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Background and Objective: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is released from pituitary gland in response to stimulation of plasma osmolalrity. ADH affects on the kidney and regulates the water and electrolytes. This study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of red grape seed on antidiuretic hormone secretion in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wister rats were allocated into 5 groups. Animals in control group were received 1 mL of water, orally. Animals in positive control group were received 12mg/kg/bw of Furosemide, intraperitonally. In experimental groups, one hour after injection of 12mg/kg/bw of Furosemide, animals were received the red grape seed hydro-alcoholic extract, orally, in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw for 4 days, respectively. Serum level of ADH was measeared using ELISA method. Results: Serum level of ADH in groups of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw doses of grape seed extract were (21±2.5, 19±1.24 and 14±2 pmol/L, respectively) which was significantly less than control group (40.5±3 pmol/L) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The oral consumption of hydro-alcoholoc extract of red grape seed reduces the antidiuretic hormone secretion in male rats.

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Background and Objective: Anti tuberculosis drugs therapy is the most effective method for controling the tuberculosis (TB). Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent the TB-drug resistance. This study was carried out to determine the complications leading to hospitalization due to consumption of anti-TB drugs in patients with tuberculosis. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 1550 records of patients with TB in urban and rural health centers of Gorgan, north of Iran were assessed during 2007-12. Checklist consists of demographic and clinical data for each patient was recorded in a questionare. Results: 44 cases experienced the complications of anti-TB drugs. 27 (61.4%) of cases with complications were women. 77.3% and 22.7% of patients affected with pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis,respectively. 38.6% of patients were diabetic. The hepatic complication was seen in 37 cases (84.1%). Skin and other complications were seen in 5 and 2 cases, respectively. There was not any relationship between drug complications and other disases. Conclusion: Hepatic damage is the most common complication leading to hospitalization in tuberculosis patients using anti-TB drugs.

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Background and Objective: Rotaviruses are the members of the Reoviridae family containing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome which are the main cause of gastroinentritis particularly in children less than three years. This study was designed to evaluate the detection of rotavirus genome by new silver staining method using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Method: In this descriptive study, the samples were collected from infected MA-104 cell culture and the RNA electrophoresis was performed in 10% polyacrylamide slab gels after RNA extraction. Results: According to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sensitive staining analysis, rotavirus RNA segments were divided into 4 groups and single-nucleotides differences were clearly detected rapidly. Conclusion: New silver staining method using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has the capacity to detect the rotavirus electeropherotype within a few minutes even in small DNA/RNA pieces up to 7 picograms.

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Background and Objective: Musculoskeletal disorder is a professional disease which is due to undesirable work condition and is a disturbing factor of health and welfare in societies. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses and its relationship with the knowledge of ergonomic and environmental factors in north of Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 110 nursing staff in Razi and Imam Khomeini hospitals in north of Iran. Questionnaire of the rate of awareness measurement, general questionnaire of musculoskeletal diseases (Nordik), the questionnaires of the health status and the study relationships between some factors in work place were filled out for each nurse. Results: Prevalence of the pain in neck, back, low back, shoulder, knee, thing pain, arm, leg among nurses was 50%, 49%, 58%, 44.9%, 47.3%, 32.7%, 36.4% and 56.4%, respectively. The condition of work place including air filtration (23.6%), light (22.7%) and air condition (4.5%) was not well. Chair (31%) and work table (34%) for work condition and body position of nurses was unsuitable. There was a significant relationship between low back pain and age and time of working per week of nurses (P<0.05). Nurses knowledge in the filed ergonomy was 77% and 22.2% of nurses trained in body condition during work. 60% of nurses were not trained for correct patient transportation and relocation. Conclusion: Nurses suffered more from pain in low back, knee, neck and legs. Training of nurses for patient transportation and body position during working in hospital is essential.

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Background and Objective: Poisoning is a major public health problem and a serious form of the common causes of hospital emergency visits in many countries. Incidence of toxicity based on cultural and economic characteristics of communities are varied. This study was done to determine the pediatric poisoning factors in children.

Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 201 patients younger than 12 years old with posinnig symptoms whom referred to hospitals in Shahroud city of central part of Iran from April 2011 to March 2012. Demogaphic data, posinnig symptoms, posinnig agents, time of hospitalization and outcome of posinnig for each child were recored in quetionare.

