BACKGROUND: It is recognized that socioeconomic status (SES) has a significant impact on health and wellbeing; however, the effect of SES on suicide is contested. This study explored the effect of SES in suicide deaths and decomposed inequality into its determinants to calculate relative contributions. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study, 546 suicide deaths and 6,818 suicide attempts from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 in Ilam Province, Western Iran were explored. Inequality was measured by the absolute concentration index (ACI) and decomposed contributions were identified. All analyses were performed using STATA ver. 11.2 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: The overall ACI for suicide deaths was −0.352 (95% confidence interval, −0.389 to −0.301). According to the results, 9.8% of socioeconomic inequality in suicide deaths was due to addiction in attempters. ACI ranged from −0.34 to −0.03 in 2010–2014, showing that inequality in suicide deaths declined over time. CONCLUSION: Findings showed suicide deaths were distributed among the study population unequally, and our results confirmed a gap between advantaged and disadvantaged attempters in terms of death. Socioeconomic inequalities in suicide deaths tended to diminish over time, as suicide attempts progressed in Ilam Province.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Iran* ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors* ; Suicide* ; Suicide, Attempted ; Vulnerable Populations

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal isoniazid (isonicotinic acid hydrazide [INH]) and vaginal misoprostol in cervical ripening before hysteroscopic surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included patients scheduled for hysteroscopic surgery during April 2016 and June 2017. The inclusion criteria were as follows: postmenopausal women or those at premenopausal age who had not had a vaginal delivery and candidate for diagnostic or operative hysteroscopy with closed cervix before intervention. The INH group (intervention group) received 900 mg of vaginal isoniazid (three 300-mg pills) 6–8 hours before hysteroscopic surgery. The misoprostol group (control group) received 400 micrograms of vaginal misoprostol 6–8 hours before hysteroscopic surgery. Finally, the efficacy of the 2 agents was comparatively analyzed. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. In 67 cases in the INH group (95%) and 45 in the misoprostol group (50%), hysteroscopic entry was successful without additional mechanical dilation, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The odds ratio (OR) obtained in this study was 0.57 for both INH and misoprostol groups (OR, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.75). Further, 19 cases in the INH group vs. 45 cases in the misoprostol group did not respond to the intervention, indicating statistically significance (P=0.001). Conclusion Vaginal INH is more effective than misoprostol in cervical ripening before hysteroscopic surgery and can be a good alternative to misoprostol.Trial RegistrationIranian Registry Clinical Trial (IRCT) Identifier: IRCT2015112821506N4

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal isoniazid (isonicotinic acid hydrazide [INH]) and vaginal misoprostol in cervical ripening before hysteroscopic surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included patients scheduled for hysteroscopic surgery during April 2016 and June 2017. The inclusion criteria were as follows: postmenopausal women or those at premenopausal age who had not had a vaginal delivery and candidate for diagnostic or operative hysteroscopy with closed cervix before intervention. The INH group (intervention group) received 900 mg of vaginal isoniazid (three 300-mg pills) 6–8 hours before hysteroscopic surgery. The misoprostol group (control group) received 400 micrograms of vaginal misoprostol 6–8 hours before hysteroscopic surgery. Finally, the efficacy of the 2 agents was comparatively analyzed. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. In 67 cases in the INH group (95%) and 45 in the misoprostol group (50%), hysteroscopic entry was successful without additional mechanical dilation, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The odds ratio (OR) obtained in this study was 0.57 for both INH and misoprostol groups (OR, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.75). Further, 19 cases in the INH group vs. 45 cases in the misoprostol group did not respond to the intervention, indicating statistically significance (P=0.001). Conclusion Vaginal INH is more effective than misoprostol in cervical ripening before hysteroscopic surgery and can be a good alternative to misoprostol.Trial RegistrationIranian Registry Clinical Trial (IRCT) Identifier: IRCT2015112821506N4

