaz Prison, Khuzestan Province. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first worldwide study in this regard in women's prisons.

A cross-sectional multicenter linkage study of hospital admissions and mortality due to methanol poisoning in Iranian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A methanol poisoning outbreak occurred in Iran during the initial months of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of the outbreak in terms of hospitalizations and deaths. A cross-sectional linkage study was conducted based on the hospitalization data collected from thirteen referral toxicology centers throughout Iran as well as mortality data obtained from the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization (LMO). Patient data were extracted for all cases aged > 19 years with toxic alcohol poisoning during the study period from February until June 2020. A total of 795 patients were hospitalized due to methanol poisoning, of whom 84 died. Median [interquartile ratio; IQR] age was 32 [26, 40] years (range 19-91 years). Patients had generally ingested alcohol for recreational motives (653, 82.1%) while 3.1% (n = 25) had consumed alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent or cure COVID-19 infection. Age was significantly lower in survivors than in non-survivors (P < 0.001) and in patients without sequelae vs. with sequelae (P = 0.026). Twenty non-survivors presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score > 8, six of whom were completely alert on presentation to the emergency departments. The time from alcohol ingestion to hospital admission was not significantly different between provinces. In East Azerbaijan province, where hemodialysis was started within on average 60 min of admission, the rate of sequelae was 11.4% (compared to 19.6% average of other provinces)-equivalent to a reduction of the odds of sequelae by 2.1 times [95% CI 1.2, 3.7; p = 0.009]. Older patients were more prone to fatal outcome and sequelae, including visual disturbances. Early arrival at the hospital can facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment and may reduce long-term morbidity from methanol poisoning. Our data thus suggest the importance of raising public awareness of the risks and early symptoms of methanol intoxication.

Alcohol consumption epidemic and its complications during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan Province, Iran; 2020.

Background: After unprecedented demand for ethanol in the pandemic, profiteers used methanol for making illegal alcoholic drink. Material and methods: Final judgements passed by criminal divisions of common courts of law in cases where death or grievous bodily harm was caused by injuries to the facial and cerebral parts of the skull resulting solely from punches to the facial area of the skull. Assessment of individual cases within each group to determine similarities and differences. Comparative analysis of both groups. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study investigated the effects of methanol poisoning on 400 patients who referred to hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from March 20 to September 20, 2020. Results: Ninety-eight-point five percent of patients had consumed alcohol for social reasons and only 0.3% had used it as a measure to avoid COVID-19. Eighty-seven percent of the patients used homemade alcohol bought from peddlers. The most common clinical symptom was gastrointestinal disorders (64.8%) and the most common complications were vision problems (12.3%). Ten-point-six percent (42 patients) of the patients died. The most important factors affecting mortality risk were dyspnea, neuropathic problems, abnormal radiological findings, dialysis, abnormal blood pressure, vision problems and dizziness. Conclusions: Informing the public about the risks of using homemade alcoholic beverages is essential if the associated disability and mortality has to be avoided.

Determining Occupational Performance Issues in Women with Breast Cancer Referred to Treatment Centers of Hamadan, Iran

Objective: Women with breast cancer experience functional limitations at the time of diagnosis and after the initial treatment of cancer. Such limitations interfere with participation in self-care, work affairs, and leisure activities. The present study aimed to determine occupational performance priorities in women with breast cancer who had referred to treatment centers in Hamadan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, 102 women with breast cancer who had referred to treatment centers in Hamadan were selected through convenience sampling. The participants' information was gathered using their medical records and a demographic information questionnaire. Then, they were interviewed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to determine their occupational performance issues. The gathered data were coded and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 16. Results: The results indicated that out of the 22 defined codes for the patients' selected activities, 45.8%, 30.8%, and 23.4% belonged to self-care, productivity, and leisure domains, respectively. Conclusion: Women with breast cancer experience various occupational performance issues due to disease complications and received treatments. In the present study, self-care comprised the occupational performance priority. Determining the clients' intervention priorities, which is among the bases of occupational therapy interventions, can help women with breast cancer reach the desired quality of life.

