Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran
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Med J Islam Repub Iran · Jan 2014
Assessing validity and reliability of Dundee ready educational environment measure (DREEM) in Iran.
If an institute is looking for improvement of its learning environment, a reliable and valid assessment tool is needed for measurement of the educational environment .The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) has been used in various studies to evaluate the educational environment. However, psychometric evaluations of the instrument seem necessary, for all known versions of the instrument. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of Persian version of the DREEM in the major clinical wards in teaching hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. ⋯ The modified and validates DREEM questionnaire in Persian language with 44 items and appropriate psychometric attributes is capable of being used in assessment of clinical education environments in Iran.
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Med J Islam Repub Iran · Jan 2014
Evaluation of procalcitonin as a biomarker of diagnosis, severity and postoperative complications in adult patients with acute appendicitis.
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis (AA) results in an increased rate of perforation, postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay. Several biochemical parameters including white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6) and Procalcitonin (PCT) have been used to further improve the clinical diagnosis of AA. The aim of this study was to assess the value of procalcitonin as a predictor of diagnosis and severity of appendicitis in order to improve the clinical decision making, since other studies have been unable to demonstrate a diagnostic value for PCT elevation in acute appendicitis. ⋯ Procalcitonin measurement cannot be used as a diagnostic test for adult patients with acute appendicitis and its routine use in such patients is not cost effective and conclusive. Procalcitonin values can be used as a prognostic marker and predictor of infectious complications following surgery and it can help to carry out timely surgical intervention which is highly recommended in patients with PCT values more than 0.5ng/ml.
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Med J Islam Repub Iran · Jan 2014
Whole body massage for reducing anxiety and stabilizing vital signs of patients in cardiac care unit.
Patients admitted in coronary care units face various stressors. Ambiguity of future life conditions and unawareness of caring methods intensifies the patients' anxiety and stress. This study was conducted to assess the effects of whole body massage on anxiety and vital signs of patients with acute coronary disorders. ⋯ The results suggest that whole body massage was effective in reducing anxiety and stabilizing vital signs of patients with acute coronary disorders.
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Med J Islam Repub Iran · Jan 2014
Reduction in non syndromic oral clefts following mandatory flour fortification with folic acid in Northern Iran.
Background Several studies have examined the effects of folic acid fortification on the occurrence of orofacial clefts. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of flour fortification with folic acid on oral clefts in Northern Iran. ⋯ This study showed that flour fortification with folic acid is associated with a significant reduction in the rate of oral clefting in Golestan province in Northern Iran.
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Med J Islam Repub Iran · Nov 2013
Multiple lumbar vertebral fractures following a single idiopathic seizure in an otherwise healthy patient; a case report.
It has been reported that fractures are more common in epileptic patients relative to the general population. Seizures by repeated muscular contractions can increase fracture risk throughout the skeleton, but the reportedpapers about non traumatic vertebral fractures following a single episode of seizure are rare and mostly locatedin thoracic spine with only one or two vertebral fracture. The case we reported here was a 42 year old otherwisehealthy man who had three vertebral fractures due to a single idiopathic seizure affected the lumbar region withno previous history of underlying disease, trauma, or drug use.