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Background and Objective: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common inherited familial diseases that cause lipid accumulation in tendons and arteries by increasing the level of low density plasma lipoprotein (LDL). The main cause of FH is a mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. This study was performed to evaluate common mutations in LDLR gene in FH patients.
Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 100 patients with suspected familial hypercholesterolemia referred to Sepehr laboratory according to the Simon Broom international standard in Karaj city, Iran during 2015. After complate the questionnaire form and drawing the family tree, it was found that 17 of them had a history of disease in at least one of the first degree relatives. The presence of changes was investigated using PCR-SSCP method, and after identifying the suspected cases direct DNA sequencing was performed.
Results: Among of 17 patients with a history of FH disease, 13 patients had a heterozygote mutation in the LDLR gene. Mutations included: c.97C>T, c.445G>T, c.651-653 (DEL3), c.652-654 (DEL3), c.682G>T, c.925-931 (DEL7), c.936-940 (DEL5), c.986G>T, c.2054C>T, c.2177C>T and c.313+1G>A. Four patients did not have mutations in their LDLR gene. In two patients the common polymorphism c.1959T>C was identified.
Conclusion: The LDLR gene was involved in the development of FH in the study population. However, another gene or locus may be involved in the outbreak of this disease in the studied population.

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Background and Objective: Since the onset of the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic, several challenges have been proposed to the disease and the causing viral agent. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of the virus is essential to control the spread and progression of the disease. Choosing a suitable sample in different phases of the disease will reduce the false-negative results. This study was performed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) genome in the blood samples of COVID-19 patients.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed by census method on 100 whole blood samples of patients (50 recovery and 50 deceased) with a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 (positive Real-Time RT-PCR test of nasopharyngeal swab samples) admitted to Shahid Sayyad Shirazi educational and medical center in Gorgan during 2020-21. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared in the two groups of patients. The viral nucleic acid was extracted from the whole blood samples of the patients, and the presence of the virus genome was investigated using primer and probes via the Real-Time RT-PCR method.
Results: The age of the recovered patients (49.06±15.1 years) was significantly was lower than deceased patients (58.3±12.4 years) (P<0.05). Clinical symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, sputum secretion, and vomiting in deceased patients were significantly more than recovery group (P<0.05). The lymphocytes count and platelet level in the deceased group were lower than in the recovered group. Level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was higher in the deceased group in compare to recovered group (P<0.05). The virus genome identified in the blood samples of 7 patients (3 recovered and 4 deceased), which had no significant relationship with the outcome of the disease.
Conclusion: The use of blood samples for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is not appropriate.

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Background and Objective: Having a proper diet is very important. Many risk factors are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease that by changing them, the incidence of this disease can be reduced. This study was performed to determine the relationship between nutritional knowledge and level of physical activity with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and some cardiovascular risk factors in militaries men.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 97 athletes and non-athletes militaries men. The standard Parmenter and Wardle Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire of 1999 and Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire were completed. Subjects' fitness scores and physical indicators were measured. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome, based on revised ATP ш and IDF was calculated.
Results: The mean nutritional knowledge of the subjects was moderate to low. There was a significant correlation between the nutritional knowledge, level of physical activity and fitness score and cardiovascular risk factors (P<0.05). Also there was a significant correlation between the nutritional knowledge, level of physical activity and fitness score with preventing metabolic syndrome (P<0.05).
Conclusion: With increasing nutritional knowledge, physical activity and fitness scores the risk of cardiovascular factors reduces and the possibility of metabolic syndrome prevention increase.
 

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Background and Objective: Aging and old age are associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines. Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, constituents of spirulina may be able to reduce or even improve this process. This study was performed to determine the effects of endurance training and spirulina supplementation on the level of inflammatory cytokines in overweight men.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 40 overweight, middle-aged and elderly men were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups: control-normal, control-overweight, overweight + training, overweight + supplement, and overweight + training + supplement. The training program consisting of an hour of walking on a treadmill, stationary bike workout, and climbing stairs was performed at an intensity of 65% of the maximum heart rate, 3 sessions a week, for 8 weeks. Individuals in the supplement groups received a spirulina tablet (500 mg) twice daily in the morning and evening. Blood sampling was performed after 12 hours of fasting at baseline and 48 hours after the last training session. The level of inflammatory cytokines including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: The levels of TGF-β, IL-6, and TNF-α were higher in the control-overweight group than in the healthy control-normal group (P<0.05). Training and supplementation significantly reduced the inflammatory markers in overweight men (P<0.05). Moreover, the level of inflammatory markers was significantly lower in the training + supplement group compared with the training group and the supplement group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Endurance training combined with spirulina supplementation can significantly reduce inflammatory factors in overweight individuals.
 

