Neck circumference and metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the possible association of neck circumference with cardiometabolic risk factors, and to find out the possible cutoff points of neck circumference for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome among the Iranian population. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study in 1619 participants who were selected through clustered random sampling, as a part of a health cohort in Amol, Iran. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was based on the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Educational Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III). Associations of neck circumference with Mets and its components were studied using logistic regression. The optimal cutoff point of neck circumference for MetS diagnosis was calculated based on the Youden index. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 433 (26.7%) of patients. Neck circumference was shown to be significantly associated with central obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, impaired fasting glucose, and low serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, as well as MetS. The optimal cutoff points of neck circumference in the diagnosis of MetS are 36 cm and 42 cm for women and men, respectively. Sensitivity of the optimal cut-off point of NC for diagnosing patients with MetS was higher in women compared to men (70.6% compared to 55.9%). CONCLUSION: A significant association was observed between neck circumference and the presence of MetS among the Iranian population and neck circumference can be offered as a new index in screening and diagnosis for MetS and assessing cardiometabolic risk factors.

Effects of Chromium Picolinate Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious public health problem accompanies with several complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation on the glycemic status and lipid profile in patients with T2DM. The patients with T2DM (n = 52) were randomly allocated into 2 groups. One group received 400 µg CrPic per day and the other group took placebo; the intervention duration was 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices and metabolic factors were measured at the beginning, and at end of the study. The patients were recommended not to change their normal diet, life style and medication. No significant changes were observed for weight, body mass index, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both groups; while intra-groups changes in homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was significant (p < 0.05). Results of analysis of covariance showed that there were significance differences between groups in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and HOMA-IR at the end of the intervention adjusting for baseline levels (p = 0.035, 0.030 and < 0.001, respectively). In this study, oral supplementation with 400 µg CrPic for eight weeks did not alter FBG concentration as well as anthropometric parameters in individuals with T2DM. However, the modest beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on insulin resistance as indicated by HOMA-IR and lipid profile were found.

Insulin pen use and diabetes treatment goals: A study from Iran STEPS 2016 survey.

BACKGROUND: Frequency of insulin pen use, despite its higher costs, is increasing to substitute the traditional use of insulin vials. This study aims to report insulin pen use frequency and its associated factors among participants of the STEPS survey 2016 in Iran, which was conducted based on the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS methodology. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 19,503 (mean age of 46.03±0.13) out of 30,541 participants of the Iran STEPS survey were included (Inclusion criteria: aged >25 years old and availability of their demographic, clinical, and laboratory results for serum glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profile). Clinical and demographic characteristics, a frequency of use of each diabetes mellitus treatment type, and the association of insulin pen use with health outcomes are reported using descriptive analysis and propensity score modeling. RESULTS: There were 1,999(10.85%) individuals diagnosed with diabetes in the population, while 1,160(56.87%) cases were taking antihyperglycemic treatments. In this subset, 240(21.14%) individuals administered insulin with or without using oral agents at the same time. 52.28% of participants who were under insulin therapy used insulin pens. None of the socioeconomic determinants, including gender (p-value = 0.11), type of residential areas (p-value = 0.52), years of schooling (p-value = 0.27), wealth index (p-value = 0.19), marital status (p-value = 0.37), and insurance types (p-value = 0.72) were significantly different among groups using insulin pens and insulin vials. Moreover, in the propensity score modeling, pen usage was not associated with a lower heart attack and ischemic stroke histories, systolic blood pressure, serum lipid profile, blood glucose, or HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Results showed that the use of the higher-costing insulin pens compared to traditional vials and syringes is not associated with improved glycemic control and better lipid profile in our sample. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to compare other aspects of insulin pen use, including adherence to treatment and cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation of near final height in boys with constitutional delay in growth and puberty.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to find out whether boys with constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) could attain their target height and predicted adult height (PAH) in adulthood or not. METHODS: After measuring the height, weight, pubertal stage, parental height and bone age data of the patients at their first presentation were extracted from the files and their height and weight were measured at the end of the study, wrist X-Ray was performed in order to determine the bone age. PAH was calculated using Bayley-Pinneau method and target height was estimated by mid parental height. Final or near final heights of the patients were measured and compared with the target height and PAH. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation and the end of study was 15.2 ± 0.95, 20 ± 0.75 years respectively. Mean of bone age at the beginning of study was 12.97 ± 1 years and at the end of study were 17.6 ± 0.58 years. Mean of delayed bone age was 2.2 ± 0.82 years. Mean of the primary measured heights was 150.16 ± 7 cm (138-160 cm). Mean of final or near final heights was 165.7 ± 2.89 cm (161-170.5 cm). Final or near final heights in our subjects were smaller than either their PAH (165.7 ± 2.89 vs 170.7 ± 5.17) (P value <0.005) or target height (165.7 ± 2.89 vs 171.8 ± 4.65) (P value <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Most patients with CDGP do not reach their target height or predicted adult height; they are usually shorter than their parents and general population. Such patients need to be followed up until they reach their final height and, in some cases, adjunctive medical treatment might be indicated.

