ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Migraine headaches are the most common acute and recurrent headaches. Current treatment of a migraine headache consists of multiple medications for control and prevention of recurrent attacks. Global emergence of alternative medicine led us to examine the efficacy of cupping therapy plus serkangabin syrup in the treatment of migraine headaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized, controlled, open-label, comparative efficacy trial. We randomly assigned patients with migraine into cupping therapy plus serkangabin group (30 patients) and conventional treatment group (30 patients). An investigator assessed the severity of headache, frequency of attacks in a week and duration of attacks per hour in 5 visits (at the end of 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months). Generalized estimating equations approach was used to analyze repeated measures data to compare outcomes in both groups. RESULTS: Average age for cupping therapy group and conventional treatment group were 31.7 (±7.6) and 32.6 (±12.7) years, respectively (P = 0.45). After treatment for 2 weeks; and 1, 3 and 6 months, severity of headache (P = 0.80), frequency of migraine attacks (P = 0.63) and duration of attacks per hours (P = 0.48) were similar in conventional and cupping groups but these symptoms were decreased in each group during the study (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between cupping plus serkangabin therapy and conventional treatment in the treatment and prophylaxis of migraine. The alternative therapy may be used in cases of drug intolerance, no medication response, and in primary care.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The pace of population aging is growing rapidly around the world. Aging is associated with the emergence of different health status including geriatric syndrome such as frailty, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. These conditions are the most prominent challenges for health care systems and also elderly people. Therefore, understanding these changes can help scientists to prevent and treat significant health issues and also improve the functional ability of older adults. METHODS: This is a protocol of the first wave of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study that is an ongoing community-based prospective cohort study with a following up at least 10 years. This study carries out on aged population ≥ 60 years which were residents in Birjand County (urban and rural older subjects). The selection of the participants of this study in urban areas is based on an age group weighted multistage stratified random sample while in the rural region the sample was selected from all ten rural regions of Birjand County by simple random sampling. The rural region sampling was based on the list of the aged population which were under the coverage of the rural health center. Sociodemographic, past medical history, lifestyle, sleep, activities of daily living, cognitive function, quality of life, and social capital were evaluated by interviewing with the participants and one of the informants. Anthropometric measures, electrocardiography, and interpretation of ophthalmologic examination were carried out by experts. Fasting Blood samples were collected and bio-banked in - 80 °C. then finally biochemical and hematologic markers were measured. RESULTS: This is the protocol of stage one baseline of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). The BLAS is an enjoining study, the first phase of its baseline was carried out on a community- dwelling aged population sample ≥ 60 years who were residents in urban and rural regions of Birjand County. This is a community based prospective cohort study with at least 10 years follow up of participants. The data for 65% of older subjects (response rate = 65%) that lived in clusters were collected. CONCLUSIONS: This study can help scientists to recognize some risk factors related to the aging process and also aware policymakers about the necessity to create heath care services at regional and even national levels.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Hydatid cyst of the kidney is a very rare condition caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. We report a case of isolated hydatid cyst of the kidney. METHODS: A 32-year-old male patient presented with vague pain in the left lumbar region of 3 months' duration. Abdominal examination demonstrated a palpable mass in the left flank. The routine laboratory findings were normal. Radiologic studies showed a soft-tissue mass in the mid-portion of the left kidney measuring 115 x 130 mm. RESULTS: We performed kidney-sparing pericystectomy, and the cyst was removed intact. The histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In general, surgery is the treatment of choice for a hydatid cyst of the kidney, and kidney-sparing surgery is the most appropriate treatment whenever possible.