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Background and Objective: Hemodialysis is an important replacement therapy for 70-90% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the vascular access of choice in these patients due to its higher efficiency and lower risk of mortality compared to arteriovenous grafts. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of vascular access types used in hemodialysis centers of Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 200 hemodialysis patients (101 men and 99 women) at 5 Azar and Sayyad Shirazi hospitals in Gorgan, north of Iran, during April 2020 to July 2021. The subjects were selected by the census method. Information including age, sex, education level, duration of dialysis, the initial and current types of vascular access, site of vascular access, history of diabetes or hypertension, race, and history of smoking were recorded in a checklist.
Results: The mean age of women and men was 58.34±4.71 and 57.95±13.76 years, respectively. In addition, 61.5% of the patients were under 3 years old. The most commonly used vascular access to initiate dialysis was non-cuffed temporary catheters (69%) and AVF (24%). Smoking, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, and gender had no significant association with the type of vascular access used. In addition, there was no significant relationship between the duration of dialysis and the type of vascular access.
Conclusion: Considering the diversity of catheters and fistulas, it is necessary to emphasize that the use of AVF in patients undergoing dialysis for the first time and the timely placement of AVF in ESRD patients can improve the quality of life of the patients. It is also recommended to use jugular catheters instead of subclavian catheters when required.
 

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Background and Objective: Trametes versicolor is important for its medicinal rather than nutritional value. Given the various pharmacological activities of this plant, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the aqueous extract of T. versicolor.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, an aqueous extract of T. versicolor was prepared. Antioxidant activity, flavonoid content and total phenol were measured by diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power (RP) methods, aluminum chloride (AlCl3), and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the aqueous extract of T. versicolor on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Fusarium thapsinum was determined by the disk diffusion method. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ciprofloxacin and amphotericin-B were used as positive controls for antioxidant activity and bacterial and fungal strains, respectively.
Results: Total phenolic content was 27.6±0.38 (mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content was 4.2±0.04 (mg QE/g). Based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, the extract of T. versicolor showed strong scavenging activity (93.8±1.2 %) with IC50 of 103.9±0.8 μg/mL when compared with the standard BHT (IC50 of 30.0±0.6 μg/mL). In addition, it was observed that increasing the concentration of aqueous extract of turkey tail increased the reducing power of iron. The zone of inhibition around the extract ranged from 13.0±0.65 mm (in F. thapsinum at 75 mg/ml) to 21±0.73 mm (in S. aureus at 300 mg/ml) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The aqueous extract of  T. versicolor contains a significant amount of phenolic compounds and also has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
 

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Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and ranks second in terms of mortality rate. This study was conducted in order to determine the personal, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of women with breast lesions referred to the Dr. Beski Hospital in Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 130 women with breast lesions (benign and malignant) who were operated on in the Dr. Beski Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020. Demographic data (age, family history, and ethnicity) and pathology results (grade, lesion type, surgery type, location, and tumor size) were recorded.
Results: Breast lesions were malignant in 51.53% of the patients. The most common malignant tumor was invasive ductal carcinoma (71.64%), and the most common benign tumor was fibroadenoma (69.84%). Most malignant cases were observed in patients aged 41-50 years (43.28%). Almost half of the studied population (49.15%) had no positive family history, and about a quarter of the patients had at least one first or second-degree relative with breast cancer. Most patients (44.78%) had grade II malignant tumors. In addition, 78.51% of the subjects had not undergone chemotherapy before breast surgery. About half of the patients (49.57%) did not undergo any adjuvant treatment after surgery; however, chemotherapy was the most common type of adjuvant treatment (13.68%) after surgery. Simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed for 24.78% of the patients after surgery. There were statistically significant relationships between age and type of lesion and adjuvant treatments after the operation, and involvement of lymph nodes was observed (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between age, tumor size, family history, and tumor malignancy (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between age and tumor malignancy (P=0.02, F (2.48) = 4.19) so the degree of malignancy was higher in younger individuals.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed the young age of developing malignant breast lesions in the study area. Most malignant lesions are invasive ductal carcinoma and grade II. There is a positive relationship between a family history of cancer and the classification of breast tumors.
 

