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ObjectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with many health complications, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although oral calcium channel blockers have shown promising results in managing COPD‐induced PH,... more
ObjectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with many health complications, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although oral calcium channel blockers have shown promising results in managing COPD‐induced PH, significant systemic side effects may limit their use in this population. Administering verapamil through nebulization can be an alternative approach. We aim to assess the possible therapeutic effects of verapamil inhalation in out‐patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to COPD.MethodsA double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted. Patients with PH were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 participants. The intervention group received a short‐term single dose of 10 mg nebulized verapamil (4 ampoules of 2.5 mg/ml verapamil solutions). The control group received nebulized distilled water as a placebo in addition to their standard treatment throughout the study.ResultsSystolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) did...
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Introduction and objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a major health concern both in developing and developed countries. The rate of the liver injury due to anti-TB drugs in developed countries has been reported up to 4%. The goal... more
Introduction and objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a major health concern both in developing and developed countries. The rate of the liver injury due to anti-TB drugs in developed countries has been reported up to 4%. The goal of this study is to assess the rate and risk factors for anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Also, a model has been designed to predict DILI in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted an observational study. The investigation was carried out in the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Tehran, Iran. Anti-tuberculosis drug treatment course and patients’ demographic data, medical and drug history, and social habits were extracted from their medical records. DILI was defined as an increase in serum alanine aminotransfrase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransfrase (AST) greater than three times of the upper limit of normal (ULN), with symptoms of liver injury, or five times of the ULN without symptoms...
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Warfarin is a critical medication that is broadly used for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disorders. Due to warfarin’s narrow therapeutic index, it is crucial that patients follow an appropriate dosage regimen. Patient... more
Warfarin is a critical medication that is broadly used for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disorders. Due to warfarin’s narrow therapeutic index, it is crucial that patients follow an appropriate dosage regimen. Patient knowledge is one of the most important factors to safe and effective use of warfarin. Due to the obvious risks of anticoagulants administration, evaluating patients’ awareness seems to be crucial. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effects of intervention by an informative pamphlet on knowledge and adherence of patients who consumed warfarin. Two-hundred and fifty patients receiving warfarin were assigned to the study. They were asked to fill in the questionnaire. Then patients were provided with an educational pamphlet. In the second interview, patients filled the questionnaire again. Obtained data were assessed and analyzed by Excel software and SPSS version 18.0. Out of 250 patients who entered the study, 150 patients attended for the s...
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Since there is no detailed hospital based incident reporting system, this study was designed to evaluate the medication errors associated with infusion pumps in intensive care unit (ICU). The investigation was conducted in a Teaching... more
Since there is no detailed hospital based incident reporting system, this study was designed to evaluate the medication errors associated with infusion pumps in intensive care unit (ICU). The investigation was conducted in a Teaching hospital in the form of a prospective, observational study. A sample size of 43 doses administered to ICU patients was chosen to enable reliable estimate of error rates. Any deviation in the IV pumps implication from the guidelines and/or doctor’s order in the charts was measured as the main outcome. Forty three doses with 258 opportunities for error were observed. Twenty (7.8%) errors were detected, of which 14 (20%) were incorrect dose, 4 (20%) labeling error, 2 (10%) unauthorized medication. From incorrect doses, 8 (57%) resulted in overdose. Benzodiazepines were the most common class of drug involved. We concluded that regarding the infusion pump usage for drug delivery, a large number of errors exist.
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Background: Hemorrhagic events are amongst the significant adverse effects of injectable anticoagulants such as heparin and enoxaparin. This undesirable effect needs close monitoring of their use for clinically relevant drug-drug... more
Background: Hemorrhagic events are amongst the significant adverse effects of injectable anticoagulants such as heparin and enoxaparin. This undesirable effect needs close monitoring of their use for clinically relevant drug-drug interactions. Objectives: To study the rate of hemorrhagic events, the anatomical site, and the severity of the bleeding in patients receiving heparin or enoxaparin in combination with clopidogrel, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and warfarin. Methods: We designed a prospective, multi-center, case-series study. Patients admitted to two teaching hospitals who received either an NSAID, or warfarin, or clopidogrel were evaluated. Any hemorrhagic event was recorded by Yellow Card Scheme. Also, the Naranjo scale was utilized for causality assessment.Results: A total of 123 patients were eligible for inclusion. They were admitted between November 2014 and April 2015. Sixty-five patients (52.5%) received heparin and 58 patients (47.2%) received eno...
