Background and Aims: Diazinon is an organophosphorus poison and insecticide that has negative effects on the environment and human health. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the plants that is consumed and has antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of lemon balm in diazinon treated rats. Materials and Methods: The aerial parts extract of Melissa officinalis was prepared by maceration method. 56 male Wistar rats were divided to control, sham, diazinon-received(30mg/kg), lemon balm-received (50 and 100 mg/kg) and both diazinon and lemon balm-received groups. All injection was done intraperitoneally for 30 days. The level of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase was measured by ELISA. After killing the animals, liver tissue was also stained with hematoxylin-eosin and observed by light microscope. Results: Diazinon caused a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and the number of Kupffer cells compared to the control group (P<0.05). In diazinon and Melissa officinalis extract receiving group, the level of these enzymes and Kupffer cells decreased compared to diazinon group(P<0.05). Diazinon decreased the number of hepatocytes compared to the control group(P<0.05). In diazinon and Melissa officinalis extract receiving group, the number of hepatocytes increased compared to the diazinon group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Lemon balm extract improved the effects of diazinon on the liver of mice receiving diazinon.
Considering the sexual problems in hemodialysis patients and the need for intervention in this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling based on the Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Care (PLISSIT) model on the quality of sexual life and emotional divorce of hemodialysis patients. This semi-experimental randomized controlled study was conducted on 60 hemodialysis patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The intervention group received sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model, and the control group received only routine care. The standard questionnaire on sexual life quality and emotional divorce by Gottmann was completed before and one month after the intervention. The average score of the quality of sexual life and emotional divorce in the intervention group showed a significant increase after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.001); however, the difference before and after in the control group was not significant. According to the results of this study, sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model had a positive effect on the quality of sexual life of hemodialysis patients and also emotional divorce. Therefore, this training can be useful and effective in solving the sexual problems of dialysis patients.
Background and Aims: Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation is used as a nutritional strategy to reduce muscle soreness in athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of BCAA supplementation on muscle soreness and muscle damage factors after exercise in healthy adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of articles published in English and Persian databases until November 2023 (without limiting the year of publication) was conducted to the effect of BCAA supplementation on muscle soreness and markers of muscle damage, including creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myoglobin (MB) was investigated in healthy adults. Results: A total of 28 studies, including 528 subjects, were included in the present meta-analysis. The results showed that BCAA supplementation significantly reduced muscle soreness at 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise compared with the control group (P<0.05); however, it was not significant immediately after exercise. This supplementation caused a significant decrease in CK and LDH immediately, 48 hours after exercise, compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, BCAA supplementation caused a significant decrease in circulating myoglobin after exercise in athletes and non-athletes compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using BCAA supplementation can be considered a useful and effective strategy for athletes to reduce muscle soreness (24-72 hours after exercise) and muscle damage markers, including CK (48-72 hours after exercise) and LDH (48 hours after exercise).
Electronic prescription services can enhance patient safety and the quality of healthcare services by reducing medical mistakes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the perspectives of physicians and pharmacists in Birjand regarding electronic prescriptions. This descriptive-applied study was conducted cross-sectionally during 2023-2024 in public and private hospitals, clinics (including charity, private, government-affiliated, and social security), as well as medical offices and pharmacies in Birjand County. Based on a standard deviation of 0.9, an acceptable margin of error of 0.2, and a 20% anticipated dropout rate, a sample size of 100 physicians and pharmacists was determined and recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire. The first part included demographic information, such as gender, age, occupation, workplace, work experience, and electronic prescription experience. The second part consisted of 31 specific items across nine fields. The researcher personally distributed the questionnaire to the participants. The collected data were then analyzed using descriptive-analytical tests in SPSS software version 22. The average scores in the evaluated fields, from highest to lowest according to users' perspectives, were as follows: social influence (4.01), actual use (3.71), habit (3.66), intention to use (3.39), trust (3.15), expected performance (3.07), expected effort (2.78), price value (2.73), and facilitating conditions (2.32). A significant inverse correlation was observed between age and factors such as expected effort (r=-0.615), expected performance (r=-0.44), trust (r=-0.305), price value (r=-0.397), and facilitating conditions (r=-0.584) (P<0.05). Female pharmacists and physicians generally held more favorable views across most dimensions, except for social influences. Notably, expected effort and performance differed significantly between male and female participants (P<0.05). In conclusion, physicians and pharmacists held a moderate perspective on the use of electronic prescription services.
