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Introduction: Acne, the most common skin disease in polycystic ovarian syndrome, has a prevalence of 83 percent. It is often associated with psychological distress, depression, and anxiety disorders that may impair cognitive functions such as memory, attention, psychomotor speed, and executive functions.The aim of this study was to investigate levels of acne in this group of women and its association with cognitive function, compared to that in healthy women. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate levels of acne in this group of women and its association with cognitive function, compared to that in healthy women. Materials and Methods: In this Case-control study, 45 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, diagnosed based on Rotterdam criteria, and 45 healthy women as control group were selected. Acne levels of the participants were evaluated by Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Also, cognitive functions were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCA). Results: The average (± SD) acne score in patients was 11.73± 6.87 and in control group was 8.42±6.27, p-value=0.01, which was statistically significant. Also, the difference between the average cognitive function scores in patients (22.68±3.57) and control group (24.71 ± 2.57) was statistically significant (p-value=0.003). However, no significant relationship was found between cognitive function and levels of acne(r=-0.14, P=0.17). Conclusion: The prevalence of acne in patients with PCOS is more than that in normal counterparts. Also, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was higher among patients. No relationship was observed between acne level and cognitive impairment in our PCOS study group. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: A low concentration of albumin is a predictor of mortality in endstage renal disease. The aim of this study was to assess the factors influencing albumin serum amongst hemodialysis patients using random effects model. Materials and methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 297 hemodialysis patients (137 women and 160 men, mean age: 58.3 ± 15.86 and 59.1± 17.80 years, respectively) were randomly selected from Shahid Beheshti Medical Center in Babol, Iran, during 2007- 2013. Data was collected from patients' files and blood serum albumin level was considered as a response variable. Explanatory variables included sex, age, education level, marital status, smoking history, cause of kidney disease, history of cardiovascular disease, and age at diagnosis. Random effects model was applied to investigate the factors influencing the level of blood albumin using R software. Results: The highest levels of albumin were found in patients who were under dialysis due to diabetes (70.2%). The random effect model showed that weight (P<0.001), age of diagnosis (P=0.012), sex (P<0.001), marital status (P=0.034), and time trend (P=0.004) had significant effects on serum albumin concentration. Conclusion: According to this study, level of albumin serum was associated with individual characteristics such as weight, age of diagnosis, sex, marital status, and time trend. Applying random effects model could give more accurate estimates of the factors affecting the level of albumin, thereby, providing a better understanding of the state of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aim: One of the assisted reproductive technologies is the use of donated oocyte. Although, the data about medical aspects of this process is available, knowledge of the psychological aspect related to this therapy is limited. Each individual's psychological aspects can be assessed by the self-concept and the self-discrepancy. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the self-concept and self-discrepancy among women receiving and donating oocyte. Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical investigation, carried out in 2015, given the limited research population, 53 women referred to Royan infertility institute, were investigated in each of the donor and recipient groups using the available sampling method. The data were collected by three questionnaires including demographic questions, Rogers's self-concept scale and self discrepancy scale (ideal-self discrepancy and ought-self discrepancy). The data were analyzed through the descriptive statistics, Chi-square and t-test using SPSS v.16. Results: Results showed that the self-concept and self-discrepancy scores were poor in both the donor group and the recipient group. Scores of the recipient women (the questionnaire was reverse scored) were more than scores of the donor women. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean scores of self-concept (P=0.53). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the ought-self discrepancy score (P=0.02) but no significant difference was found between the two groups in the ideal-self discrepancy score (P=0.15). Conclusion: According to the results, it should be noted that in the process of oocyte donation, only physical assessment is not enough but individuals' psychological needs are necessary to be taken into account. So, the authorities should consider measures to assess the psychological aspects of women receiving and donating oocyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Household financial contribution is one of the most important issues in health system. This study aims to determine and present some indices of h ousehold financial contribution in health system in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional- descriptive study, the methods were introduced by World Health Organization. Fair Financing Contribution Index (FFCI), catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment in Iran were calculated from a national representative data derived from Iranian Statistics Center, Household Budget Survey, and Consumption Expenditures, at 2011. The indicators have been calculated on the basis of the total cost analysis, health and capacity to pay Iranians households. Results: Household financial contribution in the health system for households living in rural areas is more than urban areas. In this study, more than 3 percent of the households were facing catastrophic health expenditure . Also 1.5 percent of the households have been impoverished. Fair Financing Contribution Index in rural and urban areas was 59 and 65 percent respectively. Conclusion: Calculation of the indicators related to households financial contribution in Iranian health system need to predict and implement appropriate plans, as well as monitoring and assessment of health system programs in order to increase the equity in the household financial contribution and effectiveness of Utilization of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]