Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents after renal transplantation.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of major depressive disorder and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents after renal transplantation. A total of 71 patients who had undergone renal transplantation were interviewed in person using the Farsi (Persian) version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria. Major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviors were assessed. The rate of major depressive disorder was 2.8%; two-thirds of the patients had irritability; and approximately 40% had recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation. The rate of major depressive disorder was lower than in other chronic diseases such as thallasemia or hemophilia; however, the rate of suicidal behaviors was high.

Epidemiology of depression among infertile and fertile couples in Shiraz, southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Depression is considered as one of the main psychological disorders associated with infertility. Depression may play a significant role in the life of infertile individuals, their infertility treatment follow-up and in their hopefulness for the future; it may also influence the intensity and continuousness of the mutual relationship of the affected couple. AIMS: This study was done to determine the depression rate and make a comparison between infertile and fertile couples with respect to the same. SETTING AND DESIGN: The depression rate was evaluated between two groups--infertile couples (case group) and fertile couples (control group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one infertile couples (cases) and 9l fertile ones (controls) were randomly enrolled in our study. Beck depression inventory (BDI) and demographic information were provided. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used Chi-square, t-test; and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to find out significant difference between infertility duration in various couples and its effect on the score of depression. RESULTS: The BDI mean difference between infertile and fertile couples was significant (P=0.015). It was significantly more among couples with infertility from 1-3 years' duration compared to those with infertility of 1-year duration or less. CONCLUSION: Regarding the high rate of depression among infertile couples, it seems necessary to pay more attention to infertility centers that offer psychological and psychiatric services.

Neurological complications of first 100 orthotopic liver transplantation patients in southern Iran.

Neurological complications which are responsible for significant mortality and morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation have been reported in 8.3% to 47% of cases in various series. This prospective study was performed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of neurological complications in the first 100 patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation from 1993 to 2004. Neurological symptoms and signs as well as routine laboratory tests, including complete blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, drug levels, microbiologic and serological studies, brain computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and electrodiagnostic studies were reviewed in all patients. Follow-up periods were from 2 months to 10 years. Nineteen patients of mean age of 34.9 years developed neurological complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. The most common neurological symptoms and signs were confusion (42.1% of cases with neurological complications), convulsions (36.8%), and hallucinations (31.6%). Hepatic encephalopathy (31.6%) and drug toxicity (26.2%) were the most common neurological syndromes. The mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with neurological complications. Compared to other centers, neurological complications were less common in our center.