Z Hallaji; Sh Shams Davatchi; M Vali Khani; N Ghandi; M Kar Bakhsh Davari; M Hedayati; AR Firooz
Volume 9, Issue 3 , 2006, , Pages 204-210
Abstract
Background and aim: Azathioprine is the most widely used immunosuppressive agent as an adjunct to corticosteroids in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) is a key enzyme in azathioprine metabolism and a genetic polymorphism controls its activity in human tissue. ...
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Background and aim: Azathioprine is the most widely used immunosuppressive agent as an adjunct to corticosteroids in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) is a key enzyme in azathioprine metabolism and a genetic polymorphism controls its activity in human tissue. TPMT activity can provide a rational basis to determine suitable dose of azathioprine, theoretically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevancy of this hypothesis in PV patients.Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study in Razi Hospital, the activity of TPMT in the red blood cells of 52 PV patients who received azathioprine for at least 12 months and 29 PV patients who did not receive this drug was measured and correlated to the clinical response and side effects observed.Results:The mean of TPMT activity was not significantly different in patients with unfavourable response, comparing to patients with favorable response to azathioprine (P=0.087). No relationship was observed between total dose of corticosteroid and TPMT activity (r=0.089, P=0.583). There was no difference between the mean of TPMT activity in patients receiving azathioprine and those not receiving this drug (P=0.36).Conclusion: A direct relationship was not observed between TPMT activity and clinical efficacy and side effects in PV patients under treatment with azathioprine. Larger prospective studies in more homogenous patients are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of TPMT polymorphism and to determine accurate azathioprine dosing guidelines based on TPMT activity.
M Akhyani; M Danesh Pazhooh; M Barzegari; N Ghandi; M Ghiasi; Z Chenari; S Soudavari
Volume 9, Issue 3 , 2006, , Pages 242-249
Abstract
Background and aim: Hirsutism is a common clinical problem among women; however estimates regarding its prevalence in our population are limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and features of hirsutism in yound women in Iran.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional ...
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Background and aim: Hirsutism is a common clinical problem among women; however estimates regarding its prevalence in our population are limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and features of hirsutism in yound women in Iran.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 800 female (18-25 years) medical students of Tehran medical universities in 1999. Evaluation included a history and a modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score in four different androgen-sensitive skin areas. The volunteers recorded their weight and height, the presence of menstural dysfuncion, acne, positive family history for hirsutism, as well as ingestion of oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids or anabolic steroids using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: The frequency of hirsutism in our population was 22.8% (183 of 800). 17.3%, 5.1% and 0.3% of the population studied had mild, moderate and severe hirsutism, respectively. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index > 25), acne, positive family history for hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and consumption of corticosteroid and OCP was significantly higher in hirsutes.Conclusion: Hirsutism is a very common abnormality in this group of woman in Iran. Higher hirsutism frequency in this survey comparing to previous records in other population shows that the hirsutism definition and scoring system should be modified due to racial/ethnic variations in terminal hair quantity and distributions and different concept of this abnormality in each population.
K Balighi; Sh Yazdanian; N Ghandi
Volume 9, Issue 3 , 2006, , Pages 284-288
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris is a blistering autoimmune disease with suprabasal cleft formation, which is the most common autoimmune blistering disease in eastern countries, such as Middle East. Predisposition to pemphigus is linked to genetic factors. Tuberous sclerosis is also a genetic disorder of hamartoma ...
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Pemphigus vulgaris is a blistering autoimmune disease with suprabasal cleft formation, which is the most common autoimmune blistering disease in eastern countries, such as Middle East. Predisposition to pemphigus is linked to genetic factors. Tuberous sclerosis is also a genetic disorder of hamartoma formation in many organs, particularly the skin, brain, eye, kidney and heart. We report a 17-year-old boy with pemphigus vulgaris associated with tuberous sclerosis, which to our knowledge the first report of this association.
AH Ehsani; N Ghandi; Sh Yazdanian; F Farahani
Volume 9, Issue 2 , 2006, , Pages 185-188
Abstract
Becker's naevus is an acquired persistent asymmetrical area of skin pigmentation, sometimes showing evidence of increased androgen sensitivity, and colocalizing with other developmental anomalies. We report a 30-year-old woman with clinical findings compatible with Becker's naevus on her right breast ...
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Becker's naevus is an acquired persistent asymmetrical area of skin pigmentation, sometimes showing evidence of increased androgen sensitivity, and colocalizing with other developmental anomalies. We report a 30-year-old woman with clinical findings compatible with Becker's naevus on her right breast accompanied with hypoplasia of ipsilateral breast.