Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe social communication deficits and stereotypical repetitive behaviors.Purpose: This umbrella review assessed neonatal risk factors associated with ASD using meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of interna- tional databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published through April 2022 utilizing pertinent keywords. A random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Substantial heterogeneity was considered at values of I2≥50%. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2) checklist. Results: A total of 207,221 children with ASD and22,993,128 neurotypical children were included. Six meta- analyses were included in this umbrella review. The factors of congenital heart disease (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17–1.52),macrosomia (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05–1.18), low birth weight (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.48–1.81), very low birth weight (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.79–2.83), small for gestational age (OR,1.17; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24), jaundice (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.42–2.12), male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.39–1.55) and 1-minuteApgar score <7 (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26–1.55) were graded as suggestive evidence (class III). Only 3 studies reported heterogeneity (I2<50%). Based on the AMSTAR2 analysis, the methodological quality was critically low in 3 meta- analyses, low in 2, and moderate in 1. Conclusion Based on these results, clinicians should consider the risk factors for ASD and screen children in clinics.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe social communication deficits and stereotypical repetitive behaviors.Purpose: This umbrella review assessed neonatal risk factors associated with ASD using meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of interna- tional databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published through April 2022 utilizing pertinent keywords. A random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Substantial heterogeneity was considered at values of I2≥50%. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2) checklist. Results: A total of 207,221 children with ASD and22,993,128 neurotypical children were included. Six meta- analyses were included in this umbrella review. The factors of congenital heart disease (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17–1.52),macrosomia (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05–1.18), low birth weight (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.48–1.81), very low birth weight (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.79–2.83), small for gestational age (OR,1.17; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24), jaundice (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.42–2.12), male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.39–1.55) and 1-minuteApgar score <7 (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26–1.55) were graded as suggestive evidence (class III). Only 3 studies reported heterogeneity (I2<50%). Based on the AMSTAR2 analysis, the methodological quality was critically low in 3 meta- analyses, low in 2, and moderate in 1. Conclusion Based on these results, clinicians should consider the risk factors for ASD and screen children in clinics.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe social communication deficits and stereotypical repetitive behaviors.Purpose: This umbrella review assessed neonatal risk factors associated with ASD using meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of interna- tional databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published through April 2022 utilizing pertinent keywords. A random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Substantial heterogeneity was considered at values of I2≥50%. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2) checklist. Results: A total of 207,221 children with ASD and22,993,128 neurotypical children were included. Six meta- analyses were included in this umbrella review. The factors of congenital heart disease (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17–1.52),macrosomia (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05–1.18), low birth weight (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.48–1.81), very low birth weight (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.79–2.83), small for gestational age (OR,1.17; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24), jaundice (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.42–2.12), male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.39–1.55) and 1-minuteApgar score <7 (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26–1.55) were graded as suggestive evidence (class III). Only 3 studies reported heterogeneity (I2<50%). Based on the AMSTAR2 analysis, the methodological quality was critically low in 3 meta- analyses, low in 2, and moderate in 1. Conclusion Based on these results, clinicians should consider the risk factors for ASD and screen children in clinics.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe social communication deficits and stereotypical repetitive behaviors.Purpose: This umbrella review assessed neonatal risk factors associated with ASD using meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of interna- tional databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published through April 2022 utilizing pertinent keywords. A random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Substantial heterogeneity was considered at values of I2≥50%. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2) checklist. Results: A total of 207,221 children with ASD and22,993,128 neurotypical children were included. Six meta- analyses were included in this umbrella review. The factors of congenital heart disease (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17–1.52),macrosomia (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05–1.18), low birth weight (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.48–1.81), very low birth weight (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.79–2.83), small for gestational age (OR,1.17; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24), jaundice (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.42–2.12), male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.39–1.55) and 1-minuteApgar score <7 (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.26–1.55) were graded as suggestive evidence (class III). Only 3 studies reported heterogeneity (I2<50%). Based on the AMSTAR2 analysis, the methodological quality was critically low in 3 meta- analyses, low in 2, and moderate in 1. Conclusion Based on these results, clinicians should consider the risk factors for ASD and screen children in clinics.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mixture of fennel and valerian extracts on hot flashes and sleep disorders of postmenopausal women in Iran. A randomized trial was conducted. Methods: A total of 76 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to either of the two groups: fennel-valerian extract or control.One 500 mg fennel-valerian extract capsule was given twice, daily for 8 weeks. The 500 mg oral placebo capsule (starch) was given the same way. Results: The mean duration of hot flashes increased in both the groups over time (P < 0.001). The mean frequency and severity of hot flashes in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group, in the first and second months after intervention (P < 0.050). Women in the fennel-valerian extract group had a significantly lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score than the control group 2 months after intervention (P = 0.030). Conclusions This study found that fennel-valerian extract was effective for relieving sleep disorders as well as the severity and frequency of hot flashes compared with a placebo.

