Spatial Modeling of Colonic Lesions With Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

Background:Geographic information system (GIS) software has been used in health care systems to display and analyze spatial pattern of diseases and health services.Objectives:This study was performed to assess spatial patterns of colon’s pathologic lesions based on the pathologic reports and assess whether it is possible to use GIS software in health services.Patients and Methods:Archives of pathology of Namazi and Faghihi hospitals, two main referral centers of south-west of Iran, were obtained and reviewed between January 2009 and September 2011 for biopsy reports of patients who underwent colonoscopy. Abnormal biopsies were categorized into five different subgroups according to the type of pathologic specimens. By GIS, spatial patterns of colon biopsies were plotted in different maps and spatial auto-correlation of colon biopsies was calculated using the Moran’s Index.Results:A total of 4815 biopsies from 2663 different patients were reviewed, 53.8% of which were men. Abnormal biopsies were 2781 of all specimens (57.8%). Neoplastic lesions, inflammatory bowel diseases and polyps were 9.3%, 19.3% and 29.2% of total biopsies, respectively. Pathologic biopsies were more common in the distal colon. Maps of all biopsies and maps of specific pathologies were manifested in GIS.Conclusions:Our study showed that left-sided lesions are still more common in the Iranian population. On the other hand, surveying the right side of colon is as important as the distal part, which necessitates total colonoscopy.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children: A Possible Reason for Headache?

“…Migraine is a common condition consisting of primary headaches with a prevalence of 15% in Western societies [ 31 ]. Secondary headache is frequently reported by patients with various gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, constipation, functional abdominal pain, or H. pylori infection, but the potential causal link remains unclear [ 32 , 33 ]. However, in recent years, research has focused on the implication of H. pylori activity in the pathogenesis of migraine, as this microorganism was identified as a cause for multiple extra digestive manifestations [ 22 ].…”

Relationship of eating habits to acute appendicitis in children: a literature review

“…2, 3 Appendix lumen obstruction is a triggering factor of appendicitis, one of which is caused by constipation due to poor eating habits. 4 MH Imanieh (2007) revealed that out of 31 appendicitis patients with constipation, 58% reported not eating fruits regularly, and only 9.7% consumed vegetables daily. 5 Imanieh concluded that the high level of constipation in patients with lower fiber intake is in line with the hypothesis that dietary fiber plays a role in reducing the incidence of appendicitis.…”

“…4 MH Imanieh (2007) revealed that out of 31 appendicitis patients with constipation, 58% reported not eating fruits regularly, and only 9.7% consumed vegetables daily. 5 Imanieh concluded that the high level of constipation in patients with lower fiber intake is in line with the hypothesis that dietary fiber plays a role in reducing the incidence of appendicitis. 5 Based on research conducted by Fitriana S (2013), it was found that the type of food consumed, especially highfiber food, was related to the incidence of appendicitis in Regional General Hospital Kab.…”

Topographic distribution of gastritis in heavy pigs investigated by a geographic information system approach

“…Geographic information system (GIS) in the format of computer software tools constitutes a powerful approach to store, analyse and manage epidemiological data. Although GIS is mainly applied for the investigation of the localisation and distribution of cases of various diseases in the environment, it can also be used for the positioning of pathology of organs in the body, as described by Daraban et al (2014), Pascotto et al (2014), and Imanieh et al (2015). The aim of present investigation was to determine the topographic distribution of gastritis lesions in pigs through the application of open source GIS software.…”