The association of depressive symptoms with handgrip strength and gait speed in community-dwelling older adults: data from the baseline phase of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a multifaceted condition with a high prevalence and burden to society. Handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS) are indices of physical health, which is linked to mental health. Previous studies have shown heterogeneity among countries in the association of physical parameters and depression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of HGS and GS with depressive symptoms in older adults. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study, a cohort of community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years old). Depressive symptoms were assessed by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. HGS was measured with a hand dynamometer in a sitting position, and GS was estimated by a 15-foot walk test at usual pace. RESULTS: Compared to participants in the first quartile, those in the second quartile of HGS had significantly lower odds of suffering from depressive symptoms, while GS was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. A higher HGS was associated with a lower risk of moderate depressive symptoms, while a higher GS was related to a lower risk of moderately severe and severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that older people residing in Birjand, Iran with a moderate HGS are less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms than those with lower HGS.

The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy and its associated consequences in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy is one of the public health problems that both mother and baby suffer from its consequences. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and consequences of adolescent pregnancy in the Eastern Mediterranean region. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science and Scopus) were systematically searched for relevant articles published from 1990 to 2022. The screening process for articles was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Joanna Briggs checklists were used to assess the quality of included studies. A random effects model was performed for the meta-analysis. Narrative synthesis of adolescent pregnancy prevalence, as well as a meta-analysis of adolescent pregnancy prevalence was performed using STATA 14. RESULTS: The review included 12 studies and 94,189 study participants. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy was [9% (95% CI 6.9, 11.2, p < 0.001)]. Pregnancy outcomes included preeclampsia [12.9%(95% CI 7.3,18.5, p < 0.001)], low birth weight [16.1%(95% CI 7.4-24.8, p < 0.001)], anemia [33%(95% CI 14.4, 51.7, p < 0.001)], and cesarean delivery [15.9%(95% CI 11.1-20.7, p < 0.001)].The results showed that 16.9% of deliveries were cesarean sections. CONCLUSION: The study's findings indicate that adolescent pregnancy is prevalent in the Middle East region and is associated with negative outcomes for teenagers. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out effective interventions to reduce adolescent pregnancy.

Determinants and economic burden of HIV/AIDS in Iran: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Since the start of the AIDS outbreak, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected about 84.2 million people, and approximately 40.1 million people have died due to AIDS-related diseases. So, this study aims to provide a comprehensive population-based description of patient costs and the economic burden of HIV/AIDS in Iran. METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional cost-of-illness study consisted of HIV-infected patients who were receiving services in Mashhad and were under the supervision of BIDCC. There are four BIDCC centers in Mashhad, we considered all patients referred to these centers. Costs data were evaluated from a social perspective with a bottom-up approach and as a prevalence based. The data from 157 individuals were included in the study. For collecting data on direct and indirect costs belonging to patients and their families, a questionnaire was developed. Also, the Demographic characteristic of participants and the stage of the disease and Transmission category were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, 57.32 of the subjects were Male. The majority of participants in this study were in the age group 30-59 years (n = 124,78.98%). Based on where the patients live, the majority of patients have lived in the urban region (n = 144, 91.72%). The most common way to transmit this disease is through unprotected sex (30.57%) and then Infected spouse (28.03%), and then injecting drugs (21.02%). The highest cost of this disease is attributed to medicine (10339.32 $ for 6 months), after medicine, the cost of tests was 9101.22 $. CONCLUSION: It seems that to reduce costs for patients with disease HIV/AIDS, the focus should be on diagnostic tests and care. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of antiviral treatments can be effective in preventing serious and debilitating diseases.

Availability and affordability of anticancer medicines in Iran based on WHO/HAI standard survey methods.

