Five-year changes in macular thickness in the elderly population: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the 5-year changes in macular thickness and related factors. METHODS: Data were from the second (2014) and third (2019) phases of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study. Examinations included measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, non-cycloplegic autorefraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy. Participants underwent Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). RESULTS: The 5-year changes (95% confidence interval) of central and overall macular thicknesses were - 3.48 ± 8.16 µ (-3.92, -3.03) and - 0.79 ± 4.06 µ (-1.03, -0.54), respectively. The median and IQR of 5-year changes in the central subfield thickness were -3 and 10, although they were 0 and 5 in the overall macular thickness, respectively. Multiple regression model showed the central macular thickness (CMT) decreased with a U-shape pattern with increasing age. The 5-year changes in CMT were significantly lower in females compared to males ß = -1.55; (-2.78, -0.32) and in smokers compared to non-smokers ß = -1.92; (-3.55, -0.28). Moreover, higher body mass index ß = -0.12; (-0.22, -0.02) and CMT at baseline ß = -0.08; (-0.10, -0.06) were significantly associated with lower CMT changes. The average 5-year changes in overall macular thickness showed a non-linear decrease with age and was significantly higher in females ß = 0.93; (0.4, 1.43). These changes were directly related to the anterior chamber depth ß = 0.87; (0.10, 1.64) in the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The macular thickness decreased slightly after 5 years; however, this change is not clinically significant. Demographic factors such as age and sex and refractive errors were significantly related to macular thickness changes.

Osteoporosis medication adherence tools: a systematic review.

Poor adherence reduces the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment, resulting in lower bone mineral density and subsequently higher fracture rates. Reliable and practical tools are needed to measure medication adherence. The aim of this systematic review was to find osteoporosis medication adherence measurement tools and assess their applicability. Osteoporosis adherence measurement tools and all their related keywords in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched on 4 December, 2022. After excluding duplicates in the Endnote software, two researchers independently investigated the remaining articles and included all those that used a method for measuring adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy. Articles that did not specify the medications evaluated or if the primary focus was not adherence excluded. Two common measures of adherence, i.e., compliance and persistence were included. Four separate tables were designed, one for direct methods, one for formulas, one for questionnaires, and one for electronic methods of measuring adherence to treatment. Quality assessment was performed for selected articles by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). A total of 3821 articles were found, of which 178 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In general, five types of methods were observed to measure medication adherence of osteoporosis, including direct methods (n = 4), pharmacy records (n = 17), questionnaires (n = 13), electronic methods (n = 1), and tablet counting (n = 1). The most commonly used adherence measurement tool, based on pharmacy records, was medication possession ratio (MPR). Among questionnaires, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was mostly used. Our findings show what tools have been used to measure medication adherence in osteoporosis patients. Among these tools, direct methods and electronic methods are the most accurate methods. However, due to their high cost, they are practically not used in measuring osteoporosis medication adherence. Questionnaires are the most popular among them and are mostly used in osteoporosis.

Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its associated factors in 50-74 years old Iranian adults: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: By the lengthening of life span, the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension has increased. This study aims to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its related factors in the age group of 50-74 years in Shahroud, northeast Iran. METHODS: The data of the third phase of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study were used in this study. This phase of the cohort study included 4394 participants aged 50 to 74 years from the previous phases. In addition to ophthalmological and optometric examinations, demographic characteristics, blood biochemistry tests, and blood pressure measurements were performed in this phase. Individuals with a blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm/Hg (being treated or not treated with antihypertensive medicines) were defined as uncontrolled hypertension. In patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/80 mm/Hg was considered uncontrolled hypertension. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Overall, the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension out of all the participants was 61.7% (95% CI: 60.3-63.2). Multiple regression results showed that the male gender (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-2.9), patients with diabetes (OR:3.2, 95% CI: 2.4-4.3), and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 2.5-4.1) increased the risk of uncontrolled hypertension while in patients with cardiovascular disease (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8) and polypharmacy (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.2) reduced the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that uncontrolled hypertension has a high prevalence, and factors such as male gender, diabetes, and CKD are associated with this disorder. So, it is recommended to take the necessary measures to formulate and implement immediate actions to prevent or control hypertension.