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Background and Objective: Elimination disorders such as nocturnal enuresis, urinary incontinence during the day, and fecal incontinence are common problems in childhood. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of training mothers with the Adler-Dreikurs approach for reducing anxiety in children with elimination disorders.
Methods: This field trial was done in 2021 on the mothers of 20 children with elimination disorders who had been referred to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic in Gorgan with a pretest, posttest, and follow-up approach. At the physician's discretion, the children's problem had no anatomical origin. Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence in children were identified only by psychological symptoms and functional elimination disorders. The mothers were divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The experimental group received the Adler-Dreikurs training program in 12 sessions of 90 minutes. The research instrument was the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale – Parent (SCAS-P) (2001), which was completed by the mothers in three stages: pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. Sub-components of anxiety including generalized anxiety, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive, specific phobia, and separation anxiety were also measured.
Results: Mean general anxiety scores in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages were 69.1±4.04, 45.8±6.1, and 47.8±5.94 in the experimental group and 69±6.58, 67.8±4.89, and 67.6±5.59 in the control group, respectively. There was a significant difference in all subcomponents of child anxiety in the posttest and follow-up stages between the experimental group and the control group (P<0.05). This difference was also present during the follow-up period except for the obsessive-compulsive subcomponent.
Conclusion: Training mothers through the Adler-Dreikurs approach can reduce anxiety in children with elimination disorders.
 

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Hermaphrodite patients are individuals who, due to various issues such as chromosomal, gonadal or hormonal disorders that occurred during pregnancy, experience physiological abnormalities in their genital area after birth. As a result, they may have both male and female genitalia or be born ambiguously as a baby boy with female sexual organs, or vice versa. In order to study the challenges presented by this condition in the Islamic Penal Code, sources were collected from Irandak, Normagz, and SID Civilica Jihad academic databases using keywords such as hermaphrodite, neutrality, criminal policy, gender identity disorder, gender ambiguity, recidivism, multicrime, neutral jurisprudential rule, and factors that reduce responsibility due to thematic and conceptual relevance. The time frame considered for the study was from 1980 to 2022, and 57 sources were included. The criteria for inclusion in the study were criminal, jurisprudential, and medical articles related to hermaphroditic and criminal topics relevant to the questions posed in the article. The purpose of this study is to provide a correct explanation of the challenges in the Islamic Penal Code and to answer them. Given the nature of these disorders and the lack of knowledge among affected individuals, families, and society, as well as the exclusion of the conditions of these patients in different laws, this article attempts to explain the place of hermaphrodites in medical science, how this disorder occurs in these individuals, and the introduction of hermaphrodite patients in Islamic jurisprudence. It also discusses where these individuals are placed as human beings in Imamiah jurisprudence. The most important part of this article is devoted to the articles of the Islamic Penal Code regarding the commission of crimes such as hudud, retribution, blood money, and punishment. The most significant challenge in implementing penal law for these patients is the lack of differential criminalization. Specifically, there is a need to develop criminal laws for crimes that these individuals are more likely to commit and determine appropriate punishments, such as obtaining a guarantee of non-custodial executions. In addition, during the investigation phase, there is a lack of an appropriate differential procedure for this category of patients. This requires training for judges and officers, such as police and officers dealing with these patients, as well as adaptation of detention spaces (detention centers and prisons) to prevent victimization or re-offending due to the special mental and physical conditions of these patients. In conclusion, research on hermaphrodite patients is necessary to change attitudes towards them and take practical measures at the social level in legislative, judicial and executive criminal policy. This article uses a descriptive method and library sources to explain and analyze this purpose.
 

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Background and Objective: Nutritional knowledge can affect food choices and, as a result, sports performance. The study of nutritional knowledge, attitude, and performance in athletes can play a fundamental role in choosing the type of training and adapting suitable dietary interventions. This study was done to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and nutritional performance of male bodybuilding athletes in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 104 male bodybuilding athletes over 18 years old with a history of at least three months of continuous bodybuilding who were randomly selected from 13 bodybuilding clubs in Gorgan, Iran during 2020. Parmenter and Wardle’s standard questionnaire measured athletes’ nutritional knowledge, attitude, and performance. The questionnaire was completed by the athletes with the guidance of the researcher. A trained nutritionist collected anthropometric and body composition data using an Omron BF511 device.
Results: Poor nutritional knowledge, poor dietary attitude and poor nutritional performance was observed in 67.3%, 33.65% and 77.88% of the athletes respectively. A significant correlation was observed between nutritional knowledge with weight (r=0.23, P=0.02), BMI (r=0.27, P=0.01), and body fat percentage (r=0.22, P=0.02). Also A significant correlation was determined between nutritional performance with body weight (r=0.31, P<0.001), BMI (r=0.27, P<0.001), exercise time per week (r=0.22, P=0.02), and exercise timespan (r=0.32, P<0.001).
Conclusion: The level of knowledge, attitude, and nutritional performance of bodybuilding athletes was weak.