PURPOSE: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world after cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to investigate the affordability and physical access to chemotherapy drugs among patients with one of the three common cancers of the breast, stomach, and colon in the city of Mashhad, Iran, in 2021. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Twenty drug stores including two public and 18 privates in Mashhad were evaluated. Data was collected by consistent stay in the drug stores or pharmacies. For each oncology medicine, selling price, lowest general price, and availability were investigated. Three approaches have been experimented to calculate the affordability of anticancer medicines in this study. RESULTS: Out of 28 studied medicines from public and private drug stores, 15 (53.5%) received very low, 8 (28.5%) relatively high, and 2 (7%) high access scores. The generic docetaxel brand's ultra-drug and trastuzumab (AryoTrust) were the most available drugs, but the doxorubicin (Ebewe), oxaliplatin (Mylan), and trastuzumab (Herceptin) were not available to the individuals with cancer. Also, the first approach (based on income decile) indicated that insured patients from all income deciles were able to pay the costs of the lowest price drugs of the DCF drug regimen, and if the patients were insured and belonged to the ninth income decile, they had the financial ability to buy drugs at the lowest price of the FLO drug regimen. CONCLUSION: Unaffordability of cancer medicines can lead to treatment abandonment and increase inequality in access to healthcare services. Therefore, this requires immediate attention of policy makers to be planned in order to ensure to reducing the costs of medicines for patients and increasing patient access to anticancer medicines.

Electronic prescription system requirements: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: An electronic prescription system is a mechanism that has long been implemented in many countries around the world. In the present study, we reviewed the requirements, standards, and features of an electronic prescription system for its correct and accurate execution. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-SCR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). A comprehensive literature search was performed with the related keywords in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest with no time limit. The selection of papers was based on inclusion criteria. After removing duplicates, reviewing titles, abstracts, and full-text, 13 articles were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Electronic prescription system requirements extracted from the studies: Patient data, Patient selection or identification and data access, Drug Selection, Security, Privacy and administration, Transparency and accountability, Interoperability and communication, Monitoring, report, reminder, and renewals, Feedback at the prescriber level, Infrastructure: Computer equipment, Awareness of physicians and System support, Patient education and information, Usability, Standards, History of Medications / Current Medications, Data transfer and storage, Alerts and other messages to prescribers, and filtering of user-selectable alerts for possible prescription problems and Decision support. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the electronic prescription systems have several functional and technical capabilities that can provide significant benefits to all system's stakeholders, including service providers, drug distributors, patients, and insurance organizations if used correctly.

The challenges of physicians' participation in hospital accreditation programs: a qualitative study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing pressure on hospitals to enhance the quality of services, the participation of physicians in accreditation programs has become more important than ever. The present study was conducted to describe challenges of physicians' participation in hospital accreditation programs in Iran using a qualitative approach. METHODS: We conducted interviews with 11 managers, 9 physicians and 8 experts in the field of hospital accreditation. Interviewees were selected through purposive snowball sampling. In-depth unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed in ATLAS.ti using the conceptual framework method. RESULTS: The results of this study extracted 3 main themes including: cultural, organizational and behavioral factors. Also, this study found 12 sub-themes and 57 items. Sub-themes in the cultural domain were motivation, patient demand, mutual trust and evaluation system. The organizational domain consisted of seven sub-themes, including high workload, understanding the role of quality management unit, unrealistic accreditation, nature of accreditation, empowerment of physicians in the field of quality, effective communication, resource constraint. Sub-themes in the behavioral dimension were ambiguity in the role and uncertainty about how to participate in accreditation program. CONCLUSION: Physicians' participation in accreditation programs can be increased through culture building and proper training about accreditation activities in the medical community.

Fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to primary headaches: the MEPHASOUS study.

BACKGROUND: Fruit and vegetable consumption may beneficially affect the odds of primary headaches due to their antioxidant contents. However, no study has examined the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and primary headaches among university students. AIM: To assess the relation between fruit and vegetable intakes and primary headaches among Iranian university students. METHODS: Overall, 83,214 university students with an age range of ≥ 18 years participated in the present study. Dietary intakes and also data on confounding variables were collected using validated questionnaires. Data on dietary intakes were collected using a validated dietary habits questionnaire. We used the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 (ICHD-3) criteria to define primary headaches. RESULTS: Fruit consumption was negatively associated with primary headaches; such that after controlling for potential confounders, greater intake of fruits was associated with 30% lower odds of primary headaches (OR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.58-0.84). Such an inverse association was also found for vegetable consumption. In the fully adjusted model, students in the top category of vegetable consumption were 16% less likely to have primary headaches compared with those in the bottom category (OR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95). Subgroup analysis revealed that fruit consumption was inversely associated with primary headaches in females, unlike males, and vegetable consumption was inversely associated with these headaches in males, as opposed to females. Moreover, fruit and vegetable consumption was related to lower odds of primary headaches in normal-weight students. CONCLUSION: Fruit and vegetable intakes were associated with reduced odds of primary headaches. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, cross-sectional analytic studies.

Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption in relation to hypertension among Iranian university students: the MEPHASOUS study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the link between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and hypertension among a large population in the Middle East. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (a part of Mental and Physical Health Assessment of University Student: MEPHASOUS study), 66,634 university students from all provinces of Iran, aged ≥ 18 years, were included. A self-administered dietary habits questionnaire was used to assess SSBs consumption as well as other dietary intakes. Participants were categorized based on three levels of SSB consumption: < 1 time/wk, 1-3 times/wk, and ≤ 3 times/wk. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥ 140 and diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90. RESULTS: Compared with those in the bottom category, students in the top category of SSBs consumption were more likely to have hypertension (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.54-1.90). This association remained significant even after adjusting for confounding variables; such that participants in the highest category of SSBs consumption had 2.17 times greater odds of hypertension compared with those in the lowest category (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.91-2.47). Stratified analysis based on gender and BMI status revealed such significant association in men (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.79-2.50) and women (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.67-2.48), and in all categories of BMI including students with underweight (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.81-3.52), normal-weight (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.81-2.51), overweight (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.58-2.89) and obesity (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00-2.53). CONCLUSION: Our results support previous findings indicating a significant positive association between SSBs consumption and hypertension. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, cross-sectional analytic studies.

Breakfast consumption pattern and its association with overweight and obesity among university students: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between breakfast consumption habit and overweight and obesity in a sample of Iranian university students. METHODS: A sample of 78,905 university students, aged 18 years or older, was recruited from 28 provinces in Iran to assess breakfast consumption pattern. Breakfast consumption habit was evaluated using a pre-tested questionnaire. Weight and height were measured using standard protocol and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Overweight (obesity included) and obesity were defined as BMI ≥ 25 and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 21.50 ± 4.01. After controlling for potential confounders, participants who ate breakfast > 4 days/week had 15% lower risk of overweight compared with those who ate < 1 day/week (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92). Such significant association was also seen in female students (OR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.93); however, it was marginally significant in male ones (OR: 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-1.00). In addition, a significant inverse association was found between breakfast consumption and obesity (OR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.85) such that after adjusting for potential confounders, students who consumed breakfast > 4 days/week were 33% less likely to be obese compared with those who consumed it < 1 day/week (OR: 0.67, 95% CI 0.57-0.78). Such significant inverse association was also seen in either gender. CONCLUSIONS: Breakfast consumption was inversely associated with odds of overweight and obesity in university students. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive studies.

Vitamin D deficiency in relation to general and abdominal obesity among high educated adults.

