Association Between Plant-based Diet and Kidney Function in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: A plant-based diet has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it is hypothesized that adherence to a plant-based diet may have a positive effect on kidney function. The study aimed to determine the association between the plant-based diet index (PDI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis used information from the Ravansar noncommunicable diseases cohort study, which included 9,746 participants between the ages of 35 and 65. By measuring the estimation glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the modification of diet in the renal disease equation, CKD was determined. Using a food frequency questionnaire, the PDI was computed based on food intake. To determine odds ratios (ORs), multivariable logistic regression models were utilized. RESULTS: 1,058 (10.86%) participants had CKD (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2), and the mean PDI was 54.22 ± 6.68. The mean eGFR in the group with a high PDI score was significantly higher than the group with a low PDI score (fourth quartile: 79.20 ± 0.36 vs. first quartile: 72.95 ± 0.31, P < .001). Adherence to a plant-based diet was more prevalent in those with a higher socioeconomic status (P < .001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of CKD in the third and fourth quartiles of PDI were 25% (OR: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.62-0.91) and 39% (OR: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.78, P trend<.001) lower than the first quartile, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that having a plant-based diet may prevent the prevalent CDK. However, further studies with a cohort design are recommended.

Compensation based on work relative value unit for cardiovascular surgeons in Iran: A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Work relative value unit (wRVU) is a tool for assessing surgeons' performance, compensation, and productivity. It appears that wRVU for cardiovascular procedures does not consider complexity and its value for lengthy operations is low. The aim of the study is to determine wRVU for cardiovascular procedures in Iran according to the proposed approach. MATTERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a mixed method in teaching hospitals in Tabriz in the period of September 2020 to December 2021. According to Hospital Information System and expert opinions, six procedures in cardiovascular surgery were included in the study. They were compared with 18 procedures in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and otorhinolaryngology in terms of the operation time and wRVU/min. Then, we calculated new wRVUs for the selected procedures based on surgeons' opinions, time measurements, and anesthetists' points of view by content analysis in qualitative and statistical analysis in quantitative parts. RESULTS: Among the six cardiac procedures, the wRVU for five was under-estimated. The wRVU/min value ranged from 0/28 to 1/15 in the studied procedures. Findings demonstrate no significant relationship between the length of operations and the wRVU announced by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (P value >0/05). Compared to studied procedures in four specialties, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair has the longest surgery time at 417 minutes. According to anesthesiologists, cardiovascular; orthopedics; ear, nose, and tongue; and neurosurgery specialties obtained 4/2, 2/9, 2/8, and 4, respectively, in terms of surgery duration, complexity, risk, and physical effort. CONCLUSION: Despite policymakers' attempts to bring justice to payments, it seems that there has been little progress in paying cardiovascular surgeons. Improper payment to cardiovascular surgeons will affect the future of the workforce in this specialty. Today, the need to reconsider the wRVUs in heart specialty is felt more than before.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Policies: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.

This qualitative systematic review was conducted to summarize the policies for prevention of common gastrointestinal cancers worldwide. This study was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and ProQuest databases. Two independent reviewers assessed included studies for methodological quality and extracted data by using standardized tools from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Primary study findings were read and reread to identify the strategies or policies used in the studies for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers. The extracted findings were categorized on the basis of their similarity in meaning. These categories were then subjected to a meta-synthesis. The final synthesized findings were graded according to the ConQual approach for establishing confidence in the output of qualitative research synthesis. From the nine included studies in this review, 39 findings were extracted and based on their relevance in meaning were aggregated into 12 categories. Four synthesized findings were developed from these categories. We used World Health Organization report on 2000 for synthesizing the findings. The four synthesized findings were "service provision", "resource generation", "financing", and "stewardship". In order to reach a comprehensive evidence informed policy package for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers, there should be a great communication among the interventions conducted directly on patients, health system infrastructures, and resources.

Polypharmacy Pattern in Iran: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Large Prescription Database.

Background: Polypharmacy is a significant patient safety concern. Objectives: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy, its continuity and associated factors, and common medication classes among a large outpatient population in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Methods: A retrospective prescription data analysis was performed. The cohort included all ≥ 20 years old subjects with at least one prescription filled during the main three-month study period (2020 March 1 - 2020 May 31). Polypharmacy was defined as being exposed to more than four different medications during the main study period, and continuous polypharmacy was defined as being exposed to more than four medications during both the main study period and follow-up period (2020 October 1 - 2020 December 31). The frequency and prevalence of polypharmacy, along with predictive factors, were estimated. We performed multivariate logistic regression and estimated odds ratios (ORs) to investigate the risk factors for polypharmacy. Results: 307,820 patients included (mean age 49.8 years, 62.9% female, mean drug use 3.7 (SD = 2.6). Polypharmacy was observed in 28.3% (CI: 28.1 - 28.4), of which 36.6% experienced continuous polypharmacy. The odds of being exposed to polypharmacy increased with being female, increasing age, and exposure to chronic conditions. The groups of medications most utilized by polypharmacy patients were those indicated for gastro-esophageal reflux diseases, beta-blocking agents, antidepressants, blood glucose-lowering drugs, and antithrombotic agents. Conclusions: Strategies should be formulated to inform healthcare policymakers and providers about the magnitude of the polypharmacy phenomenon, associated factors, and the common medication classes involved.

