Levofloxacin-Induced Oromandibular Dystonia in a 9-Year-Old Patient.

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) that include akathisia, dystonia, pseudoparkinsonism, and dyskinesia are abnormal movements commonly induced by antipsychotic medications. These symptoms are also associated with specific non-antipsychotic agents. This case report describes a case of a 9-year-old boy on antibiotics treatment that developed EPS. A 9-year-old boy presented to the emergency department of Imam Hossein Children>s Hospital with chief complaints of trismus, difficulty speaking, and tongue protrusion. One week before these presentations, he had been prescribed Tavanex® (levofloxacin) and clindamycin. His symptoms improved after the withdrawal of antibiotics and administering Biperiden, and he was discharged in good condition. On a follow-up visit one week after discharge, no remaining symptoms were present, and he was in good condition. Based on the questions in the Naranjo criteria, levofloxacin receives a score of 7 and is a probable cause of adverse drug reaction (ADR). Clindamycin, with a score of 6, is also a probable cause for this adverse drug reaction, but clinical judgment was in favor of levofloxacin as the culprit. Clinicians should be aware of the potential EPS of levofloxacin at standard doses. Effective management of adverse events is necessary to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.

A transvaginal ultrasound-based diagnostic calculator for uterus post-cesarean scar defect.

BACKGROUND: A cesarean scar defect (CSD) is incomplete healing of the myometrium at the site of a prior cesarean section (CS), complicating more than half of all cesarean sections. While transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) is the most common modality for diagnosing this defect, hysteroscopy remains the gold standard. We aimed to develop an efficient diagnostic tool for CSD among women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) by integrating TVU findings and participants' demographic features. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 premenopausal and non-pregnant women with a history of CS complaining of AUB without a known systemic or structural etiology. Each participant underwent a hysteroscopy followed by a TVU the next day. The defect dimensions in TVU, patients' age, and the number of previous CSs were integrated into a binary logistic regression model to evaluate their predictive ability for a hysteroscopy-confirmed CSD. RESULTS: Hysteroscopy identified 74 (74%) participants with CSD. The variables age, the number of CSs, defect length, and defect width significantly contributed to the logistic regression model to diagnose CSD with odds ratios of 9.7, 0.7, 2.6, and 1.7, respectively. The developed model exhibited accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 88.00%, 91.89%, and 76.92%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.955 (P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among non-pregnant women suspected of CSD due to AUB, looking at age, the number of previous CSs, and TVU-based defect width and length can efficiently rule CSD out.

Evaluation of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with COVID-19 based on Different Trimesters.

Background: COVID-19 is the leading cause of the recent pandemic in the globe. This disease might have different effects on the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess these outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 infections in different trimesters. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that was performed in February 2020 to August 2021 in Isfahan on 430 pregnant women with definite diagnosis of COVID-19 infection admitted to our medical centers. The included cases were followed based on the gestational age in which they were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Patients were divided into three groups (first, second, and third trimesters) based on COVID-19 infection. Results: The frequency of requiring mechanical ventilation was higher in mothers with COVID-19 in the second trimester (P = 0.049) and the frequency of PIH was significantly higher in mothers with COVID-19 in the third trimester compared to other women (P = 0.009). Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was also observed in 22 patients (5.3%) that was mostly observed with COVID-19 in the third trimester (P = 0.012). Oligohydramnios and fetal distress leading to C/S were observed in 19 patients (4.6%) and 12 patients (2.9%), respectively. The majority of maternal mortality was among cases with COVID-19 infection in the third trimester (44.4%). Conclusion: We observed higher maternal and fetal complications in women especially those in the third trimester. Our results were in line with the findings of previous studies. Women with COVID-19 infection in the third trimester had highest frequencies of preterm labor and FGR.

