ObjectiveWhile the link between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hypertension is well established, the relationships between snoring, OSA, and hypertension remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hypertension and snoring independently of OSA.MethodsAdults with sleep difficulties underwent a one-night polysomnographic sleep assessment, including a thorough assessment of apnoea and snoring. Upon waking, blood pressure was measured, the measurement repeated after 15 min, in a resting position. Anthropometric data were recorded. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive medications.ResultsThe study enrolled 181 adults (mean age 48.8 years; 119 males). Snoring, apnoea, blood pressure and anthropometric dimensions were highly associated. Patients with hypertension had higher levels of snoring and apnoea, as well as indicators of excess weight. Snoring was the most robust predictor of hypertension.ConclusionsSnoring is a risk factor for hypertension independently of apnoea and anthropometric dimensions. While the presence of snoring is not able to replace a thorough polysomnographic evaluation of the apnoea-hypopnoea index and OSA, snoring as an acoustic signal is easily detectable. The early identification and management of snoring may reduce cardiovascular risk.

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Cognitive impairment is common in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Researchers are seeking pharmaceutical compounds with low side effects to decrease these outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba therapy on the cognitive function of patients treated with electroshock. In a double-blinded clinical trial, 80 patients with psychiatric disorders who were candidates for ECT in 2019 were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group (receiving Ginkgo biloba drug) and the control group (receiving placebo). We used the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Wechsler Memory Scale Recipe III (WMS-III) questionnaires to evaluate the efficacy of the drug on the cognitive function at time 0, after 4 sessions and 72 hours post-final session of ECT. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 22, with a significance level of 0.05. Patients' assessment after the intervention showed that the average MMSE scores in the intervention group (28.92±1.04) were statistically higher than in the control group (27.85±1.56). The average scores of the WMS-III in the intervention group and the control group were 97.45±8.04 and 92.00±4.45 after 4 sessions of ECT, and 100.26±8.33 and 92.40±3.92 after the intervention (p=0.001). According to the findings, Gingko biloba increased MMSE and WMS-III scores in older patients (patients over 40 had better scores in both questionnaires, the drug was more effective, and with no side effects).

Background: Psoriasis is a relatively common inflammatory skin disease characterized by red, scaly plaques in different parts of the body. Although the etiology of the disease is not fully understood, psychological stress is mentioned as a potential factor in developing the disease. Objectives: In this study, in response to the lack of sufficient information obtained from assessing the influence of psoriasis on mental health, an attempt has been made to evaluate the prevalence of mental health problems in a sample of patients with psoriasis. Methods: This study was conducted following an applied, descriptive-correlational study design. A total of 104 patients with psoriasis were selected using the census sampling method. Data were collected using the standardized Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire. This self-administering questionnaire contains 90 items. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were confirmed. Results: The mean score of mental health was 177.51 ± 69.35, which indicates moderate psychiatric disorders. The positive symptom distress index (PSDI) was 0.22 ± 0.08. There was a significant association between all dimensions of mental health and the total score of mental health with gender (P < 0.05). Also, a significant association was found between paranoid ideation and marital status (P = 0.024). There was no significant association between obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, and the total score of mental health with income level (P > 0.05), but there was a significant association between other dimensions of mental health and income level (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although in the present study, psychiatric disorders in patients with psoriasis were moderate, psychological counseling and psychiatric consultation are key to reduce the consequences of the disease and its progression.