Depression and self-care in diabetes; adjustment for misclassification bias: application of predictive weighting method.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between depression and self-care in diabetic patients potentially influenced by biases in depression measurement using weighting the positive and negative predictive values. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1050 patients informedly consented to participate in the study. Using a WHO-5 well-being index, the participants were examined for depressive mood as exposure. The sensitivity and specificity of this index in a systematic review study were 0.86 and 0.81, respectively. Self-care (that is outcome) was assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. To correct the misclassification bias of exposure, the predictive weighting method was used in the multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for covariates. Bootstrap sample with replacement and simulation was used to deal with random error. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 42.8 ± 7.5 years. In this study, 70.1% of diabetic patients (n = 720) were depressed based on the questionnaire score and only 52.7% (n = 541) of them had appropriate self-care behaviors. Our study revealed a close relationship between self-care and covariates such as gender, depression, having comorbidities, abdominal obesity, economic status and education. The odds ratio of the association between depressive mood and lack of self-care in primary multivariable logistic regression was 2.21 (95% CI: 1.62-3.00, p < 0.001) and after misclassification bias adjusting, it was equal to 3.4 (95% CI: 1.7-6.6, p < 0.001). The OR percentage of bias was - 0.55. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for depression misclassification bias and random error, the observed association between depression and self-care was stronger. According to our findings, psychiatric interventions, and counseling and education along with self-care interventions are necessary for these patients. Special attention should be paid to male, low economic classes, less educated and those having a history of comorbidities along with psychological assessment when improving the care and progress of treatment in diabetic patients is expected. Future studies are needed to clarify the role of other psychological disorders on self-care of diabetics.

Three-year change in corneal asphericity in children at the age of emmetropisation.

PURPOSE: To determine the 3-year changes in anterior and posterior values of corneal asphericity (Q) in 6- to 12-year-old children. METHODS: The first and second phases of the study were conducted in 2015 and 2018, respectively. The target population in the first phase was 6- to 12-year-old students in Shahroud, Iran. Multistage cluster sampling was performed on urban students. Additionally, all rural students in Shahroud county were invited to participate. Corneal imaging and ocular biometry were performed using the Pentacam-HR and Allegro Biograph, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 4961 right eyes were analysed in this report. The mean (95% confidence interval) anterior and posterior Q values for an 8-mm chord diameter were -0.38 ± 0.11 (-0.39 to -0.38) and -0.32 ± 0.12 (-0.33 to -0.32) in the first phase of the study, respectively. The mean 3-year changes in anterior and posterior Q values were 0.00 ± 0.08 (95% CI: 0.00-0.00) and -0.01 ± 0.06 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.01), respectively. Based on a multiple regression model, advancing age (ß = -0.002; [-0.003 to -0.001]), 3-year increase in mean keratometry (ß = -0.04; [-0.06 to -0.02]), central corneal thickness (ß = -0.001; [-0.001 to -0.000]), lens thickness (-0.05; [-0.11 to -0.003]) and anterior chamber depth (-0.09; [-0.15 to -0.03]) showed a statistically significant association with increased anterior Q prolation. Increased axial length was associated with a decrease in Q (ß = 0.02; [0.004 to 0.03]). In addition, female gender (ß = -0.004; [-0.007 to -0.001]) was significantly associated with a more prolate posterior Q value, while rural residence (ß = 0.005; [0.002 to 0.009]) was significantly associated with a more oblate posterior Q value. CONCLUSION: Three-year changes in anterior and posterior Q values were very small. The cornea tends to become more prolate with increasing age.