Objectives: Understanding the factors that promote quality of life (QOL) in menopausal women is essential for establishing educational strategies and health policies. Studies on the relationship between health literacy and QOL in menopausal women in Iran are rare. Therefore, we aimed to determine health literacy in menopausal women and its relationship with QOL. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 177 menopausal women referred to comprehensive health services in Hamadan City, Iran. Health Literacy for Iranian Adults and Menopause-Specific QOL questionnaires were used to collect information. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between health literacy and QOL. Results: The majority of menopausal women included in this study were married housewives, and 44.6% of them were 50–55 years old; furthermore, only 6.2% had adequate or good health literacy. Health literacy was significantly correlated with total QOL score and vasomotor, psychology, and physical domains (P < 0.05). Conclusions Health literacy was associated with various domains of QOL. Therefore, health providers should pay more attention on improving health literacy by holding educational promotional programs for menopausal women to enhance their QOL.

Objectives: Determining the predictors of in-hospital death related to nosocomial infections is an essential part of efforts made in the overall health system to improve the delivery of health care to patients. Therefore, this study investigated the predictors of in-hospital death related to nosocomial infections. Methods: This registry-based, longitudinal study analyzed data on 8,895 hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Hamadan Province, Iran from March 2017 to December 2019. The medical records of all patients who had been admitted to the hospitals were extracted from the Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software. The effects of the type and site of infection, as well as age group, on in-hospital death were estimated using univariate and multivariable Cox regression models. Results: In total, 4,232 (47.8%) patients with HAIs were males, and their mean age was 48.25±26.22 years. In both sexes, most nosocomial infections involved Gram-negative bacteria and the most common site of infection was the urinary tract. Older patients had a higher risk of in-hospital death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38 to 3.69 for males; aHR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.29 to 4.62 for females). In both sexes, compared with urinary tract infections, an increased risk of in-hospital death was found for ventilator-associated events (VAEs) (by 95% for males and 93% for females) and bloodstream infections (BSIs) (by 67% for males and 82% for females). Conclusion We found that VAEs, BSIs, and fungal infections were independently and strongly associated with increased mortality.

Objectives: Determining the predictors of in-hospital death related to nosocomial infections is an essential part of efforts made in the overall health system to improve the delivery of health care to patients. Therefore, this study investigated the predictors of in-hospital death related to nosocomial infections. Methods: This registry-based, longitudinal study analyzed data on 8,895 hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Hamadan Province, Iran from March 2017 to December 2019. The medical records of all patients who had been admitted to the hospitals were extracted from the Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software. The effects of the type and site of infection, as well as age group, on in-hospital death were estimated using univariate and multivariable Cox regression models. Results: In total, 4,232 (47.8%) patients with HAIs were males, and their mean age was 48.25±26.22 years. In both sexes, most nosocomial infections involved Gram-negative bacteria and the most common site of infection was the urinary tract. Older patients had a higher risk of in-hospital death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38 to 3.69 for males; aHR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.29 to 4.62 for females). In both sexes, compared with urinary tract infections, an increased risk of in-hospital death was found for ventilator-associated events (VAEs) (by 95% for males and 93% for females) and bloodstream infections (BSIs) (by 67% for males and 82% for females). Conclusion We found that VAEs, BSIs, and fungal infections were independently and strongly associated with increased mortality.

Co-infection with hepatitis B and C among HIV infected patients are prevalent among high-risk populations. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections among high-risk populations in Iran. We systematically searched the national and international electronic databases until 2016. The primary outcome was the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and HIV co-infections in different high-risk populations in Iran. All English and Persian studies conducted on Iranian high-risk groups were included in the study. The review was reported based on PRISMA guidelines and data were analysed at 95% confidence level using random effect models.Overall, 916 relevant papers were recognised and 14 articles were included in the metaanalysis. The pooled estimates of HBV/HCV, HCV/HIV, HBV/HIV and HBV/HCV/HIV were 1.3% (95%CI: 0.5–2.1), 16.3% (95%CI: 1.1–31.6), 0.5% (95%CI: 0–1.4) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.2–0.8), respectively. Based on subgroup analysis, there was a higher proportion of all co-infections from the years 2010–2016 as compared to that of the years 2003–2009. Our results highlighted that HCV/HIV co-infection in Iranian high-risk groups including injection drug users (IDUs) and prisoners is common. In addition, the increasing trend of coinfections should be considered alarming for policymakers.

OBJECTIVE: Primary dysmenorrhea typically occurs with no associated pelvic pathology and is common in adolescents and young women. This study evaluated the effect of bee propolis on relief of primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: The study was performed in 2018 in Hamadan, in western Iran, among female students with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, using balanced block randomization, and were administered a placebo or bee propolis capsules for 5 days during two menstruation cycles. The number of participants required was estimated to be 86 in total, with 43 students in each group according to the inclusion criteria. We used the visual analog scale to assess pain severity. The independent t-test was conducted for comparing between two groups, using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: A significant change was found in the mean pain scores during the first (P<0.001) and second (P<0.001) months after using bee propolis in comparison with placebo. The means of the pain scores in the bee propolis group were 5.32±2.28 and 4.74±2.40 in first and second months after the intervention, respectively, whereas the means of the pain scores in the placebo group were 7.40±1.21 and 7.17±1.24 in first and second months after the intervention, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the use of bee propolis for two months compared with placebo reduced primary dysmenorrhea during the first and second months after use, with no adverse effects. Therefore, it could be used as an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief of primary dysmenorrhea.
Adolescent ; Bees ; Capsules ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Menstruation ; Pathology ; Propolis ; Random Allocation ; Visual Analog Scale