PURPOSE: To assess the association of vitamin D deficiency with general and abdominal obesity among high educated Iranian adults. METHODS: Current cross-sectional study was done on 500 Iranian professors aged 35 years or more. Complete data on general and abdominal obesity as well as serum 25(OH)D concentrations were available for 352 persons. Obesity was considered as body mass index ≥ 30, and abdominal obesity as waist circumference ≥ 80 cm for women and ≥ 94 cm for men. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml. RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 53.03 ± 7.15 years. Compared with those in the first quartile of serum 25(OH)D, participants in the fourth quartile were less likely to be generally obese (OR 0.46, 65% CI 0.22-0.99). Such finding was also seen even after taking potential confounders into account. Furthermore, we found an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D and abdominal obesity in fully adjusted model (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.86). In addition, a significant positive association was found between vitamin D deficiency and obesity; such that after controlling for potential confounders, participants with vitamin D deficiency had 2.16 and 2.04 times greater odds for having general (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.05-4.45) and abdominal obesity (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.16-3.60), respectively, than those with normal levels of vitamin D. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with general and abdominal obesity. In addition, vitamin D deficiency was positively associated with both general and abdominal obesity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Selenium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in plenty of major metabolic processes. A growing body of literature has shown that selenium deficiency leads to an increase in plasma TC and TG levels. This study explores the effect of selenium supplementation on serum level of lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)]. We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI/WOS, and Scopus (from their commencements to Jan 2016) to identify the papers investigating the association between the intake of selenium and lipid profile. Data extracted from the relevant studies were screened. The pooled standardized mean difference was estimated using the random or fixed effects model. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using Q-test. Of the potentially relevant articles screened, 11 articles including 1221 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Results of meta-analysis showed that intake of selenium resulted in a statistically significant improvement in TC, [(SMD): -0.13, 95% CI: (-0.24, -0.02)], TG [(SMD): -0.19, 95% CI: (-0.38, -0.01)] and VLDL [(SMD): -0.34, 95% CI: (-0.63, -0.05)]. The selenium supplementation did not significantly improve lipid profile such as LDL [(SMD): -0.08, 95% CI: (-0.036, 0.19)], HDL [(SMD): 0.01, 95% CI: (-0.164, 0.18)], HDL/TC ratio [(SMD): 0.025, 95% CI: (-0.11, 0.16)], non-HDL-C [(SMD): 0.018, 95% CI: (-0.13, 0.16)]. This meta-analysis suggests that the effect of selenium supplementation on the serum levels of TG and VLDL is marginally significant. However, the supplementation has no effect on other serum lipids. Moreover, the study shows that the effect of selenium supplementation on lipid profile is negative.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF IVABRADINE IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE IN IRAN.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of ivabradine plus standard of care (SoC) in comparison with current SoC alone from the Iranian payer perspective. METHODS: A cohort-based Markov model was developed to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) over a 10-year time horizon in a cohort of 1,000 patients. The baseline transition probabilities between New York Heart Association (NYHA), mortality rate, and hospitalization rate were extracted from the literature. The effect of ivabradine on mortality, hospitalization, and NYHA improvement or worsening were retrieved from the SHIFT study. The effectiveness was measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) using the utility values derived from Iranian Heart Failure Quality of Life study. Direct medical costs were obtained from hospital records and national tariffs. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to show the robustness of the model. RESULTS: Ivabradine therapy was associated with an incremental cost per QALY of USD $5,437 (incremental cost of USD $2,207 and QALYs gained 0.41) versus SoC. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that ivabradine is expected to have a 60 percent chance of being cost-effective accepting a threshold of USD $6,550 per QALY. Furthermore, deterministic sensitivity analysis indicated that the model is sensitive to the ivabradine drug acquisition cost. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness model suggested that the addition of ivabradine to SoC therapy was associated with improved clinical outcomes along with increased costs. The analysis indicates that the clinical benefit of ivabradine can be achieved at a reasonable cost in eligible heart failure patients with sinus rhythm and a baseline heart rate ≥ 75 beats per minute (bpm).

Estimating the out-of-pocket health expenditure in patients under 5 years with severe malnutrition in Afghanistan in 2023: Findings from a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: This study, of significant importance to healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and organizations involved in child healthcare and malnutrition in Afghanistan, aimed to estimate the out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) in patients under 5 years old with severe malnutrition in a children's hospital in Herat Province, Afghanistan. Method: This study employed a meticulously designed cross-sectional descriptive-analytical approach with practical results. The research population consisted of families with malnourished children under 5 who were referred to Herat Children's Hospital. Data was collected using a comprehensive standard World Health Organization questionnaire to gather demographic information from children in Herat. A carefully selected convenience sampling method was used, with 300 referring patients participating in face-to-face interviews with the supervisors of these children. After obtaining personal consent and coordinating with health officials, interviews were conducted with the caregivers of children under 5 who suffered from severe malnutrition. The data was then analyzed using robust descriptive statistics, quantitative variables, mean and standard deviation, frequency, and relative frequency. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the factors that most influenced direct payments from patients' pockets, ensuring the reliability and validity of the findings. Results: The results showed that OOPE in both households with seven and less than seven people and more than seven people was 68%. The findings indicated that among the residents of Herat referred to the studied hospital, these people spent 54% of the treatment costs directly out of pocket. In contrast, people in the rural areas of Herat pay 69% of the treatment costs to receive medical services straight out of pocket. The critical point is that 93% of the families have incurred catastrophic expenses to treat their children suffering from severe malnutrition. The research revealed that the patient's location and the education level of the head of the household were the most significant factors affecting out-of-pocket payments by patients. Conclusion: Increasing OOPE in rural Afghanistan poses a significant obstacle to equitable healthcare services and access to appropriate medicines. To support the goal of universal healthcare coverage, geographic imbalances, and broad health financing options must be addressed. Strengthening insurance coverage and more government assistance can significantly reduce these patients' out-of-pocket payments.

