Incidence Rates and Time Trends of Skin Cancer in Golestan Province, Northeastern Iran, 2005-2018.

BACKGROUND: Given the significant occurrence of skin cancer in the Middle East and the existing research gap concerning its incidence and trends, this research aimed to study the epidemiology and trend changes of skin cancer in the Golestan province, Northeastern Iran. METHODS: The Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry's (GPCR's) data bank was utilized to gather information on confirmed skin cancer cases in the province during 2005-2018. We used Poisson regression analysis for comparing incidence rates between groups. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 1690 patients (mean age: 62.05±15.83 years), most were male (60.1%) and resided in urban areas (61.5%). The age-standardized rate (ASR) of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer was 8.49 and 0.56 per 100000 persons-year, respectively. A notably higher ASR for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was observed in men (ASR: 10.60; 95% CI: 9.91-11.29) (P<0.01) and urban residents (ASR: 10.19; 95% CI: 9.52-10.82) (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the ASR of melanoma skin cancer based on gender (P=0.24) and place of residence (P=0.48). The incidence trend of melanoma (estimated annual percent change [EAPC]: -3.28; 95% CI: -18.54 to 14.83) and NMSC (EAPC: 0.39; 95% CI: -3.99 to 4.97) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: During the 14-year study period, the ASR of both types of skin cancer exhibited a consistent pattern, except for NMSC, which showed higher rates among men and urban residents. This should be taken into consideration when formulating preventive and control strategies in the study area.

Superior efficacy of azithromycin and levamisole vs. azithromycin in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris: an investigator blind randomized clinical trial on 169 patients.

BACKGROUND: Different immunologic mechanisms contribute to development of inflammation in acne vulgaris and immunologic effect of levamisole has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare azithromycin and levamisole with azithromycin alone in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: An investigator-blind clinical randomized prospective 2 months study was designed. 169 acne patients presenting in our outpatients clinic were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: azithromycin and levamisole (Group 1) and azithromycin alone (Group 2). 148 patients completed the duration of the study and their clinical responses were evaluated and compared by using monthly photographic records. RESULTS: Mean reduction rates for the number of papules, pustules and both of them, in Group 1 were 73.72%, 82.69% and 76.93%, respectively, and 68.39%, 70.89% and 69.32% in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Also, mean reduction rates for the number of nodules, cysts and both of them in Group 1 were 80.97%, 89.75% and 82.35%, respectively, and 58.54%, 54.55% and 57.99% in Group 2 (p < 0.05).These differences between two groups were statistically significant in favor of azithromycin and levamisole (Group 1) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to this study azithromycin plus levamisole may be more effective than azithromycin alone in decreasing of inflammatory acne lesions especially in nodulocystic form. So, regarding the low cost and side effect profile of levamisole, we suggest to consider combination of levamisole with azithromycin while facing acne patients at least with more inflammatory lesions especially when there is any contraindication for isotretinoin.

Relationship between managerial skills and employees job stress in health centers.

BACKGROUND: Job stress is one of the important issues in the health sector and its high effect on workers' productivity. Managerial skills can help organizations to improve employees' effectiveness and reduce job stress. The present study investigated the relationship between employees' job stress and managers' professional skills. METHODS: This cross-sectional and correlation study was conducted in 2010.We selected 90 health workers of 13 Health and Treatment Centers in Razan Health Center, western Iran. All data were gathered using self-administered questionnaires. Employees' job stress levels were measured using the Eliot Stress Questionnaire and managers' professional skills were assessed using the standard Questionnaire with 40- items in Likert format. Data were analyzed u SPSS software and Pearson correlation coefficient and Kendall correlation tests. RESULTS: 87.7% of employees had mid- level of job stress. The professional skills level was high in 36.7% of health managers; moderate in 56.6%, and low in 6.7%. In addition the human skill was highest level among all managers' professional skills. A significant and negative correlation was found between job stress and managers' human, conceptual and design skills (P <0.005). CONCLUSION: The level of managers' professional skills was significantly related with employees' job stress, thus training and developing managerial skills especially human, conceptual and design skills in supervisors and managers of health centers can reduce job stress and enhance effective performance.