Adherence to the new policy framework of the World Cancer Research Fund International in developing a policy package for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran: a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal cancers in Iran are among the major non-communicable diseases with a considerable burden on the health system. Changes in lifestyles as well as environmental factors have resulted in the emergence of these cancers. OBJECTIVE: To elicit and quantitatively verify experts' opinions regarding the potential public health impact, feasibility, economic impact, and budgetary impact of gastrointestinal cancer prevention policies in Iran. METHODS: Sixteen experts from Iran were recruited in an email-based, two-round Delphi study. In each round, a questionnaire of policy options for preventing gastrointestinal cancers, which adhered to the new policy framework of the World Cancer Research Fund International, was given to participants. In the first round, experts were asked to provide opinions for and against the policy options. The second round evaluated the policy options for their public health impact, feasibility, economic impact, and budgetary impact. RESULTS: A total of 32 policy options were organized based on three domains: health-enhancing environments, system changes, and behavior change communications. Of the 32 policy options, there were consensus in 31 (96%) and 30 (93%) options for public health impact and feasibility, respectively. On study completion, experts reached a consensus in 29 of 32 (90%) policy options for economic impact; only on 26 (81%) of these policy options did participants reached consensus for budgetary impact. CONCLUSION: Findings indicated that although nearly all policy options reached a consensus for their public health impact, some options are not feasible or do not appear to have an economic rationale for being implemented. Moreover, it is crucial to take into account the inter-sectoral collaboration between health and non-health sectors. Findings from this study can be helpful for health policymakers in identifying support for evidence-informed approaches regarding gastrointestinal cancer prevention.

Gastrointestinal cancer prevention policies in Iran: A policy analysis of agenda-setting using Kingdon's multiple streams.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal cancers continue to claim the lives of thousands of individuals. Fortunately, primary prevention, which focuses on interventions to change unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, can lessen the negative effects and decrease the economic burden of these cancers. The purpose of this paper is to assess the likelihood of adopting gastrointestinal cancer prevention policies through the lens of Kingdon's theory of agenda setting. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using document review and face-to-face interviews with 22 key informants from different stages of the policymaking process of gastrointestinal cancer prevention program in Iran. We used purposive sampling. Our analysis of documents and interview were guided based on Kingdon's multiple streams (problem stream, policy stream, and political stream). RESULTS: Based on the results of this study the important factors of problem stream are as below. The high cost of gastrointestinal cancer diagnostic services dramatically affect patient's financial affordability to essential cancer-related services. Consequently, most of the cancers show distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, imposing catastrophic expenses to patients, society, and the health systems. In the policy stream, participants mentioned the importance of the cancer registry system in the country that provides a clear source of information for decision-makers to plan for early diagnostic services. Under the political stream, the national and international supports provide a favorable climate for this issue. CONCLUSION: Now that a window of opportunity for gastrointestinal cancer prevention policymaking is created, there is a need for greater efforts to strengthen the inter-sectoral collaboration. The presence of the policy entrepreneurs during this period can press for policy change, however, actors need political support from the highest level of the governance to push this issue on the agenda. POLICY SUMMARY: This paper is seeking to have impact on the policies related to prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran.

Development of a local model for measuring the work of surgeons.

Objectives: The Relative Value Unit (RVU) is the main method of calculating surgeons' reimbursements and a tool for measuring the work of surgeons. Existing evidence shows that the work Relative Value Unit (wRVU) does not accurately represent surgeon's work. Therefore, the current study attempted to develop a local model to measure surgeons' work. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in two main phases of determining the metrics and model development using quantitative and qualitative approaches from December 2019 to April 2021. Literature review, focused group discussions, and interviews were used to collect data. Con- tent analysis and Exploratory Data Analysis techniques were applied to analyze data. Results: The findings demonstrated that patient's conditions (age, severity of disease at referring time, and comorbidities), disease specifications (time, complexity, physical effort, and risk), and provider characteristic (surgeon's willingness, imposed stress, and surgeon's skill) were important by 17, 51, and 32%, respectively, in determining surgeons' work. Conclusion: Determining a fixed value for each procedure does not accurately estimate the amount of required surgeon's work for any procedure. Many factors, such as the patient's condition, surgeon's characteristics, and disease specification affect surgeons' work in the operation room. Proper measurement of the surgeon's work is an important step towards establishing equity in payment in the health system.