Background and Aims: Incorrect and excessive use of antibiotics has led to a significant rise in drug resistance. Nowadays, irrational antibiotic use is a major contributor to increased illness, death, and healthcare costs. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the pattern of Teicoplanin use in hospitalized patients at teaching hospitals in Birjand, Iran, from 2022 to 2023. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study based on hospital data was conducted on all patients hospitalized in the wards of Vali-Asr, Imam Reza, and Razi teaching hospitals in 2022 and 2023 who were prescribed Teicoplanin. In this study, all the information required by the patients was recorded in Excel based on the study objectives, as well as the global protocols of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA(, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists )ASHP(. Finally, the results were analyzed using the SPSS (version 26) software. Results: The study included 73 patients with a mean age of 64.26±17.90 years; 37 (51%) were women. The most common clinical conditions leading to Teicoplanin administration were pneumonia (73%) and sepsis (32.9%). According to the results, 87.7% of Teicoplanin treatments were based on antibiogram test results, while only nine patients (12.3%) received empirical Teicoplanin treatment. In 11% of cases, the loading dose of Teicoplanin was correctly administered. Additionally, the maintenance dose was correctly administered in 54 patients (74%). In addition, adverse drug reactions to Teicoplanin were observed in 12 patients (16.4%). The results revealed that 67 patients (91.8%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to the researcher-developed checklist, only four patients (5.4%) adhered to all protocol guidelines. Conclusion: According to the findings, the patterns of rational Teicoplanin prescription in the studied hospitals do not sufficiently align with existing guidelines and standards.
Background and Aims: A significant part of infertility has been related to environmental conditions as well as acquired risk factors. Different environmental conditions emphasize the necessity of studying different etiologies of infertility in each region. The present study aimed to determine the etiologies of infertility in infertile couples. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 583 infertile men and women referred to the infertility clinic from 2021 to 2022 were examined. In addition, sampling was performed using the census method. Information about patients was obtained from medical tests and laboratory findings. It is noteworthy that descriptive statistics, such as frequency and mean, were used to analyze the data. Results: According to the results, oligospermia was the most common cause of male infertility (44.72%), and ovulation disorder was the most prevalent reason for female infertility (66.17%). In general, ovulation disorder and sperm motility were the most common causes of infertility (36.73%). There was no significant relationship between women's underlying diseases and the causes of infertility (P>0.05). Conclusion: The etiology pattern of infertility is closely similar to that of many other regions reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this, the rate of ovarian disorders is higher than that in many other studies, which needs further studies.
Background and Aims: Adhesive capsulitis is a painful shoulder disease associated with fibrotic and inflammatory contracture of the rotator cuff, capsule, and ligaments. The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiological factors predisposing patients to frozen shoulders during the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras. It also evaluated the role of COVID-19 infection or vaccination in adhesive capsulitis among patients referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the participants were 83 patients with adhesive capsulitis referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Birjand City in Iran from September 23, 2022, to March 20, 2023. A checklist was completed according to the study's objectives, which included demographic information, such as age, gender, and anthropometric measurements of height and weight. Additionally, it recorded details about the dominant hand, affected hand, history of COVID-19 infection, history of vaccination against COVID-19 (including type and number of doses received), and any underlying diseases. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.45±10.2 years. In addition, 59% of patients were female, 90.4% had the right dominant hand, and 59.1% of patients showed the occurrence of disease in the non-dominant shoulder. Moreover, 51.8% had a history of COVID-19 infection. All the examined patients had a history of the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: In conclusion, old age, female gender, and diabetes were among the risk factors of adhesive capsulitis. According to this study and similar works from pre-COVID situations, with comparable risk factors and occurrences of frozen shoulder, it is likely that COVID-19 cannot be recognized as an independent risk factor. However, further studies in this field are recommended.
Background and Aims: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder, with approximately 80% of people suffering from epilepsy in developing countries. Due to the importance of drug interactions among antiepileptic drugs, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of drug interactions between antiepileptic drugs and other drugs, as well as associated factors. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 300 patients with epilepsy referring to Razi Hospital in Birjand in 2020 were studied. The patients receiving at least two drugs were included in the study. Drug interactions were evaluated in Lexicomp® software. The data was entered into SPSS19 software. The Chi-square, Fisher's tests, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that 154 patients (51%) were women in this study. The mean age of the patients was 45.12±16.20 years. 220 (73.3%) had drug interactions, and 111 (50.5%) had polypharmacy. The number of 1,147 drugs were prescribed, and 939 drug interactions were reported, of which 680 (72.4%) were moderate type C, 94 (10%) were major type D, 97 (10.3%) were major type C, 45 (4.8%) were moderate type D, and 23 (2.4%) were mild type B. The variables of occupation, type of epilepsy, medical history, education level, and age were effective in drug interactions of the patient. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of awareness of drug interactions in patients with epilepsy. The presence of a clinical pharmacist can be effective in preventing such interactions in hospitalized patients.