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact Analysis of Apixaban and Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin in the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of Apixaban and Rivaroxaban, compared to Warfarin, for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Iran. METHOD: A Markov model with a 30-year time horizon was employed to simulate and assess different treatment strategies' cost-effectiveness. The study population comprised Iranian adults with NVAF, identified through specialist consultations, hospital visits, and archival record reviews. Direct medical costs, direct nonmedical, and indirect costs were included. Quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were assessed using an EQ-5D questionnaire. This study utilized a cost-effectiveness threshold of $11 134 per QALY. RESULTS: Apixaban demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness compared to Rivaroxaban and Warfarin. Over 30 years, total costs were lower in the Apixaban and Rivaroxaban groups compared to the Warfarin group ($126.18 and $109.99 vs. $150.49). However, Apixaban showed higher total QALYs gained compared to others (0.134 vs. 0.133 and 0.116). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for comparing Apixaban to Warfarin was calculated at -1332.83 cost per QALY, below the threshold of $11 134, indicating Apixaban's cost-effectiveness. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings, with ICER consistently remaining below the threshold. Over 5 years (2024-2028) of Apixaban usage, the incremental cost starts at USD 70 250 296 in the first year and gradually rises to USD 71 770 662 in the fifth year. DSA and PSA were assessed to prove the robustness of the results. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Apixaban is a cost-effective option for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients in Iran compared to Warfarin.

The prevalence and causes of self-medication among medical university students in Iran during COVID-19 outbreak and its implications for public health and health systems: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Self-medication is a worldwide phenomenon that brings advantages and disadvantages to public health and health systems. This study investigated the extent and causes of self-medication among medical university students and its implications for public health in Iran in 2020. Methods: The present study was designed as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication. The population of the study was the students of health sciences programs who all entered the study. The data collection tool included a questionnaire designed online and available to students. The content validity ratio of the questionnaire was 0.84, and the alpha Cronbach coefficient was calculated at 0.8936. Results: The prevalence of self-medication among medical university students was 19%. The most common reason for self-medication was the safety of medicines (66.67%). The most usual form of medication used was the tablet (35.67%), the most common drug taken was acetaminophen (69.01%), and the most common disease to self-medicate for was headache (67.36%). Estimating the odds ratio of self-medication with demographic variables showed no relationship. However, after adjusting the variables, age and type of degree showed an association with self-medication, as the older participants and postgraduate students had positive attitudes toward self-medication. Conclusion: Self-medication may be helpful, but it often needs proper guidance and logic and can carry various risks. Considering that medical sciences students will be influential in society in the future, it is necessary to pay more attention to correcting their drug use culture and providing access to health services for everyone. Appropriate prescription of medicines, controlling drug sales in pharmacies, highlighting the role of pharmacists in safe self-medication, and controlling the prevalence of self-medication is necessary.

Exploring the metabolomics profile of frailty- a systematic review.

Background: Frailty is a multifaceted geriatric syndrome characterized by an increased vulnerability to stressful events. metabolomics studies are valuable tool for better understanding the underlying mechanisms of pathologic conditions. This review aimed to elucidate the metabolomics profile of frailty. Method: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases. Initially, 5027 results were retrieved, and after removing duplicates, 1838 unique studies were subjected to screening. Subsequently, 248 studies underwent full-text screening, with 21 studies ultimately included in the analysis. Data extraction was performed meticulously by two authors, and the quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist. Results: The findings revealed that certain Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) levels were lower in frail subjects compared to robust subjects, while levels of glutamate and glutamine were higher in frail individuals. Moreover, sphingomyelins and phosphatidylcholines (PC) displayed a decreasing trend as frailty advanced. Additionally, other metabolic derivatives, such as carnitine, exhibited significant associations with frailty. These metabolites were primarily interconnected through biochemical pathways related to the tricarboxylic acid and urea cycles. Notably, frailty was associated with a decrease in metabolic derivatives, including carnitine. Conclusion: This study underscores the intricate relationship between essential metabolites, including amino acids and lipids, and their varying levels in frail individuals compared to their robust counterparts. It provides a comprehensive panel of metabolites, shedding light on their potential associations with frailty and expanding our understanding of this complex syndrome.

