Burden of nosocomial infections in intensive care units: Cost of antibiotics, the extra length of stay and mortality rate.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients significantly complicate the normal hospitalization process and affect patients' condition, length of hospitalization, mortality, and treatment cost. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and economic burden of HAIs.

Methods: The study involved all patients with a confirmed HAIs (based on CDC/NHSN case-definitions); in the general ICU of a tertiary university hospital in Tehran, from April 2020 to March 2021.

Upfront DPYD Genotype-Guided Treatment for Fluoropyrimidine-Based Chemotherapy in Advanced and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Objectives: Fluoropyrimidines are the most widely used chemotherapy drugs for advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Individuals with certain DPYD gene variants are exposed to an increased risk of severe fluoropyrimidine-related toxicities. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preemptive DPYD genotyping to guide fluoropyrimidine therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic CRC.

Antibiotic use during the first 6 months of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: A large-scale multi-centre study.

What Is Known And Objective: Although antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, epidemiological studies have revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the overuse of antibiotics and disruption of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. We investigated the pattern of antibiotic use during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods: A multi-centre retrospective study was designed to investigate the use of 16 broad-spectrum antibiotics in 12 medical centres.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors-associated pyoderma gangrenosum, a systematic review of published case reports.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare ulcerative dermatosis. It may be caused by some drugs, including small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the reported evidence of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with the use of these drugs.

Assessment of Antibiotic Dispensing Practice in Community Pharmacies of Tehran, for 2 Common Infectious Symptoms, Using Simulated Patient Method.

Resistance to antibiotics is a worldwide concern and community pharmacies can play a strategic role in controlling this issue through rationalizing antibiotic consumption. Considering that dispensing any type of antibiotics without a prescription is prohibited according to Iran's regulations, this study was conducted to quantify the rate of antibiotic dispensing without a prescription by pharmacists in Tehran, Iran. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 through May 2017.

Effect of Selenium on Incidence and Severity of Mucositis during Radiotherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Oral mucositis (OM) is the most frequent side effect of radiation. Selenium deficiency leads to increased levels of free oxygen radicals and the selenium level tends to fall during radiotherapy. Hence, in this double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial, the effect of selenium was assessed in patients receiving radiation.

Evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and urinary kidney injury molecule-1 as biomarkers of renal function in cancer patients treated with cisplatin.

Introduction: Cisplatin-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is the major limitation to the use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Serum creatinine as a traditional marker did not increase in a timely enough fashion in AKI patients. Therefore, recently, the novel markers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were considered for early detection of AKI.

Oral calcitriol in hematopoietic recovery and survival after autologous stem cell transplantation: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Calcitriol, the active metabolite of vitamin D, is an essential regulator in the hematopoiesis and immunity. However, knowledge revealing its influence on the immune and hematologic reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in clinical trials is very limited.

Objectives: The effects of calcitriol on short-term and long-term hematopoietic recovery, relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma following autologous peripheral blood HSCT were assessed.

A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Albumin in Septic Shock: A Patient-level Data Analysis.

Purpose: Albumin-based fluid therapy in septic shock is a matter of debate and criticism. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of albumin therapy in patients with septic shock.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Imam Khomeini, Sina, and Shariati hospitals on patients with septic shock admitted to intensive care units from March 31, 2016 to September 22, 2017.

Appropriateness of using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia in solid tumors.

Introduction: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the dose-limiting adverse effects of chemotherapy. Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors (G-CSFs) minimize the incidence of FN and reduce the risk of neutropenia complications. This study was conducted to address the prescription pattern of G-CSF for primary prophylaxis of FN during the first cycle of chemotherapy in solid tumors.

Evaluation of Venous Thromboembolic Event Prophylaxis in Hospitalized Cancer Patients: A Single-Centered Retrospective Study.

Objective: Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are one of the main causes of death in cancer patients. About one-third of newly diagnosed VTEs are later proved to be associated with cancers. Attempts have been made to prevent these events and reduce substantial burden on patient health.

Is Albumin-based Resuscitation in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Justifiable? An Evidence from a Cost-effectiveness Evaluation.

Background: Fluid and antimicrobial therapy are the essential parts of sepsis management. The type of fluid to resuscitate with is an unsettled issue in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of albumin-based resuscitation over crystalloids.

Impact of Protocol Implementation on Rationalization of Albumin Use in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Tehran, Iran.

