AIM:To compare the non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) measurements in keratoconus patients and normal subjects, and to determine the relationship between these measurements with keratoconus disease by the Oculus Keratograph 5M (K5M).METHODS:Fifty keratoconus patients (100 eyes) and 50 healthy subjects (100 eyes) participated in the study.The age range in keratoconus group was 15-60(mean ± standard deviation=28.33±8.60) y, and in control group was 18-60(26.25±1.11) y.The measurements of NITBUT and TMH were performed using the K5M.RESULTS:The mean value of NITBUT between the keratoconus group and the control group showed no statistically significant different (P=0.58).Also, the mean of TMH between two groups was not significantly different (P=0.69).The results of correlation coefficient between the variables of the study demonstrated that there was no significant relationship between the NITBUT and TMH measurements with the two groups (keratoconus group:r=0.053, P=0.721;control group;r=-0.0501, P=0.7098).CONCLUSION:Our study shows that the presence of keratoconus has no clinically significant impact on the quality and quantity of tear film.

OBJECTIVETo illustrate mechanisms of spine fractures and the pattern of spinal injuries characterized by the major mechanisms in urban population of Iran.

METHODSData regarding spinal injuries including demographics, mechanism and level of spinal injury, abbreviated injury score, associated injuries and final fate of the patients were extracted from the Iranian national trauma registry database from 1999 to 2004.

RESULTSA total of 619 patients with traumatic spine fractures were identified, of whom 68.5% were males. The peak frequency of these injuries occurred in the 21-40 year age-group. Accidental falls and road traffic crashes (RTCs) were the most common mechanisms of spinal fractures (47.2% and 44.1%, respectively). RTCs tended to occur in younger patients compared with accidental falls. The most common spinal region for spinal fracture was the lumbar spine (53.63%). Cervical spine fractures were significantly more common in RTCs, while lumbar spine fractures were more common in accidental falls (P less than 0.001). A total of 171 (27.6%) patients had associated non-spinal injuries, of whom 127 had associated extremity injuries, and 55 had head injuries. Thirty-six (5.6%) patients had spinal cord injury (SCI).The injury severity score of the RTC group was significantly higher than that of accidental falls (P equal to 0.002). Fifteen (4%) patients died of traumatic injuries. The rate of death was significantly higher in RTCs compared with accidental falls (5.1% vs 2.1%, P equal to 0.039).

CONCLUSIONSThe patterns of spinal fractures are similar to those reported from developed countries. RTCs tend to affect the younger age population and are associated with a higher degree of associated injuries and mortality than accidental falls. Therefore preventive strategies should be based on reduction of the number and severity of RTCs.

Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the patterns of traumatic extremity injuries leading to amputation in Iran.

METHODSData of Iranian National Trauma Project was used to identify patients with upper and lower extremity traumas undergoing amputation. This project was conducted in 8 major cities during 2000-2004.

RESULTSOf 17 753 traumatic patients, 164 (0.92%) had injuries to the extremities that resulted in the limb amputation. Of these, 143 (87.2%) were men. The patient's mean age was 29.0 years +/- 15.4 years and the highest incidence was seen in the age group of 21 to 30 years (34.1%). One hundred and four cases were occupational accidents (63.4%). Blunt trauma was in 54.9% of the cases. The most common reasons for amputation were respectively stabbings (37.8%) and crush injuries (31.7%). Amputation of hand fingers was the most frequent type of amputation (125 cases, 76.2 %). One patient died from severe associated injuries.

CONCLUSIONSThis study shows the patterns of traumatic limb amputation in Iran, a developing country. Results of this study may be used in preventive strategic planning.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Amputation ; statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Lower Extremity ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Upper Extremity ; injuries ; surgery ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Wounds, Penetrating ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Young Adult