Background: The effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in infants was previously explored, but the results were inconclusive.Purpose: To examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This interventional double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Sanandaj Besat Hospital NICU. Enrolled newborns were between 37 and 42 weeks and 6 days of gestation and required phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines. A total of 138 infants were randomly assigned to vitamin E (n=68) or placebo (n=70) groups. In addition to phototherapy, the vitamin E group received 0.5 mL (5 IU) of supplemental vitamin E daily, whereas the placebo group received 0.5 mL of oral dextrose daily. STATA 17 was used for the data analysis. Results: Changes in bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention did not differ significantly from baseline in either group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly reduce total bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention (mean difference [MD], -0.18; P=0.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.39 to 1.02). However, the vitamin E group exhibited lower total bilirubin levels than the placebo group at 48 hours postintervention (MD, 0.18; P=0.365; 95% CI, -0.89 to 1.27) and 72 hours (MD, 0.36; P=0.356; 95% CI, -2.34 to 1.61), although the differences were not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis revealed that female infants experienced a greater reduction in total bilirubin levels than male infants. Conclusion Infants administered vitamin E versus placebo demonstrated similar reductions in bilirubin levels and hospital stays. Although the average bilirubin changes did not differ significantly between groups, the vitamin E group showed a more noticeable reduction over time, indicating a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum bilirubin reduction.Trial registration: IRCT20220806055625N2 (registered December 26, 2022; http://irct.ir/trial/67135).

Background: The effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in infants was previously explored, but the results were inconclusive.Purpose: To examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This interventional double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Sanandaj Besat Hospital NICU. Enrolled newborns were between 37 and 42 weeks and 6 days of gestation and required phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines. A total of 138 infants were randomly assigned to vitamin E (n=68) or placebo (n=70) groups. In addition to phototherapy, the vitamin E group received 0.5 mL (5 IU) of supplemental vitamin E daily, whereas the placebo group received 0.5 mL of oral dextrose daily. STATA 17 was used for the data analysis. Results: Changes in bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention did not differ significantly from baseline in either group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly reduce total bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention (mean difference [MD], -0.18; P=0.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.39 to 1.02). However, the vitamin E group exhibited lower total bilirubin levels than the placebo group at 48 hours postintervention (MD, 0.18; P=0.365; 95% CI, -0.89 to 1.27) and 72 hours (MD, 0.36; P=0.356; 95% CI, -2.34 to 1.61), although the differences were not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis revealed that female infants experienced a greater reduction in total bilirubin levels than male infants. Conclusion Infants administered vitamin E versus placebo demonstrated similar reductions in bilirubin levels and hospital stays. Although the average bilirubin changes did not differ significantly between groups, the vitamin E group showed a more noticeable reduction over time, indicating a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum bilirubin reduction.Trial registration: IRCT20220806055625N2 (registered December 26, 2022; http://irct.ir/trial/67135).

Background: The effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in infants was previously explored, but the results were inconclusive.Purpose: To examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This interventional double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Sanandaj Besat Hospital NICU. Enrolled newborns were between 37 and 42 weeks and 6 days of gestation and required phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines. A total of 138 infants were randomly assigned to vitamin E (n=68) or placebo (n=70) groups. In addition to phototherapy, the vitamin E group received 0.5 mL (5 IU) of supplemental vitamin E daily, whereas the placebo group received 0.5 mL of oral dextrose daily. STATA 17 was used for the data analysis. Results: Changes in bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention did not differ significantly from baseline in either group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly reduce total bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention (mean difference [MD], -0.18; P=0.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.39 to 1.02). However, the vitamin E group exhibited lower total bilirubin levels than the placebo group at 48 hours postintervention (MD, 0.18; P=0.365; 95% CI, -0.89 to 1.27) and 72 hours (MD, 0.36; P=0.356; 95% CI, -2.34 to 1.61), although the differences were not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis revealed that female infants experienced a greater reduction in total bilirubin levels than male infants. Conclusion Infants administered vitamin E versus placebo demonstrated similar reductions in bilirubin levels and hospital stays. Although the average bilirubin changes did not differ significantly between groups, the vitamin E group showed a more noticeable reduction over time, indicating a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum bilirubin reduction.Trial registration: IRCT20220806055625N2 (registered December 26, 2022; http://irct.ir/trial/67135).

