Arch Iran Med
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(i) Cluster analysis and partitioning samples based on cardio-cerebrovascular histories and length of stay (LOS); (ii) Determining related demographic and medical factors in individual clusters; and (iii) Comparing clusters based on 12-month health outcomes. ⋯ Considering the modifiable risk factors identified in the current study, providing programs for preventing readmission and potential death caused by stroke for Clusters 3 and 5 seems essential.
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Human albumin is an expensive therapy with inappropriate use in many clinical conditions. Inappropriate use of albumin imposes a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system and society. Drug use evaluation (DUE) is one method of assessing the appropriateness of drug use which has been powered by increasing concern about the cost-effectiveness of drugs. The objective of this study is to systematically review the appropriateness of albumin utilization in Iranian hospitals. ⋯ Our findings show that inappropriate use of albumin imposes a relatively high additional cost on the society. The included studies show that the percentage of inappropriate use of albumin is relatively high in Iran and this abuse is an essential problem in Iranian hospitals. Prescription based on standard guidelines could improve rational use of albumin and lead to savings in treatment costs.
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Ataxia-telangiectasia is a multi-system disorder in which neurologic impairment and immune deficiency are observed. In the present study, patients with ataxia-telangiectasia were followed to provide information regarding clinical and immunological features. ⋯ Ataxia-telangiectasia is a progressive disease with no established therapy; so, it necessitates early diagnosis and follow-up of the patients. The presented clinical and immunological data in this study may help with diagnosis and management of the disease complications.
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Case Reports
Homozygous Mutation in TWNK Cases Ataxia, Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Optic Nerve Atrophy.
The TWNK (C10orf2) gene encodes Twinkle, an essential helicase for mtDNA replication. Homozygous mutations in TWNK can lead to mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 7 (MTDPS7) that usually manifests as Infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia (IOSCA). Here, we report a 15-year-old Iranian boy with three main symptoms; ataxia, sensorineural hearing loss and optic nerves atrophy which were accompanied by other symptoms including flexion contracture, dysarthric speech, nystagmus, dystonia and borderline intellectual disability. ⋯ Pro292Thr). In silico analyses showed that this amino acid change in Twinkle could be deleterious and disease-causing; therefore, we attribute the symptoms of our patient to this mutation. Our study extended the homozygous mutation spectrum of the TWNK gene that leads to IOSCA.
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The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is an association between the platelet mass and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in premature newborns. ⋯ Our data suggest that platelet count, MPV, and platelet mass do not contribute to closure of PDA in premature newborns.