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Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina than the general population. Objectives: We sought to assess the impact of ranolazine as an antianginal agent to diminish... more
Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina than the general population. Objectives: We sought to assess the impact of ranolazine as an antianginal agent to diminish hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) level in diabetic individuals under treatment with metformin and gliclazide. Patients and Methods: This study was a randomized parallel-group clinical trial to compare the therapeutic effects of ranolazine versus conventional treatment in patients with concomitant T2DM and stable angina. TERISA (type 2 diabetes mellitus evaluation of ranolazine in subjects with chronic stable angina) was employed to assess the efficiency of ranolazine in lowering the frequency of angina attacks. The study was performed on diabetic patients with symptomatic angina under treatment with either sublingual nitroglycerin or up to two types of antianginal agents. The patients in the intervention group received 1000 mg ranolazine twice a day while patien...
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Research Interests: Gastroenterology, Medicine, Iran, Humans, Internal Medicine, and 15 moreFemale, Male, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Combination drug therapy, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Reference Values, Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Reference standards, Cardiovascular medicine and haematology, and Rifampin
Research Interests: Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chromatography, Medicine, Therapeutic drug monitoring, and 11 moreHumans, Calibration, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Sensitivity and Specificity, Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Analytical Sciences, Rifampin, and calibration curve
The most reported form of statin induced pain is myalgia, conversely peripheral neuropathy is a rare side effect. We report a patient who received rosuvastatin for hypercholesterolemia and experienced episodes of pain in both hands during... more
The most reported form of statin induced pain is myalgia, conversely peripheral neuropathy is a rare side effect. We report a patient who received rosuvastatin for hypercholesterolemia and experienced episodes of pain in both hands during the night. Rosuvastatin was stopped and atorvastatin was replaced. Re-introduction with another statin resulted in a more severe form of the similar adverse effect after 4 months. This is a rare adverse effect of a extensively prescribed class of drug. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of peripheral neuropathy symptoms in patients on statin therapy. J Pharm Care 2019; 7(4): 120-122.
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Medication interactions are associated with various unwanted adverse drug reactions. Medication Reconciliation involves a process in which a complete list of patient's previously prescribed medications are recorded and subsequently... more
Medication interactions are associated with various unwanted adverse drug reactions. Medication Reconciliation involves a process in which a complete list of patient's previously prescribed medications are recorded and subsequently evaluated within the context of concomitantly prescribed medications and present medical condition during the hospitalization. Medical records of randomly selected 270 patients hospitalized in internal medicine, cardiovascular and infectious diseases wards were evaluated. Drug interactions were checked by LexiComp® database. Each interaction was assigned a risk rating of A, B, C, D, or X. The progression from A to X was based on increased urgency for responding to the data. Completed reconciliation forms were attached to patient charts for evaluation of physicians' compliance. Drug interactions were observed in 65.2% (176/270) of cases. The risk rating of interactions was categorized as C, D and X in 54.2%, 32.4%, and 13.4% of cases, respectively....
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Hepatic toxicity is the most serious adverse effect of anti-tuberculosis drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin as a hepatoprotective herbal agent. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 70 new cases... more
Hepatic toxicity is the most serious adverse effect of anti-tuberculosis drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin as a hepatoprotective herbal agent. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 70 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into two groups. The intervention group was assigned to receive silymarin and the control group received placebo. Tuberculosis was treated by classic regimen consisting isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the frequency of drug induced liver injury or mild elevation of liver enzymes. Silymarin was safe without any major side effect. Our results showed no significant hepatoprotective effect of silymarin among patients on tuberculosis treatment.
Hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) is a major adverse effect of abacavir (ABC), which occurs in 5-8% of Caucasians. The relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and ABC HSR has been reported in various populations. It has been... more
Hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) is a major adverse effect of abacavir (ABC), which occurs in 5-8% of Caucasians. The relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and ABC HSR has been reported in various populations. It has been proposed to administer ABC only to HLA-B*5701 negative patients to avoid this reaction. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of HLA-B*5701 in Iranian HIV positive patients. We also sought to find the relationship between this allele with ABC HSR in patients who received the medication. We screened patients for HLA-B*5701 allele using SybrGreen real time PCR-melting method on blood samples from HIV positive patients who were referred to our hospital. The quality of the extracted genome was evaluated by B-globin housekeeping gene as internal control prior to HLA-B*5701 allele screening. Of 198 HIV-infected patients, 6 (3.0%) had the HLA-B*5701 allele (95% CI, 1%-5%). Among the 28 patients who were given ABC, one individual had the HLA-B*...
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Glycine allele at codon 16 has previously been associated with the increase in asthma severity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and also the increase in inhaled corticosteroid dependence. This study was designed to evaluate the genetic... more
Glycine allele at codon 16 has previously been associated with the increase in asthma severity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and also the increase in inhaled corticosteroid dependence. This study was designed to evaluate the genetic alleles in mild asthma. Thirty-four patients with diagnosis of mild asthma (FEV1 ≥ 80%, positive methacholine test) and body mass index (BMI ≤ 30 Kg/m2) were included in the study. They could only use short acting beta-2 agonists for asthma control. Smoking, infection, occupational sensitizers’ exposure, gastroesophageal reflux, diabetes mellitus and heart failure were also considered as exclusion criteria. All patients were genotyped at 16th and 27th codons. Among all, 20 (58.8%) Arg/Gly, 14 (41.2%) Arg/Arg and no Gly/Gly genotype were detected at codon 16. Genotyping at codon 27 revealed 2 (5.9%) Glu/Glu, 13 (38.2%) Glu/Gln and 18 Gln/Gln (52.9%). Based on the obtained results, Arg/Gly mutation had a higher rate among the studied subjects compared to Arg/Arg polymorphism. This is a pilot study which shows a probable usefulness of genotyping for predicting of asthma severity.
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The aim of this study was to provide a clinical pharmacy education program at Masih Daneshvari hospital, a University affiliated hospital, located in Tehran, Iran. For this purpose, the most common pharmacist involved interventions and... more
The aim of this study was to provide a clinical pharmacy education program at Masih Daneshvari hospital, a University affiliated hospital, located in Tehran, Iran. For this purpose, the most common pharmacist involved interventions and aspects of potential fields for pharmacy students and residents education was firstly identified. Clinical pharmacy interventions and drug information forms were filled during the study period, from January 2006 till January 2007. Based on the results of this study, a total number of 772 interventions were conducted during the study year. Drug information had the highest rate of 22.30% among all interventions, followed by dose adjustment, and therapeutic reduction or addition. The mean number of medications per patient was 8.62 ± 7.54. In conclusion, it could be said that although in our country the challenge for the pharmacy as a profession is in its initial stages compared to the developed countries, the result of this study revealed a high demand for this service among health care providers.