Background: The effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in infants was previously explored, but the results were inconclusive.Purpose: To examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin levels in term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This interventional double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Sanandaj Besat Hospital NICU. Enrolled newborns were between 37 and 42 weeks and 6 days of gestation and required phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines. A total of 138 infants were randomly assigned to vitamin E (n=68) or placebo (n=70) groups. In addition to phototherapy, the vitamin E group received 0.5 mL (5 IU) of supplemental vitamin E daily, whereas the placebo group received 0.5 mL of oral dextrose daily. STATA 17 was used for the data analysis. Results: Changes in bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention did not differ significantly from baseline in either group. Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly reduce total bilirubin levels at 24 hours postintervention (mean difference [MD], -0.18; P=0.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.39 to 1.02). However, the vitamin E group exhibited lower total bilirubin levels than the placebo group at 48 hours postintervention (MD, 0.18; P=0.365; 95% CI, -0.89 to 1.27) and 72 hours (MD, 0.36; P=0.356; 95% CI, -2.34 to 1.61), although the differences were not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis revealed that female infants experienced a greater reduction in total bilirubin levels than male infants. Conclusion Infants administered vitamin E versus placebo demonstrated similar reductions in bilirubin levels and hospital stays. Although the average bilirubin changes did not differ significantly between groups, the vitamin E group showed a more noticeable reduction over time, indicating a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum bilirubin reduction.Trial registration: IRCT20220806055625N2 (registered December 26, 2022; http://irct.ir/trial/67135).

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate congenital malformations in infants conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART), compared with infants conceived spontaneously. METHODS: In this study, available resources searched to find relevant articles included PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane, ProQuest, Iranmedex, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database. After extracting the necessary information from evaluated articles, meta-analysis on the articles’ data was performed using Stata version 11.2. RESULTS: In this study, from a total of 339 articles, extracted from the initial investigation, ultimately 30 articles were selected for meta-analysis that assessed the use of ART on the risk of congenital abnormalities and some birth complications on 5 470 181 infants (315 402 cases and 5 154 779 controls). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for low birth weight was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.36 to 2.62), preterm labor 1.79 (95% CI, 1.21 to 2.63), cardiac abnormalities 1.43 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.62), central nervous system abnormalities 1.36 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.70), urogenital system abnormalities 1.58 (95% CI, 1.28 to 1.94), musculoskeletal disorders 1.35 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.64), and chromosomal abnormalities in infants conceived by ART was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.44), which were all statistically significant, except chromosomal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of congenital abnormalities and some birth complications were significantly higher in ART than normal conception, while chromosomal abnormalities were not; therefore, the application of ART should be selected individually for patients by detailed assessment to reduce such risks in the population.
Central Nervous System ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers* ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Urogenital System

PURPOSE: Wasting and underweight are the 2 main indicators of children’s undernutrition. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition at the national level in Iran. METHODS: We performed a search for original articles published in international and Iranian databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINHAL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scientific Information Database, Irandoc, Iranmedex, and Magiran during January 1989–August 2017. Seven keywords, in English and Persian, including malnutrition, protein energy malnutrition, growth disorders, underweight wasting, weight loss, children below 5 years old, and children, were used to search the databases. RESULTS: Finally, 17 articles were included in the meta-analysis, based on which the prevalence of underweight and wasting in Iranian children were estimated to be 11% and 5%, respectively. The prevalence rates of underweight among children in the central, western, southern, and northern parts of Iran and at the national level were 24%, 5%, 20%, 17%, and 6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of wasting in the central, western, southern, and northern parts of Iran and at the national level were 9%, 4%, 11%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of underweight and wasting in Iran was low, some parts of the country showed high prevalence. The main reason behind this difference in the prevalence of malnutrition may be due to the level of development in different regions.
Child* ; Growth Disorders ; Humans ; Iran ; Malnutrition ; Nursing ; Prevalence* ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; Thinness* ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis, a common hormone-dependent chronic inflammatory disease causes various symptoms including pelvic pain, which affect the physical and psychological quality of life in women of reproductive age. The present study aimed to assess the quality of life of Iranian women with endometriosis using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. METHODS: This cross-sectional study performed in Tehran between October 2014 and July 2016 included 70 Iranian women with endometriosis. The Iranian version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to measure quality of life in these women. The Pearson's correlation coefficient, the paired and the independent t-tests, and a linear regression model were used to statistically analyze the data using the SPSS software version 16.0. RESULTS: The total mean score of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was 80.58. The highest and the lowest mean scores were observed in the environmental (28.15) and the physical health domains (10.59), respectively. A multiple linear regression model (backward method) showed that insurance coverage was associated with the total WHOQOL-BREF score, whereas age, insurance coverage, and income level were associated with domains 1 through 4, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endometriosis affects various aspects of the quality of life of Iranian women who therefore require holistic management focused on both, the physical and psychological aspects of treatment.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Global Health* ; Humans ; Insurance Coverage ; Linear Models ; Pelvic Pain ; Quality of Life ; World Health Organization*