The world population is getting old rapidly; the aging population is the new phenomenon in Iran too. The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the overall and subscales mean score of quality of life (QOL) based on the Leiden-Padua (LEIPAD) questionnaire among the elderly population of Iran. The major international and national databases including; Medlin, Scopus, Science Direct, SID, MagIran, IranMedex, and Irandoc was searched. All cross-sectional studies, which measured the QOL among the elderly population in Iran using the LEIPAD questionnaire, were included. Furthermore, we used the following key words, “Quality of life,” “aging,” “aged,” “elderly,” and “Iran.” Of 2155 records, four articles reminded for the meta-analysis, which involved 628 participants with a mean age of 71.73 ± 4.28 years. The mean scores of QOL in each scale were as follows: 10.80 (9.30–12.31) for physical health, 13.51 (6.81–20.21) for self-care scale, 8.60 (5.07–12.14) for depression and anxiety, 12.48 (10.39–14.58) for cognitive functioning scale, 2.19 (0.67–3.72) for sexual functioning scale, 10.98 (5.87–16.09) for life satisfaction scale, and 5.90 (3.64–8.16) for social desirability scale. This study revealed that the total QOL for the elderly population is relatively low in Iranian society. It is appeared to provide social support, and upgrade their QOL seems to be essential for the elderly population.

Background: Identification of food with lowering cholesterol level properties plays a vital role to control impaired lipid profile among type 2 diabetic patients. the current study aimed to evaluate the effects of yogurt and yogurt plus shallot intake on lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic women. Methods: Forty-eight participants with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. Participants in the first group (n = 22) received 150 ml of low-fat yogurt (1.5% fat) and those in the second group (n = 26) received 150 ml of low-fat yogurt (1.5% fat) plus shallot for 10 weeks. Serum triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) concentrations, and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were measured before and after each intervention. Results: comparison of parameters between two groups after intervention showed that TG and TC concentrations decreased more in participants who consumed yogurt plus shallot than who consumed yogurt (P = 0.003 and P = 0.04, respectively), also LDL-C level of participants who were in yogurt plus shallot group was lower than that of participants in yogurt group, but this difference was marginally significant (P = 0.06). However, FBS level was not statistically different between two groups. Conclusions: This study found that yogurt plus shallot intake significantly decreased LDL-C, TG, and TC levels in diabetic women compared with yogurt intake.

Background: In this study, we evaluated assessed elements connected with low birth weight (LBW) and used decision curve analysis (DCA) to define a scale to anticipate the probability of having a LBW newborn child. Methods: This hospital-based case–control study was led in Arak Hospital in Iran. The study included 470 mothers with LBW neonate and 470 mothers with natural neonates. Information were gathered by meeting moms utilizing preplanned organized questionnaire and from hospital records. The estimated probabilities of detecting LBW were calculated using the logistic regression and DCA to quantify the clinical consequences and its validation. Results: Factors significantly associated with LBW were premature membrane rupture (odds ratio [OR] = 3.18 [1.882–5.384]), former LBW infants (OR = 2.99 [1.510–5.932]), premature pain (OR = 2.70 [1.659–4.415]), hypertension in pregnancy (OR = 2.39 [1.429–4.019]), last trimester of pregnancy bleeding (OR = 2.58 [1.018–6.583]), mother age >30 (OR = 2.17 [1.350–3.498]). However, with DCA, the prediction model made on these 15 variables has a net benefit (NB) of 0.3110 is best predictive with the highest NB. NB has simple clinical interpretation and utilizing the model is what might as well be called a procedure that distinguished what might as well be called 31.1 LBW per 100 cases with no superfluous recognize. Conclusions: It is conceivable to foresee LBW utilizing a prediction model show in light of noteworthy hazard components connected with LBW. The majority of the hazard elements for LBW are preventable, and moms can be alluded amid early pregnancy to a middle which is furnished with facilities for administration of high hazard pregnancy and LBW infant.

Background: This study aimed to assess driving behavior of Iranian drivers based on their coping styles (problem-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoiding). Methods: This study was conducted on 610 drivers divided into four different groups. The drivers' behaviors and coping styles were evaluated using driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ) and coping inventory for stressful situations. Results: The results showed a significant difference among the three coping styles regarding the mean scores of DBQ dimensions (P < 0.001). In addition, the emotion-oriented drivers obtained higher mean scores compared to those with other coping styles. Conclusions: It can be concluded that emotion-oriented drivers were more susceptible to crashes compared to those with problem-solving and avoidance coping styles.

