Evaluation of correlation between digital vs. mercury sphygmomanometer in a middle-income country: The role of socio-economic situation.

BACKGROUND: Using manometer sphygmomanometers as standard measurement tool, there are controversial data regarding accuracy and validity of digital manometers for measurement of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Thus, we aimed to compare the accuracy of readings of digital sphygmomanometer in reference to mercury sphygmomanometer in a large population of healthy adults. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1119 healthy adults. We measured participant's blood pressure once with mercury sphygmomanometer, as gold standard and again with digital mercury sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure was measured in sitting position after 5 min of rest and preferentially from right arm unless deformed. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation of age of participants was 37.25 ± 10.45 years. Majority of participants were male 588 (52.5%). The right/left SBP measured by digital sphygmomanometer were significantly higher compared with those measured by mercury sphygmomanometer: 115.37 ± 12.33 vs 110.95 ± 10.06/113.69 ± 11.77 vs 110.23 ± 10.34, respectively (P < .001), while an opposite result was observed about right/left DBP: 68.60 ± 8.55 vs 70.60 ± 8.31/69.39 ± 8.31 vs 70.75 ± 8.41, respectively (P < .001). In subgroup analysis in terms of marital status, education, and income, we observed similar findings. CONCLUSION: According to the results of our data analysis, it was shown that the digital device measurements had significant incompatibility with the mercury sphygmomanometers and it seems that digital devices still cannot be used as the gold standard in blood pressure measurement.

Developing and Evaluating Parents' Satisfaction with a Website to Manage Pediatric Asthma.

Background: Providing information in an accessible form is important for managing chronic diseases. Objective: To develop an interactive website regarding pediatric asthma and to evaluate the satisfaction with the website of parents of children with asthma. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the user interface of the website was developed by examining experts' perspective. Then, the users used the website during a three-month period and completed an electronic questionnaire. Results: All parents reported that the entire website was informative. Of the participants, 98 percent reported that the medication section was the most useful, 93 percent considered the management and treatment section most useful, and 90 percent found the nutrition section most useful. The users had high satisfaction with the information content of the website. Conclusion: By creating an interactive website, we provided an educational tool to help parents learn essential information about asthma treatment and prevention of disease progression. The users believed that the website could meet their information needs.

Cumulative prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in Iranian adolescents: IHHP-HHPC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cumulative prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors in a representative sample of Iranian adolescents. METHODS: The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 1,000 girls and 1,000 boys, ages 11-18 years, selected by multi stage-random cluster sampling from urban and rural areas of three cities in Iran. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, smoking, high blood pressure and obesity (body mass index >95th percentile) were 66.6, 23.7, 8.7, 5.7 and 2.2%, respectively. Of subjects studied, 79.1% had at least one and 24.6% had two cardiovascular disease risk factors. The prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly lower in boys than girls [53.9 vs. 79.3%, respectively, OR 95%CI, 0.44 (0.39-0.51)]. The prevalence of smoking was higher in boys than girls [13.1 vs. 4.2%, respectively, OR 95%CI, 3.4 (2.4-4.9)]. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents, age-appropriate and culturally sensitive interventions for lifestyle change are warranted, so that preventive measures can be taken in a timely manner.

Risk factors of atherosclerosis in male smokers, passive smokers, and hypertensive nonsmokers in central Iran.

BACKGROUND: Some studies showed that smoking follows an upward trend in Asian countries as compared with other countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular diseases and risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension. METHODS: This study was conducted on 6123 men residing in central Iran (Isfahan and Markazi Provinces) that participated in Isfahan Healthy Heart Project (IHHP). Subjects were randomly selected using cluster sampling method. All the subjects were studied in terms of their history of cardiovascular disease, demographic characteristics, smoking, blood pressure, physical examination, pulse rate, respiratory rate, weight, height, waist circumference, and blood measurements including LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood sugar and 2-hour post prandial test. RESULTS: While 893 subjects suffered from hypertension, 5230 subjects were healthy. The hypertension prevalence was 2.5 times more in urban areas compared to rural areas that showed a significant difference as it increased to 3.5 times smoking factor was considered. The prevalence of risk factors of atherosclerosis and also cardiovascular complications in patients with hypertension were significantly higher than healthy people. Furthermore, they were higher in smokers with hypertension and those exposed to the cigarette smoke than nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: Smoking and passive smoking had an increasing effect on the prevalence of risk factors of atherosclerosis and consequently the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with hypertension.

