Amin Amali

Aims Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodic sleep state–dependent upper airway collapse. OSA can markedly decrease quality of life (QoL) and productivity. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has been used as an effective treatment for OSA. Recently, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) treatment has emerged as effective management among patients with OSA, especially non-adherent ones to conventional therapies such as CPAP. Our aim was to determine whether CPAP and UPPP treatment could improve the quality of life in patients with moderate OSA. Design Prospective. Setting Patients with moderate OSA, confirmed by polysomnography from March 2019 to March 2020, participated. CPAP and UPPP treatments were considered for patients according to their preferences. The Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) questionnaire before and after treatment was completed. Methods Change in their QoL was compared between the CPAP group and UPPP treatment. In addition, QoL was compared between these groups and patients who did not receive any of these treatment methods. Results Seventy-eight patients were included in treatment groups, 40 using CPAP and 38 undergoing UPPP treatment. Furthermore, 10 patients who did not receive treatment were considered the control. Both methods of treatment significantly (p < 0.001) improved QoL, but UPPP treatment was superior (p = 0.042) to CPAP. There was a poor correlation between post-treatment BMI (0.037), Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) (0.096), age (0.022), and post-treatment SAQLI score. Conclusion Based on these results, CPAP and UPPP treatment can improve QoL. UPPP treatment could be considered an effective arm of OSA management among the study population.

To perform a quantitative olfactory test in positive COVID19 RT-PCR admitted patients and asymptomatic ones, to evaluate the association between hyposmia and disease severity. This is a Cross sectional study. Ninety-one patients including 68 inpatients and 23 asymptomatic healthcare workers with positive COVID-19 RT-PCRs. Methods: Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected. Iran Smell Identification Test (IR-SIT), a highly accurate 6-odorant test was used to evaluate the reliability of self-reported hyposmia and determine the correlation of the measured olfactory dysfunction with disease severity. Twenty-two of 91 patients (24%) reported hyposmia, while 41/91 (45%) patients had measurable olfactory dysfunction (IR-SIT score 1–4, p < 0.05). Mean age of the 68 inpatients and 23 asymptomatic patients were 43.97 ± 16.13 years; M:F 43:25, and 43.87 ± 12.76 years; M:F 8:15 respectively. Of 68 patients, 20 were graded as severe, and 48/68 had mild course of disease. IR-SIT detected hyposmia in 80% of patients with severe disease, and 50% with mild disease, respectively. The risk of disease severity was significantly increased for patients with olfactory dysfunction and was detected 4 times higher when compared to patients with mild disease (OR 4, 95% CI: 1.166–13.728, p = 0.028). Olfactory Dysfunction was present in 80% of patients with severe course. The risk of disease severity is significantly increased with olfactory dysfunction in admitted patients.

To compare the surgical outcomes of modified extracorporeal septoplasty and anterior septal reconstruction for the management of the severe deviated nose.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of education in evidence‐based medicine (EBM) on the knowledge, competency, and skills of otolaryngology residents of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) at Amir‐Alam and Imam Khomeini Hospitals.Methods: In a quasi‐experimental (before‐and‐after) study, all ear, nose, and throat residents of TUMS (n = 41) entered the study. The residents underwent the modified Fresno test. Then, two EBM workshops with a similar content were held on 2 separate days in each hospital, with each session lasting 6 hours. The learned material was practiced in weekly journal clubs. Six months after the workshop, the modified Fresno test was applied again, and the results were analyzed.Results: A significant improvement in the modified Fresno test score was observed. The mean score of the modified Fresno test was 57.43 ± 22.07 before the workshop and 79.26 ± 22.48 after the workshop (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The results of the study show that EBM education and practice of the learned materials in journal clubs can improve the knowledge and skills of residents.Further research with larger samples is needed to improve the precision of our findings and to increase confidence in the results.Level of Evidence: 2Laryngoscope, 129:2291–2294, 2019