Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Treated with Direct-Acting Antivirals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Reports of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) use for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have suggested higher rates of HCC recurrence. However, other studies have indicated no increased risk of HCC recurrence.

Methods: To estimate the comparative risk of early HCC recurrence in adults successfully treated for HCC and subsequently treated with interferon (IFN)-free DAAs versus not treated with DAAs for chronic HCV, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis following established guidelines.

Effectiveness, safety and discontinuation rates of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) in people with HIV using real-world data: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The use of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) is based on the results of robust clinical trials.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of BIC/FTC/TAF in treatment-naïve (TN) and treatment-experienced (TE) people with HIV using available real-world cohort studies.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of publications and communications identified via Boolean search in Medline, PubMed and Embase, and conference abstracts reporting retrospective real-world use of BIC/FTC/TAF, published until 31 January 2024.

Unsafe Injection Is Associated with Higher HIV Testing after Bayesian Adjustment for Unmeasured Confounding.

Background: To apply a novel method to adjust for HIV knowledge as an unmeasured confounder for the effect of unsafe injection on future HIV testing.

Methods: The data were collected from 601 HIV-negative persons who inject drugs (PWID) from a cohort in San Francisco. The panel-data generalized estimating equations (GEE) technique was used to estimate the adjusted risk ratio (RR) for the effect of unsafe injection on not being tested (NBT) for HIV.

Estimation of HIV incidence and its trend in three key populations in Iran.

In Iran, People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), Female Sex Workers (FSW), and prisoners are the main key populations at risk of HIV infection. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of HIV incidence among PWID, FSW and prisoners as an impact measure of HIV harm reduction and prevention efforts in Iran. Data were obtained from the two rounds of national bio-behavioral surveillance surveys among FSW (2010 (n = 872), 2015 (n = 1339)), PWID (2010 (n = 2417), 2014 (n = 2307)), and prisoners (2009 (n = 4536), 2013 (n = 5390)) through facility-based (FSW and PWID surveys) and cluster sampling (prisoner surveys).

Underreporting in HIV-related high-risk behaviors: comparing the results of multiple data collection methods in a behavioral survey of prisoners in Iran.

We explored the potentials of using three indirect methods including crosswise, proxy respondent method, and network scale-up (NSU) in comparison to direct questioning in collecting sensitive and socially stigmatized HIV-related risk behaviors information from prisoners (N=265). Participants reported more sexual contact in prison for their friends than they did for themselves (10.6% vs.

Prevalence of Active and Passive Smoking among Adult Population: Findings of a Population-Based Survey in Kerman (KERCADRS), Iran.

Background: Smoking is one of the major modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Our aim was to report the pattern of active and passive smoking using the data collected through a population-base household survey in Kerman, Iran [(KERCADRS) Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Study].

Methods: Using a cluster random sampling design, we recruited 5900 adult persons (15-75 years old) into our survey.

Effectiveness of Policies on Reducing Exposure to Ionizing Radiation From Medical Imaging: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The use of medical imaging has expanded greatly in the past three decades, raising concern about potential unwanted carcinogenic harms associated with exposure to ionizing radiation among patients. This study summarizes evidence of efficacy of interventions that have prompted policies, and structural-level interventions aimed at reducing radiation dose and risk of cancer, especially among women.

Methods: Using standard terms, we conducted searches in MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, and de-duplicated retrieved citations.

High hepatitis C virus prevalence among drug users in Iran: systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence (2001-2012).

Objective: Drug users, particularly drug injectors, are at elevated risk of blood-borne diseases. This study systematically reviewed the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono-infection and its co-infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in drug users in Iran.

Methods: Searches were conducted in international, regional, and Iranian databases.

Risk and vulnerability of key populations to HIV infection in Iran; knowledge, attitude and practises of female sex workers, prison inmates and people who inject drugs.

Unlabelled: Background In this study data of three national surveys conducted among female sex workers (FSW), prison inmates and people who inject drugs (PWID) were presented and compared in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practises.

Methods: The surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2010 and included 2546 PWID, 872 FSW and 5530 prison inmates. Knowledge, attitude and practises towards HIV were measured through similar questions for each category.

Trends of Obesity in Iranian Adults from 1990s to late 2000s; a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity is currently emerging as a global epidemic, affecting 10% of adultpopulation worldwide. The primary objective of the current systematic reviewis to describe the trend of overall prevalence of obesity in Iranian women andmenthrough a meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched the medical literature published from 1990 to 2007 in Medline(PubMed), EMBASE database, and the Iranian digital library.

HIV prevalence and related risk behaviours among female sex workers in Iran: results of the national biobehavioural survey, 2010.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HIV and related behavioural risks among Iranian female sex workers (FSW) via the first national biobehavioural surveillance survey.

Methods: In 2010, 1005 FSW were approached and 872 recruited using facility-based sampling from 21 sites in 14 cities in Iran. We collected dried blood samples and conducted face-to-face interviews using a standardised questionnaire.

HIV prevalence and related risk behaviours among prisoners in Iran: results of the national biobehavioural survey, 2009.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among prisoners in Iran in 2009.

Methods: Using multistage random sampling, we recruited 5,530 prisoners from 27 prisons in Iran. Behavioural data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire-based interview, and HIV status was determined by ELISA of dried blood spots.

HIV and related risk behaviors among female sex workers in Iran: bias-adjusted estimates from the 2010 National Bio-Behavoral Survey.

In a national, facility-based survey of female sex workers in 14 cities of Iran (N = 872), HIV prevalence was measured at 4.5 % (95 % CI, 2.4-8.

Bias analysis to improve monitoring an HIV epidemic and its response: approach and application to a survey of female sex workers in Iran.

Background: We present probabilistic and Bayesian techniques to correct for bias in categorical and numerical measures and empirically apply them to a recent survey of female sex workers (FSW) conducted in Iran.

Methods: We used bias parameters from a previous validation study to correct estimates of behaviours reported by FSW. Monte-Carlo Sensitivity Analysis and Bayesian bias analysis produced point and simulation intervals (SI).

Research priorities in the field of HIV and AIDS in Iran.

Background: HIV is a multidimensional problem. Therefore, prioritization of research topics in this field is a serious challenge. We decided to prioritize the major areas of research on HIV/AIDS in Iran.

Accuracy of HIV-related risk behaviors reported by female sex workers, Iran: a method to quantify measurement bias in marginalized populations.

We quantified discrepancies in reported behaviors of female sex workers (FSW) by comparing 63 face-to-face interviews (FTFI) to in-depth interviews (IDI), with corroboration of the directions and magnitudes of reporting by a panel of psychologists who work with FSW. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were assessed for FTFI responses using IDI as a "gold standard". Sensitivities were lowest in reporting symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (63.