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Complications of Uterine Artery Embolization in Comparison with Laparotomy-Myomectomy in the Treatment of Uterine Myomas: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Due to the high prevalence of uterine fibroids or leiomyomas in women of reproductive age and the many treatment options for myomas, finding the best treatment is a challenge for surgeons. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of 2 treatment options surgical interventions and uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with uterine myoma. Methods: The present study was a single-blind randomized clinical trial. The study population included all women with uterine myoma. Hence, 80 patients were divided into 2 groups of 40. The first group underwent laparotomy-myomectomy and the second underwent UAE. These patients were evaluated for clinical symptoms, menstrual disorders, estimated blood loss per menstrual cycle, and pain and complication on the 10th day, and at 2, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed with SPSS software (Version 25) using an independent samples t test, a repeated measure analysis, and a chi-square test. Results: Ten days, 2, 6, and 12 months after the intervention, there was no significant difference between the 2 approaches in terms of their decreasing effects on per menstrual cycle blood loss (p > 0.05), respectively. After 10 days and 2 months, the pain intensity in the embolization group was higher than laparotomy group (p = 0.045, 0.060), respectively. The pain intensity was also not significantly different between the 2 groups after 6 months and 1 year (p > 0.05), respectively. Also, the frequency of fever was higher in the embolization group (p = 0.745). However, the documented post-procedural complications indicated that hemoglobin level declined post-operation (p > 0.050). Conclusion: The results showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of post-procedural mensuration blood loss or pain intensity and the incidence of menstrual disorders within 1 year. It seems that there is no significant difference between the 2 groups and it may be possible to use the UAE depending on the patient's condition.

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance Index and Mediating Variables at the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Background: Some studies have shown that Socioeconomic Status (SES) is positively related to insulin resistance among different population groups, except for pregnant women. Therefore, we examined the relationship between SES and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index as well as mediating variables. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 138 primiparous healthy women at 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. The association between SES and HOMA-IR was analyzed by regression analysis, and mediating variables were determined by mediation analysis. Results: SES score was positively correlated with HOMA-IR index [ß = 0.02, t101 = 2.20, p = 0.03, 95% CI: (0.00-0.05]. The higher percentage of mediation was related to maternal weigh (70.80%). Job activity had a protective effect on the association between SES and HOMA-IR (-62.50%). The total percentage of two mediators was 25%. Conclusions: The positive relationship between SES and (HOMA-IR) in early pregnancy may provide a way to control this condition.

The association between serum TSH concentration whithin the normal range and nutritional status in euthyroid pregnant women at the first trimester of gestation.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up studies have shown an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction in individuals with normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Furthermore, the possible consequences of minor differences in thyroid function (without achieving poor thyroid function) in the risk of weight gain during pregnancy are questionable, too. The production of TSH is under the hypothalamus-pituitary control, and food is one of the most effective environmental agents that control hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity. Regarding the few available studies, we assessed the association of minor variations of TSH concentrations and nutritional status in the first trimester of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was performed on 150 primiparous healthy women. Demographic and family characteristics were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Nutrients intake were extracted from a 72-h recall, and physical activity scores were determined by the pregnancy physical activity scale. RESULTS: The prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (ß =0.022, P = 0.004) and participants' weight at 6-10 weeks of gestation (ß =0.006, P = 0.024) were positively associated with TSH concentrations, while total physical activity score was negatively correlated (ß = ‒0.006, P = 0.047). We did not find any significant association between TSH values and energy-adjusted nutrients intake (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that differences in TSH concentrations within normal range in the first trimester are correlated with gaining weight, physical activity level, and prepregnancy BMI. TSH concentration and consequently thyroid function may influence on gestational weight gain or vice versa.

The effects of canola and olive oils consumption compared to sunflower oil, on lipid profile and hepatic steatosis in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies and metabolic disorders in women during their reproductive years. It is often associated with dyslipidemia and other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study was aimed to evaluate dietary intervention effects with canola and olive oils compared to sunflower oil on lipid profile and fatty liver severity among women with PCOS. METHOD: This study was a 10-week intervention including 72 women with PCOS. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups for receiving 25 g/day canola, olive, or sunflower oils for 10 weeks. The primary and secondary outcomes were to assess changes in lipid profile and in fatty liver severity, respectively. RESULT: At the end of the study, 72 patients with a mean age of 29.31 were analysed. Canola oil consumption resulted in a significant reduction in serum levels of TG (P = 0.002) and TC/HDL (P = 0.021), LDL/HDL (P = 0.047), and TG/HDL (P = 0.001) ratios, however, there was no significant reduction in lipid profile following olive oil consumption. Canola (P < 0.001) and olive oils (P = 0.005) could significantly reduce the fatty liver grade. Moreover, HOMA-IR in both canola (P < 0.001) and olive (P = 0.004) groups was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: In total, compared to olive and sunflower oils, significant improvements in lipid profile, liver function, and HOMA-IR were observed following canola oil consumption in women with PCOS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IR.MUI. RESEARCH: REC.1397.315. Registered 30 JUNE 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/38684.