Objective: With respect to the high cost and limited availability of albumin, its use must be restricted to indications strongly supported by solid scientific evidence. It was anticipated that with the implementation of the National Health Reform Plan (NHRP), the consumption of albumin would increase as the result of decreasing patients' out-of-pocket costs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of protocol implementation on the rationalization of albumin use in surgery wards of Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran.

Successful desensitization of a patient with cetuximab hypersensitivity: A case report.

Background: Severe hypersensitivity reaction is a dangerous adverse drug reaction in patients receiving cetuximab. It requires drug discontinuation and medical management.

Case Description: A 48-year-old man, previously diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, was admitted for therapy continuation.

Effects of amniotic membrane extract and deferoxamine on angiogenesis in wound healing: an in vivo model.

Objective: Angiogenesis, formation of new vessels from pre-existing vessels, is an essential part of wound healing. We aimed to compare amniotic membrane extract with deferoxamine in angiogenesis and to assess any synergistic effect.

Method: We examined four groups of rats (five per group): control, deferoxamine, amniotic membrane extract, and deferocxamine and amniotic membrane extract in combination.

Efficacy of a telephone-based intervention among patients with type-2 diabetes; a randomized controlled trial in pharmacy practice.

Background Pharmacists' interventions to improve outcomes of diabetes management have been promising. However, evidence on using telephone-based interventions in pharmacy practice are limited, particularly in developing countries. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-based intervention to improve care and clinical outcomes in type-2 diabetes.

A community pharmacy-based cardiovascular risk screening service implemented in Iran.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major health concern around the world.

Objective: To assess the outcomes and feasibility of a pharmacy-based cardiovascular screening in an urban referral community pharmacy in Iran.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a referral community pharmacy.

Vancomycin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Narrative Review.

Thrombocytopenia has been reported as an adverse reaction of numerous drugs. Vancomycin is often overlooked as a culprit but has been associated with several cases of thrombocytopenia that were not well described in the literature. A literature search was conducted to find reports of thrombocytopenia induced by vancomycin.

The efficacy of erythropoietin mouthwash in prevention of oral mucositis in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic SCT: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Oral mucositis (OM) as a complication of high-dose chemotherapy is frequently occurred in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) settings. Erythropoietin (EPO) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound-healing properties and therefore could have an important role in the prevention of OM. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the EPO mouthwash effect on OM incidence and severity in 80 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin disease (HD) or multiple myeloma, undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Calcitriol for Oral Mucositis Prevention in Patients With Fanconi Anemia Undergoing Hematopoietic SCT: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Fanconi anemia is a rare inherited aplastic anemia, which is cured only by hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). One of the most debilitating complications of high-dose chemotherapy regimen before HSCT is oral mucositis (OM), which occurs frequently in this population. Vitamin D has identified immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant role.

Effect of a community pharmacist-delivered diabetes support program for patients receiving specialty medical care: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of a community pharmacist-delivered diabetes support program for patients receiving specialty medical care in a middle-income country (Iran).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 101 patients who received diabetes care from an endocrinologist. A qualified community pharmacist educated patients about medications, clinical goals, self-care activities, and self-monitoring of blood glucose.

Selenium supplementation in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines levels.

Background: Pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play an important role in the development of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) complications. We explored the effect of Selenium as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent on pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in HSCT candidates.

Findings: Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured in 74 patients from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Self-monitoring of blood pressure for improving adherence to antihypertensive medicines and blood pressure control: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Self-monitoring is reported to have limited efficacy for hypertension management in high-income countries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of self-monitoring on blood pressure (BP) control in an Iranian population.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 196 mild to moderate hypertensive patients in an outpatient cardiovascular clinic.

Bibliographic search of publication patterns in rational use of drugs in Iran: a systematic approach.

Inappropriate use of drugs is a widespread problem with serious consequences such as increased adverse drug reaction and antimicrobial resistance. Proper interventions would have important financial and public health benefits. Several studies have been performed about Rational Drug Use (RUD) in Iran.

Evaluation of febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and causes of fever as a major problem contributing to transplantation related mortality among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and evaluation of antibiotic use, according to reliable guidelines.We retrospectively reviewed hospital records of 195 adult patients who underwent HSCT between 2009-2011 at hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation research center. Baseline information and also data related to fever and neutropenia, patient's outcomes, duration of hospitalization and antibiotic use pattern were documented.