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Background: Albumin is a protein colloidal solution that possesses great value in the clinic, particularly for the resuscitation of critically ill patients. It has accounted for a high percentage of the cost in our center. This study... more
Background: Albumin is a protein colloidal solution that possesses great value in the clinic, particularly for the resuscitation of critically ill patients. It has accounted for a high percentage of the cost in our center. This study evaluates the appropriateness of albumin usage at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Methods: This study evaluated 69 patient charts. Data included patient demographics, ward of admission, primary reasons for prescribing albumin, and details of albumin use. Possible correlations between the appropriateness of albumin usage, the number of albumin vials, and mortality rate were analyzed. Results: Albumin was prescribed appropriately in 63.8% of patients. Cardiac surgery accounted for 37.3% of all indications. The most prevalent inappropriate indication of albumin was for mild hypoalbuminemia and nutritional support. There was a significant correlation between the number of used albumin vials and mortality rate. In conclusion, the albumin use in Masih Daneshvari Hospital was not completely in accordance with the accredited references. Conclusion: Albumin is an expensive medication prescribed unnecessarily for many patients. Using the clinical pharmacist's prepared guideline could minimize the situations where its administration is not needed.
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Medication errors are commonly encountered in hospital setting. Intravenous medications pose particular risks because of their greater complexity and the multiple steps required in their preparation, administration and monitoring. We... more
Medication errors are commonly encountered in hospital setting. Intravenous medications pose particular risks because of their greater complexity and the multiple steps required in their preparation, administration and monitoring. We aimed to determine the rate of errors during the preparation and administration phase of intravenous medications and the correlation of these errors with the demographics of nurses involved in the process. One hundred patients who were receiving IV medications were monitored by a trained pharmacist. The researcher accompanied the nurses during the preparation and administration process of IV medications. Collected data were compared with the acceptable guidelines. A checklist was filled for each IV medication. Demographic data of the nurses were collected as well. A total of 454 IV medications were recorded. Inappropriate administration rate constituted a large proportion of errors in our study (35.3%). No significant or life threatening drug interactio...
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The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ciclesonide (80 mg/day) and fluticasone propionate (200 mg/day) for mild to moderate persistent asthma. Female and male patients older than 12 years with a history of persistent... more
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ciclesonide (80 mg/day) and fluticasone propionate (200 mg/day) for mild to moderate persistent asthma. Female and male patients older than 12 years with a history of persistent bronchial asthma for at least 6 months were enrolled. Patients were eligible to enter into a 2-week run-in period before randomization (baseline) if they had received inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone propionate 250 μg/day or equivalent) at a constant dose during the last 4 weeks before the run-in period. In order to enter into the double blind 18-week treatment period, patients had to have a forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) of 61-90% of predicted and a decrease in FEV1 throughout the run-in period of more than 10%. Patients (n =230) were assigned to ciclesonide 80 mg once daily or fluticasone propionate 100 mg twice daily group. The primary outcome variable was change in FEV1 compared to its baseline value. Secondary outcome variables were asthma-...
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a fatal disorder with a prevalence of 8.6 per million. We introduce a registry website for IPAH and PAH patients ( www.IPAH.ir) for access and efficient delivery of government-aided and... more
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a fatal disorder with a prevalence of 8.6 per million. We introduce a registry website for IPAH and PAH patients ( www.IPAH.ir) for access and efficient delivery of government-aided and subsidized antihypertensive medications. The IPAH registry was opened in November 2009. Information of IPAH and PAH patients with a username and password were uploaded in the site. Data entry was possible only via the physicians and healthcare organizations via internet that were given a personalized username and password for entry. Following the patients' profile submission, a scientific committee composed of a cardiologist and a pulmonologist who were selected by the Ministry of Health of Iran (MOH), evaluated the data. The eligibility of the patient to receive the medications was confirmed after evaluation. If the patient was eligible, 82% of the Bosentan cost was paid by MOH. To date, one hundred and sixteen patients (82 females, 34 males) ...
The present observational study was performed on drugs requiring dose adjustment in kidney disease to assess the frequency and potential consequences of overlooked dosage adjustment in hospitalized patients. Medication records and data of... more
The present observational study was performed on drugs requiring dose adjustment in kidney disease to assess the frequency and potential consequences of overlooked dosage adjustment in hospitalized patients. Medication records and data of 142 patients were collected on random basis from February 2008 through June 2010. Selected patients with elevated serum creatinine who were prescribed at least one drug needing dose adjustment were kept for further study. Eight hundred and thirty drug orders were evaluated in which dose adjustment was required in 193 (23.2%) of cases. Proper dose adjustments were performed in 88 (45.5%) of cases and not performed in 105 (54.4%) orders. According to our study, inappropriate dose adjustment in renal dysfunction shows a great need for pharmacist involvement in the process to improve drug dosing and avoid adverse drug reactions. Sub-grouping patients according to kidney function and following established dosing guidelines is recommended.