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Background and Objective: Population growth and pollution caused by the discharge of all kinds of urban, industrial, and agricultural sewage, leachate from landfills, and surface water runoff cause an increase in pollution of water sources. The entry of heavy metals into the environment, especially aquatic ecosystems, due to entering the food chain and jeopardizing human health is one of the concerns of society. This study was conducted to determine the level of heavy metals in muscles of Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan fishes in Boushehr coastal waters, north of the Persian Gulf.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on twenty pieces of Cynoglossus arel and twenty pieces of Pomadasys kaakan fishes take place from three coastal stations of Boushehr, north of the Persian Gulf, Iran during spring of 2022. The samples were randomly selected from the fish market. After preparation, bioassay, and digestion of fish muscle by concentrated nitric acid, the concentration of heavy metals including nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium (µg/g) in the muscle tissue was measured by ICP-OES device. The concentration of heavy metals in the fish muscle tissue for human consumption was compared with international standards (FAO, WHO, FDA, NHMRC, and UKMAFF). According to the method of the US Environmental Protection Agency for fish consumption, daily absorption estimates and heavy metal risk indicators were calculated.
Results: The risk potential index for both species was less than one. The daily and weekly absorption of Cynoglossus arel (zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium) and Pomadasys kaakan (copper > zinc > nickel > lead > cadmium) were determined. The mean concentration of heavy metals nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium in the muscle tissue of the studied species was determined to be 1.88±0.07, 27.16±8.11, 11.55±4.12, 1.14±0.06, and 0.19±0.03 µg/g, respectively. The highest amounts of studied metals in aquatic animals were zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium. The concentration of metals in the analyzed samples was lower than the international standards.
Conclusion: Regarding toxicity, the concentration of metals in Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan was evaluated as acceptable for human consumption. In addition, the amount of risk potential and risk index for non-cancerous diseases in adults and children in fish muscle tissue was less than 1, and the consumption of this fish does not cause any problems for human health. 

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Background and Objective: The application of different nanoparticles using green synthesis is increasing due to fewer complications. This study was conducted to identify the effect of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized with sumac extract on changes in biochemical and histological factors in rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 five-month-old male Wistar rats with an approximate weight of 250-300 mg/kg of body weight were divided into three groups: The control group (saline receiving), the experimental groups receiving intraperitoneal cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized with sumac extract at a dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg of body weight. Serum and tissue samples (liver, kidney, and spleen) were isolated. Serum concentrations of urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine were determined. The photometric method was used to measure liver enzymes, the calorimetric method without omitting proteins based on the Jaffe method was used to measure creatinine, and the urease-glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) method was used to measure urea. Tissue samples were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) microscopic studies were used for microscopic investigations.
Results: No statistical significance was observed in blood samples and factors (urea, creatinine, ALT, and AST) in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Similarly, in the morphological investigation, the size of the liver, kidney, and spleen of the groups receiving cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized with sumac extract was normal compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized with sumac had no toxic effect on the rats’ liver, spleen, and kidney tissues.

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Background and Objective: Neck pain is a prevalent problem negatively affecting individuals’ health and quality of life. Therefore, the present research was conducted to determine the impacts of neck stabilization and thoracic mobility exercises on disability, range of motion, and endurance of females with non-specific chronic neck pain.
Methods: This single-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 36 females with non-specific chronic neck pain in three 12-people groups in the city of Qom. The subjects of the first intervention group (those doing neck stabilization exercises) and the second intervention group (those doing neck stabilization exercises with thoracic mobility) performed the exercises as three 60-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks in the gym, and the control group received a set of corrective exercises. Disability, the neck range of motion, and muscular endurance were measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), goniometer and the Progressive Iso-inertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE) test, and biofeedback sphygmomanometer, respectively.
Results: Disability, range of motion, and muscular endurance of the subjects in both intervention groups significantly improved compared to the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the first intervention group, the range of motion and muscular endurance of subjects in the second intervention group showed a significant improvement (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Doing neck stabilization and thoracic mobilization exercises was found to be an influential intervention in the improvement of disability, range of motion, and muscular endurance of females with non-specific chronic neck pain.

