Arch Iran Med
-
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, and microaerophilic bacterium that inhabits the human gastric mucosa and is considered to be the most important etiologic agent for gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, however, there is ample evidence to suggest an association between H. pylori infection and extragastric complications, particularly atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of H. pylori infection and the risk of atherosclerosis in an Iranian population. ⋯ We confirmed a positive relationship between H. pylori infection and atherosclerosis in the Iranian population, which is similar to other reports from Western countries. Most likely, H. pylori infection can increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
-
Statistical methods (SM) are a ubiquitous tool in research. This study aimed to review SM used in original article published in the Archives of Iranian Medicine (AIM) and assess their effect on article acceptance period. ⋯ Contrary to the researchers' misconceptions, the acceptance period was not affected by SM, study design, statistical population, sample size, or type of software.
-
Mental disorders are the most common health problems that affect different population groups. According to the national survey in 2015 based on General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), 23.44% of Iranians older than 15 years were suspected of having a mental disorder. The study aimed to determine the mental health status of the population over 15 years of age in the Islamic Republic of Iran, one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. ⋯ Our results showed that in Iran, the mental health of the general population had a rising trend compared to 2015, especially in people infected with COVID-19 and bereaved families. The observed difference may be due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and rapid demographic, social, and economic changes in Iran. Planning to improve mental health in the mentioned population should be considered for the post COVID-19 era.
-
This study aims to explore the healthcare utilization (HCU) and expenditures from complementary health insurance among Iranian people who survived sulfur mustard (SM) exposure during the Iran-Iraq war. ⋯ Over 30 years after the Iran-Iraq war, Iranian people who were exposed to SM and survived still suffer from injuries and pose a significant drain on healthcare resources.
-
Case Reports
A Patient with Acute Abdominal Pain Caused by an Unnoticed Swallowed Toothpick Misdiagnosed as Acute Appendicitis.
The differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain is a challenging task for medical doctors working in the department of gastroenterology. It is clear that acute abdominal pain may be associated with a number of pathologic conditions. We report an unusual case of an unnoticed swallowed wooden toothpick stuck in the ileocecal area of a young man with right lower abdominal pain who was misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis. ⋯ The elongated foreign body was identified as a wooden toothpick, which was then grasped with a foreign body forceps and successfully removed through colonoscopy. The patient's abdominal pain was significantly relieved within 2 days following treatment. On the basis of the case report, we suggest the importance of abdominal computed tomography scans for the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain and highlight the need for extra vigilance in excluding the diagnosis of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract of patients with acute abdominal pain.