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ABSTRACT
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Lithium-induced thyroid abnormalities have been documented in many studies. They may occur despite normal plasma lithium levels. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine possible relationship between lithium ratio, defined as... more
Lithium-induced thyroid abnormalities have been documented in many studies. They may occur despite normal plasma lithium levels. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine possible relationship between lithium ratio, defined as erythrocyte lithium concentrations divided by plasma lithium concentrations, and thyroid abnormalities in bipolar patients receiving lithium and 2) to find other possible risk factors for developing thyroid abnormalities in the subjects. Sixty-eight bipolar patients receiving lithium therapy were enrolled in a cross-sectional evaluation of thyroid function test and thyroid size. Patients were divided into two groups based on their thyroid function tests and thyroid sizes. Erythrocyte and plasma lithium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry for each patient. Lithium ratio was then calculated. No significant differences were found between age, positive family history of affective disorder, plasma lithium concentration, erythro...
Research Interests: Bipolar Disorder, Lithium, Family history, Humans, Female, and 15 moreMale, Risk factors, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Clinical Sciences, Adult, Cross Section, Sex Factors, Thyroid Diseases, Risk Factors, Side Effect, Case Control Study, Erythrocytes, Affective Disorder, Case Control Studies, and BMC
Medication errors are among the most common medical errors in the hospitals. Transcription error is a specific type of medication errors and is due to data entry error that is commonly made by the human operators. This study was designed... more
Medication errors are among the most common medical errors in the hospitals. Transcription error is a specific type of medication errors and is due to data entry error that is commonly made by the human operators. This study was designed to detect transcription errors in a teaching hospital in Tehran. Direct observational method was used in this study. Error was defined as any deviation in transcribing medication order from the previous step (order on the order sheet, administration nursing note and/or cardex, documentation of the order in the pharmacy database). A total of 287 charts with 558 opportunities for error were reviewed. Of those opportunities for error 167 (29.9%) resulted in an error. Omission (the patient did not receive the medication that was ordered) was the highest (52%) transcription error type seen in this study. The evaluation clearly showed that errors at transcription stage were not infrequent. To cut these errors down we suggest implementation of surveillance...
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Rehospitalization is a significant burden for transplant systems, which use data on hospitalization to monitor practice outcomes. In this study, all rehospitalizations after successful lung transplant performed in our medical center... more
Rehospitalization is a significant burden for transplant systems, which use data on hospitalization to monitor practice outcomes. In this study, all rehospitalizations after successful lung transplant performed in our medical center during an 8-year period were assessed for cause, health care resource use, cost, and outcome. We performed a retrospective chart review of all rehospitalizations of lung transplant recipients in Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Darabad, Tehran, between 2000 and 2008. Baseline data (each patient's age at transplant and rehospitalization, sex, primary lung disease, medications used), cause of rehospitalization (infection, graft rejection, surgical complications, type of infection), health care resources use (length of hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, physician visits, imaging), rehospitalization costs (accommodations, personnel, drugs, paraclinical [ie, laboratory] tests, supplies, procedures) and outcome (death, survival) were noted. In 69% of pat...