Effect of misoprostol with and without letrozole on the induction of abortion for women with first-trimester missed abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether addition of letrozole to a misoprostol-based abortion regimen can increase the rate of complete abortion. METHODS: The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial enrolled women with missed abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy attending Sadooghi Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, from 2016 to 2018. The women were randomly assigned to the study group, which received 10 mg of letrozole daily for 3 days, followed by two doses of 800 µg of vaginal misoprostol at a 4-hour interval, or the control group, which received a placebo, followed by the same dose of misoprostol. Sonography was performed to check the abortion status. RESULTS: In total, 120 women completed the study: 60 in the misoprostol plus letrozole group, and 60 in the misoprostol only group. Complete abortion was documented for 93 (77.5%) women: 48 (80.0%) in the misoprostol plus letrozole group and 45 (75.0%) in the misoprostol only group (P=0.80). The mean duration of induction in the misoprostol plus letrozole and misoprostol only groups was 7.35 ± 3.54 hours and 8.2 ± 3.8 4hours, respectively (P=0.21). CONCLUSION: Administration of misoprostol alone was found to be as effective as the administration of misoprostol plus letrozole for first-trimester missed abortion.

Response to Letter to the Editor Entitled: Concerning the Article by Arezoo Maleki-Hajiagha et al. Entitled Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Level in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dear Editor,We thank Kunicki et al. 1 for their interest in our paper 2 and for taking the time to give relevant and important comments regarding the inclusion of hirsutism or hyperandrogenism cases in our study. We agree with Kunicki et al. that the title is not appropriate, and it was better if the title of the article was: Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Level in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hyperandrogenism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Also, we should make some minor editing in the manuscript text.

Successful Myomectomy in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

The prevalence of uterine myomas during pregnancy is estimated to be small. However, a significant fraction of these could lead to pregnancy complications. Myomectomy is rarely performed during pregnancy because of fear of miscarriage and the risk of uncontrolled hemorrhage necessitating hysterectomy. This article reports on a case of myomectomy of subserous leiomyoma that was causing septic necrosis, leukocytosis, rise of inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), and pressure symptom on the liver. Myomectomy was performed at 20 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy continued with no further problems, and at 39 weeks and 1 day of gestation, vaginal delivery resulted in a healthy baby. It is postulated that when myomectomy is performed in carefully selected patients, it prevents sepsis due to myoma torsion and necrosis and also protects surrounding organs against damage.

Vancomycin Infusion Methods on Phlebitis Prevention in Children.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized children require antibiotic therapy. The most common side effect of intravenous injections is Phlebitis. Due to high usage of Vancomycin in children and subsequent phlebitis in their intravenous lines, the current study aimed at comparing the effects of two intervention and routine vancomycin infusion methods in preventing phlebitis in hospitalized children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study is a quasi-experimental study investigating 74 individuals between ages of 1 month and 6 years undergoing treatment using vancomycin. First, 37 children, hospitalized in internal medicine ward of Isfahan Paediatrics' Hospital, Iran with vancomycin infusion orders, were placed in control group, and another 37 children were placed in the intervention group through matching with control group. The intervention group used phlebitis prevention guidelines, created by the authors, while control group used routine infusion method of the hospital. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, and statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The occurrence of phlebitis was 45.90% in intervention and 89.10% in control group. Results showed that the frequency of phlebitis in intervention group was significantly lower than control group (χ2= 15.79, df = 1, p < 0.001) and the average time of phlebitis onset in control group was also significantly lower than that of the intervention group (t 72= 2.99, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, intervention vancomycin infusion method is more effective in reducing phlebitis as a result of intravenous catheter, compared to the routine vancomycin infusion method.