Obesity and associated modifiable environmental factors in Iranian adolescents: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program - Heart Health Promotion from Childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian adolescents and their relationship with modifiable environmental factors. METHODS: The subjects of the present study were 1000 girls and 1000 boys, aged between 11 and 18 years selected by multistage random sampling, their parents (n = 2000) and their school staff (n = 500 subjects) in urban and rural areas of two provinces in Iran. Data concerning body mass index (BMI), nutrition and the physical activity of the subjects were analyzed by SPSSV10/Win software. RESULTS: The prevalence of 85th percentile 95th percentile in girls was significantly higher than boys (10.7 +/- 1.1 and 2.9 +/- 0.1%vs 7.4 +/- 0.9 and 1.9 +/- 0.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). The mean BMI value was significantly different between urban and rural areas (25.4 +/- 5.2 vs 23.2 +/- 7.1 kg/m2, respectively; P < 0.05). A BMI> 85th percentile was more prevalent in families with an average income than in high-income families (9.3 +/- 1.7 vs 7.2 +/- 1.4%, respectively; P < 0.05) and in those with lower-educated mothers (9.2 +/- 2.1 vs 11.5 +/- 2.4 years of mothers education, respectively). The mean total energy intake was not different between overweight or obese and normal-weight subjects (1825 +/- 90 vs 1815 +/- 85 kCal, respectively; P > 0.05), but the percentage of energy derived from carbo-hydrates was significantly higher in the former group compared with the latter (69.4 vs 63.2%, respectively; P < 0.05). Regular extracurricular sports activities were significantly lower and the time spent watching tele-vision was significantly higher in overweight or obese than non-obese subjects (time spent watching telelvision: 300 +/- 20 vs 240 +/- 30 min/day, P < 0.05). A significant linear association was shown between the frequency of consumption of rice, bread, pasta, fast foods and fat/salty snacks and BMI (beta = 0.05-0.06; P < 0.05). A significant correlation was shown between BMI percentiles and serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (Pearson's r = 0.38, -0.32 and 0.47, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced efforts to prevent and control overweight from childhood is a critical national priority, even in developing countries. To be successful, social, cultural and economic influences should be considered.

Dietary fat intake and lipid profiles of Iranian adolescents: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program--Heart Health Promotion from Childhood.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the serum lipid profiles of Iranian adolescents and their correlation with dietary fat intake and to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of students, parents, and school staff. METHODS: The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 2000 students (1000 girls and 1000 boys), ages 11-18 years, selected by multistage random sampling, and one of their parents (2000 subjects), as well as 500 school staff in urban and rural areas of two provinces in Iran (one for further interventions and the other for reference). The data were obtained by questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, 3-day food record form, and a 20-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). All serum lipids were determined in the same laboratory. RESULTS: Although the percentage of fat intake (21.2 +/- 0.4%) among the adolescents was within the recommended daily allowance (RDA < or = 30%), in most cases, the percentiles of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher and the percentiles of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were lower than standard values according to Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) data; for example, the mean TC values for girls in the 11- to 14- and 15- to 18-year age groups were significantly higher than LRC standard values (169 and 172 vs. 160 and 159 mg/dl, respectively, P < 0.05). This difference was also significant in boys (167 and 168 vs. 160 and 153 mg/dl, respectively) at the P < 0.05 level. A significant linear association was shown between adolescents' dyslipidemia and the frequency of intake of hydrogenated fat, fast foods, cheese puffs, and potato chips (P < 0.05). Although the protein intake was lower than the RDA (13.4 +/- 0.9% vs. 15%, P < 0.05), because of the highly prevalent consumption of fatty lamb meat, the frequency of red meat intake had a direct association with dyslipidemia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The improper intake of high amounts of saturated fat and the observed serum lipid profile of Iranian adolescents are likely placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and necessitate developing guidelines and community-based interventions.

Cumulative prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in Iranian adolescents: IHHP-HHPC / A prevalência cumulativa de fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular em adolescentes iranianos: IHHP-HHPC

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência cumulativa dos fatores de risco para a doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica numa amostra de adolescentes iranianos. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 1000 meninas e 1000 meninos, com idade entre 11 e 18 anos, selecionados através de uma amostragem aleatória multietapas à base de conglomerados das áreas urbana e rural de três cidades iranianas. RESULTADOS: As taxas de prevalência de inatividade física, dislipidemia, tabagismo, pressão arterial alta e obesidade (índice de massa corporal >P95) foram 66,6, 23,7, 8,7, 5,7 e 2,2 por cento, respectivamente. Dentre os indivíduos estudados, 79,1 por cento apresentaram pelo menos um e 24,6 por cento tiveram dois fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular. A prevalência de inatividade física foi significativamente menor entre os meninos que entre as meninas [53,9 contra 79,3 por cento, respectivamente, OR IC95 por cento, 0,44 (0,39-0,51)]. A prevalência de tabagismo foi maior nos meninos que nas meninas [13,1 contra 4,2 por cento, respectivamente, OR IC95 por cento, 3,4 (2,4-4,9)]. CONCLUSÃO: Considerando a alta prevalência de fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular em adolescentes, deve-se garantir intervenções que sejam adequadas à idade e sensíveis a aspectos culturais para que medidas preventivas possam ser tomadas em tempo hábil.