Publications (5)10.04 Total impact
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Article: Low gradient ascites: a seven-year course review.
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ABSTRACT: To study the patients with low gradient ascites in hospitals of Guilan Province (northern Iran). Patients admitted in hospitals of Guilan Province with low gradient ascites from 1993 to 2000 were enrolled in the study. Serum and ascitic fluid albumin levels were determined by biochemical reactions. The serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) less than 1.1 g/dL was considered low. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 9.0 software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 148 patients enrolled in the study, 72 (48.6%) were males and 76 (51.4%) were females with a mean age of 59.03+/-13.54 years. Tuberculous peritonitis was the most frequent cause of low gradient ascites in 68 (45.9%). Other most frequent causes were cancer in 62 (41.9%), nephrotic syndrome in 9 (6%), pancreatitis in 6 (4%). Peritoneal cancer was found in 22 (35%), ovarian and gastric cancers were found in 14 (22.5%) and 12 (19.3%), respectively. All of which were the causes of ascites. The mean SAAG was 0.68+/-0.19 g/dL. The mean serum and ascitic fluid albumin concentrations were higher in tuberculous patients (P<0.006), but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was higher in cancer patients (P<0.0001). In peritoneal tuberculosis, mean ascitic glucose concentration was significantly lower than other patients (P<0.0001). Tuberculosis should be considered in all patients with low gradient ascites especially in developing countries (like Iran), as the first cause of ascites. In the approach to patients with low gradient ascites, ascitic fluid glucose, and LDH level are useful indicators for decision making.World Journal of Gastroenterology 04/2005; 11(15):2337-9. · 2.47 Impact Factor -
Article: The effect of metronidazole in treating human fascioliasis.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metronidazole in patients who did not cure after treatment with triclabendazole, in Guilan (Northern Province of Iran). Patients, who passed fasciola egg in stool and had positive serum anti fasciola antibody (ELISA), at least three months after treatment with triclabendazole, were enrolled and received 1.5 g/day metronidazole orally for three weeks. Two months and 12 months after end of therapy, stool examination in 3 consecutive days and serum anti fasciola antibody were performed. Frequency of patients with negative serology for fasciola and/or absence of fasciola egg in stool were determined. Chi-square test was used and P value <0.05 was considered significant. Forty-six patients, 26 females and 20 males, were enrolled with mean (+/-SD) age of 34.6(+/-9.8) years. Three patients excluded because of drug side effect and poor compliance. Two months after end of therapy, stool exam became negative in 35 patients and in 31 patients became negative both in serology and stool examination. (Difference in response to treat between age groups and genders was not significant). All patients with abdominal pain became pain free after therapy. Most frequent side effects were metallic taste in 14 (30.4%), headache in 8 (17.4%) and nausea in 6 (13%). 12 months after end of therapy, 28 out of 35 patients were examined again and all were negative both in serology and egg in stool examination. Metronidazole, 1.5 g/day for 3 weeks, seems to be an effective, available, well-tolerated alternative for treatment of human fascioliasis.Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 10/2003; 9(10):PI127-30. · 1.70 Impact Factor -
Article: Efficacy of saccharomyces boulardii with antibiotics in acute amoebiasis.
