Saeed Hesam

Objective: To describe the frequency and demographic characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza infections, as well as their co‐occurrence, among patients in Khuzestan province. Methods: This retrospective laboratory‐based study was conducted at the Reference Laboratory of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Between March 2021 and November 2023, respiratory swab samples from patients with suspected Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) or influenza referred from 64 affiliated healthcare institutions (23 health centers and 41 hospitals) were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza A/B using RT‐qPCR. Demographic and laboratory data were analyzed using chi‐square and simple logistic regression, and the results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 148,079 respiratory specimens were analyzed between 2021 and 2023. Among them, 41.2% tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in 2021, 14.9% in 2022, and 4.5% in 2023, showing a marked decline in COVID‐19 positivity over time. In contrast, influenza positivity progressively increased from 13.3% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2022 and 20.8% in 2023, coinciding with broader testing coverage. Females consistently showed higher infection rates for both viruses. The most affected age groups for COVID‐19 shifted from 40 to 50 years in 2021 to 20–30 years in 2022 and ≥ 70 years in 2023, while influenza was more frequent among individuals under 20 years in 2023. Coinfection with SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza was uncommon, detected in only 0.6% of the patients in 2023, predominantly involving the H1N1 subtype. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a declining trend of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection alongside a progressive rise in influenza cases in southwest Iran from 2021 to 2023. The findings highlight age‐ and sex‐related variations in infection patterns and underscore the value of continuous dual surveillance for both viruses.

Cigarette smoking remains a significant public health concern, with detrimental effects on both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. This study investigates the factors influencing smoking behaviors in Iranian households, focusing on households with children under five years old. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 8751 Iranian households using data from the Iranian Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) collected by the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) in 2021. A variety of count regression models were examined, including Poisson (P), Negative Binomial (NB), Generalized Poisson (GP) and their zero-inflated counterparts. The best fitting model was selected based on goodness-of-fit indices. Approximately 87% of households were non-smokers, with a mean daily cigarette consumption of 14.29 (SD = 8.64) among smokers. The three-level Zero-Inflated Generalized Poisson (TL-ZIGP) model was considered a suitable model for the interpretation of the data. Key predictors of smoking included older age, male gender, lower education, higher income, and larger homes. Homeownership was negatively associated with smoking. Considerable geographic variation in smoking prevalence was observed. Socioeconomic and demographic factors, including lifestyle and geographic regions, are associated with smoking behavior among Iranian households. A three-level ZIGP regression model is appropriate for analyzing these complex relationships. This study reveals different patterns of smoking prevalence in different population subgroups and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to effectively reduce smoking rates.

Background & Objective: Heart failure (HF), as the final stage of cardiovascular disease, is a prevalent cause of mortality, disability, and recurrent hospitalization. Effective treatment of systolic HF is crucial for reducing patient disability and preventing repeated hospital admissions. In this context, we aimed to conduct a comparative study of spironolactone at ...

Background: Numerous equations are applied in order to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Objectives: This study aimed to spot the optimal equation that accurately estimates GFR and, therefore, the chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage in renal transplant patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 58 renal transplant patients. Their venous blood samples were obtained for serum creatinine and cystatin C determination used to calculate estimated GFR (eGFR). The average contrast of GFR in each equation was calculated using the Bland-Altman method. The correlation, bias, imprecision, and 10% and 30% accuracy were compared between the eGFR cystatin C and creatinine. Concordance between both equations for CKD staging was assessed. The classification of patients was also investigated. Results: Bland-Altman plots and bias demonstrated that eGFR by the abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease (Ab-MDRD) was the most accurate compared with chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) cystatin C, followed by CKD-EPI eGFR creatinine. With reference to CKD-EPI cystatin C, the imprecision of the equations was approximately similar to Ab-MDRD, and CKD-EPI creatinine is still better than the Cockcroft-gault (CG) formula. They also showed good 30% accuracy. Finally, our finding suggested that Ab-MDRD and CKD-EPI eGFR creatinine might be the best-performing equation in the classification of the CKD stages in a cutoff of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusions: Due to the high cost and potential delay in measuring cystatin C, it would be much more appropriate to measure Ab-MDRD; after that, CKD-EPI eGFR creatinine as an alternative approach in order to facilitate rapid clinical decision in renal transplant patients.

Background. Mothers with autistic children suffer a lot of psychological and physical pressures that can affect their quality of life, emotional states, and judgment about medical services. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life, anxiety, and satisfaction with rehabilitation services for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders and of non-autistic children in Ahvaz-Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 128 mothers with autistic children and 30 mothers with non-autistic children needing rehabilitation interventions were selected from Ahvaz rehabilitation centers. All participants were asked to complete Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREIF) questionnaire, 14-item Perceived Stress Scale as well as Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using a multivariate three-way ANOVA test. Results. It was found that mothers of autistic children had a significantly lower quality of life score than those without autistic children (P<0.001). However, the two groups had no significant difference in anxiety score (P=0.114) and satisfaction (P=0.079). Factors such as age, education, and occupation of mothers significantly affected the results (P<0.05). Moreover, mothers whose autistic children received rehabilitation services under one month had lower quality of life (P=0.003) and a higher level of anxiety (P=0.025) than those who received rehabilitation over six months. Conclusion. Middle-aged housewives with autistic children had the lowest mean quality of life score among all mothers studied. Mothers with a university education reported a lower level of satisfaction compared to mothers without a university education, indicating a higher level of expectations for their rehabilitation outcome. Practical Implications. Research findings can be applied in managing rehabilitation services for autistic children and their families.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD). Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between demographic and clinical data with balance impairments in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), considering the importance of early detection of balance impairments in this population. Methods: Forty-three patients with DPN were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Age, disease duration, height, weight, and physical activity, along with blood sugar samples and neuropathy disability scores were collected to explore correlations with the balance evaluation system test (BESTest) in this population. Results: A significant weak to moderate correlations was found between physical activity (p-value=0.046/ CC= 0.286), severity of neuropathy (p-value=0.025/ CC= -0.317), and gender (p-value=0.032/ CC= -0.311) with BESTest, using multivariate linear regression analysis. Conclusion: It is recommended that diabetic patients with a sedentary lifestyle, more severe scores on neuropathy screening instruments, and female patients be referred for early screening of balance disorders regardless of age and disease duration. Also, increasing physical activity to prevent balance impairments in the future can be recommended.