Frequency of Registered Cases of Multiple Sclerosis.

Background and objective: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease causing debilitating physical symptoms and a reduced quality of life, which incurs staggering costs of treatment not only to patients and their family but also to the healthcare system. Thus, getting familiar with the prevalence of this disease is considered essential for developing screening programs. Method:This is a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study. Samples were chosen via the census sampling method. The investigation was based on data provided by the unit of special diseases of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected via a predesigned checklist and further analyzed by SPSS 24 software. Results:A total of 1426 patients who developed MS between 2009 and 2019 and had archived medical files in the center of special diseases of Kermanshah medical sciences were studied. Among all MS participants, the ratio of female to male participants was 1.5:1, and 52.14% (n=747) of all studied patients were persons aged over 60 years. Discussion and conclusion:Based on our findings and patients' data provided by the center of special diseases of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, it can be stated that Kermanshah is one of the regions with a high prevalence of MS. This necessitates intervention by the healthcare system of Kermanshah province for screening and controlling the disease.

Determining coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) community incidence threshold for preoperative testing.

Preprocedural testing for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is frequently used to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. Such testing is resource intensive, and the relative benefits depend on local epidemiology. We propose a threshold of 20 per 100,000 unlinked cases to activate such testing to optimize the yield and positive predictive value.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Stress and Severity of Covid-19 Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Covid-19 Patients.

Introduction and aim:Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) is a viral disease that appeared in late 2019 in China. Different factors can cause psychological problems in Covid-19 patients. Stress is one of the most common problems in people with communicable diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between stress and the severity of symptoms and sleep quality in Covid-19 patients. Methods:This was a descriptive-analytical study. The sample size included 300 Covid-19 patients. Demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS ver.16. Results:The majority of participants obtained a stress score between 4 and 6 (moderate). Most of them felt stressed regarding the risk of transmitting the disease to their family members (63%) and more than half (56.3%) had the highest stress level during the first week of the disease because they were frightened by the Covid-19 infection and its prognosis. With regard to sleep, most participants had between six and 10 hours of sleep (53.7%). Conclusion:The results of the present study showed that perceived stress among Covid-19 patients had a direct effect on the severity of respiratory and neurological symptoms and affected their sleep quality.

Evaluation of nutritional status and health behaviors of patients infected with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a health emergency for the world in which started in 2019. Various factors are involved in the pathogenesis of this virus, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the type of diet, the degree of observance of health protocols, and the health status of people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and health behaviors of patients infected with COVID-19. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical research method was used in this study. One of the outpatient centers for the patients infected with COVID-19 in Kermanshah was selected as the research setting. The study population included all patients infected with COVID-19 and the sample size was 200 people. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Most patients (51%) were females and most of them suffered from body aches (81%) and headaches (94%). Most of the patients (76%) did not use a mask. Regarding the nutritional status, a large number of patients used all food groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, and vegetables less than the standard amount. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that people with underlying diseases are more prone to the disease than others and adherence to social distancing and mask use helps a lot to control the disease. In addition, the appropriate intake of food groups reduces the severity of the disease by strengthening the immune system in people.

Surveying sleep quality and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients at a multiple sclerosis center in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2017.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system which appears with de-myelination of the central nervous system. Sleep disorder and fatigue are very common in MS patients and are part of the main debilitating factors in patients. The present study was conducted to survey sleep quality and fatigue in MS patients. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 87 MS patients, who were referred to the Kermanshah MS Center in 2017. Data collection tools include a demographics form, fatigue severity scale, and Pittsburg sleep quality inventory. The questionnaires were self-reporting. The collected data was analyzed in SPSS23. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 35.50±9.25 years and the majority of the participants were married (54; 62.1%). Quality of sleep was related to family history of MS and history of using medications (antidepressants like tricyclics, MAOIs, SSRIs, and SNRIs and anxiety drugs such as diazepam, oxazepam, and alprazolam (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between length of sleep and history of using medicines (p < 0.05). Finally, the results showed that there was a strong statistical relationship between performance during the day and fatigue (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results recommend holding relaxation and exercise courses by nurses to ease fatigue in MS patients. Clinics can also play a more effective role by being more supportive and holding more efficient training programs. The program is taught by the researchers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was carried out following the permission from Ethics Committee, Department of Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (approval number: KUMS.REC.1395.680).

