---

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.

---

Background and Objective: Candida albicans is the normal flora of the body as opportunistic fungi. It causes candidiasis in immunocompromised condition. This study was done to drug susceptibility testing of Candida albicans isolated from patients against Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole.

Methods: In this descriptive – analytic study, drug susceptibility of 30 Candida albicans isolated from patients admitted to Tehran hospitals, Iran was tested against Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole by micro dilution method in accordance with CLSI M27-A2 guideline and disk diffusion method in accordance with CLSI M44-S2 guideline. Standard isolate Candida albicans PTCC (5027) and Candida krusei PTCC (5295) were used for quality control.

Results: The minimum and maximum MIC against Amphotrericin B was 0.0625 µg.ml^-1 and
4 µg.ml^-1, respectively. The minimum and maximum MIC against Ketoconazole was 0.5 µg/ml^-1 and 32 µg/ml^-1, respectively. The minimum and maximum zone diameter was 6 and 28 mm for both drugs. The results of drug susceptibility testing by two methods did not show significant differences. 25 isolates (83.3%) against ketoconazole and 2 isolates (6.7%) against Amphotericin B were resistant.

Conclusion: Amphotericin B administration seems better choice in candidiasis treatment in comparision with Ketoconazole.

---

Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection is a pathogenic agent of many stomach disorders, including peptic ulcer disease, stomach cancer and stomach lymphoma. The reasons for the variety of the outcomes of the infection resulting from Helicobacter pylori may be related to difference in genotype or expression of pathogenic bacterial-related factors, as well as environmental and host factors. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of s1, s2, m1 and m2 alleles of the vacA Helicobacter pylori gene isolated from clinical samples.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 183 patients whom suffering from digestive disorders which referring to the endoscopic department of Kordkuy’s Amiralmomenin hospital in Golestan province, north of Iran during 2016. Two samples of biopsy from antrum region were taken from each patient. The first sample was evaluated by urease test and the second one was done with saline buffer phosphate solution. Urease test of 50 positive samples and DNA extraction was performed. The polymerase chain reaction was performed for vacA alleles and then the relationship between toxin secretion with the symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomachache, reflux, nausea, gastritis, bleeding, stomach ulcers, burning, anemia, and weight loss were evaluated.
Results: Frequency of s1, s2, m1, m2 vacA alleles of isolated strains was 88%, 6%, 38% and 70%, respectively. Also, the s1 / m1, s1 / m2, s2 / m1 and s2 / m2 genotypes of vacA Helicobacter pylori gene were determined 36%, 58%, 0% and 6%, respectively. Toxin secretion did not have significant relationship with digestive symptoms.
Conclusion: The dominant genotype of the patients with digestive disorders (58%) in this study was s1 / m2 and s2 / m1 genotype did not observe in clinical samples.

---

Background and Objective: Parents of children with autism have difficulty in their daily activities and social relationships and have a low quality of life. The negative effect of having a low intelligence or disabled child is more likely to cause tension and pressure on mother than the other family members. This study was conducted to determine the quality of life of mothers with autism children compared to mothers with normal children.
Methods: This case-control study was performed on 36 mothers with autistic child and 114 mothers with healthy children in Gorgan (Iran) during 2015. Sampling was done randomly and the data gathering tool was SF-36 quality of life standard questionnaire.
Results: The quality of life of mothers with autistic child had a significant reduction in comparison with the quality of life of mothers with healthy child (P<0.05). Also, items of quality of life including  general health, social function, and role limitation due to psychological, emotional and physical functioning in the group of mothers with autistic children were significantly lower than mothers with healthy ones (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Mothers with autistic children had low quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended to design suitable programs for improving the health status and quality of life as a priority of health care plans.

---

Background and Objective: The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most complex items addressed in the clinical microbiology. Although H. pylori positive subjects are bound to develop into atrophic gastritis, current body of evidences is rare. Due to the high prevalence of this bacterium worldwide, finding the true virulence factors as biomarkers for severe gastroduodenal diseases was the priority in recent researches. This study was carried out to determine the prevalancy of cagA and babA of Helicobacter pylori isolated from gastric atrophic patients.
Methods: This descriptive – analytical study was conducted on 100 patients with gastroduodenal disorders in Labafinejad hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2018. Identification of each patient and also bacterial isolation were undertaken according to the standard protocols.
Results: H. pylori were isolated in 23% of patients. 10 patients affected by atrophic gastritis followd by gastric ulcer (7 patients) and acute gastritis (6 patients). In totally, the rate of cagA gene and babA in H. pylori isolated with positive results was 52% and 34%, respectively. There was a significant association between the presence of cagA positive strains and patients with gastric atrophic (P<0.05). The babA gene did not correlate with the presence of gastric atrophic patients.
Conclusion: This study showed that various carrying cagA positive H. pylori can be recovered from patients with gastric atrophy.