Economic inequalities in decayed, missing, and filled first permanent molars among 8-12 years old Iranian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: First permanent molars (FPM) play an important role in the masticatory function and oral health. This study aimed to assess the economic inequalities of FPM health indices among schoolchildren in the northeast of Iran. METHODS: A total of 4051 children aged 8-12 years old were included in the analyses of this cross-sectional study in 2015. Economic status was measured using the principal component analysis on home assets. Concentration index (C) was used to measure economic inequality in FPM health indices, and its contributing factors determined by Wagstaff decomposition technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of having decayed, missing, and filled FPMs among children was 40.9% (95% CI: 38.8-43.0), 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.6%), and 7.8% (95% CI: 6.7-8.9%), respectively. Missing FPM was generally more concentrated among low-economic children (C=-0.158), whereas, filled FPM was more concentrated on high-economic children (C = 0.223). Economic status, mother education, having a housekeeper mother, and overweight/obesity, contributed to the measured inequality in missing FPM by 98.7%, 97.5%, 64.4%, and 11.2%, respectively. Furthermore, 88.9%, 24.1%, 14.5%, and 13.2% of filled FPM inequality was attributable to children's economic status, father education, residence in rural areas, and age, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a significant economic inequality in both missing and filled FPM. This inequality can be attributed to the economic status of individuals. To reduce FPM extraction, it is important to target low-income and rural children and provide them with FPM restoration services. Additionally, it is necessary to provide training to less-educated parents and housekeeper mothers to address the observed inequalities.

Isolated systolic hypertension and its associated risk factors in Iranian middle age and older population: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), is the most common form of hypertension in older adults. However, the ISH prevalence is not well known in many developing countries such as Iran. This study was conducted to determine the ISH prevalence and its related risk factors in an Iranian population. METHODS: Data were obtained from the second phase of the Shahroud eye cohort study (ShECS) in 2014. ShECS is a longitudinal population-based study which the first phase had been conducted in 2009 using the stratified multistage cluster sampling design on 5190 people aged 40 to 70 years. The ISH prevalence was determined based on the eighth Joint National Commission guidelines for different demographic variables. The associated risk factors were estimated by multiple logistic regression and a two-tailed p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The ISH prevalence was 15.89% (95% CI: 14.88-16.96). It was 15.68% (14.12-17.39) and 15.87% (14.54-17.29) for men and women, respectively. The prevalence of ISH increased significantly with increasing age. The 65-70 compared to 45-69 year age group (OR = 4.21), body mass index (OR = 1.03), diabetes (OR = 1.64), retirement, compared to practitioner job (OR = 1.53), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) (OR = 9.81) were significantly associated with ISH prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: ISH is highly prevalent among the older adult population in Iran. Given the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with ISH, it is recommended to conduct education and public health interventions to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of ISH.

MACULAR THICKNESS BY USING SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

PURPOSE: To determine the distribution of macular and cube thickness and their normal range in the students aged 9 years to 15 years and to investigate their associated demographic and biometric factors. METHODS: This study was based on the data of the second phase of the Shahroud School Children Eye Cohort Study, conducted in 2018. After measurements of visual acuity, biometry, and subjective and cycloplegic refraction, retinal examination was performed using the Zeiss Cirrus HD 4000 optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The data of 5,043 right eyes were analyzed after applying the exclusion criteria. The central macular thickness was 239 ± 19.35 µ m. The mean cube volume and cube thickness were 9.94 ± 0.44 and 278 ± 12.20, respectively. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the central macular thickness was significantly lower in girls (coefficient [ß]: -9.18; P < 0.001) and rural students (ß: 3.86; P < 0.001) and had a direct association with axial length (ß: 5.19; P < 0.001), lens thickness (ß: 5.33; P = 0.003), and mean keratometry (ß: 2.41; P < 0.001). The cube volume was lower in girls (ß: -0.13; P < 0.001) and higher in rural students (ß: 0.05; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Macular thickness was slightly higher in Iranian children. Sex, living place, axial length, lens thickness, and mean keratometry were the main associated factors with macular thickness.

