Oral contraceptive use and its sociocultural determinants in Iranian women: a secondary cross-sectional analysis from the PARS cohort study.

Background: This study addresses a gap in global research by exploring sociocultural factors and health outcomes related to oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use among middle-aged Iranian women, where non-prescription access is common. It aims to identify determinants of OCP use and its association with chronic diseases in this demographic.

Methods: This study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis which was conducted using baseline data from the Pars Cohort Study, launched in 2012 and included a sample of 4,034 married middle-aged women aged 45–64 years residing in Fars Province, Iran.

How Similar Are Drug Data and Disease Self-report? Estimating the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Less Developed Settings.

Background: Drug data has been used to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases. Disease registries and annual surveys are lacking, especially in less-developed regions. At the same time, insurance drug data and self-reports of medications are easily accessible and inexpensive.

Prevalence and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components Among Waterpipe Users.

Objectives: To determine the associations between waterpipe use, duration, and intensity of use with prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome and its components (increased waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting glucose, blood pressure and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).

Methods: We conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses using data from the Pars Cohort Study in southern Iran, encompassing 9,264 participants at the baseline, and 5,002 randomly selected in a repeated follow-up. We used multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, wealth score, physical activity and cigarette pack-years to report odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Effectiveness of polypill for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial (PolyPars).

Background: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of fixed-dose combination therapy (polypill) for primary and secondary prevention of major cardiovascular diseases in a typical rural setting.

Methods: The PolyPars Study is a two-arm pragmatic cluster-randomised trial nested within the PARS cohort study, including all residents aged over 50 years in the entire district in southern Iran. The 91 villages underwent random allocation into two arms: the control arm, encompassing 45 clusters, was subjected to non-pharmacological intervention (educational training on healthy lifestyle), whereas the intervention arm, comprising 46 clusters, received the non-pharmacological interventions in conjunction with a once-daily polypill tablet.

Prevalence and Correlates of Polypharmacy, and Drug Utilization Pattern in a Semi-urban Population: Results from the Pars Cohort Study.

Background: Although polypharmacy is considered a major predictor of irrational use of drugs, little is known about polypharmacy in developing regions. We aimed to indicate the prevalence and correlates of polypharmacy and to determine the medication profile at the population level in southern Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from participants of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) (aged above 40 years, N=9269).

Validity of Body Image Pictogram to Determine Overweight/Obesity in Adults from Less Developed Populations: Results From Pars Cohort Study.

Background: Despite the evidence for validity of body image pictogram (BIP) to discriminate overweight, obese, and normal individuals, there is little evidence on the probable effect of socio-demographic variables on its validity. To investigate the effects of socioeconomic status (SES), age, ethnicity, and educational level on the validity of BIP to discriminate normal weight, overweight, and obese people.

Methods: We used the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) data.

Estimation of 10-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases Using WHO Risk Prediction Charts: A Population-Based Study in Southern Iran.

Background: An effective strategy for primary prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is accurate diagnosis and the subsequent evidence-based treatment for high-risk people. This study aimed to estimate the 10-year risk of CVD and its related factors.

Methods: The baseline data of 8138 participants of the Pars cohort study (PCS) in southern Iran were used.

Pictogram Is a Valid Instrument to Classify At-Risk Adult Population Based on Abdominal Obesity: Results from Pars Cohort Study.

Background: Abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and death events. Thus, obtaining data on the status of abdominal obesity is important in risk factor assessment and prevention of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of using pictograms to classify abdominal obesity indices (waist circumference [WC], waist-hip ratio [WHR], and waist-height ratio [WHtR]) into normal and at-risk categories and determine the effects of demographic characteristics on this validity.

Comparison of laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based WHO cardiovascular disease risk charts: a population-based study.

Background: Determining the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a necessity for timely preventive interventions in high-risk groups. However, laboratory testing may be impractical in countries with limited resources. This study aimed at comparison and assessment of the agreement between laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based WHO risk charts models.

The pattern of medication use, and determinants of the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with a recent history of depressive disorder: results from the pars cohort study.

Background: Inappropriate medication use among individuals with depressive disorders (DD) is a rising public health challenge. We aimed to investigate the polypharmacy and its determinants among individuals with DD in a less developed region, and evaluate the pattern of medication use in this population.