---

Background and Objective: Ovarian cancer, also known as “The Silent Killer,” is one of the most dangerous cancers for women, which often diagnosed late and incurable. On the other hand, conventional therapies currently have limitations, failures and various side effects. This study was performed to determine the effect of pomegranate peel extract on the expression of angiogenesis stimulating gene (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: VEGF) by culturing A2780 cell line of ovarian cancer.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, pomegranate peel extract was prepared and then ovarian cancer cells (A2780 cell line) were exposed to different concentrations of pomegranate peel extract (500, 250, 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 µg/ml) for 48, 24 and 72 hours. Also, the survival rate of the cells was tested by MTT assay and VEGF gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR.
Results: Pomegranate peel extract concentration of 500 µg/ml reduced the survival rate to 18% in 72 hours (P<0.05). At concentrations of 200, 100 and 50 µg/ml of pomegranate peel extract, the expression of VEGF reduced by 7%, 16% and 19%, respectively, which was significant compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract, due to its numerous compounds and significant antioxidant properties, is likely to reduce metastasis and malignant manifestations by reducing the expression of the angiogenesis agent.

---

Background and Objective: Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in pars compacta of substantial nigra. The most important symptoms of this disease include slow motion, lack of movement, tremor and imbalance. This study was done to determine the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei on motor disorders caused by injection of 6-hydroxy dopamine in Parkinson's model in male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male rats were randomly allocated into six groups. To create an animal model of Parkinson's disease, a black body component in male rats was injected 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) (0.5 mg/kg) unilaterally by stereotaxic apparatus. After 3 weeks of recovery, to evaluation of degradation rate, animals were received apomorphine, intraperitoneally. In the first experiment, rats were randomly divided into Sham and Parkinson's (injured) groups, the Sham group were received only water and food, and the injured group received 6-hydroxy-dopamine. In the second experiment, male rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats, each of the 4 groups was injected 6-hydroxy-dopamine and 21 days later, they were tested for assay of apomorphine. The results were recorded, then for 28 days, the first group was taken as control. The second group of saline, the third group of milk, the fourth group of milk and probiotic were gavaged. At the end of day 28, once again, each group was subjected to rotation of apomorphine test and the rotations were recorded.
Results: The behavioral analysis of saline, milk, milk plus probiotics were indicated that the group receiving probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei plus milk was significantly less apomorphine rotation test than the saline group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei can reduces Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

---

Background and Objective: Proprioceptors of the plantar surfaces of the foot have less efficiency and the stimulation and reinforcement of them may be lead to reduction of falling risk. One of the methods to reinforce proprioceptor receptors in these individuals is using textured foot orthoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of textured foot orthoses on frequency spectrum of lower extremity muscles, stance time and comfort in individuals over age of 55 years during walking.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on the 14 females and 14 males age ranged of 56-70 years with the ability to walk independently and with physical and mental health status. Subjects were compared during five conditions including without foot orthoses and using four foot orthoses (including small and large foot orthoses with two types of flexible and rigid), flexible and rigid large textured foot orthoses. The 8 electrodes were located on tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinisus, gluteus, and erector spinae in 3 lumbar vertebrae region muscles.
Results: Frequency content of tibialis anterior and vastus medialis was significantly increased in males than female (P<0.05). Vastus medialis frequency during walking with large foot orthoses was more than walking without foot orthoses (P<0.05). The comfort level was different during flexible large textured foot orthoses condition compared with flexible small textured foot orthoses condition (P<0.05). The stance time was not significant between all conditions.
Conclusion: Increased frequency content of the vastus medialis muscle can increase the absorption and decrease the vertical loading rate imposed on the foot, which in turn reduces the risk of injury of the lower limb in older adults.