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis of lisdexamfetamine versus methylphenidate for patients under 18 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) and Methylphenidate (MPH) are stimulant agents that have been shown to provide significant benefits in the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients. AIM: This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness and the budget impact of LDX compared to MPH as the first-line treatment for ADHD. METHODS: A one-year cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was conducted to compare the effects of LDX and MPH in reducing disease symptoms and patient costs and improving quality of life (QoL) from a social perspective. Clinical data were obtained using the EQ-5D questionnaire. In contrast, economic data were sourced from the official website of the Iranian Food and Drug Association (FDA), the national book of tariffs, and specific questionnaires designed to evaluate patients' direct and indirect costs. 197 patients were included in the study, including individuals who sought psychiatric evaluation at a hospital in Mashhad and those who obtained ADHD medications from governmental pharmacies. The cost-effectiveness of the study medicine was assessed using the decision tree method, and the results were presented as the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). Deterministic Sensitivity Analysis (DSA) and Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis (PSA) were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. Additionally, a Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) was conducted over five years, considering three different scenarios, to evaluate the financial implications of incorporating LDX into the national pharmaceutical system. RESULTS: The ICER for LDX therapy compared to MPH was estimated at USD 264.28 (with an incremental cost of USD 54.9, incremental effectiveness of 0.208, and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) gained of 0.765). The PSA indicated a 0.994% probability of LDX being cost-effective, considering a threshold of USD 2450 per QALY. Furthermore, the DSA revealed that the acquisition cost of LDX influenced the model's sensitivity. The BIA demonstrated that incorporating LDX into Iran's healthcare system would result in a financial burden of approximately $368,566 in the first year, representing an additional cost of $11,154 compared to the non-availability of this medicine and the use of previous medications. It is projected that by 2027, the financial burden of treating ADHD with LDX will reach approximately USD 443,879 over five years, amounting to an increase of $71,154 compared to the absence of this medicine. CONCLUSION: From a social perspective, the inclusion of LDX in the treatment regimen for ADHD is associated with higher costs and an increased financial burden. However, based on our analysis, LDX appears to be a cost-effective choice for managing ADHD in Iran when compared to MPH.

The cost effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancers.

PURPOSE: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy is developed as a replacement for 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. Considering the difference in costs and effectiveness of these interventions, the aim of this study was to compare the cost effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer in east of Iran. METHODS: A Markov model including six states based on xerostomia and dysphagia was developed to estimate the incremental cost effectiveness ratio from the perspective of societal. Cost and quality of life data were collected from 97 respondents via a checklist and EuroQol-5Dimension questionnaire. The robustness of results was examined by deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. All analysis were conducted with Treeage software. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the cost and quality adjusted life years for 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy were 9209.76 and 3.63 respectively. However, the cost and quality adjusted life years for intensity-modulated radiotherapy were 12562.90 and 3.17 respectively. Therefore, 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy produced 0.45 more quality adjusted life years than intensity-modulated radiotherapy and saved $3353. According to the incremental cost effectiveness ratio, 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy as compared to intensity-modulated radiotherapy saved $7367.27 per quality adjusted life years. These results confirmed by sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that in the treatment of head and neck cancer, the 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy method appears to be cost-effective when compared with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Men's involvement in family planning programs and associated factors from the perspective of women in Afghanistan; a case study.

OBJECTIVES: Family planning is a cornerstone to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. However, men's involvement in family planning has been a challenge in many countries. This study aimed to investigate the participation of men in the family planning programs and related factors from the perspective of women referring to family planning organizations in Herat, Afghanistan 2021. METHODS: The study had a cross-sectional design. The participants of the study consisted of 544 married women aged 15-49 years selected by simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess the participation of men in family planning programs. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and analytical methods including Mann-Whitney and Pearson Chi-Square tests were applied in SPSS 21. The answers to the open-end questions were analyzed, coded and classified in two main categories. RESULTS: The average age of study participants was 28(±10) years and a significant proportion of them were illiterate (48.5%). Most of the participants were housewives (83.6%) and their husbands were non-professional workers (39.9%). The husbands participated in family planning programs by choosing the type of contraception (29.2%), provision of contraceptives (29.6%) and supporting their wives using them (49.3%). There were statistically significant relationships between women's and their husband's education level, and husband's employment status with the type of participation in family planning. The main incentives for Afghan men to participate family planning were the increased attention of families to the education and needs of children and the health and welfare of the wives. However, cultural norms supporting larger families, the desire for having boy children, the fear of contraception's side effects and religious prohibitions discourage them in using family planning methods. CONCLUSION: A large number of the respondents stated that their spouse participated in family planning programs. It shows the importance and success of family planning centers in promoting sexual and reproductive health and family planning. Study showed that various factors affected men's participation in family planning programs. Recognition of these factors can help policy makers in designing behavioral interventions based on social marketing, and enhancing the effectiveness of these programs.