Injuries caused by trauma are among the most important problems of the health system in the world. Although several plans have been implemented to reduce the number of traumatic injuries, the trend of these injuries is still increasing. The present study aimed to investigate musculoskeletal injuries of different organs in patients referred to Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tabas, Iran, from 2018 to 2023. The present retrospective descriptive study was conducted over five years, from April 2018 to March 2023, on trauma patients referred to Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tabas City, Iran. The type of trauma and other necessary information were extracted from patients' files, recorded in the relevant checklist, and analyzed using the SPSS (version 27) software. Among the 22,847 samples studied, a total of 16,713 (73%) were male, with a mean age of 32.46±19.72 years. Of the total number of injured individuals, 5,995 (26%) experienced traffic trauma, while the remainder suffered from other types of accidents. Among the injured, 1,144 people (5%) experienced multiple traumas. The highest number of injuries occurred in 2022, accounting for 28.2%. Most affected individuals were between 20 and 40 years old. Regarding injury sites, the wrist sustained the most damage (35.1%), while the nerves and vessels experienced the least damage (0.02%). Given the significant impact of trauma on an individual's life, it is essential to implement planning, preventive measures, and cultural awareness initiatives in society to reduce the occurrence of such incidents.
Background and Aims: Formononetin is a flavonoid compound derived from various plants, such as red clover. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and Orexin are among the important neuropeptides in the hypothalamus in controlling stress responses. Moreover, previous studies have indicated the anti-stress effects of formononetin. However, its molecular mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of formononetin on the hypothalamic expression of CGRP and HCRT (the hypocretin neuropeptide precursor) in a rat model of stress. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar rats weighing 200±10 g were divided into four groups (n=5 for each group). For stress induction, rats were placed in a restraint cage for 2 h. Formonontin with 20 µg and 40 μg doses was injected in a single dose with a volume of 3 μl via the third cerebral ventricle. Then, the hypothalamic samples were removed, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to measure gene expression. Results: In the stress rat model, the expression of CGRP and HCRT genes significantly decreased compared to the control group (P≤0.01). The injection of formononetin significantly decreased the expression of CGRP and HCRT genes compared to stress model rats (P≤0.01). Conclusion: The present study indicated the anti-anxiety effects of formononetin. The anxiolytic effects of formononetin may be exerted by down-regulating the function of the stress-related neurons in the hypothalamus.
Background and Aims: Peptic ulcer is a painful inflammatory disease occurring inside the gastric or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). One of the leading causes of this disease is Helicobacter pylori infection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role as a warning factor in the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in the immune system. TLRs belong to a group of pattern recognition receptors of the host's innate immune system. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the C1174T polymorphism of the TLR5 gene and Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with peptic ulcers in Mazandaran province. Materials and Methods: This case-control study investigated 150 patients with peptic ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection and 150 healthy individuals. After extracting genomic DNA from gastric biopsy samples, genotypic and allelic frequency in patients and control group was determined by Three primer ARMS PCR method. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 23). Results: The frequency rates of CC, CT, and TT genotypes in patients were 19.3%, 49.3%, and 31.3%, respectively. In healthy people, these values were obtained at 38.6%, 45.3%, and 16%, respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between the C1174T polymorphism of the TLR5 gene and peptic ulcer disease. Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, the presence of the T allele at the C1174T position can be considered a factor for increasing the risk of peptic ulcer disease; nonetheless, the investigation of other TLR5 gene polymorphisms in larger populations is needed.
Primary Sjogren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that encompasses a wide range of manifestations, including exocrine gland involvement and extra-glandular symptoms. This case report deals with the history of a 26-year-old woman presented with ascites and peripheral edema and without any medical history or recent drug use. Initial tests demonstrated leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, as well as normal liver and kidney function. Ascitic fluid analysis A indicated liver involvement, and imaging displayed significant fibrosis in the liver. Additional laboratory tests showed positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Sjögren's syndrome-related antigen A (SS-A), and anti-Sjögren's syndrome-related antigen B (SS-B) antibodies. Moreover, a minor salivary gland biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. The patient was treated with prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate mofetil, which led to the reduction of ascites and edema and the improvement of cytopenia. This report highlighted the importance of considering Sjogren's syndrome in patients with liver fibrosis and unexplained ascites.