---

Background and Objective: Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is a movement disorder originating from brain injury before, during, or immediately after birth. Exercise plays an important role in motor recovery. This study was performed to determine the effect of high-intensity circuit training on balance and activity daily living in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods: In this clinical trial, 34 children with cerebral palsy were randomly divided into two groups of 17 including occupational therapy (control group) and circuit training group with occupational therapy as interventional group. Berg balance scale and activity scale for kids were used to assess changes in balance and activity of daily living before and after 12 weeks of exercise, respectively. High-intensity circuit training consisting of 3 rounds and each round consisting of 6,
30-second stations and a 30-second break between stations, which were performed three times a week for 12 weeks. Occupational therapy was performed one session per week.
Results: The rate of balance and activities of daily living and its components in the circuit training group with occupational therapy showed a significant improvement compared to control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Circuit trainings with occupational therapy can further improve the performance of balance and activity of daily living in children with Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy compared to occupational therapy.

---

Background and Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disease with extensive musculoskeletal pain that primarily involves women and also it has negatively effects on many aspects of psychological and social life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy examines dysfunctional emotions and maladaptive cognitive behaviors, processes, and themes, and cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy combines hypnotherapy with the methods and concepts of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy on sexual satisfaction of women with fibromyalgia syndrome.
Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 9 women with fibromyalgia syndrome who referred to rheumatology clinic in Gorgan, northern Iran in 2020. The patients were randomly divided into three groups including cognitive-behavioral therapy, combination cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy and control group. The treatments used were performed for 8 sessions separately for 2 groups of 3 people in Pars Tavan Comprehensive Center. Control group did not receive any intervention. A multidimensional sexual satisfaction questionnaire of Roshan 2014 was used to evaluate patients.
Results: Sexual satisfaction in post-test on both interventional group showed a significant improvement compared to control group (P<0.05). Cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy with 59.38% was more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy with 43.01 and also it was the same 2 month after follow up (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Combined therapy of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy increased sexual satisfaction in women with fibromyalgia syndrome more than cognitive-behavioral therapy.

---

Background and Objective: Back pain is a common orthopedic disease that affects up to 80% of the population at some point in life. Brace is one of the tools that used to reduce pain. The relationship between brace application and gait parameters in people with low back pain is not well understood. This study was done to determine the effects of simple and sensor thoracolumbosacral braces on gait kinetics in patients with low back pain.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 15 men and women with low back pain in the biomechanics laboratory of Mohaghegh Ardabili University Health Center in nort-west of Iran during 2020. Each participant performed three gait conditions including without brace, with sensory brace and with simple brace. Ground reaction forces were recorded and compared by a force plate while walking.
Results: The average walking speed during no brace, simple brace and sensor braces were not significant different. Also, results did not demonstrate any significant effect of simple or sensor braces on ground reaction force amplitudes, their time to peak, and free moment values.
Conclusion: Simple and sensory thoracolumbosacral brace did not effect on gait kinetics in low back patients.

---

Background and Objective: The use of lumbar braces affects kinetics and kinematics. This study evaluated the effects of two types of simple and sensor thoracolumbosacral braces on electromyography activity of selected muscles in patients with kyphosis during running.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 15 males with kyphosis. The subjects performed a running task in three conditions: without braces, with simple braces, and with sensor braces. An 8-channel wireless electromyography system was used to record the activity of the muscles of the lower back and lower limbs during running.
Results: There was no significant difference between the tested conditions in response to loading, middle support and swing; however, during push-off, the median frequency of the gastrocnemius muscle was greater when running with a simple brace compared with running without brace (P<0.05). In addition, the median frequency of the semitendinosus muscle was significantly higher while running with sensor brace compared with simple brace (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Using brace, especially sensor brace, can improve muscle activities in patients with kyphosis.

