Publications by authors named "Farshad FarzadFar"
Objectives: Claims data covers a large population and can be utilized for various epidemiological and economic purposes. However, the diagnosis of prescriptions is not determined in the claims data of many countries. This study aimed to develop a decision rule algorithm using prescriptions to detect patients with hypertension in claims data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: People with hypertension are more susceptible to developing cardiometabolic risk factors including overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aim to determine the trends in the prevalence of these risk factors among Iranian adults with hypertension from 2007 to 2021.
Methods: We utilized data for adults from 25 to 64 years old from four rounds of the STEPwise approach to non-communicable diseases risk factor surveillance (STEPS) study conducted in Iran in 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2021.
Skeletal muscle relies on resident muscle stem cells (MuSCs) for growth and repair. Aging and muscle diseases impair MuSC function, leading to stem cell exhaustion and regenerative decline that contribute to the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. In the absence of clinically available nutritional solutions specifically targeting MuSCs, we used a human myogenic progenitor high-content imaging screen of natural molecules from food to identify nicotinamide (NAM) and pyridoxine (PN) as bioactive nutrients that stimulate MuSCs and have a history of safe human use.
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- Adequate calcium intake is essential for bone health and osteoporosis prevention, especially for individuals aged 50 and older.
- A study of 1450 participants in Iran found that 62.9% had insufficient dietary calcium intake, with higher rates among women (75.5%) and those aged 65 or older (69.0%).
- The research highlighted a significant link between lower educational levels and socioeconomic status with increased prevalence of insufficient calcium intake, emphasizing the need for targeted dietary interventions.
Background: This study presents estimates for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) burden and attributable risk factors in Iran from 1990-2019, using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study.
Methods: This study reports prevalence, incidence, death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) of T2DM in Iran, by sex, age, and province, from 1990 to 2019. We also present the T2DM burden attributable to risk factors.
Substance use carries a wide range of negative consequences, impacting both the individual using the substances and others. In recent years, there have been multiple efforts to assess the harm caused by drugs and to rank them, with each taking a distinctive approach to the matter. This study seeks to introduce a new model for assessing the harm index and ranking of drugs.
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- Alcohol has been banned in Iran for over 40 years, leading to underreported consumption; a study surveyed 27,874 adults to assess actual alcohol use and its contributing factors.
- The study found a lifetime alcohol consumption prevalence of 6.9%, with significant differences between men (13.7%) and women (1.4%); the average per capita consumption was 0.12 liters.
- Factors like being a smoker, younger age, higher wealth, and education levels correlated with increased alcohol consumption, as well as links to health issues like heart attacks and physical injuries, prompting the need for targeted preventive measures.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the prevalence and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) in Iranian adults, finding that about 6.42% are classified as MHO.
- Nearly 25% of obese individuals, with a higher prevalence among men and women, showed MHO characteristics, and this group was younger than those with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO).
- Although MHO has a lower CVD risk compared to MUO, there is a possibility that individuals with MHO may transition to a less healthy state over time.
Purpose: As a part of STEPwise approach to risk factor Surveillance (STEPS) study, our aim was to evaluate the validity of the self-reported diagnosis of diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hypercholesterolemia (Hyper-Chol) in the Iranian population.
Methods: Using systematic proportional to size cluster sampling, 27,232 participants were included in our study. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) to assess the validity of self-reported diagnoses.
Exposure to metal(loid)s can cause adverse health effects. This study evaluated the concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, and lead in particulate matter <10 μm (PM) and in the urine of 100 participants from urban residential areas in Iran. A total of 100 residential buildings (one adult from each household) in six cities across Iran were recruited for this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCorrection: Global, regional, and national burden and quality of care index (QCI) of oral disorders: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 1990-2017.
BMC Oral Health
May 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed the trends and burden of infective endocarditis (IE) in the North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region from 1990 to 2019, revealing a 59% increase in incidence rates.
- Despite rising prevalence and disability years, death rates from IE significantly decreased, especially among children under five, with a 72% drop in deaths in that age group.
- The authors recommend establishing IE registries and guidelines for antibiotic use to improve management and control of antimicrobial resistance in the region.
Article Synopsis
- - This study examined the impact of lead exposure in Iran from 1990 to 2019, measuring factors like deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) using data from the Global Burden of Disease study.
- - The results showed a significant decrease in lead exposure-related health issues, with reductions of 50.7% in years of life lost (YLLs) and 48.9% in DALYs, but the overall burden remains high, particularly in low-income areas and for older males.