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with multiple sclerosis in Kermanshah-Iran: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that decreases the physical ability and affects the mental health of the patients. This descriptive-analytical study investigated the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in MS patients. METHODS: A total of 87 MS patients were recruited in this study through simple random sampling method using a random number table. Data were collected by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.5 ± 9.2 years. Of them, 41 (47.1%) had moderate depression, 34 (39.1%) had moderate anxiety, and 39 (44.8%) had moderate stress. There was a significant relationship between depression and job, education, and economic status of the participants. There was also a significant association between the participants' economic status and anxiety. There was no significant relationship between stress and any of the variables. CONCLUSION: Given the relatively high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in MS patients as well as the significant relationship between their economic status and depression and anxiety, interventional measures are required to be taken to decrease their problems and to provide a favorable ground for their employment. Periodic examinations by psychologists / psychiatrists and treatment of patients with symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression are also essential.

Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer and the Risk Factors in Kermanshah Province-Iran 2009-2014.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is the fourth prevalent cancer in the world and there are several factors effective on development of the disease. These factors vary based on geographical distribution. The present study is aimed at surveying epidemiology of colorectal cancer and its risk factors in Kermanshah-Iran between 2009 and 2014. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on all colorectal cancer cases in two Kermanshah-based hospitals Imam Reza and Taleghani between 2009 and 2014. Demographic and epidemiological information was collected from the medical files and interviewing the patients. The collected data was analyzed in SPSS. FINDINGS: Totally, 336 patients had been registered from 2009 to 2014. Mean and standard deviation of age was 59.98 ± 15.26. Fifty-four subjects (16.05%) had a history of colorectal cancer among their relatives and 253 (62.5) had no history of physical activity. In addition, 81 subjects (24.1%) had a history of digestive diseases. In terms of diet, 205 subjects (61%) used less than 6 unit/day of grains and bread, and meat consumption in 150 subjects (44.6%) was less than 2 unit/day. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the prevalence of colorectal cancers was growing in Kermanshah. To change the rate, changes in lifestyle and screening tests for more susceptible age groups are recommended.

Surveying the effect of a self-care education program on severity of nausea and emesis in colorectal cancer patients under chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in both developed and developing countries, including Iran. One of the treatments available for colorectal cancer is chemotherapy, of which nausea and emesis are the side effects. Owing to problems in controlling the side effects, a combination of medicine and non-medicine interventions is usually used. Self-care is one of the non-medicine interventions in this regard. The present study was aimed at surveying the effect of a self-care education program on severity of nausea and emesis in colorectal cancer patients under chemotherapy. METHODS: A semi-experimental study was carried out in Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah, Iran. The sample group comprised 52 patients with colorectal cancer under chemotherapy. Data gathering tools included a demographics questionnaire and Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. To control intensity of nausea and emesis, a package of self-care measures including muscular progressive relaxation, music, and education on nutrition was used. Afterward, the collected data were analyzed using statistical tests such as Shapiro-Wilk test (to check normal distribution of the data), Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, and chi-square test with the help of SPSS 20. RESULTS: The results showed a considerable decrease in intensity and frequency of nausea and emesis after the intervention. The p-value of Mann-Whitney U test results with regard to intensity of nausea in the experiment and control groups after the intervention was 0.029; this figure for intensity of emesis was 0.009, which indicated effectiveness of the self-care program. CONCLUSION: As the results showed, using self-care program could be effective in attenuating intensity of emesis and nausea in colorectal cancer patients under chemotherapy. So, it can be concluded that the use of this program can increase the patient's self-care ability to control vomiting and nausea, which can be considered as a complementary approach to the antiemetic medications.

Surveying the effects of an exercise program on the sleep quality of elderly males.

BACKGROUND: Old age is a stage of life featured with many physiological and mental changes. The Iranian population is aging, and one of the problems that the elderly are faced with is sleep disorders. The present study is an attempt to examine the effectiveness of an exercise program on the sleep quality of the elderly. METHODS: A semi-experimental study was carried out on the elderly males referred to the Shahid Yari Elderly Center, Kermanshah, Iran. The sample group comprised of 46 participants: 23 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group. The study was carried out for a period of 2 months and follow-up was conducted every week. To improve the quality of sleep of the participants, a four-stage exercise program was implemented and the collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The results of a Mann-Whitney test showed that the quality of sleep of the majority in the experimental group improved compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, a Wilcoxon test showed improvement of the Petersburg's sleep quality index based on subelements and the results of a total score of sleep in the experimental group after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The study showed effectiveness of scheduled exercising on the quality of sleep of the elderly. It is recommended, therefore, to add an exercise program to the daily program of the elderly.