Prevalence of ocular trauma in 6-12-year-old children living in Shahroud, Iran.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of ocular trauma in Iranian children aged 6-12 years. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study, comprised the first phase of the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study on primary school children using cluster sampling in urban areas and census in rural areas. The students underwent the measurement of uncorrected and corrected visual acuity as well as non-cycloplegic, cycloplegic, and subjective refraction. The history of trauma, hospitalization, and surgery due to trauma was collected from parents using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The data of the trauma history was recorded for 5267 out of 5620 students. The mean age of the students was 9.7 ± 1.7 years (range: 6-12 years), 53.7% of them were boys, and 79.3% were from urban areas. A positive history of ocular trauma was found in 285 participants, and the lifetime prevalence of ocular injury (95% CI) was 5.2% (4.6-5.9). Blunt trauma was the most common ocular injury with a prevalence of 66.2%. There was a significant positive assocation between ocular trauma and living in rural areas (OR: 1.49, p: 0.012), older age (OR: 1.17, p < 0.001), and male sex (OR: 1.62, p: 0.002). Furthermore, 9.3% and 4.7% of the traumas required hospitalization and surgical intervention, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found a marked prevalence of ocular trauma compared to previous studies. Male sex, older age, and living in rural areas were associated with ocular trauma, which could be due to differences in lifestyle preference, outdoor exposure, and dangerous situations. Educational programs and safety instructions should be encouraged.

Visual functions and disability in Iranian adults: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Vision-related quality of life is related to severity of visual impairments and show the impact of eye diseases on daily activities. This study aims to assess visual functions and disability and its association with age, gender, education, marital status, and economic status in adults aged 45-69 years. METHODS: Data in this population-based study were from the second phase of the Shahroud eye cohort study and collected by using a Short-Form Visual Functioning Scale. The scores of visual function and disability were calculated based on Rasch-transformed scores of the National Eye Institute visual functioning questionnaire, where a more negative score indicates a better situation. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the factors associated with visual functions. RESULTS: Among 4737 participants the visual function data for 4715 people were analyzed. The visual function of 75.3, 17.1 and 7.5% of participants were "ideal and good", "moderate", and "bad and very bad", respectively, while 0.06% were unable for vision. The running mean of the visual function was calculated to be - 3.95 ± 0.02. The visual performance was worse in females than the males (ß = 0.14, p = 0.005). Visual function improved with increasing levels of education (ß = - 1.06, p < 0.001). It was worse in low-economic (ß = 0.016, p = 0.005) and moderate-economic (ß = 0.28, p < 0.001) participants than high-economic ones. CONCLUSION: The visual function of Iranian adults aged 45-69 years was moderate. The male gender, higher education and the higher economic status had a better visual function.

Salt intake and blood pressure in Iranian children and adolescents: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of hypertension in Iranian students, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the daily intake of salt in students and its association with high blood pressure. METHODS: A random sub-sample was selected from the participants of the second phase of Shahroud schoolchildren eye cohort study and then a random urine sample was tested for sodium, potassium and creatinine. Urine electrolyte esexcretion and daily salt intake were calculated by Tanaka et al.'s formula. RESULTS: Among 1455 participants (including 230 participants from rural area and 472 girls), the mean age was 12.9 ± 1.7 year and the mean daily salt intake was 9.7 ± 2.6 g (95% CI 9.5-9.8). The mean salt consumption in rural areas [10.8 (95% CI 10.4-11.2)] was higher than urban areas [9.4 (95% CI 9.3-9.6)], in people with hypertension [10.8 (95% CI 10.3-11.3)] was more than people with normal blood pressure [9.4 (95% CI 9.3-9.6)], and in boys [9.8 (95% CI 9.7-10.0)] was more than girls [9.3 (95% CI 9.1-9.6)]. Higher age, BMI z-score, male sex and rural life, were associated with increased daily salt intake. Increased salt intake was associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Daily salt intake in Iranian adolescents was about 2 times the recommended amount of the World Health Organization, was higher in rural areas and was associated with blood pressure. Reducing salt intake should be considered as an important intervention, especially in rural areas.

Burnout among healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients and the associated factors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, healthcare workers at six university-affiliated hospitals, who had been taking care of COVID-19 patients were studied. Age, gender, marital status, having children, hospital, job category, experience, and work load, as well as the level of burnout in each subscale were measured. RESULTS: 326 persons (53.0%) experienced high levels of burnout. The average score in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment was 26.6, 10.2, and 27.3, respectively. The level of burnout in the three subscales varied based on the personal as well as work-related factors and gender was the only variable that was associated with high levels of all three domains. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout is prevalent among healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. Age, gender, job category, and site of practice contribute to the level of burnout that the staff experience.