A 4-Year Investigation of Ambulatory Health Care Expenditure Concentration and High-Cost Patients: An Experience From a Developing Country.

The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of ambulatory health care expenditure in a large Iranian outpatient population. This study used 2013-2016 individual-level claims data of Iranian Health Insurance Organization in East Azerbaijan province. All ambulatory care utilizers were included in the study. We determined characteristics and utilization pattern of high-cost patients as well as their predictors. A total of 1 128 149 patients were included. The top 10% of patients accounted for 62.56% of the total expenditure. This skewed expenditure pattern remained relatively stable over the study period. Female sex, older age, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes increase the odds of being high cost.

Readiness for diet change and its association with diet knowledge and skills, diet decision making and diet barriers in type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: to investigate stages of change for dietary in type 2 diabetics and its associations with diet knowledge and skills, diet decision making and diet barriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 1139 diabetics aged>18 years in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Data were collected through a Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ) and analyzed through SPSS version 22 software using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and one-way ANOVA tests. Tukey's HSD post hoc tests were applied to illustrate ANOVA findings. RESULTS: 59.3% of patients do not follow a diet plan to control their blood glucose. 44.7%, 5.5%, 13%, and 36.8% of patients, respectively, were in the stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation and action. Patients who had shorter disease duration and those whose current treatment was lifestyle change were more likely within the action stage. Also, patients who had a higher score in diet knowledge and skills and diet decision making and those who had a lower score in diet barriers were more likely in the action stage of change. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, a considerable proportion of diabetic patients were in the pre-contemplation stage. Diet knowledge and skills, diet decision making and diet barriers were factors contributing to diet readiness to change. Therefore, taking necessary measures to increase diet knowledge, skills and diet decision-making and a reduction in diet barriers can help people with type 2 diabetes to change diet.

Referral system in rural Iran: improvement proposals / O sistema de encaminhamento de pacientes na zona rural do Irã: propostas para melhorias / Sistema de derivación sanitario en zonas rurales de Irán: propuestas de mejora

Because of insufficient communication between primary health care providers and specialists, which leads to inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in rural population health outcomes, to implement a well-functioning referral system is one of the most important tasks for some countries. Using purposive and snowballing sampling methods, we included health experts, policy-makers, family physicians, clinical specialists, and experts from health insurance organizations in this study according to pre-determined criteria. We recorded all interviews, transcribed and analyzed their content using qualitative methods. We extracted 1,522 individual codes initially. We also collected supplementary data through document review. From reviews and summarizations, four main themes, ten subthemes, and 24 issues emerged from the data. The solutions developed were: care system reform, education system reform, payment system reform, and improves in culture-building and public education. Given the executive experience, the full familiarity, the occupational and geographical diversity of participants, the solutions proposed in this study could positively affect the implementation and improvement of the referral system in Iran. The suggested solutions are complementary to each other and have less interchangeability.

Devido à comunicação insuficiente entre os profissionais de saúde na atenção primária e os especialistas, levando a ineficiências e ineficácias nos desfechos de saúde na população rural, a implementação de um sistema funcional de referência e contra-referência é uma das tarefas mais importantes para alguns países. Com o uso de métodos propositais e de "bola de neve", o estudo incluiu especialistas em saúde pública, gestores, especialistas clínicos e representantes de planos de saúde, de acordo com critérios predeterminados. Gravamos e transcrevemos todas as entrevistas, e depois analisamos o conteúdo através de métodos qualitativos. Inicialmente extraímos 1.522 códigos individuais. Também coletamos dados complementares através da revisão de documentos. A partir das revisões e resumos, emergiram dados sobre quatro temas principais, dez subtemas e 24 questões. Foram desenvolvidas as seguintes soluções: reforma do sistema de atenção, reforma do sistema de ensino, reforma do sistema de remuneração e melhorias na construção de cultura e no ensino público. Em função da experiência executiva, a familiaridade plena e a diversidade ocupacional e geográfica dos participantes, as soluções propostas pelo estudo poderiam impactar positivamente a implementação e melhoria do sistema de encaminhamento de pacientes no Irã. As soluções propostas se complementam e são menos intercambiáveis.