---

Background and Objective: Streptococci are Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria that are isolated from different sources. These bacteria are capable of producing superantigens, toxins, and biologically-active substances and are therefore very important in the field of infectious disease. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins A (speA) is produced by various bacteria, including Streptococcus dysgalactiae. This study aimed at the isolation, cloning, and production of speA from streptococci from the skin of psoriasis patients.
Methods: In this descriptive-laboratory study, samples were taken from 60 psoriasis patients. S. dysgalactiae isolated were identified by different tests. The speA gene was cloned by the TA cloning method using PTG-19 vector into the Escherichia coli X11 blue as host. Expression of the cloned gene in recombinant colonies was evaluated by SDS-PAGE.
Results: Screening of white recombinant colonies confirmed the presence of speA genes. Expression of the speA gene in E. coli X11 blue was confirmed by SDS-PAGE.
Conclusion: Streptococcus superantigens can be considered as a rich source of vaccine production for different infections caused by these bacteria. By utilizing different cloning hosts and investigating optimal production conditions, S. dysgalactiae could be a candidate for future studies on vaccine production.
 

---

Background and Objective: One of the ways to correct kyphosis is to use braces. This study was done to determine the effects of two types of simple and sensor thoracolumbosacral braces on ground reaction force components during walking in males with kyphosis.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 15 males with kyphosis did three walking trials on the force platform without a brace, with a simple brace and with a sensor brace. Ground reaction force data were collected using Bertec force plates.
Results: There was no difference in peal forces, free moment and loading rate values during walking with and without braces.
Conclusion: Using a brace does not affect walking kinetics in males with kyphosis.
 

---

Background and Objective: Considering the role of diet and the use of natural antioxidants in addition to exercise, the attention of researchers has been drawn to take further advantage of the effects of exercise to improve cellular metabolism. Despite the favorable role of exercise and antioxidants on heart health, the simultaneous effect of exercise and consumption of propolis (prepared by bees) is not yet known. This study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training and propolis against oxidative and myocardial stress in diabetic ovariectomized rats.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 36 female Sprague Dawley rats aged 12-16 weeks and weighing 220-250 grams. Six rats were included in the healthy control group. Diabetes was induced in 30 overiectomized rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). Then, the diabetic animals were divided into five groups of six including diabetic ovariectomized control, sham, propolis, endurance training, and endurance training + propolis. Rats in the training groups trained for eight weeks, five sessions per week, with 55-75% VO2 max. Moreover, propolis was administered 100 mg/kg/day by peritoneal injection. The level of Pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and expression of HSP72 and NF-κB genes were measured.
Results: HSP72 expression was significantly higher in the propolis, endurance training, and endurance training + propolis groups. The levels of NF-kB and malonaldehyde were significantly decreased in the ovariectomized diabetic rats (P<0.05). Expression of HSP72 in the endurance training and endurance training + propolis groups were significantly higher than in the propolis group. Moreover, NF-kB in the endurance training and endurance training + propolis groups were significantly lower than in the propolis group (P<0.05). The value of PAB in the propolis and endurance training + propolis groups were significantly lower than in the ovariectomized diabetic rats (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Exercise and consumption of propolis seem to synergistically improve the protective HSP72 pathway and reduce oxidative stress in heart tissue following estrogen dysfunction and diabetes. However, the interaction of the two depends on endurance training.
 

---

Background and Objective: Population growth and pollution caused by the discharge of all kinds of urban, industrial, and agricultural sewage, leachate from landfills, and surface water runoff cause an increase in pollution of water sources. The entry of heavy metals into the environment, especially aquatic ecosystems, due to entering the food chain and jeopardizing human health is one of the concerns of society. This study was conducted to determine the level of heavy metals in muscles of Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan fishes in Boushehr coastal waters, north of the Persian Gulf.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on twenty pieces of Cynoglossus arel and twenty pieces of Pomadasys kaakan fishes take place from three coastal stations of Boushehr, north of the Persian Gulf, Iran during spring of 2022. The samples were randomly selected from the fish market. After preparation, bioassay, and digestion of fish muscle by concentrated nitric acid, the concentration of heavy metals including nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium (µg/g) in the muscle tissue was measured by ICP-OES device. The concentration of heavy metals in the fish muscle tissue for human consumption was compared with international standards (FAO, WHO, FDA, NHMRC, and UKMAFF). According to the method of the US Environmental Protection Agency for fish consumption, daily absorption estimates and heavy metal risk indicators were calculated.
Results: The risk potential index for both species was less than one. The daily and weekly absorption of Cynoglossus arel (zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium) and Pomadasys kaakan (copper > zinc > nickel > lead > cadmium) were determined. The mean concentration of heavy metals nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium in the muscle tissue of the studied species was determined to be 1.88±0.07, 27.16±8.11, 11.55±4.12, 1.14±0.06, and 0.19±0.03 µg/g, respectively. The highest amounts of studied metals in aquatic animals were zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium. The concentration of metals in the analyzed samples was lower than the international standards.
Conclusion: Regarding toxicity, the concentration of metals in Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan was evaluated as acceptable for human consumption. In addition, the amount of risk potential and risk index for non-cancerous diseases in adults and children in fish muscle tissue was less than 1, and the consumption of this fish does not cause any problems for human health. 