Dynamic corneal biomechanics in different cell layers: in keratoconus and normal eyes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between corneal cellular structures and biomechanical deformation parameters in keratoconic (KC) and healthy eyes. METHODS: In this prospective comparative study, 29 eyes of 29 KC patients were age- and gender-matched with 28 eyes of 28 healthy individuals using frequency matching. Corneal parameters examined included the density of basal epithelial cells, anterior keratocytes, posterior keratocytes and endothelial cells as assessed by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (HRT III-RCM, Heidelberg Engineering, www.heidelbergengineering.com). Additionally, the coefficient of variation of endothelial cell size (CV) and the percentage of hexagonal endothelial cells (HEX%) were measured by specular microscopy (Konan NSP-9900, Konan Medical, www.konanmedical.com). Further, biomechanical deformation parameters were derived from Corvis Scheimpflug Technology (Corvis ST, Oculus, www.oculus.de). All cellular and biomechanical deformation parameters in KC and normal groups were compared, and the relationship between cellular and biomechanical parameters calculated. RESULTS: In the KC group, the highest concavity (HC) delta arc length and maximum delta arc length were associated with endothelial cell density (Beta = -0.39, p = 0.03 and Beta = -0.60, p Ë‚ 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant association between HC deflection length and HEX% (Beta = -0.67, p = 0.001). In the normal group, HC delta arc length and HC deflection length were significantly associated with endothelial cell density (Beta = 0.46, p = 0.02; and Beta = -0.51, p = 0.01, respectively). HC time, HC deformation amplitude and applanation 1 delta arc length were associated with CV (Beta = 0.50, p = 0.01; Beta = 0.27, p = 0.009; and Beta = -0.57, p = 0.002, respectively). Applanation 1 and applanation 2 deformation amplitudes were associated with HEX% (Beta = -0.49, p = 0.005; and Beta = -0.46, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical deformation parameters were significantly correlated with endothelial cell properties in both KC and normal groups, thereby indicating the importance of the integrity of endothelial cells to the biomechanical properties of both KC and normal corneas.

Addressing Individual Ophthalmic Health in Public Health Research.

In pediatric cohort studies, disclosing findings and providing treatment counseling to parents, legal guardians, or other authorized representatives is an ethical imperative. Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal degenerative disease that can progress to severe vision impairment and need for corneal transplantation. This report concerns the disclosure of results to the parents of children who were diagnosed with KC in the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study and received essential treatment in a timely manner.

Individualizing the dosage of Methylphenidate in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood mental health disorders. Stimulant drugs as the most commonly used treatment and first-line therapy for ADHD have side effects. One of the newest approaches to select the best choices and optimize dosages of medications is personalized medicine. METHODS: This historical cohort study was carried out on the data taken from the period of 2008 to 2015. Eligible subjects were included in the study randomly. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to personalize the dosage of Methylphenidate (MPH) in ADHD. The patients' heterogeneity was considered using subject-specific random effects, which are treated as the realizations of a stochastic process. To recommend a personalized dosage for a new patient, a two-step procedure was proposed. In the first step, we obtained estimates for population parameters. In the second step, the dosage of the drug for a new patient was updated at each follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 221 children enrolled in the study, 169 (76.5%) were male and 52 (23.5%) were females. The overall mean age at the beginning of the study is 82.5 (± 26.5) months. In multivariable mixed logit model, three variables (severity of ADHD, time duration receiving MPH, and dosage of MPH) had a significant relationship with improvement. Based on this model the personalized dosage of MPH was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: To determine the dosage of MPH for a new patient, the more the severity of baseline is, the more of an initial dose is required. To recommend the dose in the next times, first, the estimation of random coefficient should be updated. The optimum dose increased when the severity of ADHD increased. Also, the results show that the optimum dose of MPH as one proceeds through the period of treatment will decreased.

The Effect of Cyclopentolate on Ocular Biometric Components.