Research Interests: Treatment Outcome, Communicable Diseases, Iran, Humans, INTENSIVE CARE, and 15 moreHospitalization, Hospital costs, Female, Male, Risk factors, Length of Stay, Middle Aged, Adult, Time Factors, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Graft Rejection, Heart and Lung Transplantation, Lung Transplantation, and Delivery of Health Care
One of the most significant ways to avoid medication errors is to study the errors that have occurred in other institutions and to use the information to prevent similar accidents at other practice sites. We report a cyclosporine overdose... more
One of the most significant ways to avoid medication errors is to study the errors that have occurred in other institutions and to use the information to prevent similar accidents at other practice sites. We report a cyclosporine overdose that was caused, in part, by misinterpretation of the medication order of a transplanted patient. In transplantation regimen, a 15 mg BID dose of cyclosporine was supposed to be given as part of the immunosuppressive therapy. Unfortunately the patient received a total of 1500 mg but survived the overdose. This case should be considered in the development of strategies to prevent unfavorable outcomes resulting from such errors.
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The aim of this study was to provide a clinical pharmacy education program at Masih Daneshvari hospital, a University affiliated hospital, located in Tehran, Iran. For this purpose, the most common pharmacist involved interventions and... more
The aim of this study was to provide a clinical pharmacy education program at Masih Daneshvari hospital, a University affiliated hospital, located in Tehran, Iran. For this purpose, the most common pharmacist involved interventions and aspects of potential fields for pharmacy students and residents education was firstly identified. Clinical pharmacy interventions and drug information forms were filled during the study period, from January 2006 till January 2007. Based on the results of this study, a total number of 772 interventions were conducted during the study year. Drug information had the highest rate of 22.30% among all interventions, followed by dose adjustment, and therapeutic reduction or addition. The mean number of medications per patient was 8.62 ± 7.54. In conclusion, it could be said that although in our country the challenge for the pharmacy as a profession is in its initial stages compared to the developed countries, the result of this study revealed a high demand f...
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In previous decades several studies have been performed demonstrating that providing appropriate nutritional support to intensive care unit patients affects complications, time of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and risk of... more
In previous decades several studies have been performed demonstrating that providing appropriate nutritional support to intensive care unit patients affects complications, time of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and risk of death. In this study we provided a report of nutrition statuses in Masih Daneshvari's ICU as compared to 156 ICUs from 20 countries that participated in an international nutrition survey. All patients admitted to an intensive care unit during a specified one-month period who required artificial nutrition were included in this study. Characteristics of patients, performance of nutrition practices, and ICU outcomes were registered for all patients and compared with data from 156 other intensive care units from various countries around the world. Twenty patients, of which 11(55%) were males and 9(45%) were females, were included in this study. The median age was 50.5 yrs (IQR: 40.5-56.0). Seventeen (85%) of them had EN nutrition only, 2(10%) had PN n...
Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinalis, has long been used as herbal medicine for its antiemetic effect. For evaluating the effect of zingiber officinalis on nausea and vomiting (N and V) in patients receiving cisplatin based... more
Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinalis, has long been used as herbal medicine for its antiemetic effect. For evaluating the effect of zingiber officinalis on nausea and vomiting (N and V) in patients receiving cisplatin based regimens, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial was carried out in patients receiving cisplatin in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. The patients were randomly assigned to receive ginger capsules (rhizome of zingiber officinalis) or placebo in their first cycle of the study. All patients received standard antiemetics for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The patients were crossed-over to receive ginger or placebo in their next cycle of chemotherapy. Among 36 eligible patients who received both cycles of treatment, there were no difference in prevalence, severity, and duration of both acute and delayed N and V. Addition of ginger to the standard antiemetic regimen has shown no advantage in reduci...
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Vitamin E is a potent reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) scavenger. It is a lipid-soluble vitamin and its main function is to protect polyunsaturated fatty acids against oxidative stress. Twenty-five mechanically ventilated Intensive Care... more
Vitamin E is a potent reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) scavenger. It is a lipid-soluble vitamin and its main function is to protect polyunsaturated fatty acids against oxidative stress. Twenty-five mechanically ventilated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) adult patients participated in a prospective randomized clinical trial receiving either placebo (10 patients) or 3 IM doses (1000 IU each) of vitamin E (15 patients). We determined plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid concentrations of vitamin E and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Among these 25 patients, there were 14 men and 11 women, aged 63.16 ±15.48 years (mean ± SD; range = 33 to 87 years). Vitamin E supplementation resulted in significant differences in plasma and BAL vitamin E concentrations between the two groups (p-value = 0.01, 0.01), decrease in SOD activities (not differ significantly in plasma (p-value = 0.23)), but with significant differences in BAL (p-value = 0.016) and progressive reduction in Acute Physiology and C...