---

Background and Objective: Using lumbar orthoses changes the running mechanics. An essential biomechanical factor in rehabilitation and injury prevention is the co-contraction of the knee and ankle joints. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 2 types of thoracolumbosacral braces on ankle and knee joint co-contraction in people with kyphosis during running.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 15 men aged 18-25 years suffering from kyphosis greater than 40 degrees in the Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili Health Center during the summer of 2020. Each participant randomly performed 3 running tests in each condition: without a brace, with a sensor brace, and with a simple brace. The test consisted of electromyographic data of the selected lower limb muscles, which also recorded the contraction of the knee and ankle muscles in the right leg when running at a constant speed.
Results: The results showed a reduction of the general knee co-contraction while using a sensory brace compared to without the brace by 6% during the loading phase (P<0.05). Additionally, using a simple brace compared to the condition without a brace, the ankle-directed contraction during the push-off phase decreased by 38% (P<0.05). Directed vastus medialis and lateralis co-contraction while using a sensory brace increased by about 49% compared to without the brace at the loading phase and increased by about 47% at the mid-stance phase without a brace condition compared to the simple brace condition (P<0.05).
Conclusion: General knee co-contraction after using a sensory brace was lower than when a simple brace was used.

---

Background and Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to organ failure by the occurrence of mechanisms such as increased thrombosis and, subsequently, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This study was conducted to determine LDH serum levels in COVID-19 patients and the factors affecting their mortality.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 212 patients (57 males and 155 females) with COVID-19 with a mean age of 49.19±10.6 referring to Imam Ali Hospital in Chabahar, Iran during 2021. After obtaining patients’ informed consent and demographic information, the heparinized peripheral blood sample was taken from them. The LHD levels were determined using an autoanalyzer.
Results: Twenty-nine (13.67%) patients died. The mean LDH serum level of 29 deceased patients (708.420±96.25 U/L) was not statistically significant compared to survivors (640.360±96.80 U/L in 183). The comparison between the surviving and deceased groups showed that 25% of the deceased patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU), and 90.90% of the survivors were hospitalized in the internal ward (P<0.05). All the deceased and 85.85% of the survivors were 40 years old and above, and this difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, 24.56% of the deceased were male, 90.32% of the survivors were female (P<0.05), 22.72% of the deceased had a university education, and 88.69% of the survivors had a diploma or under-diploma education (P<0.05), and 71.42% of the deceased patients had thin, and 91.37% of the survivors were overweight (P<0.05).
Conclusion: There was no difference in the LDH serum levels of the COVID-19 survivors and deceased. The age of 40 years and above, lean and morbidly obese body mass indices, male gender, and the need for hospitalization in the ICU were determined as risk factors.

---

Background and Objective: Neck pain is a prevalent problem negatively affecting individuals’ health and quality of life. Therefore, the present research was conducted to determine the impacts of neck stabilization and thoracic mobility exercises on disability, range of motion, and endurance of females with non-specific chronic neck pain.
Methods: This single-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 36 females with non-specific chronic neck pain in three 12-people groups in the city of Qom. The subjects of the first intervention group (those doing neck stabilization exercises) and the second intervention group (those doing neck stabilization exercises with thoracic mobility) performed the exercises as three 60-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks in the gym, and the control group received a set of corrective exercises. Disability, the neck range of motion, and muscular endurance were measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), goniometer and the Progressive Iso-inertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE) test, and biofeedback sphygmomanometer, respectively.
Results: Disability, range of motion, and muscular endurance of the subjects in both intervention groups significantly improved compared to the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the first intervention group, the range of motion and muscular endurance of subjects in the second intervention group showed a significant improvement (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Doing neck stabilization and thoracic mobilization exercises was found to be an influential intervention in the improvement of disability, range of motion, and muscular endurance of females with non-specific chronic neck pain.

---

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.