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ABSTRACT: To compare the efficacy of antibiotics therapy alone with antibiotics and saccharomyces boulardii in treatment of acute amebiasis. In a double blind, random clinical trial on patients with acute intestinal amoebiasis, 57 adult patients with acute amoebiasis, diagnosed with clinical manifestations (acute mucous bloody diarrhea) and amebic trophozoites engulfing RBCs found in stool were enrolled in the study. Regimen 1 included metronidazole (750 mg Tid) and iodoquinol (630 mg Tid) for 10 days. Regimen 2 contained capsules of lyophilized saccharomyces boulardii (250 mg Tid) orally in addition to regimen 1. Patients were re-examined at two and four weeks after the treatment, and stool examination was performed at the end of week 4. Student's t-test, chi(2) and McNemar's tests were used for statistical analysis. Three patients refused to participate. The other 54 patients were randomized to receive either regimen 1 or regimen 2 (Groups 1 and 2 respectively, each with 27 patients). The two groups were similar regarding their age, sex and clinical manifestations. In Group 1, diarrhea lasted 48.0+/-18.5 hours and in Group 2, 12.0+/-3.7 hours (P<0.0001). In Group 1, the durations of fever and abdominal pain were 24.0+/-8.8 and 24.0+/-7.3 hours and in Group 2 they were 12.0+/-5.3 and 12.0+/-3.2 hours, respectively (P<0.001). Duration of headache was similar in both groups. At week 4, amebic cysts were detected in 5 cases (18.5 %) of Group 1 but in none of the Group 2 (P<0.02). Adding saccharomyces boulardii to antibiotics in the treatment of acute amebiasis seems to decrease the duration of clinical symptoms and cyst passage.World Journal of Gastroenterology 08/2003; 9(8):1832-3. · 2.47 Impact Factor -
Article: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C seromarkers and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan (northern province of Iran).
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan province, Iran. Patients registered with Guilan Hemophilia Society (GHS) were enrolled in this study, and evaluated for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) and liver function tests. One hundred and one patients (100 males, 1 female, mean age 19.7 years, range 3-71 years) from 110 registered hemophiliacs were enrolled in this study. 29 patients (28.7%) had elevated Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 27 (26.7%) and 72 (71.3%) were positive for HBsAg and HCV-Ab, respectively. Seropositivity for HCV-Ab correlated with the duration of treatment with clotting factor until 1997 (P=0.01). There was also an inverse correlation between factor VIII & IX activity and seropositivity for HCV-Ab (P<0.001) and HBsAg (P<0.04). HCV-Ab was more likely to be positive among those received lyophilized factor VIII and cryoprecipitate than lyophilized factor VIII alone (P<0.01). In addition HCV-Ab seropositivity was more common among those received factor IX concentrate and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) than those received only FFP (P<0.01). Based upon our finding, prevalence of HBsAg positive cases in Guilan province was higher than other studies. Although frequency of HCV-Ab was similar to other studies, frequency of increased ALT was less. Upon the results emerged from this study, we recommend that all hemophiliacs should be vaccinated against HBV and should have regular program for checking HCV.Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 12/2002; 8(12):CR797-800. · 1.70 Impact Factor -
Article: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease tetracycline & furazolidone vs. metronidazole & amoxicillin in omeprazole based triple therapy.
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ABSTRACT: The object of the study was to study the efficacy and safety of furazolidone and tetracycline compared to metronidazole and amoxicillin in an omeprazole based triple therapy in a prospective randomized-blind-clinical trial. Patients with endoscopically verified active duodenal ulcer disease in the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection were eligible to enter the study. Endoscopy was performed a day before and 6-8 weeks after the cessation of treatment. H. pylori status was assessed by histologic examination (Giemsa stain) of biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum and corpus. H. pylori eradication was defined as absence in histology of the biopsy specimens at the second endoscopy. Ulcer healing was considered as decrease in ulcer size to less than 20% of its primary size. Patients were randomly assigned to receive omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and metronidazole 500 mg (OAM group) or omeprazole 20 mg, tetracycline 500 mg and furazolidone 200 mg (OTF group). All medications were taken twice daily, for 2 weeks. Out of 111 patients enrolled in the study, 108 completed a course of treatment and underwent a follow-up endoscopy, with 54 patients in each group. H. pylori eradication was achieved in 52 patients (96.3% - 95% CI: 91.27-100) in OTF group and 45 patients (83.3% - 95% CI: 73.35-93.25) in OAM group (P=0.015). Our study showed the superiority of OTF vs. OAM regimen with a 13% increment in eradication rate, with only occasional severe side effect. In conclusion OTF regimen is a safe, cheaper and effective alternative for OTF regimen and we recommend it to be used especially in developing countries.Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 04/2002; 8(3):PI27-30. · 1.70 Impact Factor