Results: Opium was the most common consumed material with (51.2%) while metadon considered to be the major opium. 180 (89.6%) and 21 (10.4%) children were poisoned accidentaly by their parant respectively. The clinical manifestation of the affected children were 15 (7.5%), 11 (5.5%), 93 (46.3%), 26 (12.9%), 19 (2.5%) and 22 (10.9%) without any symptoms, neuro-respiratory, nervous, gastrointestinal, gastrointestinal-respriatory and weakness respectively. Two children were died in the course of this project. There was a significant statistical correlation between the reason for poisoning and age parant education level and type of poisoning. Also, there was a relation between the type of poisoning and place of residence (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study shows that the most common cause of poisoning among children was opiums.

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Background and Objective: Sexual abuse including rape is a serious problem in one socity. One of the serious consequences of rape is depression. This study was done to determine the prevalence of depression among women complaining of rape in Tehran, Iran (2013).

Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 130 rape victims whom referred to the legal medicine center in Tehran, Iran during 2013. Beck questionnaire scale was used to determining of depression among women.

Results: The age range of 57% of victims of rape was between 20-30 years old. 48% of victims of rape were married .The rate of depression in victims of rape was 47.7%. Low, moderate and sever of depression was observed in 58%, 27.5% and 14.5% of the victims, respectively.

Conclusion: High prevalence of depression was determined in victims of rape in Tehran, Iran.

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Background and Objective: Gum diseases and dental caries are the most prevalent diseases in societies with different cultures particularly among pregnant women. This study was done to evaluate the oral health status of pregnant women in Gonbad Kavous, northern Iran.

Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 400 pregnant women aged 20 to 40 years old in Gonbad Kavous, northern Iran during 2010-11. Demographic and oral examination information was recorded in a chick list. The obtained data were evaluated by DMFT index (Decay, Missing, and Filling Teeth) and OHI-S index (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified).

Results: The average of DMFT index was 3.29±6.21. There was a significant difference between the place of birth and place of residence of pregnant women with DMFT index (P<0.05). The average of OHI-S index in pregnant women was moderate (0.88±1.36). There was a significant difference between the location of residence and the level of education of pregnant women with OHI-S index (P<0.05). The most important factor to increase DMFT index was the high average of decayed teeth among pregnant women. Regarding the method and duration of observing oral hygiene, the most correct answers were related to method of cleaning teeth (toothbrush and toothpaste) and the least ones were related to the duration of cleaning (3-5 minutes).

Conclusion: DMFT index was high in pregnant women in northern Iran.

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Background and Objective: Changing of lifestyle in women and increasing their social activity especially in working places can affect women’s sexual quality of life (SQOL). This study was done to determine the affecting factors on sexual quality of life among hospital employee's women.

Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was carried out on 121 women who work in the two hospitals in Sabzevar city and Birjand city in Iran during 2014. Data was collected using two questionnaires including the Iranian version of sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) questionnaire and a researcher-made measure to assess demographic characteristics, health related, and work-related variables.

Results: The mean±SD score of SQOL-F was 80.1±19.7. The univariate analysis showed that the mean score of SQOL-F significantly related with age (P<0.05), duration of sleep (P<0.05), marital duration (P<0.05), educational level (P<0.05), and physical activity (P<0.05). The regression modeling indicated that educational level (β=0.33), marital duration (β=0.32) and quality of sleep (β=0.56) were predictors of SQOL-F scores.

Conclusion: This study showed that educational level, marital duration and quality of sleep were predictors of SQOL-F scores among hospital employee's women.

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Background and Objective: Water resident bacteria are potentially important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes. This study was performed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from raw waters of Golestan province, northern Iran.

Methods: In this descriptive study, 26 samples from Ziarat river water (13 samples pre & 13 samples post treatment) and 36 samples from Azadshahr area springs water (18 samples pre & 18 samples post treatment) were collected. 75 numbers of Escherichia coli bacterium samples (50 isolated from river and 25 isolated from springs) identified and isolated from raw waters of Golestan province, northern Iran by MPN method via differential tests. Susceptibility of Escherichia coli strains to 11 antibiotics (Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid, Ampicillin, Imipenem, Cefalotin, Cefotaxime, Gentamicin, Amikacin, Tetracycline, Nalidixic acid, Ciprofloxacin and Trimethoprim / Sulfamethoxazole) was assayed by disk diffusion Kirby & Bauer’s method.

Results: 14 spring's raw water samples and 12 river raw water samples contained Escherichia coli. All of the river and springs samples assayed free from Escherichia coli post treatment. All of the Escherichia coli strains isolated from samples showed the similar phenotypical resistance against to surveyed 11 antibiotics. The most significance resistance to Ampicillin (river 94% & springs 88%), Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid (river 76% & springs 80%), Tetracycline (river 14% & springs 16%) and Cefalotin (river 8% & springs 16%) viewed. Resistance to Trimethoprim / Sulfamethoxazole (8%), Nalidixic acid (2%) and Ciprofloxacin (2%) just viewed in river samples. All of the river and spring isolates were sensitive to Imipenem, Cefotaxime, Gentamicin and Amikacin and demonstrated intermediate resistance to others antibiotics.

