ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 survivors are predicted to experience the long-term consequences, including pulmonary, neurologic, cardiovascular, and mental health sequelae. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on studies assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychiatric problems in COVID-19 survivors. METHODS: A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar databases using key terms COVID-19, PTSD, depression, anxiety, HRQoL, survivors. Pooled estimates were calculated using the random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of 21 eligible articles were included. The pooled prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors were 18% (95% CI: 13 to 23%, I2=88.23%), 12% (8 to 17%, I2=91.84%), and 17% (12 to 22%, I2=97.07%), respectively. COVID-19 survivors compared to pre-COVID-19 time and controls showed reduced HRQoL and a lower score in Social Functioning (SF) and Role Physical (RP), and Role Emotional (RE) health. Females compared to males had a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems. Also, patients with severe disease had a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety, but not PTSD. LIMITATIONS: Regarding HRQoL, we were not able to perform a subgroup analysis due to a lack of data. Also, the included studies mainly used a self-rating scale to detect psychological problems in their study population. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients who survived from COVID-19 might suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety beyond one month. Our systematic review also found evidence of reduced HQOL and limited social role in these survivors.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: AUB is a common cause of women's referring to gynecologists. Although hysteroscopy is known as the gold standard technique for diagnosing the cause of AUB, sonohysterography is less invasive, and it is performed by general gynecologists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of sonohysterography compared to the results of the endometrial biopsy, guided by hysteroscopy in premenopausal women with AUB. METHODS: This cross- sectional Study was conducted at the gynecological clinic of Roointan -Arash women's Hospital from February 2011 to February 2012. The study participants were 90 premenopausal female patients, who visited the clinic for AUB, for whom, hormonal, iatrogenic and systemic causes were ruled out. They underwent sonohysterography and hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. The results of sonohysterography and pathological reports of endometrial biopsy were compared, and the diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterography for normal endometrium, endometrial polyps, sub mucosal fibroids and endometrial hyperplasia was evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterography was found to be 89.1% for the normal endometrium, 90% for endometrial polyps, 99% for sub mucosal fibroids and 94.4% for endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Sonohysterography is an accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective method for diagnosing AUB causes compared to hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Therefore, as an initial diagnostic step, it can replace the alternative and less accurate methods such as transvaginal ultrasound, blind endometrial curettage or more costly and invasive methods such as hysteroscopy requiring anesthesia.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the Middle East, including Iran, breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women. Without treatment, a malignant breast tumor advances in stage, diminishing a woman's chances of survival. In this study we aimed to gain insight into the causes of delay in seeking treatment in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: The participants in this qualitative, content analysis study were 10 women in whom a diagnosis of breast cancer in the stages of II b, III or IIV had been made. They were selected from patients of a major oncology clinic in Kerman, Iran. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews that lasted between 20 to 30 minutes. Sampling was discontinued when data saturation was achieved. Content analysis was conducted by classifying the data into themes and sub-themes. RESULTS: The results of our study revealed several factors that interfered with patients' professional consultation seeking and prompt treatment. These factors included; lack of knowledge, fear of being diagnosed with cancer, not seeing oneself at risk, mental preoccupation and wrong diagnosis by physicians. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that women and even physicians need further information about breast cancer symptoms. Women need encouragement to seek medical advice when they encounter suspicious symptoms. Additionally, women may benefit from awareness of the pros of early detection and reassurance about the improvements in the success of breast cancer treatment.