The status of relationship between coping strategies and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a profound effect on patients' quality of lives; and it is important to identify the affecting factors. The aim of this study was to assess the status of and relationship between coping strategies and quality of life in women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 married women (20-50 years old) with PCOS from Arash and Bu Ali hospitals in Tehran in 2019-2020. Data were collected using the two following questionnaires: Coping strategies and quality of life. Data were analyzed using the regression analysis test in the SPSS-21. RESULTS: The results showed that 119 (59.5%) participants were identified with increased hirsutism, 166 (83%) women were obese, 140 (70%) had irregular menstruation and 136 participants (68%) had painful menstruation as the side effects of PCOS. Sixty nine (34.5%) individuals reported unknown side effects. There was a relationship between emotional coping strategy and problem solving coping strategy with quality of life (beta = 0.270 and 0.219, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with PCOS were more likely to use emotional coping strategies. Low quality of life exacerbated symptoms of the disease.

Comparative study of salt, total fat and sugar contents of mayonnaise and salad dressings from the Iranian market.

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake of fat, salt and sugar is important for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; therefore, evaluation of these constituents in industrial packaged foods is necessary. AIMS: To compare the levels of fat, salt and sugar in mayonnaise and salad dressings commercialized in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2017 and 2019, and to monitor compliance with standard limits. METHODS: The levels of fat, salt and sugar in 12 mayonnaise and 47 salad dressing samples collected from an Iranian market were evaluated according to the Iranian Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) and compared between 2017 and 2019. RESULTS: We determined compliance with ISIRI limits and other standard targets. The salt content of mayonnaise samples significantly decreased from 2.03 (standard deviation; 0.3) g/100 g in 2017 to 1.61 (0.12) g/100 g in 2019 (P = 0.031). Total sugar level of mayonnaise samples significantly decreased from 5.97 (1.14) g/100 g in 2017 to 3.63 (0.53) g/100 g in 2019 (P = 0.005). The total sugar level of salad dressings significantly decreased from 8.97 (2.34) g/100 g in 2017 to 1.58 (2.65) g/100 g in 2019 (P = 0.039). Compliance of mayonnaise and salad dressing fat contents with ISIRI limits increased from 42.9% and 84.6% in 2017 to 100% and 90.5% in 2019, respectively. None of the mayonnaise samples met the British Food Standards Agency salt target (maximum 1.25 g/100 g) in 2017 and 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Reformulation of these products for reduction of salt and sugar content is necessary.

Dermoscopic Findings in 126 Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is used increasingly in dermatological practice. Although dermoscopic findings of alopecia areata (AA) are described in the literature, studies are limited. AIM: Our aim was to evaluate dermoscopic findings of Iranian patients with AA and correlate them with disease activity and severity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Totally 126 patients were examined using a Dermlite II multispectral dermoscope. Severity, activity, pull test, nail changes, treatments, and dermoscopic findings were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 22, using appropriate statistical tools. RESULTS: The most common dermoscopic findings were yellow dots (84.1%), vellus hairs (62.6%), black dots (48.4%), exclamation mark (30.9%), and broken hair (9.5%), in decreasing order. Furthermore, the most common dermoscopic findings in patients on diphencyprone were vellus hairs and yellow dots. Yellow dots and vellus hairs were most common in patients with alopecia universalis. However, broken hairs and exclamation mark hairs were mostly observed in patchy multiple AA patients. Yellow dots and exclamation mark hairs were also significantly more common in patients with positive pull test. Furthermore, vellus hairs were more common in patients with remitting disease pattern. With regard to scalp severity, yellow dots related positively, while vellus hairs, broken hairs, and exclamation mark hairs related negatively with severity of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopic findings differ in various stages of activity and severity of AA. Dermoscopy is a valuable tool for the dermatologist for the diagnosis, follow-up, and evaluation of response to treatment.