Background: There is an ongoing debate regarding possible cost and benefits, but also harm of universal screening for the emerging sexually transmitted pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium. Methods: From the initial pool of 8665 samples that were tested, a subset of Chlamydia trachomatis-positive and randomly selected C. trachomatis-negative cervical swabs were further interrogated for M. genitalium by real-time polymerase chain reaction, using a 224 bp long fragment of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene. Results: M. genitalium was detected in 4.8% of C. trachomatis-positive samples and none of C. trachomatis-negative samples. Accordingly, a significant association was shown between M. genitalium and C. trachomatis (P < 0.01), but also between M. genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis infection (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Based on the results, routine screening is recommended only for women with one or more identified risk factors. Moreover, younger age does not represent an appropriate inclusion/exclusion criterion for M. genitalium testing in the low-risk female population.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of lactulose plus traditional Persian medicine with only lactulose on the functional chronic constipation. Methods: Participants included 20 patients (10 in each group) aged 18–80 years, with major inclusion criteria of ROME III. They were assigned into two parallel therapeutic groups, including the intervention group (lactulose plus traditional Persian medicine [TPM] advices) and control group (only lactulose) through a block randomization. Weekly follow-up was done for 1 month for both groups. Results: After the intervention, the frequency of bowel habit increased significantly in patients of both groups (P = 0.001), and the frequency of hard stool defecation, sensation of painful defecation, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, and manual maneuver for evacuation were decreased significantly in patients of both groups (P < 0.001 for all comparisons and 0.025 for manual maneuver). However, the only significant difference between the two groups was more reduction in the sensation of painful defecation in the lactulose group versus lactulose plus TPM advices (P = 0.014). Conclusions: Based on the pilot study, no significant difference was shown between TPM with lactulose and lactulose only in the management of chronic functional constipation. However, the easy recommendations of TPM can be useful in improving chronic constipation.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy and its consequence, diabetic macular edema, are leading causes of vision loss in diabetics and can develop even in the first years after onset of diabetes. Being asymptomatic in primary phase and having compensatory effect of bilateral vision delay the necessity of eye care utilization. We conducted this study to determine diabetic individuals' level of awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations. Methods: As part of the cross-sectional, population-based, Yazd Eye Study on people aged 40–80 years, diabetic participants were identified for enrollment in this research. Participants underwent thorough ophthalmic examinations as well as detailed interview. Well-trained interviewers asked participants about their awareness of screening eye examinations and their necessity. Fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and complete lipid profile were assessed. All descriptive and analytic tests were done in survey mode. Logistic regression was applied to assess related risk factors. Results: Among 497 diabetic persons out of 2098 participants, 364 respondents (73.4%; 95% confidence interval: 68.6-78.2) were not aware of the necessity of regular eye examinations. Among 133 aware respondents, 21 (16%) respondents had no eye examination over the past year. Educational level significantly correlated with awareness (P = 0.004), and physicians were the most frequent source of awareness (79.7%). Conclusions: This study showed that a significant proportion of Yazd diabetic population (about 73%) needs to be informed about the necessity of regular eye examinations. The remaining respondents, who had this information, mainly had undergone regular ophthalmologist visits, which imply that educational interventions could improve the situation.

Background: Dynamic measures, the response to stroke volume (SV) to fluid loading, have been used successfully to guide fluid management decisions in critically ill patients. However, application of dynamic measures is often inaccurate to predict fluid responsiveness in patients with arrhythmias, ventricular dysfunction or spontaneously breathing critically ill patients. Passive leg raising (PLR) is a simple bedside maneuver that may provide an accurate alternative to guide fluid resuscitation in hypovolemic critically ill patients. Methods: Pertinent medical literature for fluid responsiveness in the critically ill patient published in English was searched over the past three decades, and then the search was extended as linked citations indicated. Results: Thirty-three studies including observational studies, randomized control trials, systemic review, and meta-analysis studies evaluating fluid responsiveness in the critically ill patient met selection criteria. Conclusions: PLR coupled with real-time SV monitors is considered a simple, noninvasive, and accurate method to determine fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients with high sensitivity and specificity for a 10% increase in SV. The adverse effect of albumin on the mortality of head trauma patients and chloride-rich crystalloids on mortality and kidney function needs to be considered when choosing the type of fluid for resuscitation.