Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with several risk factors with variable risk factor distribution by population. We report the types and frequency of the associated factors of stroke in north Iran. Methods Consecutive patients with stroke were recruited from 2014 to 2015. The two groups of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were compared with respect to age, sex, the prevalence, and distribution of the risk factors. Results Among 230 patients (84.3% ischemic stroke) with mean age of 61.2 years, hypertension (73%), diabetes mellitus (53%), cardiovascular disease (51%), and dyslipidemia (47%) were the most frequent risk factors. Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in males compared with females (88% vs. 60%, OR = 4.91, 95% CI: 2.48-9.71). Hypertension, smoking, and opioid consumption were associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Dyslipidemia was significantly higher in ischemic stroke (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.21-5.8). Overall, 84.3% of stroke occurred in patients aged >50 years (92.8% of women vs. 74.5% of the men, OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 1.93-10.16, p = 0.001). Conclusion Stroke was more prevalent in females; hypertension was more prevalent in males. In the age group less than 50 years old, stroke is more prevalent in men.

Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The role of zinc as a new predictor of stroke was considered. Methods This prospective study was conducted in Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital within a year on 100 stroke and 100 control patients. Findings The difference in zinc serum level in two groups was significant (deficiency: 3 (3%) in patients versus 20 (20%) in control group, normal: 25 (25%) versus 54 (54%), and increased level: 72 (72%) versus 26 (26%); p < 0.001). Difference in zinc serum levels was statistically significant with ischemic heart disease (deficiency: 0 cases (0%), normal: 8 cases (24%), increased level: 24 cases (75%), p = 0.003). Increases in zinc serum level were significantly correlated with the frequency of hemorrhagic and ischemic patients (deficiency: 3 (3.3%) hemorrhagic versus 0 (0%) ischemic; normal: 19 (21%) versus 6 (60%), increased level: 68 (75.6%) versus 4 (40%); p = 0.025). Regression logistics showed that ischemic heart disease (p < 0.001; OR = 28.29, %95 CI: 5.53; 144.87), hyperlipidemia (p < 0.001; OR = 0.26, %95 CI: 0.12; 0.56), and zinc serum level (p < 0.001, OR = 15.53, %95 CI: 4.03; 59.83) each had a significant role. Conclusions Babol stroke patients are prone to increased zinc serum level as a new parameter. Ischemic heart disease, increased levels of zinc, and hyperlipidemia were found to be probable predictor factors for stroke in Babol.

Background: Stroke is a major cause of disability around the world. Different studies have shown the inadequate knowledge and skills of nurses to educate and manage stroke patients. Therefore, stroke patients are facing many challenges in their lifetime. In this study, we investigated the effects of nursing empowerment on stroke patients' satisfaction. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study is the fifth stage (evaluation phase) of action research study that was conducted on 29 stroke patients from Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran, during 2013-2014. Workshops, pamphlets, and booklets were used for nursing empowerment. The stroke patients have been trained by empowered nurses. The data gathering tool that was the researcher-made survey questionnaire included the characteristics of patients, participants' satisfaction with self-care training and nurses' performances. T-test was used for the analysis of the obtained data. Results: Twenty-seven (93.10%) cases mentioned that “they would try to follow all the received trainings”. Twenty-three (73.10%) cases were satisfied with self-care training. Majority of patients, 25 (85%) participants were satisfied with the training performances by the empowered nurses and 24 (82.80%) cases were highly satisfied with the nurses' training method. Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with the self-care training held by the nurses. Based on the obtained data by questionnaires, the nurses' performance and their training methods were directly associated with a high satisfaction level in stroke patients. Therefore, improving the skills and knowledge of nurses could be a potential approach for increasing the satisfaction levels among stroke patients.

Background: Post-kidney transplant survival relies on patient adherence to the intake of immunosuppressive medication. This study was performed to investigate complications associated with immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 188 transplanted patients in Shahid Beheshti hospital of Babol in 2013. Check list and demographic questionnaire for data collecting were used. Then the data using were analyzed in SPSS.18 software by using chi-square test.

Background: Nursing role in post ischemic stroke is vulnerable by correct nursing recognition, due to limited study and evaluation of, this study was conducted. Material and method: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study that all patients admitted with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital of Babol from 2015 to 2016. Data was analyzed by chi-square, t-test and coefficient, Kappa tests in spss21. Results: Of 300 ischemic stroke patients were studied, Distribution of sex was 154 (51.2%) female vs. 146 (48.5%) male, age range was 43-90 years with mean age of 65.8 ± 15.7 years. Pain in 107 patients (35.5%), depression in 101 patients (33.6) and fever in 94 patients (31.2) were the most common early complications of ischemic strokes. Coefficient was excellent agreement between the neurologist and nurses (yes 703 (84%), no 136(16%), Kappa=0.76). The highest amount of agreement was in relation to the diagnosis of pressure ulcer (accurate 70 (93%), misdiagnose 5 (7%), Kappa=0.83) and dysphasia (accurate 79 (91%), misdiagnose 8 (9%), Kappa = 0.84). Although the lowest rate of agreement was in relation to the diagnosis of CHF (accurate 4 (17%), misdiagnose 20(83%), Kappa=0.10). Conclusion: most common early complication was pain and the most accurate recognition by nurses was dysphagia and pressure ulcer. The total agreement between nurse and neurologist was favorable that nurses can play an important role to inform neurologist but continuous education to decrease misdiagnosis is recommended. It suggests a suitable feedback from neurologist to nurses. It can help nurses to analyzed how much it recognition was correct or need be more training.