Background and Aims: Menstrual disorders contribute significantly to infertility. The relationship between psychological stress, cortisol levels, physical activity, and these disorders remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare menstrual disorders and their association with stress, cortisol, and physical activity in female athletes and non-athletes. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 60 young girls aged 18 to 25, each with at least two menstrual disorders, were evaluated in two groups: athletes (VO2max > 40, 30 participants) and non-athletes (30 participants). We assessed the type of menstrual disorder, level of physical activity, perception of stress using the Cohen scale, and salivary cortisol levels. Results: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of menstrual disorders between the two groups (P<0.05). Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were common in both groups. However, hypomenorrhea and amenorrhea were more common in athletic girls with high cortisol levels, while oligomenorrhea was more common in non-athletic girls with high stress (P<0.05). In non-athletic girls, a higher level of physical activity correlated with a decrease in dysmenorrhea, stress, and cortisol levels (P<0.05). In female athletes, longer daily training and higher training frequency were associated with an increased risk of amenorrhea and a reduced risk of metrorrhagia, respectively. Conversely, there was a significant negative correlation between a history of exercise and stress and cortisol levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: A high level of physical activity in non-athletic girls and a long history of sports in athletic girls may be effective in reducing cortisol and stress and thus reducing the incidence of some menstrual disorders. For female athletes, prolonged daily exercise should be more considered by coaches and athletes to prevent the occurrence of some menstrual disorders.
Deep fat frying is one of the oldest processes used to dry, cook, and formulate food products. The success of this process is due to its adaptability and flexibility in domestic and industrial scale. Fried foods are very popular owing to their good mouthfeel, high pleasantness, good taste, and texture. Foods absorb a significant amount of oil during frying, which increases the risk of such diseases as increased cholesterol levels, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The shift in consumer attitude and preference towards healthier options with lower fat content has markedly affected the fried food industry. Numerous attempts have been made globally to create low-fat products due to the excessive oil content in fried foods. There are novel methods to reduce the amount of oil in fried products. This review aimed to assess the effect of new technologies of blanching, microwave, and ultrasound on physicochemical properties, especially the reduction of oil absorption in fried products.
Sheehan syndrome, also known as postpartum hypopituitarism, is a very serious complication of postpartum hemorrhage. It usually remains underdiagnosed years after delivery as symptoms may be subtle, especially in developing countries due to poor obstetric care and home deliveries. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations, such as hypoglycemic attacks, to help with early diagnosis and better management. A female 34-year-old, G4P2Ab2L2, presented with a low level of consciousness, diaphoresis, and severe hypoglycemia after C-section delivery. Adetailed history revealed a history of failure of lactation following her first vaginal delivery, 8 years ago, accompanied by no complication or history of postpartum hemorrhage. She has experienced a few episodes of hypotension, malaise, and hypoglycemia afterward. Laboratory examination displayed adenohypophyseal insufficiency as evident from low blood glucose level in the presence of low levels of cortisol, Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and prolactin. Sheehan syndrome was confirmed with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary as an empty sella turcica consistent with the provisional diagnosis. This case report emphasizes the significance of early suspicion in cases presented with less known complications of Sheehan's syndrome as recurrent symptomatic episodes of hypoglycemia and management of this easily missed and treatable condition.
Testicular torsion, as one of the medical emergencies, needs prompt diagnostic and treatment measures. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the clinical and paraclinical findings and the treatment measures performed in the community of hospitalized patients who underwent surgery in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Babol from 2012 to 2021 with the initial diagnosis of testicular torsion. The research sample was selected via the convenience sampling method. The necessary information was collected from patients' medical records in the form of a checklist. Thereafter, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using descriptive and graphical indicators, as well as Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests at a significance level of 0.05. The findings demonstrated that 197 patients with a mean age of 18.91 years were included in the study. The majority of them (n=121; 61.42%) had torsion on the right side. More than 98% of patients experienced pain, while most of them did not have fever (n=160; 81.22%) and vomiting (n=153; 77.66%). In 148 (75.13%) patients, the final diagnosis was testicular torsion, and in 101 (68.24%) patients, the testicle was preserved. Moreover, the result of the surgery had a significant relationship with the degree of rotation and the duration of the onset of symptoms until hospitalization and from hospitalization to surgery (P>0.001, 0.001 and 0.026, respectively). It can be concluded that an understanding of clinical characteristics of testicular torsion cases and as a result, informing the treatment staff involved in the treatment process, reduce the duration of delay in surgery and leads to more appropriate clinical treatment and improved results in testicular torsion patients.