Conclusion: Treatment of raw water from springs and rivers caused the eradication of Escherichia coli. As regard to observed phenotypical resistance in springs’ raw waters, presumably with lack of treatment springs’ raw water can be caused the transmission of antibiotic resistance to human body.

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Background and Objective: Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase enzymes (ESBLs) are the most important factor for antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae The resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics is the main problem in the bacterial infections therapy. This study was done to determine the prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase enzymes in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae family.

Methods: In this descriptive study, 240 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae family were collected from clinical specimens obtained in Shohada, Rahimi and Madani hospitals in Khorramabad city, Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was performed by disk diffusion method. ESBLs production in all isolates was determined using the combination disk method.

Results: Bacteria strains isolated in this study were Escherichia coli (76%), Klebsiella pneumonia (16.2%), Citrobacter (5.4%), Enterobacter spp. (0.83%) and Proteus (1.6%). The results of antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates showed that the highest rate of antibiotic resistance was toward Ampicillin (88%) and Cefotaxime (43%) and the lowest rate was observed to Amikacin (2.5%). According to the results of the phenotypic tests, 141(59%) isolates out of 240 Enterobacteriaceae were beta-lactamase producers.

Conclusion: ESBL producer isolates and antibiotic resistant due to of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical samples from hospitals are high prevalence in Khorramabad city, Iran.

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Background and Objective: Medicinal drug interactions are one of the problems caused by irrational drug prescription. It eigher change the therapeutic effect or cause drug toxicity. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of medicinal drug interactions in medicinal prescriptions in Golestan province, north of Iran.

Methods: In this descriptive study, 1100000 medicinal prescriptions under contract with the Golestan province health insurance organization were assessed for drug interactions during 20 March-
20 September 2012.

Results: Drug interactions frequency was 6262 (0.66%). 35.5%, 63.1% and 1.4% of prescriptions were severe, moderate and mild interactions, respectively. The most common severe, moderate and mild drug interactions related to Atorvastatin-Gemfibrozil (13.67%), Ceftriaxone- Gentamicin (9.05%) and Lithium Carbonate-Haloperidol (2.56%).

Conclusion: In view of moderate and severe medicinal drug interactions in physicians' prescriptions, health system should plan a comprehensive program to improve awareness and effective monitoring to reduce medicinal drug interactions.

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Background and Objective: Beta-lactamase enzymes are the most important resistance factors among Gram-negative bacteria to the beta-lactam group of antibiotics. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in Escherichia coli isolates using PCR method.

Methods: This descriptive – analytic study was conducted on 120 Escherichia coli samples isolated in hospitals in Sari in northern Iran during 2013. Antibiogram was conducted using combined disk method to determine the sample resistance. The presence of β- lactamase gene of CTX-M-15 in ESBL was assessed using PCR method.

Results: Out of 120 Escherichia coli, 98 (81.6%), 15 (12.5%) and 7 (5.8%) bacteria isolated from urinary tract, blood and wound, respectively. Multiple drug resistance were seen in 98% of urine samples, 12.7% of blood samples and 3.6% of wound samples (P<0.05). 18.3% of multiple drug resistance samples were positive for CTX-M-15 β -lactamases resistance gene. The probable presence of CTX-M-15 were detected in blood sample (20%), urine sample and wounds (14.3%) (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Beta-lactamase enzymes were detected in high percent of Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples.

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Background and Objective: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause a moderate disease in children, but with high risk of serious disease or death in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Vaccination from infection can be safe, immunogenic, and effective in children with leukemia. This study was done to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibodies against VZV in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Methods: The descriptive-analytic study was performed on 66 children who were on chemotherapy in Dr Shigh hospital in Mashhad, Iran during 2012. Patients were receivied VZV vaccine. The title negative or positive serum sample for IgG-anti-VZV avidity was determined by using a test kit before and after injection of vaccines VZV for considering the efficacy of vaccines on pediatric patients.

Results: Title serum sample IgG were positive in 32.6% patients, these children have history of chicken pox disease and to be safe against of VZV. 78.3% of the patients were negative for IgG antibody and sensitive against of VZV.

Conclusion: Children with ALL receiving chemotherapy are sensitive to chicken pox disease according to negative IgG titer against VZV.