SIGNIFICANCE: It is apparent that a variety of biometric changes are caused by different types of cycloplegic eye drops. However, these effects are inconsistent and have not been reported in different refractive groups. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cyclopentolate 1% on ocular biometric components in different types of refractive errors in children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 eyes of 113 schoolchildren in Shahroud, northeast Iran, with a mean ± standard deviation age of 9.20 ± 1.65 years. All participants had noncycloplegic and cycloplegic objective refraction using an autorefractometer. Cycloplegia was induced using cyclopentolate 1% eye drops. Biometric measurements were made with Allegro Biograph (WaveLight AG, Erlangen, Germany) before and after administering cycloplegic drops. Mixed-effect model regression was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: After cycloplegia, the vitreous chamber depth (VCD) (-0.043; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.067 to -0.019 mm), lens thickness (-0.146; 95% CI, -0.175 to -0.117 mm), axial length (-0.009; 95% CI, -0.012 to -0.006 mm), and lens power (-0.335; 95% CI, -0.463 to -0.208 D) decreased significantly, whereas the anterior chamber depth (ACD) (0.183; 95% CI, 0.164 to 0.202 mm), anterior segment length (0.036; 95% CI, 0.014 to 0.058) mm), lens central point (0.109; 95% CI, 0.094 to 0.124 mm), and pupil diameter (1.599; 95% CI, 1.482 to 1.716 mm) increased (P value for all tests, <.001). For changes in VCD and ACD, a significant interaction was observed between different types of refractive errors and cycloplegia, such that the adjusted mean change for ACD was significantly lower and for VCD was significantly higher in hyperopes compared with emmetropes. Lens center moves backward in myopes (0.17 mm) and stays the same in hyperopes under cycloplegia. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of this study, cycloplegia reduces the thickness of the crystalline lens and subsequently causes an increase in the ACD. Cycloplegia-related ocular biometric changes were different by type of refractive error.

Distribution of Keratoconus Indices in Normal Children 6 to 12 Years of Age.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of keratoconus indices in normal children 6 to 12 years of age. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in children living in urban and rural areas of Shahroud, northeast Iran in 2015. After careful optometric examinations, the Pentacam was used for corneal imaging and measurement of keratoconus indices. RESULTS: Of 5,620 students who participated in the study, the data of the right eye of 4,947 children were analyzed after applying the exclusion criteria. The mean age of all children was 9.23±1.71 years (range: 6-12 years). The mean and 95% confidence intervals (in the parentheses) of index of surface variance (ISV), index of vertical asymmetry, keratoconus index (KI), central keratoconus index (CKI), index of height asymmetry, index of height decentration (IHD), and average pachymetric progression index (PPIAve) was 17.770 (17.610-17.930), 0.137 (0.135-0.139), 1.022 (1.022-1.023), 1.010 (1.010-1.010), 3.299 (3.230-3.368), 0.007 (0.007-0.008), and 0.948 (0.943-0.952), respectively. The results of multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analysis showed that ISV, KI, CKI, IHD, and PPIAve were significantly higher in girls. Index of surface variance and CKI were higher in urban students, and PPIAve was higher in rural students. Except for PPIAve, which was increased with increasing age, the mean values of other keratoconus indices were significantly lower in 12-year-old students compared with 6-year-old ones. CONCLUSION: The results provide valuable information about normal distribution of keratoconus indices in children aged 6 to 12 years. These findings can be used in future research and detection of abnormal cases in the clinical setting.

Distribution of Different Corneal Topography Patterns in Iranian Schoolchildren: The Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of corneal topography patterns (CTPs) in children aged 6 to 12 years and its association with the central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length (AL), mean corneal power (MCP), and corneal astigmatism (CA). METHODS: In this population-based study, 5,620 children selected through random stratified cluster sampling were examined. After applying the inclusion criteria, 4,655 right eyes were analyzed. The Pentacam was used to determine the CTP and measure CA and MCP, and the BioGraph was used to measure the AL. Corneal topography patterns were classified based on the 10 patterns proposed by Rabinowitz et al. RESULTS:: The most common pattern in the right eye was the oval pattern [32.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 30.9-34.5] followed by asymmetric bowtie with superior steepening (AB-SS) (14.5%, 95% CI: 13.3-15.7), whereas the rarest patterns were AB with skewed radial axis (AB-SRAX) (0.1%, 95% CI: 0.0-0.2) and irregular pattern (0.2%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4). The similarity between the two eyes was 23.2% (95% CI: 20.9-25.7). The mean CCT was significantly higher in AB-SS than inferior steepening (IS) (P=0.023), symmetric bowtie with SRAX (SB-SRAX) (P=0.030), and AB with IS (AB-IS) (P=0.015). Corneal astigmatism was higher in SB-SRAX compared with round and oval patterns (P value for both <0.001). The AL was greater, and the MCP was lower in the oval versus the SB-SRAX pattern (P value for both <0.001). CONCLUSION: The distribution of CTP was different in children and adults, and the oval and AB-SS patterns were the most common CTPs in the current study.