Debido a la insuficiente comunicación entre los responsables de la atención primaria y los especialistas, se producen ineficiencias y falta de eficacia en las condiciones de salud de la población rural iraní. Por ello, implementar un buen sistema de derivación sanitario es una de las tareas más importantes para algunos países. Usando un método de muestreo intencional y de bola de nieve, incluimos a expertos en salud, formuladores de políticas, médicos de familia, especialistas clínicos, y expertos del ámbito de las empresas de seguros de salud en este estudio, de acuerdo con criterios predeterminados. Grabamos todas las entrevistas, transcribimos y analizamos su contenido usando métodos cualitativos. En un principio se seleccionaron 1.522 códigos individuales. También obtuvimos datos complementarios a través de la revisión de documentación. Fruto de las revisiones y puestas en común, se obtuvieron 4 temas principales, 10 subtemas y 24 cuestiones que afloraron de estos datos. Las soluciones desarrolladas fueron: reforma del sistema de atención, reforma del sistema educativo, reforma del sistema de pago, y mejoras en la educación cultural y pública. Dada la experiencia ejecutiva, la gran sinceridad en las respuestas, la diversidad ocupacional y geográfica de los participantes, las soluciones propuestas en este estudio pueden afectar positivamente la implementación y mejora del sistema de derivación sanitario en Irán. Las soluciones sugeridas son complementarias entre ellas, aunque poseen una menor intercambiabilidad entre sí.

Assessing the quality of referral letters written by general practitioners: a cross-sectional study in rural Iran / Avaliação da qualidade de cartas de encaminhamento escritas por clínicos gerais: um estudo transversal numa área rural do Irã / Evaluación de la calidad de cartas de derivación escritas por médicos generales: un estudio transversal en un área rural de Irán

Abstract: Establishing effective communication between general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists is a key component of the referral system. Written communication between GPs and medical specialists is the most common communication tool. This study was conducted to evaluate quality (information content) of the referral letters written by GPs and addressed to gynecologists and cardiologists. We evaluated quality of the referral letters through a cross-sectional study in the villages of Sarab city, located in East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran. The study was conducted during August and September 2015 in which a total of 400 referral letters were evaluated according to specific quality criteria. Cluster sampling was implemented and data were collected using an instrument designed by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba, Canada. A specifically designed referral form was used to refer pregnant women to gynecologists. Referrals addressed to gynecologists showed better quality in comparison to cases referred to cardiologists. Legibility of referral letters was 73%. It is recommended that agreed-upon referral letters be designed cooperatively for different groups of diseases. Furthermore, primary health care providers should be trained to write proper referral letters.

Resumo: Um componente essencial do sistema de encaminhamento de pacientes é a comunicação efetiva entre clínicos gerais e especialistas. A comunicação escrita é a ferramenta de comunicação mais comum entre clínicos gerais e especialistas. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade (conteúdo da informação) de cartas de encaminhamento escritas por clínicos gerais e dirigidas a ginecologistas e cardiologistas. Os autores avaliaram a qualidade das cartas de encaminhamento através de um estudo transversal em aldeias em torno da cidade de Sarab, localizada na Província de Azerbaijão Oriental, no Noroeste do Irã. O estudo foi realizado em agosto e setembro de 2015, quando 400 cartas de encaminhamento foram avaliadas com base em critérios específicos de qualidade. O estudo adotou a amostragem por aglomerados, e os dados foram coletados através de um instrumento desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Medicina Familiar da Universidade de Manitoba, Canadá. Um formulário foi projetado especificamente para encaminhar as mulheres à ginecologia. As cartas de encaminhamento para a ginecologia mostraram qualidade superior quando comparadas aos casos encaminhados à cardiologia. A proporção de cartas legíveis foi 73%. Recomenda-se que cartas de encaminhamento sejam desenvolvidas em cooperação entre os departamentos, para diferentes grupos de doenças. Além disso, os médicos de atenção primária devem ser capacitados para redigir cartas de encaminhamento adequadas.

Resumen: Un componente esencial del sistema de derivación de pacientes es la comunicación efectiva entre médicos generales y especialistas. La comunicación escrita es la herramienta de comunicación más común entre médicos generales y especialistas. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad (contenido de la información) de cartas de derivación escritas por médicos generales y dirigidas a ginecólogos y cardiólogos. Los autores evaluaron la calidad de las cartas de derivación, a través de un estudio transversal en aldeas en torno a la ciudad de Sarab, localizada en la provincia de Azerbaiyán Oriental, en el noroeste de Irán. El estudio se realizó entre agosto y setiembre de 2015, cuando 400 cartas de derivación se evaluaron en base a criterios específicos de calidad. El estudio adoptó la muestra por aglomerados y los datos se recogieron a través de un instrumento desarrollado por el Departamento de Medicina Familiar de la Universidad de Manitoba, Canadá. Se proyectó un formulario específicamente para derivar a las mujeres a ginecología. Las cartas de derivación para ginecología mostraron calidad superior, cuando se comparan a los casos derivados a cardiología. La proporción de cartas legibles fue de un 73%. Se recomienda que las cartas de derivación sean desarrolladas en cooperación entre los departamentos, para diferentes grupos de enfermedades. Asimismo, los médicos de atención primaria deben estar capacitados para reenviar cartas de derivación adecuadas.