The Responsibility of Clinical Pharmacists for the Safety of Medication Use in Hospitalized Children: A Middle Eastern Experience.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to detect and report the frequency of occurrence of drug-related problems (DRPs) in a Middle Eastern University Children's Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) and classify them in terms of their nature and cause to clarify the responsibility of clinical pharmacists for the safe utilization of medications in hospitalized children. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study which was carried out in Imam Hossein Children's University Hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Isfahan, Iran) from September 2017 to May 2018, DRPs during the hospitalization of pediatric patients in three medical wards, the pediatric intensive care unit, and two neonatal intensive care units were detected and identified concurrently with the treatment process using Pharmaceutical Care Network of Europe data gathering form for DRPs v. 8.01. All cases were verified and validated in a professional focus group before documentation. FINDINGS: We detected 427 DRPs in 201 out of 250 randomly included hospitalized children in which 86% of them were directly reported by the hospital's clinical pharmacist. The highest frequency of DRPs (47.3%) was observed in the age range of 1 month-2 years. Safety of treatment was the most frequently reported as the nature of the problem (43.5%), followed by effectiveness issues (36.8%). The most frequent cause of DRPs was dose selection issues (34.2%), followed by drug-type selection (25.5%), and unavailability of appropriate dosage forms (13.6%). Ninety-eight interventions were proposed by the clinical pharmacist, in which 59.2% of them were accepted. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the necessity for the active role of clinical pharmacists before, during, and after drug therapy in hospitalized pediatric patients for the safety and proper utilization of drugs in this vulnerable population.

Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Level in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We undertook a comprehensive search of all published original articles evaluating the diagnostic value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the detection of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Finally, 25 studies with a total of 1865 participants (1104 cases and 761 controls) met the inclusion criteria. Mean serum PSA levels were significantly higher in PCOS women compared to healthy women [Standardized mean difference (SMD)=1.73 ng/ml, 95% CI=1.22 to 2.25, p<0.001]. Only 5 studies reported accuracy indicators and were included in the bivariate random-effects model; with a total of 509 samples that included 332 (65.22%) confirmed PCOS women. The sensitivity of serum PSA for the diagnosis of PCOS varied between 66.3 and 90.6%, and, the specificity ranged from 62.5-86.7%. Meta-analysis revealed a pooled sensitivity of 72.3% (95% CI 67.1-77.00%) and specificity of 74.6% (95% CI 67.5-80.8%) with an area under the summary ROC curve equal to 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.83). The summary estimates were 2.92 (95% CI 1.98-4.31) for positive LR and 0.37 (95% CI 0.26-0.51) for negative LR. The pooled estimate of diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of serum PSA was 9.01 (95% CI 4.35-18.64). Considering the methodological weaknesses existed in studies, lack of sufficient data regarding the accuracy indicators, and the complexity of the exact pathophysiology of PSA secretion in women, the precise position of PSA, as a diagnostic test for the detection of PCOS, in clinical practice is undetermined, and further studies are still needed.

Use of antioxidants in urinary tract infection.

Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process, and oxidative stress plays a major role in it. Anti-inflammatory or antioxidant therapy given concomitantly with antibiotics should lower the risk of postpyelonephritic scarring. As the lack of review studies in the use of antioxidants in urinary tract infections was detected, this study was designed. We conducted a review of available articles in PubMed and Google Scholar with a simple review, using keywords of "antioxidant" and "pyelonephritis" with all their possible synonyms and combinations. Only interventional studies were collected. There were neither limitations on time, nor the location of the study, type of subjects, administration rout of the antioxidant drug, and the antioxidant drug used. After studying the abstracts or in some cases the full text of articles, they were categorized based on the type of antioxidant, type and number of subjects, rout of administration, dosing, duration of treatment, year of publication of the paper, and the results. A total of 66 articles published from 1991 to 2015 were found by studying just the title of the papers. Studying the abstracts reduced this number to 51 studies. Antioxidants used for this condition were Vitamins A, E, and C, cytoflavin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, ebselen, allopurinol, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, oleuropein, montelukast, oxytocin, ozon, dapsone, pentoxifyllin, tadalafil, bilirubin, cranberry, meloxicam, L-carnitine, colchicine, perfluoran, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone. Studies show that antioxidants are capable of reducing oxidative stress and can be used effectively along with antibiotics to reduce the scar formation.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on inflammation biomarkers in pediatric acute pyelonephritis: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as a potent and safe antioxidant, on inflammatory biomarkers of acute pyelonephritis in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children (< 15 years old) admitted with a diagnosis of pyelonephritis were recruited in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. They were randomly allocated to 2 groups and recieved placebo or NAC effervescent tablets with daily dose based on their weight, for 5 days. The children were evaluated for serum procalcitonin level, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum creatinine, and clinical symptoms on the 1st and the 5th days. RESULTS: Seventy patients, 35 in each group, with a mean age of 5.54 ± 3.10 years completed the study. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the amount of changes in procalcitonin levels after 5 days (P = .90). Within-group analysis confirmed CRP reduction in both groups (P < .001); however, between-group analysis did not show significant difference in CRP reductions, either (P = .65). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the day of resolving pyuria (P = .46), day of resolving bacteriuria (P = .81), or reductions in leukocyte count (P = .64) and neutrophil count (P = .49). CONCLUSIONS: A short period of NAC administration with the recommended doses could not lead to a significant decrease in inflammation biomarkers. Studies on higher doses and longer duration of NAC administration along with evaluation of the long-term effects of the intervention by tools such as renal scntigraphy are suggested.

Comparing the impact of acupuncture and pethidine on reducing labor pain.

BACKGROUND: Generally 50 to 70 percent of women suffer from a severe and unbearable pain during their childbirth. Abnormal fetal heart patterns, an increase of caesarian delivery rate, prolonged labor and low APGAR score in newborn are some of adverse effects of labor pain. Disagreement between different studies regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of acupuncture on labor pain led us to do this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a clinical trial study. Sampling was done randomly in Esfahan, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, based on the subjects' characteristics. Patients were classified into three groups of control, Pethidine and acupuncture (27-30 women in each group). All women with a first and second pregnancy. VAS pain ruler was used as data collection tool. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, and using ANOVA and kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The average pain score in control group 30 min after intervention was 7.80, while in Pethidine and acupuncture groups respectively were 6.87 and 5.77. Kruskal-Walis test showed that three groups in pain severity had significant difference at this time. The average length of the active phase of labor in Pethidine and acupuncture groups was 175 min while this time in control group was 243 min that ANOVA test showed a significant difference (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Results showed that acupuncture can significantly reduce labor pain in 30 min after intervention, while it had no effect on labor pain at full dilatation. However, both in Pethidine and acupuncture groups, the length of the active phase has been considerably shortened.

Relation between time to pregnancy and pregnancy outcome.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown significant correlation between time to pregnancy (TTP) and pregnancy outcomes. But understanding of these mechanisms may not be facilitated. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between TTP and pregnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a case cohort study that was done in Shahid Beheshti Educational Hospital during 2006-2007. Women aged 18-35 years, who had only one pregnancy without using any contraception method before pregnancy and delivered their first child, were enrolled in this study. Thus, 801 women were selected and followed up for pregnancy outcome and TTP until the end of pregnancy. All the participants filled in a special questionnaire. Finally the collected data were entered into computer and analyzed by SPSS ver. 20 software. RESULTS: The frequency distribution of TTP-based pregnancy outcome showed that TTP >48 weeks was higher in normal delivery than in abnormal delivery (5.6% vs. 19.4%). According to Chi-square test, the frequency distribution of pregnancy outcome was related to TTP (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, there is a significant relationship between TTP and pregnancy outcome, and TTP may lead to unwanted complications such as ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, and abortion. Thus, all women with a long time of contraception, especially in the rural areas, mast be controlled.

