BackgroundPopulation based studies on prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in Iranian population are few. The prevalence of NAFLD and non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Iranians varies from 2.9% to 7.1% in general population and 55.8% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and determinants of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a sample of adult Iranian general population.Patients and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study being performed in Shiraz, southern Iran during a 10-month period from November 2010 to September 2011 through cluster random sampling of Iranian general population in Shiraz region. All individuals undergone anthropometric, blood pressure measurements, thorough medical history and physical examinations. Laboratory measurements included fasting blood glucose (FBS), lipid profile, complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests. NAFLD was diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasonography.Results819 subjects were included in this study among which were 340 males (41.5%) and 479 females (58.5%) with the mean age of 43.1 ± 14.1 years. NAFLD was diagnosed in 176 (21.5%) subjects. Patients with NAFLD were significantly older (P < 0.001), had higher proportion of male gender (P = 0.004) and had higher BMI (P < 0.001). They also had higher prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.001), high FBS (P < 0.001), high cholesterol (P = 0.026), high triglyceride (P < 0.001) and high waist circumference (P < 0.001). Taking all these together, patients with NAFLD had significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome when compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of NAFLD in this group of Iranian adult general population is 21.5%. NAFLD in Iranian population is associated with male gender, old age, obesity, and features of metabolic syndrome.

a b s t r a c tBackground: Possible beneficial effects of dietary omega-3 supplementation on patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were investigated. Methods and results: 100 patients with CHF who had a tri-chamber pacemaker and automated defibrillator were initially recruited, and 70 agreed to participate.38 patients received 2 g/day of omega-3 and 32 received placebo capsules. BNP level, 6-min walk test and echocardiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. BNP levels decreased significantly after 6 months in the omega-3 group, from 1766.2 AE 1978.1 pg/mL to 1159.4 AE 1430.9 pg/dL (P < 0.005). Tei index and late diastolic velocity index were significantly improved in treated group. Mortality and hospitalization rates did not differ. Conclusion:The beneficial effects of omega-3 supplementation in patients with CHF were not as clear as hypothesized; however, omega-3 fatty acids can result in small changes in plasma BNP levels and modest improvements in echocardiographically assessed diastolic function (Clinical trial.gov registration: NCT01227837).

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Individuals with risk factors such as HTN, DM, and high WC are prone to develop atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. The presence of NAFLD should be considered as another probable independent factor contributing to the development of carotid atherosclerosis.

Since 2007, Iran's Ministry of Health carried out a nationwide hepatitis-B vaccination campaign for 17-year-old adolescents in four stages. We report the outcomes of the second and third stages targeting adolescents born during 1990 and 1991. The National Committee for Hepatitis selected a passive approach--media education--for mass vaccination. (A community mobilization strategy, for example, would be termed active.) The target populations in 2008 and 2009 included 1 709 337 and 1 673 571 adolescents. In each year, Iran organized three rounds of vaccination throughout the country. At the end of each round, data were collected and sent to Ministry of Health for analysis. The overall coverage rate was 74.9 per cent for one dose of vaccination, and 62.76 per cent for all three doses in 2008; 75.7 per cent and 55.6 per cent, respectively in 2009. Coverage rates in rural areas were significantly higher (P<0.001). The media education approach achieved acceptable outcomes in current campaign. Constant performance monitoring, and perhaps a new catch-up vaccination campaign are warranted to expand coverage.