Methods: Data was extracted from Pars Cohort Study (PCS) between 2016 and 2019.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections and Associated Risk Factors in Pars Cohort Study, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections rank among the most frequent infectious diseases with a rising worldwide burden. However, their epidemiology and risk factors are understudied in many regions, including Iran. METHODS This study was conducted as part of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) in Valashahr district, Fars province (2012-2014).

Oral Health Status in the Pars Cohort Study.

Background: Poor oral health is common in the world, especially in low-income and developing countries. We evaluated oral health status and its association with sociodemographic and economic variables in one of the largest cohort studies in Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Pars Cohort Study which is conducted in a rural area in southern Iran.

Agreement between laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based Framingham risk score in Southern Iran.

The Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease risk is measured by laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based models. This study aimed to determine the agreement between these two models in a large population in Southern Iran. In this study, the baseline data of 8138 individuals participated in the Pars cohort study were used.

Correction: Effectiveness of Polypill for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (PolyPars): Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

This corrects the article "Effectiveness of polypill for prevention of cardiovascular disease (PolyPars): protocol of a randomized controlled trial" published on 2020: Volume 23, Issue 08, Pages 548-556. Correction to: Arch Iran Med. 2020;23(8):548-556.

Effectiveness of Polypill for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (PolyPars): Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Iran. A fixed-dose combination therapy (polypill) was proposed as a cost-effective strategy for CVD prevention, especially in lower-resource settings. We conducted the PolyPars trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of polypill for prevention of CVD.

Upper Normal Limit of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase and Its Association with Metabolic Risk Factors in Pars Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND The range of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) varies in different sub-populations or countries. Its population-specific cut-off points may provide a more effective screening tool for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Objectives To investigate the upper normal level (UNL) of ALT and its association with metabolic syndrome (MS) in a semi-urban population in southern Iran.

Epidemiology of Adult Diabetes Mellitus and its Correlates in Pars Cohort Study in Southern Iran.

Background: The burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide, especially in countries such as Iran. Modifiable correlates of the DM may be different across regions. We aimed to estimate the population-based prevalence of DM and its correlates among adults in southern Iran.

Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Control, and Correlates of Hypertension in the Pars Cohort Study.

Background: High blood pressure is an important risk factor for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity among Iranians. We aimed to estimate its prevalence, correlates, and its rate of awareness, treatment, and control in South of Iran.

Methods: The Pars Cohort Study (PCS) was launched in a district of Fars province.

Prevalence of Chronic Constipation and Its Associated Factors in Pars Cohort Study: A Study of 9000 Adults in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND Chronic constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. It has negative effects on the patients' quality of life, and their productivity, and results in a high economic burden on the healthcare services. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic constipation and its associated factors in pars cohort study (PCS).

The association between waterpipe smoking and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Unlike cigarettes, there is little information about the association between other tobacco products and the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We used the baseline data from the Pars Cohort Study conducted in southern Iran. In 2012, 9264 local residents between 40 and 75 years old were enrolled, with detailed information about lifestyle, including duration and frequency of tobacco use.

Prevalence and Correlates of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Southern Iran: Pars Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of GERD in Pars Cohort Study (PCS) and to find its correlates. METHODS We used the baseline data from PCS.

Epidemiologic Study of Opium Use in Pars Cohort Study: A Study of 9000 Adults in a Rural Southern Area of Iran.

Background: Opium is one of the most common substances used worldwide with variable epidemiologic features in different regions. This study was performed in southern Iran, to find the epidemiology of opium use and its association with different factors and diseases.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on baseline data extracted from Pars Cohort Study performed in Valashahr, a rural area in southern Iran.

Pars cohort study of non-communicable diseases in Iran: protocol and preliminary results.

Objectives: The pars cohort study (PCS) is a 10-year cohort study aiming to investigate the burden and the major risk factors of non-communicable diseases, and to establish a setting to launch interventions for prevention of these diseases and controlling their risk factors.

Methods: All inhabitants of Valashahr district in South of Iran, aged 40-75 years, were invited to undergo interviews and physical examination, and to provide biological samples. A total of 9264 invitees accepted to participate in the study (95 % participation rate) and were recruited from 2012 to 2014.