Saba Homapoor; Maryam Sahebari; Mandana Khodashahi
Abstract
Introduction: As a chronic autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints. Studies have shown a complex and challenging link between cancer and RA. However, articles claim a significant relationship between cancer and treatment with DMARDs and biological DMARDs (e.g., Abatacept); however, ...
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Introduction: As a chronic autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints. Studies have shown a complex and challenging link between cancer and RA. However, articles claim a significant relationship between cancer and treatment with DMARDs and biological DMARDs (e.g., Abatacept); however, the results are contradictory. Accordingly, this systematic review investigates the prevalence of cancer in RA patients taking Abatacept.Methods: We searched for articles published in four databases, namely Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus up to September 29, 2023. The methodology followed recommendations from the Cochrane Handbook. During the search process, we selected articles using keywords such as “rheumatoid arthritis”, “malignancy”, and “cancer” with the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR”.”Results: A total of 12 studies were considered, the majority highlighted the effectiveness of Abatacept as an anti-RA medicine in the risk of cancer prevalence. Most of the patients investigated in the trials were female. Lung cancer was the greatest malignancy in those suffering from RA diseases. However, these investigations found no significant link between Abatacept use and cancer risk.Conclusion: There is speculation regarding the potential use of rheumatoid arthritis drugs in treating RA and its potential association with cancer incidence. According to the findings presented in this review article, there was no statistically significant association between the utilization of Abatacept and the prevalence of cancer in patients who were administered Abatacept either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other anti-rheumatoid medications. However, it is advised that further clinical trials be conducted to thoroughly investigate this association.
Abolghasem Allahyari; Benyamin Hoseini; Mahnaz Mozdorian; Mohammad Khajedaluee; Mandana Khodashahi
Abstract
The potency of health systems to effectively respond to crises varies between high- and low-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for hospitals worldwide. In this context, the resilience of health systems and the capacity of health institutions and populations play ...
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The potency of health systems to effectively respond to crises varies between high- and low-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for hospitals worldwide. In this context, the resilience of health systems and the capacity of health institutions and populations play a key role in mounting an effective response to crises.We gathered data on the condition and resilience of health systems in the two main hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, during three peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results highlighted the fact that health systems officials and managers need to consider the consequences of COVID-19, such as the need for more beds and trained healthcare workers. Hospitals should take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across all wards and departments and prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers since they are at the forefront of the fight against this pandemic.
Mandana Khodashahi; Zahra Havashki; Kamran Khazaeni; Amir Hossein Jafarian
Abstract
Torticollis or involuntarily twisted neck is considered to be a sign rather than a condition. Some of the main causes of torticollis are trauma, medication side-effects, infectious and inflammatory processes, and head and neck tumors.A 26-year-old female patient presented with acute acquired torticollis ...
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Torticollis or involuntarily twisted neck is considered to be a sign rather than a condition. Some of the main causes of torticollis are trauma, medication side-effects, infectious and inflammatory processes, and head and neck tumors.A 26-year-old female patient presented with acute acquired torticollis for four months, and the conditions had complicated due to constitutional symptoms, such as weight loss, sweating, and decreased appetite, eventually leading to trismus. Neck CT-scan showed bilateral lymph node enlargements, soft tissue stranding, right-sided asymmetry of the fossa of Rosenmüller (pharyngeal recess), and a heterogeneous enhancing mass on the nasopharynx roof with left extension and bilateral pressure on the Eustachian tube. The biopsy of the mass indicated the infiltration of atypical epithelial cells with marked nuclear atypia in small solid nests within the lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx, which corresponded to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the patient had no risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This study highlighted the importance of a complete work-up for the underlying tumors in the head and neck in the patients presenting with the only finding of torticollis.
Zahra Rezaieyazdi; Maryam Sahebari; Nayyereh Saadati; Mandana Khodashahi
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the attack of the immune system to normal tissues. Patients with autoimmune diseases usually have the deficiency of dietary factors that may be related to the etiology of these conditions. Given the role of vitamin E as a physiologic stabilizer of lysosomal ...
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Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the attack of the immune system to normal tissues. Patients with autoimmune diseases usually have the deficiency of dietary factors that may be related to the etiology of these conditions. Given the role of vitamin E as a physiologic stabilizer of lysosomal membranes, its deficiency can initiate the process of autoimmune diseases or accelerate its progress. It is supposed that vitamin E could reduce oxidative stress, which is an important factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The literature review is indicative of a decrease in the serum levels of vitamin E in almost all autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, there is evidence regarding the possible therapeutic value of vitamin E in the management of autoimmune diseases. Owing to the anti-inflammatory and protective effect of vitamin E against free radicals, and also its important effect on cytokines levels, this vitamin may play a powerful role in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as joint inflammation and damage. Moreover, increased vitamin E intake might decrease the incidence and severity of certain autoimmune diseases through the regulation of the immune system.