Evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness on the outcomes of COVID 19 disease in Iran: a test-negative case-control study.

Introduction: This study measures the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (CVE) against hospital admission and severe COVID-19.

Methods: This study is a test-negative case-control design using data from eight provinces in April, 2021 until March, 2022. The individuals were classified as cases and controls based on the results of the RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and matched based on the timing of the test being conducted as well as the timing of hospital admission.

Polypharmacy and medication usage patterns in hypertensive patients: Findings from the Pars Cohort Study.

Polypharmacy, defined here as the concomitant use of five or more medications, is a significant health issue, particularly affecting individuals with chronic diseases like hypertension (HTN). To compare individuals with and without HTN in term of polypharmacy, and to investigate correlates of polypharmacy and medication use patterns in individuals with HTN in southwest Iran. This cross-sectional study used the baseline data of 9270 participants of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) with a mean age of 52.

How Similar Are Drug Data and Disease Self-report? Estimating the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Less Developed Settings.

Background: Drug data has been used to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases. Disease registries and annual surveys are lacking, especially in less-developed regions. At the same time, insurance drug data and self-reports of medications are easily accessible and inexpensive.

Age- and gender-specific acute poisoning with drugs and medications affecting nervous system.

Background: We investigated acute poisonings resulting from medications affecting the nervous system and illicit substances at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient records at Iran's largest tertiary toxicology referral center between January 2010 and December 2015. We analyzed the prevalence, trend, age and gender distribution of acute poisoning caused by nervous system agents.

Polypharmacy and pattern of medication use among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: results from Pars Cohort study.

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common chronic condition. Its chronic nature may affect the pattern of medication use. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and patterns of polypharmacy and medication use among GERD patients in southwestern Iran.

Prevalence and Correlates of Polypharmacy, and Drug Utilization Pattern in a Semi-urban Population: Results from the Pars Cohort Study.

Background: Although polypharmacy is considered a major predictor of irrational use of drugs, little is known about polypharmacy in developing regions. We aimed to indicate the prevalence and correlates of polypharmacy and to determine the medication profile at the population level in southern Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from participants of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) (aged above 40 years, N=9269).

Iran Quality of Care in Medicine Program (IQCAMP): Design and Outcomes.

Background: Assessment of quality and cost of medical care has become a core health policy concern. We conducted a nationwide survey to assess these measures in Iran as a developing country. To present the protocol for the Iran Quality of Care in Medicine Program (IQCAMP) study, which estimates the quality, cost, and utilization of health services for seven diseases in Iran.

Population-based pattern of medication use and prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with cardiovascular diseases: results of the Pars cohort study from Iran.

Background: Polypharmacy in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been linked to several adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of medication use and prevalence of polypharmacy among CVDs patients in Iran.

Method: We used the baseline data of the Pars cohort study (PCS).

Bedaquiline-containing regimens and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a life-threatening infectious disease. Treatment requires multiple antimicrobial agents used for extended periods of time. The present study sought to evaluate the treatment success rate of bedaquiline-based regimens in MDR-TB patients.

Knowledge gaps and national research priorities for COVID-19 in Iran.

Background: In the present COVID-19 crisis, one of the greatest challenges for research funding at both the international and national level is selecting the best research topic to achieve efficiency and equity in health research and to address the knowledge gap urgently raised due to the event. Despite international recommendations, countries should consider their context-specific situation and define local research priorities. We aimed to exercise a priority-setting activity to identify the knowledge gaps and suggest research priorities in response to the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran.

Expectations of Health Researchers From Academic Social Network Sites: Qualitative Study.

Background: Today, academic social network sites' role in improving the quality of education and how investigators conduct their research has become more critical.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate Iranian health researchers' requirements for academic social network sites from a low-income country perspective.

Methods: This qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was done in 2020.

How the US Sanctions Are Affecting the Health Research System in Iran?

Background: In November 2018, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal, and imposed severe sanctions on Iran. This study explores the impact of US sanctions in Iran's health research system.

Methods: This phenomenological study interviewed 24 Iranian health science scholars through purposeful sampling to learn about their experiences and thoughts regarding the impact of US sanctions on Iran's health research system.

Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance System in Iran.

Background: Evaluating a pharmacovigilance system helps identify its deficiencies and could facilitate measures to remedy and improve the quantity and quality of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports and other opportunities for pharmacovigilance systems strengthening. This study aimed to evaluate the status of pharmacovigilance in Iran using the World Health Organization (WHO) pharmacovigilance indicators with the prospect of identifying the gaps and areas for improvement.

Methods: This study was conducted in 2 parts.

Psychometric properties of Persian version of the research misconduct questionnaire (PRMQ).

Assessment of scientific misconduct is considered to be an increasingly important topic in medical sciences. Providing a definition for scientific research misconduct and proposing practical methods for evaluating and measuring it in various fields of medicine discipline are required. This study aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of Scientific Research Misconduct-Revised (SMQ-R) and Publication Pressure Questionnaires (PPQ).

Health research system resilience: lesson learned from the COVID-19 crisis.

Producing evidence in epidemics is crucial to control the current epidemic and prevent its recurrence in the future. Data must be collected and analyzed rapidly to recognize the most efficient and feasible methods with proper timelines. However, there are many challenges a research system may encounter during a crisis.

Achievements of the Cochrane Iran Associate Centre: Lessons Learned.

Healthcare decision-making is a process that mainly depends on evidence and involves increasing numbers of stakeholders, including the consumers. Cochrane evidence responds to this challenge by identifying, appraising, integrating and synthesizing high-quality evidence. Recently, a collaborative effort has been initiated in Iran with Cochrane to establish a representative local entity.

Interventions to improve adverse drug reaction reporting: A scoping review.

Purpose: Underreporting is the major limitation of a voluntary adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system. Many studies have assessed the effectiveness of different interventions designed to improve ADR reporting. The aim of this study was to systematically map interventions and strategies to improve ADR reporting among health care professionals.