Sex Differences in 28-Day Mortality of Ischemic Stroke in Iran and Its Associated Factors: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The mortality and morbidity rates of stroke in men and women have been reported differently and its effective factors have been discussed. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in 28-day mortality of ischemic stroke and its associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study conducted from June 2018 to September 2019 in patients with ischemic stroke referred to Firoozgar, Shariati and Sina hospitals in Tehran. Demographic data, risk factors, disease history, drug use, severity of stroke, and patient functional status were recorded in the hospital. The patients' functional status and severity of stroke were measured using the Modified Ranking Scale (MRS) and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). After 28 days, the patients' survival status was monitored. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: In this study, 703 patients were enrolled; of them, 260 (37.00%) were female and 443 (63.00%) were male. After 28 days, 21 female cases (8.17%) and 26 male (6.08%) ones died (P = 0.299). Functional status (OR = 4.65; 95%CI: 2.09 to 10.38), diastolic blood pressure (OR = 0.91; 95%CI: 0.85 to 0.96), warfarin use (OR = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.04 to 0.55), and hemoglobin (OR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.02 to 1.35) were associated with 28-day mortality. Poor functional status in men had a greater association with 28-day mortality than women (OR 4.65 vs. 1.64). High diastolic blood pressure had a negative association with the 28-day mortality of cases and this association is more in women than in men (OR 0.88 vs. 0.91). High hemoglobin is a risk factor in men and a protective factor in 28-day mortality in women (OR 1.73 vs. 0.73). Smoking also had a greater association with 28-day mortality in women than men (OR 2.67 vs. 1.2). DISCUSSION: Twenty eight-day mortality was more in women than in men, but this difference was not significant. Women were older, had more severe stroke and poorer functional status than men. Variables including functional status, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin level, and smoking had interaction with sex, and their association with 28-day mortality rate was different between men and women. Sex differences should be considered, so that we can better manage stroke patients.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on interictal serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in episodic migraine patients: post hoc analysis of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence showed promising effects of vitamin D on headaches characteristics. Thus, it seems there is still a need for more researches to clarify the mechanisms by which this vitamin exerts anti-migraine effects. METHODS: The present study was conducted as a 16-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on 80 episodic migraine patients allocated in 2 parallel groups each consisted of 40 patients who received vitamin D 2000 IU/d or placebo. At baseline and after the intervention completion, headache diaries and migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) were used to assess migraine related variables in patients. Also, interictal serum concentration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (as the dominant mediator of migraine pain pathogenesis) was evaluated using ELISA method. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of age in the vitamin D and placebo groups was 37 (8) and 38 (12) years, respectively. ANCOVA test adjusted for baseline values, and confounders showed vitamin D supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in MIDAS score after 12 weeks in the intervention group (21.49 (16.22-26.77)) compared to placebo (31.16 (25.51-36.82) P value: 0.016). Moreover, after controlling for baseline levels, and other variables using ANCOVA, CGRP level was appeared to be significantly lower following vitamin D supplementation (153.26 (133.03-173.49) ng/L) than the patients in the placebo arm (188.35 (167.15-209.54) ng/L) (P value = 0.022). CONCLUSION: According to the current findings, vitamin D supplementation in episodic migraineurs, particularly in those with migraine with aura, may potentially improve migraine headache characteristics and disability probably through attenuating CGRP levels. Therefore, these results could provide a new insight into anti-nociceptive effects of vitamin D; however, more studies are required to confirm our findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT) at 11 July 2018, with IRCT code: IRCT20151128025267N6.