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The purpose of this study was to determine the number of prescribed antibiotics being appropriately adjusted and to assess antibiotics with the highest incorrect dosing based on the patient's renal function according to distinguished... more
The purpose of this study was to determine the number of prescribed antibiotics being appropriately adjusted and to assess antibiotics with the highest incorrect dosing based on the patient's renal function according to distinguished guidelines. The study was conducted at a 446-bed university hospital. One hundred and fifty patients admitted through different wards of the hospital were included in the study. Demographic data were extracted and creatinine clearance was calculated using either Cockcroft-Gault (C&G) or Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. In patients with creatinine clearances less than 50 mL/min, antibiotic dosages were compared with guideline dose recommendations to judge whether they were correctly adjusted. Two hundreds and ninety-one instructions (79.9%) of 364 antibiotic prescriptions required dosage adjustment based on the patient's renal condition. These adjustments were rationally performed in 43.7% and 61.4% of prescriptions, accordin...
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To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of a suspension of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) prepared in the hospital from commercially available MMF capsules and tablets. Extemporaneous pharmacy was used as a feasible method in this... more
To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of a suspension of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) prepared in the hospital from commercially available MMF capsules and tablets. Extemporaneous pharmacy was used as a feasible method in this experimental study to prepare suspension form of MMF. Suspension formulations were prepared from both tablets and capsules forms of MMF. Thereafter the stability parameters such as pH, microbial control, thermal and physical stability and particle sizes were evaluated. The amount of MMF, in the suspension was measured at various time points by HPLC. The HPLC method showed that concentration of suspensions prepared from tablets and capsules were 49 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL at time 0, respectively. The effective amount of suspensions prepared from capsules was 101% at time 0, 100% after 7 days, 98% after 14 days, and less than 70% after 28 days. According to the obtained results in this study, capsule-based suspension was stable for as long as 14 days at 5°C....
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3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), are effective serum cholesterol-lowering agents which also have anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on... more
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), are effective serum cholesterol-lowering agents which also have anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Adult patients (age 14 to 65 years) with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) diagnosis based on the spirometry with methacholine challenge test were entered into the study. The study was conducted in the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Patients were randomized to receive either atorvastatin 20 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks. Spirometric parameters were determined at baseline and at completion of the study. Twenty two patients with the age of 32.95±10.30 years completed the trial. Changes in airway responsiveness categories (moderate to severe, mild, borderline, normal) after the intervention were not significant in atorvastatin group as in placebo group (p-value= 0.131 for atorvastatin group and p...
The results of many studies suggested possible relationship between polymorphism at codons 16 and 27 and development of tolerance to beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist responses as well as disease severity in asthmatic patients. This study was... more
The results of many studies suggested possible relationship between polymorphism at codons 16 and 27 and development of tolerance to beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist responses as well as disease severity in asthmatic patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of polymorphism of beta2 adrenoceptors on response to salmeterol and fluticasone (as inhaled Seretide).Sixty-four patients with either mild or moderate-severe asthma were evaluated in this study. A four-week therapy with Seretide was conducted in moderate-severe asthmatics. The respiratory parameters and asthma score (based on GINA guidelines) were measured before and after run in period. Blood samples were genotyped at codons 16 and 27.No significant difference was observed in genotypes neither at codon 16 nor at codon 27 between mild and moderate-severe asthma groups. However, Patients in Arg/Arg (n = 8) category showed significant improvement in asthma control parameters and lung function compared with Arg/Gly genot...