Does Carotid Intima-media Thickness have Relationship with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and metabolic disturbances and a genetically heterogeneous disease. Intima-media thickness (IMT) is an indicator of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the relation between IMT and PCOS in women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 44 PCOS patients and 44 healthy women. Data collection included lipid profiles, blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and common and internal IMT of carotid artery which were measured in studied subjects. IMT was measured by a radiologist using a linear 12 MHz ultrasound probe (LOGIC S6, GE) in carotid setting. RESULTS: IMT of common carotid artery (56.8 ± 7.6 in cases versus 49.8 ± 7.3 in controls), internal carotid artery (56.9 ± 6.03 in cases versus 49.6 ± 6.9 in controls), and both common and internal carotid artery (56.6 ± 6.7 in cases versus 49.7 ± 6.9 in controls) were significantly higher in PCOS patients than healthy women (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, results demonstrated that carotid artery thickness as a risk for premature atherosclerosis in patients with PCOS is higher than healthy subjects. And hence care and monitoring of PCOS women with these risk factors sounds to be important and necessary.

Clinical pharmacy services in an Iranian teaching hospital: Type, severity, resolution, and accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical pharmacy services are improving in hospitals. For assessing the impact of these services, first it is important to exactly describe them by categorizing into types, severity, resolution, and accuracy. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the clinical pharmacists' services performed on in-patients in a teaching hospital during 28 months. SETTING: Masih Daneshvari hospital, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: This is a descriptive study. The authors retrospectively reviewed the notes of all services and entered them in a designed SPSS sheet. Documentation was carried out based on the "findings, assessment, resolution, and monitoring" method. The data were descriptively analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Types, subtypes, severities, resolutions, and accuracies of services were defined, documented, and analyzed. FINDINGS: In total 3152 records (2227 interventions and 925 visits with no intervention) were classified and analyzed in this study. Among all types of interventions, "improper medication use" (36.2%) was the most frequent intervention and among categories (subgroups) of "improper medication use," "untreated indication" was the most frequent (23.7%). From the aspect of severity, 75.4% of interventions were estimated as of minor potential inconvenience to the patient (severity degree 1). Most interventions (78%) were finally recommended to the prescriber and 97.6% of interventions were considered accurate on further evaluation. CONCLUSION: Clinical pharmacists' interventions are highly demanded in the hospitals. Based on the results of this study, conditions needing medication to prevent later complications in the course of therapy are sometimes ignored, which emphasizes the positive role of the clinical pharmacists' involvements in clinical teams to improve outcome.

Comparison of Gabapentin with Estrogen for treatment of hot flashes in post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Various non-hormonal agents have been used for the treatment of hot flashes in women with menopause. Some studies have reported that gabapentin appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the treatment with gabapentin is effective in reducing hot flash frequency and severity and also to compare gabapentin 100 mg/day, 300 mg/day and conjugated estrogen in this regards. METHODS: In this comparative clinical trial, 100 post-menopausal women attending outpatient clinics of Isfahan University hospitals were included from April 2008 to February 2009. Participants randomly received gabapentin 300 mg/day, gabapentin 100 mg/day, or conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg/day for 12 weeks. Frequency and severity of hot flashes and adverse effects were compared among the three groups. FINDINGS: From all, 16 participants dropped out. There were no significant differences among the groups before intervention in terms of age, body mass index and baseline hot flash frequency and severity. Hot flash diaries were used to record the frequency and severity of hot flashes. After the treatment period, there was a significant decrease in both severity and frequency of hot flashes in all three groups. Post-hoc analyses showed that the frequency and severity of hot flashes were significantly lower in those who received gabapentin 300 mg/day or estrogen 0.625 mg/day compared to those who received gabapentin 100 mg/day. There was not statistically significant difference between those who received gabapentin 300 mg/day and those who received estrogen. Very few adverse effects, mostly gastrointestinal discomfort were observed in both gabapentin groups (8%). CONCLUSION: Gabapentin 300 mg/day could be useful to relieve hot flashes in women for whom hormone therapy is not suitable or when hot flashes do not respond to other therapies. Further researches are needed to determine the efficacy of gabapentin use for longer periods or at higher doses.