The present study aimed to assess the antifungal effect and compare different concentrations of thymoquinone on standard Candida strains, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilopsis, and Candida tropicalis, and investigate the toxicity of thymoquinone on fibroblastic cell lines in laboratory conditions. The present in vitro study was designed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of thymoquinone in dilutions of 0.13-70 μg/ml on four yeast strains of Candida including Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Candida glabrata (ATCC2001), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 200956), and Candida parapsilosis (ATCC22019) by broth microdilution method. The MTT test was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of thymoquinone and fibroblast cell line. The results of MIC and MFC examinations of thymoquinone demonstrated that Candida albicans is more sensitive than other strains to thymoquinone (MIC: 2.18 µg/ml, MFC: 4.37 µg/ml) and cytotoxicity of thymoquinone on fibroblast cell line illustrated that the lowest toxicity was in 31.72 µg/ml and the highest toxicity was in 13.07 µg/ml. As a result, according to the MIC and MFC, these concentrations were non-toxic on the fibroblast cell line. As evidenced by the results of the present study, thymoquinone in specified concentrations had an inhibitory and fungicidal effect on Candida strains with the most negligible toxicity on the fibroblastic cell line.
Background and Aims: Considering the drug resistance of chemotherapy in diabetic patients and the prevalence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in them, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of hyperglucose condition on the expression of DR5 and Caspase-8 genes in lymphoblastic cells (NALM-6) and its relationship to the cells' response to methotrexate. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, NALM-6 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) containing antibiotics across four control groups: cells in the control group (C), cells treated with methotrexate (C+M), cells treated in an environment with high glucose concentration (G), and cells treated in an environment with high glucose concentration and methotrexate (G+M). The treated cells were subjected to hyperglucose conditions for 10 days in an environment with high glucose concentration. The survival rate of methotrexate-treated cells was evaluated by the MTT method, and then the relative expression of DR5 and Caspase-8 genes was measured by the RT-qPCR method. The statistical significance was defined as a P-value less than 0.05. Results: The M group had 50% survival compared to the control group, and the G+M group had 58% survival compared to the control group. The expression of the DR5 gene in the group G+M compared to the G group was not significantly different (P>0.05); however, the expression of the caspase-8 gene in the G group was significantly lower compared to the control group (P<0.01) and also lower in the G group compared to the treated cells (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicated that the survival rate of NALM-6 cells in high concentrations of glucose after treatment with methotrexate was higher than the same condition in the control group, which indicates the effect of glucose resistance on drug treatment.
Background and Aims: Anxiety is a natural reaction that affects both the mind and body, often accompanied by symptoms, such as sweating, palpitations, and headaches. The present study aimed to compare the anxiolytic effects of herbal teas made from lavender and black tea. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 21 male rats weighing 200-250 grams were used. The rats were assigned to three groups (n=7): the control group received plain drinking water, the Camellia sinensis (CS) group received Camellia sinensis (black tea) herbal tea, and the Lavandula angustifolia (LA) group received Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) herbal tea. During the 24 hours before the experiment, the rats in the treatment groups were given herbal teas made from black tea at a concentration of 0.3% (3 grams of leaves in 1 liter of water) and lavender flowers at the same concentration instead of drinking water. Following that, the behavior of rats was assessed for sedative and anxiolytic activities in the Elevated plus maze (EPM). Data were presented as mean±standard error (mean± S.E.M). Data were analyzed in Graph Pad Prism software (version 8) using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The time spent in the open arms of the EPM in the LA group significantly increased compared to the control (P<0.001) and CS treatment groups (P<0.001). The LA group also had more entries into the open arms than the CS group (P<0.01). Time spent in the closed arms was significantly reduced in the LA group compared to the control (P<0.05) and CS groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, Lavandula angustifolia tea demonstrated significant anti-anxiety effects in male rats, suggesting its potential as a natural remedy for anxiety. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
Lower urinary tract problems, including overactive bladder, are one of the most common diseases that increase with age and impose an enormous economic, psychological, and social burden on society. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for this problem. Stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve from the medial malleolus area, which is called percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), is one of the recommended treatment methods for overactive bladder, which has been recently noticed and applied in the treatment of this disease. In this method, the posterior tibial nerve is stimulated from the lower leg (medial malleolus area) using a needle electrode or a surface electrode during consecutive sessions. This method works based on neuromodulation theory, which is minimally invasive and safe but time-consuming. In the available studies, this method has been able to significantly help patients with overactive bladder without underlying causes or even with underlying causes, such as neurological disorders. Considering the beneficial therapeutic effects of this method, in this study, we decided to review the use of PTNS in urinary problems, including overactive bladder, as well as thoroughly explain its performance and side effects.