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Background and Objective: Dermatophytosis is a significant skin disease in humans and animals, with increasing resistance to conventional treatments. This study aimed to determine the antifungal activity of petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and hydroethanol extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia khorassanica, Artemisia scoparia, and Artemisia vulgaris against common dermatophytic fungi, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum canis.
Methods: This descriptive study examined the antifungal activity of various extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia khorassanica, Artemisia scoparia, and Artemisia vulgaris against fungal isolates of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Epidermophyton floccosum. The aerial parts of the three Artemisia species were extracted using five solvents: petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and 50% hydroethanol. The extracts were screened for antidermatophytic effects against the fungi mentioned above, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the agar dilution method. The most active extracts underwent preliminary phytochemical testing.
Results: In the initial screening, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton verrucosum showed the highest sensitivity (86.66%) and resistance (100%) to the tested extracts, respectively. Extracts from Artemisia scoparia exhibited the broadest range of activity. The most effective extracts, with an MIC of 78.12 µg/ml, were also from this plant. Hydroethanol extracts from all plant species demonstrated the least antidermatophytic activity. Preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of terpenoids in all petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of the plant species.
Conclusion: Some lipophilic compounds, particularly in the petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of Artemisia scoparia, exhibit significant in vitro antidermatophytic activity.

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Background and Objective: Ensuring suitable access to hemodialysis, which provides high-quality dialysis over an extended period, is a significant challenge for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). One crucial aspect of this is maintaining the performance of hemodialysis catheters. Our study, which aimed to evaluate the one-year performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients in Golestan Province, is a critical step toward improving patient care in this population.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 99 patients (34 men and 65 women) with ESRD who were candidates for starting or continuing dialysis with a catheter in the educational and therapeutic centers of Golestan Province, Iran during 2021-22. Transjugular catheters were placed for the patients, and after one year, variables such as age, gender, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, catheter placement site (right or left jugular), and antiplatelet medication use were evaluated concerning the performance of long-term catheters in providing adequate flow for hemodialysis.
Results: In 91 patients (91.9%), the one-year catheter performance was assessed as satisfactory. The age of 61.6% of the patients were over 60 years old. Sixty-nine patients (69.7%) had a history of hypertension, and 58 patients (58.6%) had a history of diabetes. Fifty-seven patients (57.6%) received antiplatelet medication. The catheters were placed on the right side in 82 patients (82.8%). Catheter performance in patients taking antiplatelet medication was non-significantly higher than in those not taking antiplatelet medicines.
Conclusion: The performance of long-term catheters in chronic hemodialysis patients with ESRD showed no significant correlation with age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, antiplatelet medication use, or the side of the jugular vein where the catheter was placed.

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Background and Objective: Weight regain following bariatric surgery is a significant challenge for this obesity treatment method. This study aimed to identify factors associated with weight regain after bariatric surgeries in obese patients in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This longitudinal study included 143 obese individuals (125 women and 18 men) with a mean age of 43.13±9.83 years who underwent bariatric surgery in Gorgan, Iran during 2013-19. Participants were invited to join the study via phone calls. Research variables (type of surgery, blood group, pre-surgery weight, and body mass index [BMI]) were extracted from patient records, and their current weight and waist circumference were measured and recorded. Weight regain was determined based on one of three different criteria: (1) regaining more than 25% of the maximum weight lost post-surgery, (2) regaining more than 10 kg from the minimum weight post-surgery, or (3) an increase of more than 5 BMI units from the lowest BMI post-surgery.
Results: Overall, 33% of individuals experienced weight regain, with 26.6% according to the first definition, 29.4% according to the second definition, and 18.2% according to the third definition. Men had a higher rate of weight regain (P<0.05). Additionally, 93.6% (44 cases) of those with weight regain had abdominal obesity. On average, 79.7% of participants who were 48 months post-bariatric surgery experienced some degree of weight regain. Individuals with a pre-surgery BMI of 50 or higher had a 2.69 times greater chance of weight regain compared to those with BMI lower 50 (P<0.05). The mean weight loss after surgery was significantly higher in individuals who experienced weight regain than those who did not (P<0.05). There was no significant statistical association between weight regain and the type of surgery, age, education level, marital status, or blood group.
Conclusion: Weight regain over time is a reality after bariatric surgery, indicating that this method is not a definitive cure for obesity. Therefore, long-term follow-up for weight control is crucial, especially for individuals with a pre-surgery BMI of 50 or higher or those who experienced significant weight loss post-surgery.