Archives of Iranian Medicine 

About: Archives of Iranian Medicine is an academic journal published by Academy of Medical Sciences, I.R. Iran. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1029-2977. Over the lifetime, 2127 publications have been published receiving 32604 citations.

Five common cancers in Iran.

Abstract: Iran as a developing nation is in epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. Although, cancer is the third cause of death in Iran, it;s mortality are on the rise during recent decades. This mini-review was carried out to provide a general viewpoint on common cancers incidence in Iran and to explain incidental differences that may help us to establish early detection programs and investigate population risk factors. A detailed PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar search were made from 2000 to 2009. The basic inclusion criteria were all relevant studies focused on cancer epidemiological data from Iran. Overall age-standard incidence rate per 100 000 population according to primary site is 110.43 in males and 98.23 in females. The five most common cancers (except skin cancer) are stomach, esophagus, colon-rectum, bladder and leukemia in males, and in females are breast, esophagus, stomach, colon-rectum and cervix uteri. The incidence rates of gastrointestinal cancers are high in Iran (it is one of the known areas with a high incidence of GI cancers). Breast cancer mainly affects Iranian women about a decade earlier than Western countries and younger cases are affected by an increasing rate of colorectal cancer in Iran, near the Western rates.

COVID-19 and Iranian Medical Students; A Survey on Their Related-Knowledge, Preventive Behaviors and Risk Perception.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began its journey around the world. Medical students, as frontline healthcare workers, are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 related knowledge, self-reported preventive behaviors and risk perception among Iranian medical students within the first week after the onset of the outbreak in Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 26th to 28th of February, 2020. Participants were Iranian medical students (5th-7th year) whose knowledge, preventive behaviors and risk perceptions of COVID-19 were assessed using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions including 15 items about COVID-19 related knowledge, 9 items regarding preventive measures and 2 items about COVID-19 risk perception. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were shown to be satisfactory. RESULTS: A total of 240 medical students completed the questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 23.67 years. The average of correct answers of knowledge was 86.96%; and 79.60% had high level of related knowledge. The average rate of practicing preventive behaviors was 94.47%; and 94.2% had high level of performance in preventive behaviors. The cumulative score of risk perception was 4.08 out of 8 which was in moderate range. Risk perception was significantly different between stagers and interns and between those being trained in emergency room (ER) and non-ER wards. There was a significant negative correlation between preventive behaviors and risk perception. CONCLUSION: We found a high level of COVID-19 related knowledge and self-reported preventive behaviors and moderate risk perception among Iranian medical students.

Gastric Cancer in Iran: Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Abstract: Although the global incidence of gastric cancer has been decreased dramatically in recent decades, it is the most common cancer in north and northwest Iran. The wide variation in incidence across different geographical areas and higher proportion of cardia cancer are two main characteristics of gastric cancer in Iran. Current investigations indicate that a high prevalence of H.pylori infection, high dietary intake of salt and smoking are the main environmental factors of gastric cancer in Iran. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is another contributing factor in populations with a higher incidence of gastric cardia cancer. While interventions on modifiable environmental risk factors should be considered as the main modality to reduce gastric cancer development, surveillance programmes for early detection of cancer in highly selected groups may increase overall survival rates in potential patients in this country.

Phase 1 trial of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

Abstract: Background: The standard treatment for decompensated liver cirrhosis is liver transplantation. However, it has several limitations. Recent animal studies suggest that bone marrow stem cell transplantation can lead to regression of liver fibrosis. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of autologous bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: In this phase 1 trial, four patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were included. Their bone marrow was aspirated, mesenchymal stem cells were cultured, and a mean 31.73×10 6 mesenchymal stem cells were infused through a peripheral vein. Primary outcomes were evaluating the safety and feasibility of the work. Secondary outcomes were evaluating changes in the model for end-stage liver disease score, and the quality of life of the patients. Results: There were no side-effects in the patients during follow-up. The model for end-stage liver disease scores of patients 1, and 4 improved by four and three points, respectively by the end of follow-up. Furthermore, the quality of life of all four patients improved by the end of follow-up. Using SF-36 questionnaire, the mean physical component scale increased from 31.44 to 65.19, and the mean mental component scale increased from 36.32 to 65.55. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation seems to be feasible and safe in the treatment of decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Burden of Hepatitis C in Iran Between 1990 and 2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the foremost cause of deaths attributable tocirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 2010 quantifies and compares the degree of health loss as a result of diseases, injuries, and risk factors by age, sex, and geography overtime. This study aimed to present and critique the burden of hepatitis C and its trend in Iran between 1990 and 2010 by using the GBD 2010 study. METHODS: We used results of GBD 2010 between 1990 and 2010 for Iran to measure rates and trends for mortality, causes of deaths, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), anddisability-adjusted lifeyears (DALYs). Hepatitis C was defined as the presence of hepatitis C virus in the serum. Data were presented in three categories: acute hepatitis C, cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C, and liver cancer secondary to hepatitis C. RESULTS: HCV infection (including the three categories of the study) led to 57.29, 59.92, and 66.45 DALYs (per 100,000 population) in 1990, 2000, and 2010, respectively. DALYs and death rates showed a slight decreasing trend for HCV cirrhosis; however, DALYs and death rates increased for acute hepatitis and liver cancer due to patients with HCV. The majority of deaths and DALYs were in individuals aged 70 years and above in all three categories of HCV. YLLs made the greatest contributions to DALYs. CONCLUSION: DALYs due to HCV infection are increasing in Iran according to GBD 2010; however, the estimations of DALYs using GBD 2010 are mostly from model-based data and there are significant uncertainties for extrapolated data. In this regard, acomprehensive study such asthe National and Subnational Burden of Diseases (NASBOD) study would be needed to estimate and calculate precisely prevalence and burden of HCV-related disease at national and subnational levels.