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Background and Objective: Candida species are the second most common cause of vaginitis in worldwide after bacterial agents. This study was performed to determine the etiological factors of Candida vulvovaginitis in pregnant women.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study, was performed on 100 pregnant women with vaginal discomfort that referring to gynecologic and obstetric clinics of the Sanandaj Social Security Hospital, Kurdistan province, Iran during 2016. After obtaining informed consent and collecting background information using a questionnaire, the patients were examined by a specialist physician and samples were collected. Identification of isolates was done based on colony color and also using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Results: Candida vulvovaginitis was seen in 29% of women. Candida albicans were the most common cause of the disease (86.2%) followed by Candida paraposilosis (10.43%) and Candida glabrat (45.3%) . There was no significant relationship between diabetes and candida vulvovaginitis. There was a significant relationship between the history of antibiotic usage, age over 35 and third trimester of pregnancy with Candida vulvaginitis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence of Candida vulvovaginal candidiasis was 29% and Candida Albicans was the most common cause of the disease.

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Background and Objective: Poisoning is one of the most common causes of emergency room visits. Opioids and methadone are the causes of unintentional poisoning, especially in children, who have a high burden of emergency referrals in children's hospitals. This study was performed to evaluate methadone poisoning in the pediatric emergency department in Gorgan, North of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on the records of patients admitted (85 boys and 70 girls) cases due to methadone poisoning in Taleghani Hospital in Gorgan, North of Iran during 2001-19 .The symptoms of patients and the costs of treatment and care of patients were analyzed.
Results: A total of 258 cases of poisoning were registered, of which 155 (60%) were methadone poisoning. Poisoning occurred for 136 cases (87.8%) with methadone syrup and for 19 cases (12.2%) with methadone tablets. The mean of age and age range was 47.94±36.25 months and 4-156 months, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of the time interval from consumption to the time of admission was 164.84±160.11 minutes and the maximum and minimum time interval were 720 and 15 minutes, respectively. 34 cases (22%) were conscious, 110 cases (71.5%) had impaired level of consciousness, seven cases (4.5%) presented with cardio respiratory arrest and three patients (1.9%) presented with seizures and one child (0.1%) was dead. Moises, bradypnea and apnea were seen in 78 (51.3%), 62 (40%) and 7 (4.5%) children, respectively. Six children had a history of hospitalization due to methadone poisoning, of which 2 were the day before, 3 were the month before, and 1 was 2 years ago. Two children were addicted. The mean±SD of the number of hospitalization days were 2.39±1.57 and the minimum and the maximum were 1 and 9 days. The mean±SD of hospitalization cost was 7642249±5341725 Rials. The average consumption of naloxone was 6.83± 10.41mg and the minimum and the maximum were one and 68 milligrams.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that meiosis is not observed in half of children with methadone poisoning. Therefore, it is recommended that in the case of children with impaired level of consciousness or seizures without a specific reason; methadone poisoning should be concerned as a differential diagnosis by medical staff and this diagnosis should not be ignored only in the absence of meiosis or respiratory dysfunction.

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Background and Objective: Any factor that disrupts the tear duct can cause epiphora, one of the most prevalent causes for patients to go to ophthalmology clinics. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be congenital or acquired. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery, which can be operated using external or endonasal approaches, is the standard treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This study was carried out to assess the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 38 patients (29 females and 9 males), aged over 18 with an average age of 43.07±13.83, suffering from epiphora referring to 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (Iran) between 2015 and 2018. The success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery for epiphora treatment was evaluated 6 months after the surgery. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the complications of the surgery and the connection to the CT scan results, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery was assessed.
Results: The surgery was successful for 36 patients (94.74%). The extent of the nasolacrimal duct obstruction of the right eye and the left eye was measured at 63.2% and 36.8%, respectively. Slight and heavy bleeding during the surgery was observed in 76.3% and 7.9% of the cases, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage and orbital injury during the surgery were not seen in the patients. According to the CT scan findings, deviation of the septum was seen in 76.3% of the patients, while septoplasty was operated on in 41.37% of the patients during the surgery. Moreover, half of the patients were suffering from chronic sinusitis for whom, the involved sinuses were opened and sinuses drainage was performed.
Conclusion: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery is an acceptable and successful method for treating epiphora, especially for patients with sinusitis or nasal septum deviation.
 

