Comorbidity of depression with chronic diseases: a population-based study in Aleppo, Syria.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess the comorbidity and correlates of depression in chronic diseases in the community in Aleppo, Syria. This has never been previously investigated in an Arab country. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study in Aleppo on adults aged 18-65 (N = 2038). We collected data utilizing a structured interview questionnaire. Socio-demographics, general health information, and self-report of physician-diagnosed depression and chronic diseases active in the past year were obtained. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of depression in chronic diseases and socio-demographic correlates of depression comorbid with chronic diseases. RESULTS: Mean age (SD) was 35.3 (12.1) years, 55% were female. In women, predictors of depression were heart disease (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.50-10.40), hypertension (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.53-5.55), and kidney disease (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.64-5.32). Depression comorbidity with any chronic disease decreased in higher socio-economic status (middle vs. low: OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.65; high vs. low: OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.81). In men, predictors of depression were rheumatism (OR = 7.10, 95% CI: 2.58-19.60) and respiratory disease (OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.23-11.60). Depression comorbidity decreased in residence in formal zones (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.80). CONCLUSION: Depression is associated with many chronic diseases in the community in Aleppo, a finding consistent with reports from other cultures. Potential gender-related risk factors were identified. Findings inform public mental health planning and support the delivery of depression treatment in primary care settings. (+info)
Neanderthal brain size at birth provides insights into the evolution of human life history.
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Chronic respiratory effect of narguileh smoking compared with cigarette smoking in women from the East Mediterranean region.
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Narguileh is a water pipe. Narguileh smoking is a traditional pattern of smoking among Eastern Mediterranean women, publicly considered as a harmless entertainment. We performed a survey aimed at tracking chronic respiratory symptoms and alteration in respiratory functions in 77 female narguileh smokers, 77 cigarette smokers, and controls. A questionnaire about respiratory symptoms, quantity, and duration of smoking was completed by each woman, and a flow-volume loop was performed with all women. Women were then categorized in subgroups according to a cumulative smoking duration of over 5 years, and cumulative quantity of 50 kilograms smoked. We obtained 8 subgroups for quantity and 10 for duration. Results showed a higher proportion of chronic bronchitis in narguileh smokers compared with cigarette smokers for both quantity and duration (p value < 0.001), as well as quasi-permanent alteration in maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF 25%-75%) in narguileh smokers compared with cigarette smokers (p value < 0.001). Forced expired volume in one second was more altered in cigarette smokers than in narguileh smokers (p value > 0.001). These results will help to raise health authority awareness that narguileh smoking is also dangerous for women. (+info)
Epidemiology of hemodialysis patients in Aleppo city.
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To determine the characteristics of the hemodialysis (HD) patients in Aleppo city, we surveyed the hospitals representing the main dialysis centers in the city including private and community facilities during 2006. Personal patients' interviews and hospitals records were the source of data. The total number of patients in 2006 undergoing HD was 550 patients; 280 (50.9%) were males, and the age ranged from 5-82 years with mean and median age 44.7 and 45 years, respectively. The incidence (IR) and prevalence rate (PR) for hemodialysis were 60 pmp and 226 pmp, respectively. The major primary renal diseases in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients included hypertension (HTN), glomerulonephritis (GN), and diabetes mellitus (DM), 21.1%, 20.5 %, and 19.45, respectively. The percent of Anti-HCV, HBV hepatitis and HBV vaccine were 54.4%, 7.8%, and 52.9%, respectively. This study suggests that the IR of hemodialysis was relatively low due to the high cost of treatment, and the PR for hemodialysis was also relatively low may be due to high mortality rate and low kidney transplantation rate in this country. There was an equal percentage of both genders in the hemodialysis population. (+info)
An autosomal-recessive form of cutis laxa is due to homozygous elastin mutations, and the phenotype may be modified by a heterozygous fibulin 5 polymorphism.
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The epidemiology of falanga--incidence among Swedish asylum seekers.
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Falanga (falaka), beating of the soles, is commonly reported by torture survivors. It is known to be used in many countries and regions where torture practice is endemic. In this study 131 torture victims were examined at the Kris and Trauma Centrum [KTC]of Stockholm. Falanga was reported in 45 % of the cases. It was most commonly found among Bangladeshian and Syrian patients but was also reported from all Middle Eastern countries and Northern Africa. Scars and/or pigmentations on the feet and/or lower legs as well as palpable soft tissue irregularities were seen in 82% of the patients reporting falanga, of which 36% had scars or pigmentations in the soles. Persistent pain and tenderness of feet and lower legs were reported in 48%. The signs and symptoms were highly significant when compared with a control group who had not received falanga [p<0.0001]. (+info)
Maternal mortality in Syria: causes, contributing factors and preventability.
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