Background & Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy of two-drug regimen of glucosamine and prednisolone with one-drug regimen of glucosamine in treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

  Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 30 patients received glucosamine and prednisolone (case group) and 25 cases underwent treatment by only glucosamine (control group) for 12 weeks. For considering pain and disability, WOMAC ( Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) was used.

  Results: Mean value of WOMAC index in the case group was 2.81 at the beginning, 1.53 in week 6, and 1.49 in week 12. In the control group, this value was 3.15 at the beginning, 2.39 in week 6, and 2.35 in week 12. In week 6 and 12, mean value of WOMAC index was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In patients younger than 65 years old, females, and body mass index of equal or less than 30 a significant difference was seen in both week 6 and 12 between the case and control groups (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion: Two-drug regimen of glucosamine and prednisolone in a 12-week period had a better clinical efficacy than one-drug regimen of glucosamine in lowering the pain and improving joint function of patients with knee osteoarthritis, especially females with body mass index less than 30 and younger than 65 years of age.

  Background & Objectives: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of pilosebaceous units. In sever forms it may lead to major scars on the face and trunk, and significant face and trunk scarring, and psychological disorders. Antiandrogen therapy can be used as a suitable and effective remedy for female acne. Furthermore, they can treat, accompanying androgenic problems. Also, there is no under consideration drug resistance against androgens. The aim of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of flutamide and doxycycline in moderate acne in females .

  Methods: This current study is a randomized and blind evaluation trial. 62 female patients participated at this study. They were divided in two groups (case and control). Case group was received 250 mg/day flutamide, control group 100 mg/day doycycline. Both groups also received topical solution of clindamicin 1% twice daily. The length of study was six months .

  At first visit and the end of the second month of study liver function were tested for the case group patients. Evaluation of resolution in lesions was performed by another physician every two months of therapy. The probable side effects of drugs were recorded. Data were analyzed with SPSS16 software using statistical tests and p ≤ 0.05 considered as significant

  Results: The mean of patients age was 19.27 ± 3.55 years, and the difference was not found to be statistically significant in two groups. Number of comdeons on face was found to be statistically decreased in flutamide group (p<0.0001). Mean of ASI was found to be statistically decreased in flutamide group (p<0.002). In flutamide group the levels of satisfaction was higher than that of other group. Both medications well tolerated by participiants. Only two patients in flutamide group had lightly elevated serum Alkalin phosphatase .

  Conclusion: The results of our study showed that flutamide (250 mg /day) is more effective than doxycycline (100 mg/day) in treatment of acne. Satisfaction of participants in flutamide group was higher than those in doxycycline group. In both groups side effects of drugs were insignificant, but using of flutamide in acne treatment needs laboratory considerations .

  Background & Objectives : Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is common through the world including Iran. Because of its chronic nature and lack of effective treatment, patients are always anxious and stressful and physicians are also exhausted of untreated patients. The cause of IBS is unclear and it has not effective treatment. Therefore, there is a need to find and introduce a proper method of treatment to control symptoms including abdominal pain and defecation changes. This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of probiotic yogurt on the general relief of symptoms associated with IBS.

  Methods : Subjects were recruited from patients of gastroenterology clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil. A total of sixty patients fulfilling the Rome II criteria took part in this study. Subjects were randomized into two groups of trial and control. Pre- and post- treatment symptoms were investigated using a questionnaire. Thirty one patients received probiotic and 29 patients normal yogurt for 4 weeks. Bottles of yoghurt were manufactured, and coded by a company. Both participants and researcher were blinded for the bottles' code. The symptoms were followed before and after two and four weeks of treatment and two weeks post- discontinuing of trial, too. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Ver. 17) and differences between groups were compared statistically using of chi-square and t-test.

  Results: A total number of 60 patients were recruited in this study of whom 36 (60%) were female and 24(40%) male. The average age of participants was 34.1±9 which did not differ between two groups. The onset of symptoms did not show any difference between two groups. The trial group had a history of 5.7±5.1 years while this was 6.5±4.9 for the controls. In overall, patients who were given probiotic yogurt had shown a better response in the control of abdominal pain and flatulence than those who were treated with normal yogurt. There was not a significant difference between two groups in the response to treat for other symptoms including epigastric pain, vomiting, frequency of defecation and feces consistency.

  Conclusion: According to our research, adding probiotic yogurt to the patient diet may help ease symptoms of IBS especially, abdominal pain and flatulence. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms can have positive public health consequences.

  Background & Objectives: Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of mortality throughout the world. Utilization of thrombolytic drugs at the first hours upon MI leads to decrease in the rate of mortality. Streptokinase (SK) is commonly used because of its cost and availability. The golden time for maximum effect of SK appeared to be first hours after MI. The drug efficiency diminishes after 3 hours and it will be ineffective after 12 hours.

  This study was aimed to investigate interval between onset of the clinical symptoms and streptokinase receiving in patients with acute myocardial infarction�admitted for drug reception.

  Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 patients with STEMI (ST elevation Myocardial Infarction ) who were attended to emergency room of Imam Khomeini hospital and fulfilled a questionnaire containing the data about age, sex, educational level, onset of symptoms, referring time to emergency room, SK utilization, past medical history of cardiac diseases, type and location of AMI, contraindications and side effects of SK.

  Results: In 111 men (74%) and 39 women (26%), the mean for interval between onset of symptoms and drug injection was 8 hour and 27 minutes ± 8 hour and 18 minutes .Only 41% of patients received streptokinase in less than 3 hours after chest pain. The main reasons for delaying in drug consumption were delayed decision to come to hospital in 61% of persons, long distance to hospital for 22% of individuals, delayed admission tor CCU for 13% of cases and delay in physician diagnosis for 0.043% of patients. To have a male sex and residency in city where the hospital was establilished were associated with less-delayed treatment start. However, the educational level, age and history of MI were not correlated with onset of treatment.

  Conclusions: Our results clearly show that the majority of patients receipt streptokinase more than 3 hours after chest pain. With considering the factors associated with delay to receive SK, teaching the patients with ischemic heart disease and giving information about golden time for thrombolytic therapy and its effect in prognosis as well as extending cardiac disease treatment centers in suburbs are recommended.

  Background & Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of mortality in developing and industrial countries. Recently the involvement of infectious agents as a risk factor for Acute Coronary syndrome is drafted. So this study was designed to investigate the probable association between Acute Coronary syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection.

  Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 300 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of Acute Coronary syndrome (UA and MI) and 300 hospitalized patients without the history of coronary heart disease. Anti Helicobacter pylori Antibody level was determined by as an indicator of infection history. Using chi-square and t- test the results were analyzed in SPSS software.

  Results: Results showed that 79 patients (26.3%) in control group and 122 patients (40.6%) in case group were seropositive and the difference was significant. Relationship between cronory diseases risk factors and levels of IgG was not significant. Also the results showed that the rate of hypertension in seropositive patients in case group was significantly upper than control group.

  Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study we can conclude that Helicobacter pylori infection probably is a risk factor for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Thus, further studies are needed to elucidate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

  Background & Objectives: Nosocomial infections occur following admission of patients in the hospitals and usually are accompanied by significant mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of nosocomial infections and the causatives in Ardabil Bu Ali hospital during 2010.

  Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study which has been done on collection of information through practical examinations, laboratory tests and files of nosocomillay infected patients in Ardabil Bu Ali hospital during 2010. Data were analyzed by SPSS.

  Results: From a total of 3254 patients, 42 (1.3%) had got nosocomial infections. Of these infected patients 47.6% was males and 52.4% was females. Infection was more frequent in patients with ages between 1 month to1 year old (45.2%). Sepsis (33.3%), pneumonia and blood stream infections (23.8%) and urinary tract infection (19%) were the most frequent infections. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.86 days. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen reported (23.8%). Infection was more common in NICU (38.1%).

  Conclusion: In this study, the frequency of nosocomial infection was lower than other studies. Distribution of infection differed with age, ward and length of stay in the hospital.

  Background & Objectives: Colorectal cancer is considered as the third prevalent malignancy worldwide. Investigation of information on cancers in Iran during 1985-1996 showed an increase in the incidence and prevalence of colorectal cancer. Its rank in Iran has increased from 9 to 5th during 10 years. It was reported as high prevalent cancer in Iranian people aged less than 40 years among Asian countries.

  Methods: In this cases-control study patients with a pathologic report of colorectal cancer were recruited among those cases registered in Ardabil Cancer Registry. Control group were selected from neighbors, frequency matched for age and gender. Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting information on age, gender, smoking, drugs and alcohol consuming, diet, family history of cancer and serum IgM and IgG level for H. pylori. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16.

  Results: In the current study, 43 persons (53.8%) were male and 37 (46.2%) were female. In the case group, 10 persons (12.5%) were under 40, 34 cases (42.5%) in age group of 41- 60 and 36 persons (45%) were more than 61 years. In the control group 12 persons (15%) were under 40, 36 persons (45.5%) in age group of 41-60 and 40 persons (68%) were more than 61 years. In the control group 3 cases had BMI less than 19, 36 cases (45%) between 19-24.9, 31 cases (38.8%) between 25-29.9 and 10 cases (12.5%) were more than 30, whereas this variable was 2.5, 32.5, 46.2 and 18.8% respectively in the case group.

  Positive history of smoking found to increase the risk of cancer around 1.8 times (OR= 1.78 CI: 0.91- 5.85). However, significant difference was not observed between two groups regarding alcoholic beverage consumption (p=0.385) . There were significant differences between two groups in terms of vegetables and carbohydrates intake. Difference was also significant between two groups regarding positive level of IgG. Among studied persons, 19 and 13 patients in case and control group had positive IgM respectively.

  Conclusion: Our finding showed an increased risk colorectal cancer in those consuming low vegetable and fruits and high carbohydrate consuming, having smoking history, positive family history of cancer and serum IgG level.