Hospital Practices and Research

Abstract Introduction: The motor function is associated with the activity of both the motor and prefrontal cortices. The efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over specific brain cortices has been examined in many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. This study aims to report the tDCS effects on two females of advanced age with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Case Presentation: We considered 50-minute sessions of bilateral primary motor cortices and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) anodal stimulation using tDCS with passive stretching exercises simultaneously for a total of 20 sessions in 7 weeks. Clinical signs and electroencephalography (EEG) waveform were assessed at distinct times. Both of the two patients showed improved motor function for a short time. EEG changes to some extent concerned clinical states.
Conclusion: It seems that tDCS can be an auxiliary treatment for motor dysfunction in PD; however, further studies must be carried out to prove the claim.

Abstract Background: Recently, some studies have investigated type D personality as a critical factor in developing depression and reducing the quality of life.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare depression and quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with and without type D personalities.
Methods: Sixty-nine participants who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at Imam Khomeini hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, referred to the cardiac surgery clinic for their first visit (1 to 1.5 months after surgery) were included in the study. All participants completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, type D personality scale, and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Finally, depression and quality of life were compared in two groups with and without type D personalities using ANOVA and correlation tests.
Results: The two groups were significantly different in depression and quality of life scores after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Depression and quality of life impairment were higher in participants with type D personality. There was no significant relationship between depression and quality of life with age, gender, and occupation in participants with type D personality.
Conclusion: Depression and quality of life were higher in patients with type D personality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery than patients without type D personality. Episodic screening of these patients can prevent future somatic and psychological problems.

Abstract Introduction: Parquet poisoning has been elaborated to be very common among developing countries, particularly in regions with agriculture economy. One of the most common presentations of paraquat poisoning is oropharyngeal burns. Herein, we report a patient from a dry and warm district in the geographic center of Iran where agriculture and, as a result, paraquat poisoning are not commonly reported.
Case Presentation: A 25-year-old man presented to hospital subsequent to a suicide attempt by ingesting oral paraquat poison. He gradually developed odynophagia and trismus-like appearance that, after a psychiatric consultation, was misdiagnosed as a drug side effect in the form of dystonia. Upon further physical examination, oral ulcers on his tongue were revealed to be responsible for the symptom.
Conclusion: Paraquat poisoning is very rare in regions with lower rates of agriculture activities. In any patient with poisoning, however, it is necessary to consider intraoral examination to rule out any other suspected diagnosis.

Abstract Background: Child abuse is defined as any act or omission which causes physical or psychological harassment and lasting effects on children. Injuries resulting from child abuse are widespread, and this trauma can lead to psychological problems in adulthood.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between a history of child abuse and suicide attempts.
Methods: In this case-control and retrospective study, patients admitted in 2016 to the toxicity emergency center in Yazd city, Iran, with symptoms of attempted suicide and patients of other conditions were recruited. Participants in the control and case groups were matched for age, gender, marital status, and place of residence. Each patient was given a questionnaire to collect information on demographics, history of suicide attempt or suicide in other members of the family, and history of child abuse (self-report scale) which investigated five aspects of childhood abuse (sexual, physical, neglect, lack of nutrition, and emotional neglect).
Results: The chi-square test and t test were used in the analysis. Mean severity rates of physical, sexual, neglect, nutrition, and emotional child abuse were 8.49, 6.42, 10.4, 6.43, and 9.62, respectively, for the case group and 7.89, 5.52, 7.88, 5.92, and 8.52, respectively, for the control group.
Conclusion: Statistical analysis revealed that except for nutritional abuse cases, the incidence rates of all other aspects of child abuse were significantly higher among cases than in the control group. The results of this study showed that a history of child abuse, especially sexual and emotional types, are correlated with the incidence of attempted suicide.

Abstract Introduction: Delusion of pregnancy is a bizarre delusion in which one feels s/he is carrying a fetus. The etiology is unknown, but aloneness, masturbation, and stress may precipitate this disorder.
Case Presentation: We introduce a young, single man who has delusions of pregnancy. This type of delusion is not a well-known disorder; based on investigated articles, this type of somatic delusion is rare.
Conclusion: This was a chronic case, the exact cause and development of which was unknown. We suggest this phenomenon as a novel symptom. No similar case was found in the literature.

Abstract Introduction: Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms treated in general practice and gastroenterology. An estimated 1.7 billion cases of diarrhea are reported annually. Anxious and emotional persons are more sensitive to digestive problems. Anxious persons may feel their heartbeat and perceive their intestinal motility and spasm, and this may cause them more concern. Case Presentation: In this case report, a 31-year-old woman with chronic diarrhea and a stressed psyche is presented so as to emphasize the combination of organ disorders and psychiatric moods. Conclusion: Patients suffering from chronic and persistence gastrointestinal disease should be evaluated by a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy and psych pharmacotherapy can greatly help the treatment of somatic complaints of these patients.