- - Key health problems linked to lead exposure include mental disorders and chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney diseases (CKDs), with CVDs causing the most significant burden in
Article Synopsis
- * Results show a significant decline in smoking and other NCD risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity between 2001 and 2016, but projected increases in prevalence of physical inactivity and obesity by 2030, highlighting ongoing health concerns.
- * The findings underscore the need for effective public health interventions in Iran to promote healthy lifestyles and mitigate rising NCD risk factors.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor air of residential homes in Iran and measured a related metabolite in participants' urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- It found that the average concentration of PAHs and particulate matter was significant, with 30% of indoor samples exceeding WHO guidelines, particularly noting higher PAH levels in homes with lower economic status.
- Additionally, the research indicated a correlation between PAH concentrations and demographic factors like age and body fat, revealing that men had higher levels of the urinary metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene than women.
Background: Obesity and dyslipidemia are important risk factors for hypertension (HTN). When these two conditions coexist, they may interact in a synergistic manner and increase the risk of developing HTN and its associated complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of general and central obesity with dyslipidemia on the risk of HTN.
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- - Individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a high prevalence of multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, particularly hypertension and diabetes, which were examined using data from 55 population-based surveys from 2009-2019.
- - The study included nearly 119,000 non-pregnant adults aged 40-69, revealing that those with both hypertension and diabetes had higher awareness of their diagnosis (64.1%) compared to those with just one condition (47.4% for hypertension and 46.7% for diabetes).
- - Despite higher awareness and treatment for those with concurrent conditions, only 7% of individuals effectively managed both hypertension and diabetes simultaneously, highlighting significant gaps
Background: This study measured the concentrations of arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in the urine samples of the Iranian adult population.
Methods: This nationally representative study was conducted on 490 participants in six provinces of Iran who were selected based on the clustering method. Participants included healthy Iranian adults aged above 25 years without a history of illness and non-smokers.
Article Synopsis
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and low NAD levels are linked to aging and muscle loss (sarcopenia), but it's unclear if these issues come from local or systemic factors.
- Research shows that trigonelline, a natural compound similar to nicotinic acid, positively affects NAD levels and muscle health across different species, including humans.
- Trigonelline enhances mitochondrial function, reduces muscle wasting, and increases strength and lifespan, suggesting that dietary trigonelline could be a helpful strategy against age-related muscle decline.
Assessment of Hemoglobin A1c Management and Prescription Cost Due to Polypharmacy Among Patients With Diabetes in Iran Based on the STEPS Iran 2016 Survey and a Prescription Database: A Multi-level, Cross-sectional National Study.
Arch Iran Med
January 2024
Background: Diabetes frequently results in the need for multiple medication therapies, known as 'Polypharmacy'. This situation can incur significant costs and increase the likelihood of medication errors. This study evaluated the prescriptions of patients with diabetes regarding polypharmacy to assess its effect on the control of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and prescription costs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death. Despite the great burden, there is lack of data regarding the trend of cigarette smoking in Iran. We described the national and provincial prevalence of cigarette smoking and its 12-year time trend utilizing six rounds of Iranian stepwise approach for surveillance of non-communicable disease (STEPS) surveys.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMortality and disability-adjusted life years in North Africa and Middle East attributed to kidney dysfunction: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.
Clin Kidney J
January 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study assessed the health impact of kidney dysfunction as a metabolic risk factor in 21 countries of the North Africa and Middle East region between 1990 and 2019, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study.
- In 2019, kidney dysfunction led to approximately 296,632 deaths in the region, reflecting a significant increase since 1990, with countries like Afghanistan and Egypt showing the highest death rates associated with this condition.
- The findings highlighted the role of kidney dysfunction in contributing to various cardiovascular diseases, urging policymakers to enhance prevention and management strategies to mitigate its broader health implications.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how improving hypertension care in low- and middle-income countries might affect different socioeconomic groups, particularly focusing on wealth quintiles.
- Researchers simulated better diagnosis and treatment levels for hypertension and assessed the resulting changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk across various wealth groups.
- Results indicated that lower-income groups, especially in lower-middle-income countries, would experience the greatest health benefits, emphasizing that targeted improvements in hypertension management could help reduce health inequities.
Article Synopsis
- - The study compares the quality of care and healthcare inequities for cervical and ovarian cancers using the Quality of Care Index (QCI), revealing disparities in treatment performance across different regions and income levels worldwide.
- - Data from 1990 to 2019 indicates that while cervical cancer incidence has decreased, ovarian cancer cases have risen, yet mortality rates for both have reduced, with QCI values increasing for both types of cancer over this period.
- - The results highlight that higher-income countries generally provide better care, but age and socio-demographic factors contribute to inequities in care quality, stressing the urgent need for targeted improvements and further research to address these disparities.