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Background and Objective: Physical disability caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) increases MS patients' need for support from others. Medication adherence is one of the main success factors in the treatment of chronic diseases, which is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived social support and medication adherence in patients with MS.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 110 patients (70 women and 40 men) aged 39±9 years with MS who visited the 2 medical training centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Kashani and Al-Zahra), Isfahan, Iran during 2021. After sampling by the systematic random method, the data were collected by interviews and using Zimmet's Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8).
Results: The mean and standard deviation of the scores of medication adherence and perceived social support were 6.10±1.72 and 62.83±14.97, respectively. According to the Pearson correlation coefficient, perceived social support did not show any significant relationship with medication adherence (r=0.185, P=0.053). Perceived social support showed a statistically significant relationship with income satisfaction (F=4.54, P=0.01), the pattern of clinical course (F=2.95, P=0.03), difficulty in accessing medical care (t=-2.29, P=0.02), and clinical symptoms, including motor (t=-3.72, P=0.001), balance (t=-3.23, P=0.002), and urinary disorders (t=-2.53, P=0.01).
Conclusion: Perceived social support in patients with MS did not cause medication adherence.

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Background and Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant threat to both healthy individuals and those with chronic diseases, including liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory manifestations and treatment outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis who were infected with COVID-19.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 9 patients (4 women and 5 men) with liver cirrhosis infected with COVID-19 hospitalized at Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Educational and Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran during 2019-20. COVID-19 infection was diagnosed by a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The Child-Pugh score was used to classify the severity of liver disease. Demographic and clinical data, including initial symptoms and complaints, laboratory results, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay, and treatment outcomes, were extracted from patients’ medical records.
Results: The severity of liver disease was classified as Class B in 7 patients. Comorbidities included cardiovascular diseases and hypertension in 2 patients each, as well as diabetes and asthma in one patient each. Clinical manifestations at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis included ascites in 6 patients; fever in 5 patients; respiratory distress and anorexia in 4 patients each; cough, oxygen saturation less than 93%, and muscle pain in 3 patients each; nausea and vomiting in 2 patients; and abdominal pain and decreased level of consciousness in one patient each. Albumin levels were less than 4 g/dL in all patients. Hemoglobin was less than 12 g/dL in 7 patients. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 8 patients, leukocytosis in one patient, and leukopenia and pancytopenia in 4 patients each. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were higher than 40 U/L in 6 and 5 patients, respectively. Only one patient died, a 60-year-old woman with a history of fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and uncontrolled Class C cirrhosis.
Conclusion: The most common clinical manifestations in patients with liver cirrhosis infected with COVID-19 consisted of ascites, fever, respiratory distress, and anorexia, and the most common laboratory manifestations were hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia.

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Background and Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown an increasingly rapid progression in individuals with underlying diseases or comorbidities, frequently culminating in mortality. This study was conducted to compare certain risk factors associated with mortality due to COVID-19 in patients at Shohadaye Kargar Hospital in Yazd.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 120 surviving (recovered) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive COVID-19 patients (55 males and 65 females) with a mean age of 52.8 ± 18.88 years and 60 deceased PCR-positive COVID-19 patients (34 males and 26 females) with a mean age of 75.4 ± 15.4 years at Shohadaye Kargar Hospital in Yazd, Iran during 2019-2020. Census sampling was performed on all confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Variables including age, gender, cigarette use, presence of diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies, which were collected in Yazd Province by the Provincial Coronavirus Committee, were evaluated.
Results: The variables of gender, cancer, cigarette use, asthma, and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) did not show any statistically significant differences between the recovered and deceased groups. The variables of diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and age showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Advanced age and the presence of hypertension and diabetes are considered risk factors in COVID-19 patients.

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Background and Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed significant variability in clinical outcomes driven by demographic, geographic, and underlying factors, highlighting the need for a better understanding of disease progression. This study was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of disease severity among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on the data of 736 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (58.6% male; mean age = 55 years; age range = 1–94 years) at the Fifth Azar Educational-Therapeutic Center in Gorgan during 2021. A convenience sampling method was employed, and patients were selected based on the completeness of their electronic medical records. Patients were categorized based on disease outcome (recovery/death) and disease severity (intensive care unit [ICU] admission/general ward admission). Demographic data, symptoms, and comorbidities were extracted from electronic health records. Inclusion criteria consisted of a confirmed diagnosis via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while exclusion criterion included incomplete data or transfer to other medical centers.
Results: The mortality rate was 31.3%, occurring predominantly in the older adult age group (P<0.05). Due to disease severity, 21.2% of cases required ICU admission. Dyspnea was significantly associated with both mortality and disease severity (P<0.05). The prevalence of dyspnea was 62.6% among deceased patients compared to 37.4% in recovered patients. Comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were significantly associated with increased mortality (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Old age and specific comorbidities were identified as key predictors of severe outcomes. Early identification of symptoms, particularly dyspnea, and targeted interventions are essential for high-risk groups.