Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Realms in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Comparison with Normal Individuals: A Look at Object Relations and Anger Management.

Objective: This study was designed to compare object relations and anger control between MS patients and normal individuals. Method : The present study was a cross-sectional case-control study with two groups: the case group (patients with MS) and the control group (normal controls without MS). 80 patients and 80 healthy individuals were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria using a simple random sampling method. The research's data collection tool was a three-part questionnaire consisting of demographic information, the Bell Object Relations and the Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 (STAXI-2). The data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 26 using descriptive and analytical statistics (stepwise regression). Results: The results showed that in terms of object relations, there was no significant difference between the two groups except in alienation of relations (P = 0.035). The results also showed that in general, there was no statistically significant difference between the anger index of the group of MS patients and the normal controls. However, 12.8% of MS patients were significantly different in state of anger, trait anger and anger control compared to normal individuals. This difference was especially higher in angry temperament (P = 0.025) and the anger expression-in (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Although patients with MS were not significantly different from healthy individuals in terms of intrapsychic and interpersonal functions in the context of object relations and anger management, it seems that more complex and multifaceted explanations lie in the results that need further research.

Pentacam Accuracy in Discriminating Keratoconus From Normal Corneas: A Diagnostic Evaluation Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the diagnostic ability of Pentacam indices for keratoconus and identifying the best index for differentiating diseased from normal cases. METHOD: In this study, 150 keratoconus patients and 150 refractive surgery candidates with a definitive diagnosis of normal healthy corneas were enrolled. Initially, the placido disk topography imaging was performed. The keratoconus and normal corneas were defined based on placido disk topographic data from Rabinowitz-McDonnell. After complete eye examinations for all participants, they underwent Pentacam imaging, and corneal surface topographic indices were extracted. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the best indices for differentiating diseased from healthy corneas, and the receiver operating curve was calculated to determine the diagnostic capability of each index. RESULTS: Among the studied indices, the keratoconus index (KI), index of vertical asymmetry (IVA), thinnest point (TP), and maximum keratometry (Kmax) were found capable of detecting keratoconus. Among these, IVA was the best index, with an area under curve (AUC) of 95.24%. The best cutoff point for IVA was 0.20 µm, and its sensitivity and specificity were 87.50% and 96.30%, respectively. Comparison of the AUC of different indices showed that only TP and IVA significantly differed (P=0.002). The combination of KI, IVA, Kmax, and TP indices leads to correct detection in 78% of cases. CONCLUSION: Measuring corneal topographic indices using Pentacam can be helpful in the diagnosis of keratoconus. According to the results of this study, IVA is the best diagnostic index for keratoconus. However, it is recommended to use a combination of Pentacam indices for more accurate differentiation of keratoconus from normal cases.

The prevalence of anisometropia, amblyopia and strabismus in schoolchildren of Shiraz, Iran.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of amblyopia, anisometropia, and strabismus in schoolchildren of Shiraz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random cluster sampling was used in a cross-sectional study on schoolchildren in Shiraz. Cycloplegic refraction was performed in elementary and middle school children and high school students had non-cylcoplegic refraction. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded for each participant. Anisometropia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE) refraction difference 1.00D or more between two eyes. Amblyopia was distinguished as a reduction of BCVA to 20/30 or less in one eye or 2-line interocular optotype acuity differences in the absence of pathological causes. Cover test was performed for investigating of strabismus. RESULTS: Mean age of 2638 schoolchildren was 12.5 years (response rate = 86.06%). Prevalence of anisometropia was 2.31% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45 to 3.16). 2.29% of schoolchildren (95% CI, 1.46 to 3.14) were amblyopic. The prevalence of amblyopia in boys and girls was 2.32% and 2.26%, respectively (p = 0.945). Anisometropic amblyopia was found in 58.1% of the amblyopic subjects. The strabismus prevalence was 2.02% (95% CI, 1.18 to 2.85). The prevalence of exotropia and esotropia was 1.30% and 0.59%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that the prevalence of anisometropia, amblyopia, and strabismus are in the mid range. The etiology of amblyopia was often refractive, mostly astigmatic, and non-strabismic. Exotropia prevalence increased with age and was the most common strabismus type.

Prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchildren in Shiraz, Iran.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in Shiraz schoolchildren by age and gender. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, random cluster sampling was carried out from students of the 2008-2009 academic year. After the initial interview, ophthalmic examinations including tests of visual acuity, non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction and binocular vision were performed. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent < or =-0.50 dioptre (D), hyperopia as > or =+2.0 D, and astigmatism as a cylinder refraction > or =0.75 D. All values for school grade and gender were directly standardized based on the total student population in the 2008-2009 school year. RESULTS: A total of 2130 students were sampled, of which 1872 participated in the study (response rate = 87.88%). The prevalence of uncorrected, best-corrected, presenting and spectacle corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or worse in the better eye was 6.46%, 0%, 1.49% and 0.9%, respectively. The prevalence rates of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were 4.35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.89-5.82%), 5.04% (95% CI: 3.50-6.58%), and 11.27% (95% CI: 9.81-12.74%), respectively. Anisometropia was detected in 2.58% of schoolchildren. The prevalence of hyperopia significantly decreased with age (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other reported rates, the prevalence of myopia in the schoolchildren of Shiraz is similar to that in most places excluding East Asian countries, and that of hyperopia is in the mid range.