Changes in the size of the thyroid in patients with benign non-toxic multinodular goiter after radioactive iodine therapy.

Background: Multinodular goiter (MNG) is regarded as one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism, particularly in areas of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency. The present study aims to explore the effects of the radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy on benign non-toxic MNG and evaluate its side effects. Methods: Patients with benign non-toxic MNG entered the study. Ultrasonography was applied to calculate the percentage of the decrease in the size of the thyroid before and six months minimum after the treatment. Chi-square, Mann-Whiteny-U and T-test were done using SPSS v.18.0 (p<0.05). Results: The volumes of the thyroid lobes and nodules decreased significantly due to RAI therapy (p<0.001). The total volume of the thyroid, volume of the right nodule, and volume of the left nodule decreased by 77.8%, 40.7%, and 34.6% respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, RAI therapy is an effective treatment method although it has short-term side effects. This treatment option is recommended for patients with benign non-toxic MNG, notably those who cannot be a candidate for surgery. This treatment affects the size of the thyroid and its nodules significantly and decreases almost all of the complications.

The association between the number of office visits and the control of cardiovascular risk factors in Iranian patients with type2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetes type2 should receive regular medical care. We aimed at investigating the association between the number of office visits and improvement of their cardiovascular-risk factors. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were followed in a tertiary center were enrolled in this longitudinal study. The minimum follow up period was 3 years. Patient data were extracted from manual or electronic records. RESULTS: Sixty- four percent of cases were females, the mean age was 61 ± 12.45 years, and the mean disease duration was 6.5 ±7.9 years. The mean number of office visits was 2.69 ± 0.91 per year. Comparing the means of each of the cardio-vascular risk factors showed a significant decrease in all cardiovascular risk factors, while there was a significant weight gain over the same period. The association between changes in these parameters and the number of patients' office visits per year were not statistically significant. In patients with disease duration less than 5 years, each additional office visits by one visit per year was associated with a decrease in serum total cholesterol by 6.94 mg/dl. The mean number of office visits per year in patients older than 60 years old was more than younger patient (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The decrease in the mean values of the investigated parameters was statistically significant between the first year of follow up and the following years. Yet, these changes were not related to the mean number of patients' office visits per year, which may reflect the poor compliance of patients to treatment regardless of the number of their office visits.

Comparison of Optimal Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Who Attended Urban Medical Health Center with those Attended a Tertiary Care Center: Experiences from Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, CVD accounts for primary cause of death among diabetic patients. Physicians, especially in the primary care setting, have effective role in the management of cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we aimed to compare the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic patients attending to an urban health center as a primary care center with Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism Diabetes Clinic (IEMDC) as a tertiary center. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 200 adult diabetic patients attending urban health center (Abouzar Health Center) and 201 diabetic patients in a tertiary center. The patients' cardiovascular risk factors including lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and smoking history were recorded. The number of patients who did not achieve the target according to the American Diabetes Association guidelines was determined and compared. RESULTS: The patients in urban health center were older than those who attending IEMDC (P = 0.004). The duration of diabetes was longer among urban center patients (P < 0.001). Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors between two groups of patients showed a significant number of patients with poor-controlled low-density lipoprotein (75% vs. 44.7%) and triglyceride (74% vs. 51.7%) in patients attending primary center (P < 0.001). However, the prevalence of high diastolic BP (60.6% vs. 44.5%) was significantly higher in patients attending IEMDC (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two centers' findings in glycosylated hemoglobin level, high-density lipoprotein level, and systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Both centers have failure in target achievement in some risk factors; however, the inability of the primary care center in controlling hyperlipidemia in comparison with the tertiary center is a serious warning to provide training about managing dyslipidemia in these centers.

