Low quality of life (QOL) is a feature that has been overlooked in thalassemia major (TM) patients. Our aim was to assess QOL in school-aged TM patients in Zabol city and surrounding rural areas in southeast of Iran. The study was performed in 2014. QOL was evaluated using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4 (PedsQL4) questionnaire addressing physical, emotional, social, and educational, along with psychological health in 80 TM patients. Also, 80 age-matched and sex-matched subjects without any chronic illness served as control group. Mean age of the patients was 11.7±4.1 years old. Total QOL scores was 51.4±13.3 in the patients. In comparison, mean value of total QOL score in controls was 91.1±3.3 (P<0.0001). Poor and moderate QOL were observed in 44.7% and 48.7% of the patients, respectively. Mean functioning scores for physical, emotional, social, educational, and psychological dimensions in the patients were 56.2±119, 69.6.4±23.3, 27.1±22.1, 52.3±18.1, and 48.9±11.8, respectively. The lowest level of QOL was related to the social field (81.3% with less than average score), while the highest QOL was related to the emotional aspect (58.8% with good QOL; >75 scores). Overall, female sex, poor compliance with chelation therapy, and residency in urban areas were significantly associated with poor QOL. In conclusion, providing a psychiatric health package seems to be essential for improving QOL in TM patients, especially in social field.

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) represents a major con cern in Thalassaemia Major (TM) patients.Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) and DM in TM patients in Southeast of Iran.

Scan to discover online Background & Objective: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with t(15;17)(q22;q12) is a relatively common subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, our objective was to ascertain the survival of patients with this leukemia in northeast of Iran. Methods: Survival rates of 42 APL patients with t(15;17)(q22;q12) were assessed. Clinical information was obtained from archived medical records. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 18 software using log-ranked test and Kaplan Maier survival analysis. Results: Females and males comprised 49% and 51%, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 34.3±14.1 years old. During the study period, 17 demises occurred in males, while this number was 7 in females. The mean survival of patients (month) was 23.22±3.57 (95% CI: 16.21±30.2). The five-year survival rate obtained 30%. Regarding demographic and clinical features, the highest rates of 5-year survival were recorded in patients with 20-35 years old (47.6%), males (51%), white blood cell count <10× 10 9 /l (48%), and platelet count >140× 10 9 /l (100%). Conclusion: Younger age, lower WBC count and higher platelet count were significantly associated with longer survival in AML patients with t(15;17)(q22; q12).

Aim: Clinical importance of HBeAg and HBeAb positivity was assessed in 309 patients with chronic HBV infection. Patients & methods: Clinical, biochemical and serological data were extracted from medical archives over a 10-year period (2004–2014). Results: HBeAg and HBeAb were positive in 46 (14.8%) and 221 (71.5%), respectively. Persistent elevation of AST and ALT enzymes were seen in 73 (21.2%) and 98 (30.1%) of the patients, respectively. HBeAb positivity rendered a significant protective effect against the elevated enzyme levels (odds ratio = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.003–000.3; p = 0.006 for AST, and odds ratio = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.007–000.4; p = 0.007 for ALT). Conclusion: Immune reaction against HbeAg in the course of chronic HBV infection rendered a protective factor against hepatic enzymes elevation.

Introduction: Increased use of wireless devices and networks such as mobile phones has increased exposure to non-ionizing radiation. Since wireless devices are a distinct part of the ongoing technology, the benefits of applications must outweigh the associated risks so that the developments can take place. In this questionnaire-based study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of non-ionizing radiation from mobile phone base transceiver station (BTS) antennae on the Zabol inhabitants’ health. Methods: In this study, 349 volunteers (186 men and 163 women) inhabiting in Zabol, Iran, were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire from April 2019 to June 2021. The questionnaire included information about age, sex, education, time of residence, and the emergence of symptoms such as cardiovascular problems, weight loss, depression, sleep disturbance, nervousness, and hearing disturbances. The power density of non-ionizing radiation in the living place of the volunteers was measured by an Electro Smog Meter (TES-92 TES Instruments Taiwan). Results: Results showed that the frequency of complaints increased by enhancing the power density for most of the studied symptoms, and in some cases (e.g., irritability, P<0.05 and lowering of libido, P<0.05), the increase was significant with at least P<0.05. The minimum and the maximum measured power densities at the place of residence were 98.3 μW/m2 and 3400 μW/m2 , respectively. Moreover, increasing the frequency of complaints by about at least one symptom was significantly associated with a power density of>600 μW/m2 (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that inhabitants should not live in locations where the power density is higher than 600 μW/m2 to minimize the risk of radiation-induced symptoms.