A Cross-Sectional study of Psychiatric disorders in Medical Sciences Students.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of article was to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders (depression, social dysfunction, anxiety and somatic symptoms) and some of its influencing factors in freshmen at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study which has conducted among 781 new students of all faculties of University in 2014. A study tool was the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28). RESULTS: Founding of this study has shown that from 781 students under study (33% male and 67% female). 27.9% of students have been suspected of some degree of mental disorders. The average total score of the questionnaire for male students was18.04±12.02 and for female students was18.69±12.13, but no significant difference was observed between the average score of mental health and sex(p<0.05). The average overall score in Ph.D students was higher than this score in undergraduates and masters that it shows there is more mental disorders in this group. But no significant difference between level of education and average mental health score, anxiety and health problems was observed(p<0.05). In terms of depression subscale(p<0.05) and social adjustment(p<0.001), this difference was significant. CONCLUSION: Due to high prevalence of mental disorders in these students, counseling and therapeutic interventions to eliminate or reduce these problems must be designed.

Impact of a Stress Management Intervention Program on Sexual Functioning and Stress Reduction in Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer as the most common cancer among women endangers various aspects of their sexual lives and is a major culprit regarding health impairment and low life quality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a stress management intervention program on sexual functioning and stress reduction in women with breast cancer. This study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design which included follow-up checks and a control group. To this end, 104 women with breast cancer referring to Hamadan's Mahdiyeh MRI Center at the time of data collection were conventionally selected in 2015. Using permuted blocks, they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n= 52), only the former receiving stress management counseling for 18 hours. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, and Harry's stress questionnaire, filled out by patients before and after the intervention. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA were used. The results showed that cognitive - behavioral stress management group therapy improved total sexual functioning and its subscales. After the treatment, there was a significant difference in mean scores between the groups (p=0.01). Moreover, significant differences were observed in the mean scores for stress with improvement in the experimental group in post-test results. Cognitive - behavioral group therapy for stress management was thuis found to improve total sexual functioning and its subscales and reduce the level of stress in the experimental group after the intervention and follow-up period with an interval of two weeks. Therefore, this method can be used as a complementary therapy along with medical treatment in oncology centers.

Hyperglycemia is a strong prognostic factor of lethality in methanol poisoning.

Methanol poisoning is seen in the form of isolated episodes, or intentional ingestion and epidemics. Despite its efficient treatment, methanol poisoning has high morbidity and mortality rates. So far, several studies have been performed to identify the prognostic factors in methanol poisoning. Recently, during the treatment of patients with methanol poisoning, we observed that patients' blood glucose levels were high on presentation to the hospital, particularly in those who expired. Through a literature search, we found that no studies have been performed on blood glucose levels or hyperglycemia in methanol poisoning. Therefore, the present retrospective study was done as a preliminary investigation to understand whether there was a meaningful relationship between methanol poisoning and blood glucose level on presentation, and also if hyperglycemia could be considered as a prognostic factor for mortality. In this retrospective study, a review of the hospital charts was performed for all patients who were treated for methanol poisoning from March 2003 to March 2010 in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Those with definitive diagnosis of methanol poisoning, no history of diabetes mellitus, and normal or low body mass index (<25) were included. Patients' demographic information, clinical manifestations, time elapsed between ingestion and presentation, blood glucose level on presentation (before treatment), results of arterial blood gas analysis, and the clinical outcome were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (version 17, Chicago, Illinois, USA) and application of Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient (r), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and logistic regression. P values less than 0.05 were considered as the statistically significant levels. Ninety-five patients with methanol poisoning met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Of these, 91 (96%) were male and 4 (4%) were female. Mean age was 31.61 ± 14.3 years (range, 13 to 75). Among the 95 patients, 68 survived (72%) and 27 expired (28%). Median blood glucose level was 144 mg/dL (range, 75 to 500). There was no significant statistical correlation between blood glucose level and time of treatment, age, pCO(2), or serum bicarbonate concentration, but blood glucose level had a statistically significant correlation with pH (r = -0.242, P = 0.02) and base deficit (r = 0.230, P = 0.03). The mean blood glucose level was 140 ± 55 and 219 ± 99 mg/dL in the survivor and non-survivor patients, respectively (P < 001). Considering the cutoff level of 140 mg/dL for blood glucose and using logistic regression analysis, and adjusting according to the admission data with significant statistical difference in the two study groups, the odds ratio for hyperglycemia as a risk factor for death was 6.5 (95% confidence interval = 1.59-26.4). Our study showed that blood glucose levels were high in methanol poisoning and even higher in those who died in comparison with the survivors. Therefore, hyperglycemia might be a new prognostic factor in methanol poisoning, but further studies are needed to determine whether controlling hyperglycemia has therapeutic consequences.