Parity, duration of lactation and prevalence of maternal metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance in tissues. Although this condition is resolved after termination of pregnancy, subtle metabolic changes can remain and prompt incidence of metabolic syndrome. However, lactation causes increased metabolic load and energy needs and it may confer with unfavorable effects of pregnancy in metabolic status. We conduct this study to evaluate impacts of lactation on development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among women. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 978 women aged between 40 and 70 years who had at least one previous live birth, referred to population research center of Amol, Iran in 2011. We surveyed medical registries of participants of Amol health cohort and filled the checklist we had designed for our study. The checklist included main variables like age, number of pregnancies, life-time lactation duration, waist size, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, blood triglyceride level, and blood glucose level. RESULTS: We included 978 women among which, the mean age of participants was 53.24±7.8 years. Calculated odds ratio (OR) for relationship of number of parities and metabolic syndrome (OR=1.14 [95% CI=1.02-1.28] p-value=0.017) was found to be statistically significant. However, calculated odds ratio for relationship of lactation duration and MetS (OR=0.99 [95% CI=0.99-1.00], p-value=0.322) was not statistically meaningful. Moreover, we calculated OR and Pearson correlation coefficient in different strata of number of parities, none of which were statistically significant and hence did not support protective roles of lactation in development of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data did not support protective roles of lactation in development of metabolic syndrome, since in our study longer lactation durations as well as higher number of parities were seen among participants with metabolic syndrome.

A Woman with Normotensive Primary Hyperaldosteronism.

Normotensive hyperaldosteronism is a rare disorder. It is usually diagnosed with hypokalemia or an adrenal mass. Our patient was a 27-year-old female presented with weakness. She had normal blood pressure, hypokalemia, high plasma aldosterone level and suppressed plasma renin activity. After the saline load, test aldosterone didn't show suppression. Adrenal computed tomography revealed a left adrenal mass. The patient was treated with spironolactone and potassium supplement. Surgical adrenalectomy was done. Final pathologic diagnosis was benign adrenocortical adenoma without capsular invasion. In postoperative course serum, potassium was normal.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Rafsanjan: a comparison of different criteria.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is common during pregnancy. This survey was designed based on the frequency of GDM among an urban population according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. METHODS: We included all pregnant women who were admitted to a gynecology clinic from September 2012 until May 2013. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) was measured. Those having FBS≥ 126 mg/dl were excluded from the study. All women underwent a standard OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) by ingesting 75g of glucose in the 24th to 32nd week of their pregnancy. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety pregnant women with a mean±SD age of 27.72±5.091 years were included in the study. The mean±SD FBS, blood glucose one hour and two hours after ingesting 75g of glucose were 82.48±9.41, 146.86±34.22 and 114.21±27.79 mg/ dl, respectively. Based on the criteria of the ADA, 9.3% (n= 27) of the admitted patients suffered from GDM. For the IADPSG and the WHO, those numbers were 31% (n= 90) and 15.2% (n= 44), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GDM was 1.5-times and 3 times higher when the IADPSG based data were compared to those of the WHO or the ADA.

The Prevalence of Pre-hypertension in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is more common in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) than the general population. The aim of this study was to detect the pre-hypertensive stage in children with T1D and to evaluate its correlation with diabetic nephropathy compared to non-diabetic children. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study in an out-patient clinic of a university hospital. A total of 62 which consists of 36 males and 26 females patients with stable T1D with a median age of 13 year and 42 age - sex-matched healthy children were entered in the study between September 2008 and February 2011. Three readings of blood pressure were recorded. Fasting blood sample was drawn for hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), creatinine and a 24 h urine aliquot was collected to measure microalbumin, creatinine and volume to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RESULTS: From 62 children with T1DM, 25.8% were in pre-hypertensive stage, 4.8% Stage 1, and 1.6% Stage 2. In controls, 1 (2.4%) out of 42 children was in pre-hypertensive stage (P < 0.0001). Abnormal blood pressures were correlated with eGFR and the duration of disease (P < 0.05), but there were not associated with microalbominuria or HbA1C level. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher rate of early stage of high normal blood pressure in children with T1DM compared with the healthy controls and this abnormality was only correlated with puberty stage and glomerular filtration rate.

