Article Type: Original ArticleIntroduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in women of reproductive age. Psychosocial factors can play a role in PCOS. Methods: To determine the psychosocial factors associated with PCOS in a case control study, 742 PCOS cases were compared to 798 women without PCOS for psychiatric disorders and social conditions. The data were collected using a validated questionnaire of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Patient Health Questionnaire (DSM-IV) was used to diagnose major psychopathological disorders and other depressive and anxiety syndromes. The suspected psychopathology was evaluated by a clinical psychiatrist. Results: There was a significant difference between cases and controls in education level (71.8% vs. 80.4%; (P<0.001), and employment status (60% vs. 53%; P=0.01) (respectively). Chronic anxiety (35.7% vs. 26.8%; P<0.001), depression (18.9% vs. 7.9 %; P<0.001), anxiety disorders (7.7% vs. 3.3%; P<0.001), and personality disorders (2.9% vs. 1.7%; P=0.01), were higher in the PCOS patients compared controls, respectively. Conclusion:The results showed that chronic anxiety and depression were the most pscycologic pattern in PCO patients. Lower educational level and unemployment were higher in the cases than controls.

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Aim: Our aim was to describe the survival pattern and prognostic predictors of individuals attempting suicide by self-immolation. Subjects and methods: We performed a cohort study of all self-immolation subjects diagnosed/registered between 1988 and 2004 in the Sina University Hospital of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Cases were followed from diagnosis/admission to recovery or death. Results: Of 117 cases, 91 died, giving a case fatality rate of 78% (95% CI: 69-84). Most subjects were married (58%), female (78%) and from urban areas (66%). The proportion of subjects surviving to 2 and 6 weeks were 29% and 5%, respectively. Most deaths occurred in the early days after the event. Univariate analysis revealed survival to be significantly lower in subjects with more than 75% burns in the total surface body area (TSBA) (P=0.0001), those with burns in the head and neck (P=0.003), and in the trunk (P=0.004), genital organs (P=0.027), upper limbs (P=0.013) and lower limbs (P=0.0001). No statistical differences in survival were observed by gender, marital status, residence status, tools used for suicide, income, history of family conflict, age or weight. Using the Cox proportional hazard model, cases with more than 75% burns in TSBA (RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.3), those with burns in the head and neck (RR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.2), and those with burns in the lower limbs (RR=5.8, 95% CI: 2.2-14.9) were at higher risk of dying than others. Conclusion: One in ten subjects attempting suicide by self-immolation survives for at least 5 weeks. Further epidemiological and qualitative studies are required to determine prognosis more precisely, and to elucidate the public health impacts and socio-economic origins of such tragic events, as well as health care needs and preventive strategies in high risk populations.

Introduction and objectivesMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is an acquired chronic neurological disorder. Studies have shown that prevalence of MS is more in some areas of Iran like as Azarbaijan(Tabriz) and Isfahan. General health problems are prevalent in MS patients. Written Emotional Expression (WEE) is one of the cost-effective self helpers' methods that its efficacy has been studied on mental health, but this method has never been studied on MS patients in Iran.AimsAim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of WEE on general health of MS patients.MethodsWith experimental study, 40 (8 male, 32 female) MS patients who had completed informed written consent and filled General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were asked to write their negative feeling for 30 minutes daily for 4 consecutive days. After 15 days they filled GHQ again. Finally the Statistical analysis was done.ResultsAfter intervention of Written Emotional Expression, general health score in patients with multiple sclerosis decreased significantly. (p< 0.01)ConclusionsWritten Emotional Expression may be effective on general health of multiple sclerosis patients.

Introduction and objectivesThere are some different ideas about family dynamics -particularly schizophrenic, major depressive and bipolar mood disorders- in psychiatric patient's family.AimsThe aim of this study was to consider therapeutic purposes in Iranian patients.Methods90 randomly selected patients with schizophrenic, major depressive and bipolar mood disorders plus a member of their families - 90 people in 3 groups- who were referred to psychiatric hospitals were evaluated by Iranian version of Family Assessment Device (FAD). Statistical analysis was done at the end.Resultsschizophrenic and bipolar patients who had more negative family functioning were compared with depressed patients. Family members of depressed patients had more negative family functioning compared with family members of schizophrenic and bipolar patients. Family members of schizophrenic and depressed patients had more impaired family functioning in comparison with patients.ConclusionsMore negative perception in schizophrenic patients may be related to the nature of illness and their suspiciousness. Due to negative believes in depressed patients they ascribe family problems to themselves. In general, members of these 3 groups of disorders had more pathologic and more negative functioning compared with patients. That could be the result of presence of ill member and tense interactions in these families.