Vakili C.
Surg Endosc. 2009 May 29. [Epub ahead of print] No abstract available.
Merat S, Khalili S, Mostajabi P, Ghorbani A, Ansari R, Malekzadeh R.
Dig Dis Sci. 2009 Jun 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Herbal remedies, particularly peppermint, have been reported to be helpful in controlling symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study on 90 outpatients with IBS. Subjects took one capsule of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil (Colpermin) or placebo three times daily for 8 weeks. We visited patients after the first, fourth, and eighth weeks and evaluated their symptoms and quality of life. The number of subjects free from abdominal pain or discomfort changed from 0 at week 0 to 14 at week 8 in the Colpermin group and from 0 to 6 in controls (P < 0.001). The severity of abdominal pain was also reduced significantly in the Colpermin group as compared to controls. Furthermore, Colpermin significantly improved the quality of life. There was no significant adverse reaction. Colpermin is effective and safe as a therapeutic agent in patients with IBS suffering from abdominal pain or discomfort.
Saberi-Firoozi M, Mir-Madjlessi SH.
Arch Iran Med. 2009 Jul;12(4):425-31.
During the first half of the 20th century, all subspecialties of internal medicine were managed by general internists and there was no gastroenterologist in Iran.1 The first group of Iranian gastroenterologists who had completed their training program in France started working in Tehran in 1951. Later on, other specialists trained in USA and the United Kingdom joined them. Some of these specialists and some internists with special interest in gastroenterology and hepatology were in charge of gastroenterology education in divisions of internal medicine in the Medical Schools of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and other universities, while most of them were also practicing gastroenterology in their private offices on a part-time basis. The establishment of subspecialty training program in gastroenterology and hepatology was firstly started in 1976 in Tehran University and later on and since 1984 in Shaheed Beheshti, and Shiraz Universities. This was a major step in the progress of this subspecialty, which is now one of the most active medical disciplines in Iran.2 In this paper, we aimed to describe the development and evolution of gastroenterology and hepatology in Iran during the last 60 years with emphasis on physicians and scientists, who played a major role in providing the first gastroenterology services in the country or had a major role in training, education, and research in this field. We also describe the attempts that led to the establishment of the Iranian Association of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, as the most important nongovernmental organization in this field.
Merat S, Nouraie M, Malekzadeh R.
Arch Iran Med. 2009 Jul;12(4):437-8. No abstract available.
Pourfarzi F, Whelan A, Kaldor J, Malekzadeh R.
Int J Cancer. 2009 Apr 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Despite a declining trend in the incidence of gastric cancer (GC), it is still a major global public health concern of the 21st century. The rates of GC reported from Ardabil Province, Iran, are among the highest in the world. To investigate risk factors for GC in Ardabil, we undertook a population-based case-control study. The study aimed to recruit all Ardabil residents newly diagnosed with GC in the time period of 2004-2005, and 2 controls per case. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Ten milliliters of blood was collected for blood grouping and investigating the presence of IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. During the study period, 217 people with GC and 394 controls were recruited. In multivariate analysis, diet and Helicobacter pylori infection (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.35-4.32) were found to be the factors that were most strongly related to GC. High intake of Allium vegetables (OR = 0.35) and fruit, especially citrus fruit (OR = 0.31) and consumption of fresh fish (OR = 0.37) were significantly protective. On the other hand, consumption of red meat (OR = 3.40) and dairy products (OR = 2.28) were positively associated with the risk of GC. People who had a preference for higher salt intake (OR = 3.10) and drinking strong and hot tea (OR = 2.64 and 2.85, respectively) were at higher risk. In conclusion, Helicobacter pylori infection as measured by serum IgG as well as the consumption of red meat and dairy products increases the risk of GC in Ardabil, while the intake of fresh fruit and fresh fish decrease the risk. (c) 2009 UICC.
Shakeri R, Zamani F, Sotoudehmanesh R, Amiri A, Mohamadnejad M, Davatchi F, Mohammadi Karakani A, Malekzadeh R, Shahram F.
BMC Gastroenterol. 2009 Jun 17;9(1):44. [Epub ahead of print]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in susceptible individuals. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) may be the sole manifestation of GSE. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gluten sensitivity enteropathy (GSE) in a large group of patients with RAS and assess the efficacy of gluten free diet (GFD) on the improvement of aphthous lesions in those who were diagnosed with GSE. METHODS: Two hundred and forty seven patients with RAS were included. The patients had at least three aphthous attacks per year. Patients were screened by IgA anti-endomysial antibody (EMA), IgA anti tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and serum IgA level. Those with a positive serology underwent endoscopic biopsies of the duodenal mucosa and patients with negative serology were excluded. The diagnosis of GSE was based on a positive serological test and abnormal duodenal histology. For patients with GSE, gluten free diet was recommended. RESULTS: Six out of 247 RAS patients had positive TTG test alone, and one had positive EMA and TTG. All 7 patients with positive serologic tests underwent duodenal biopsies. Histological findings were compatible with GSE in all of them (Marsh I in four patients, Marsh II in two patients and Marsh IIIB in one another.). The mean age of GSE patients was 27.42 +/- 10.56 (range, 13 to 40) years old. They were suffering from RAS for an average duration of 4.5 years. All of the 7 GSE patients had not responded to the routine anti-aphthae medications, including topical corticosteroids, tetracycline and colchicine. Four patients who adhered to a strict gluten-free diet showed noticeable improvement in their aphthous lesions over a period of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: A significant minority (e.g. 2.83%) of RAS patients have GSE. This could be compared with the 0.96% prevalence of GSE in the general population of Iran. This study suggests that evaluation for celiac disease is appropriate in patients with RAS. Additionally, the unresponsiveness to conventional anti-aphthae treatment could be an additional risk indicator.