The effect of topiramate on weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been associated with several co-morbidities such as diabetes and increased mortality. In general, the use of medication promotes only a modest weight loss in the range of 2 to 10 kg, usually most effective during the first 6 months of therapy; however, studies have shown positive effects on other risk factors such as blood pressure and serum glucose levels, but there are fewer studies in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of topiramate on weight reduction patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 32-week randomized clinical trial study of 69 subjects during 2008-2010. Patients, in two treatment groups were given topiramate (39 patients) and Placebo (30 patients) and were subjected to participation in a non-pharmacologic lifestyle intervention program; which were randomly allocated in our two groups. The percentage change in body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) at the end of the study was the primary efficacy endpoint and secondary indicators were changes in blood pressure (BP), proportion of subjects who achieved 5% or 10% weight loss, changes in lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides); and changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HgA1c). Paired samples and independent samples t-test was used for statistical analysis. (RCT code: IRCT201112036027N2). RESULTS: All results were extracted on base of 69 (Intended to treat) ITT patients. Mean BMI changes was significantly higher in patients treated with topiramate (-1.08 1.90 vs. +0.086 ± 1.05 kg/m², P = 0.006). Mean weight loss percentage was significantly different between active and placebo groups (-3.02 ± 5.78% vs. +0.32 ± 3.54%, P = 0.005) and systolic blood pressure and HgA1C significantly decreased in patients treated with topiramate (P = 0.021 and P = 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSION: Topiramate induced weight loss and improved glycemic control in obese, diabetic patients.

Thyroid function in pregnant women: iodine deficiency after iodine enrichment program.

OBJECTIVE: Significant changes in thyroid function occur during pregnancy which can complicate the interpretation of thyroid function tests. Therefore, normative gestational related reference ranges for thyroid hormones tests are required. The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges for free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Iranian pregnant women. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Akbarabadi University Hospital. A single blood sample from 584 pregnant women was analyzed for thyroid function. Serum levels of TSH, FT4, FT3, total T4 (TT4), T3 resin uptake (T3RU) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) were measured. Urinary iodine was determined in some cases. Reference intervals based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were calculated. RESULTS: The composition of reference population comprising 584 women included 162 in first trimester and 422 in the third trimester. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles values were used to determine the reference ranges for FT3, FT4, TT4, T3RU and TSH. These values were T3 1.4 and 2.9 pmol/L, FT4 7.1 and 18 pmol/L, TT4 7.2 and 13.5 µg/dL and TSH 0.5 and 3.9 µg/L, respectively. The level of urinary iodine in 80.5% of the subjects was less than normal. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of thyroid hormones are different in Iranian population that could be due to racial differences or differences in iodine intake.

Evidence for U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations against routine mammography for females between 40-49 years of age.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females, worldwide, accounting for 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in women. Mammography is a sensitive (77-95%) and specific (94-97%) screening method for breast cancer. Previously, females between the 40-50 years old were recommended to have mammograms every one to two years. However, based on current evidence, in 2009, USPSTF recommended that the decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography for females younger than 50 years should be an individual decision and take patient context into account, including patient values regarding specific benefits and harms. This decision was based on findings regarding radiation exposure, false-positive and false-negative rates, over-diagnosis, and pain and psychological responses. The goal of this paper is to focus on evidence for updating the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against routine mammography for females between 40-49 years of age.

Relation between C-reactive protein and body mass index in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. These patients share common features like obesity with metabolic syndrome. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a low-grade chronic inflammation biomarker that independently predicts high-risk patients for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although many studies showed increased plasma CRP levels in patients with PCOS, there is still less evidence that can link obesity and CRP levels in patients with PCOS. The objective of this study was to investigate the relations between body mass index (BMI) and CRP plasma levels in patients with PCOS. METHOD: Forty patients with PCOS and 30 controls matched by age and BMI were included. Blood sample was obtained from all individuals in early follicular phase of menstrual cycle. CRP, fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood pressure, waist circumference (WC) and BMI was measured for all subjects. RESULT: CRP and TG levels were higher in patients with PCOS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively). CRP level increased significantly only in patients with PCOS with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (p = 0.001) but was not significant in patients with PCOS with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (p = 0.067). In further analysis, BMI and WC affect CRP rising in patients with PCOS (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with PCOS, serum CRP levels were higher than age and BMI-matched controls. Furthermore, BMI was strongly related to CRP only in overweight patients with PCOS.