scholarly journals Infant Feeding Type of Children Who Qualify For SARS-CoV-2 Testing: An Observational Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Verd ◽  
Jan Ramakers ◽  
Isabel Vinuela ◽  
Maria-Isabel Martin-Delgado ◽  
Aina Prohens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background: It has been demonstrated that children who had been breastfed remain better protected against various infections, and notably respiratory tract infections, well beyond infancy. Since the role of breastfeeding to explain why children are less affected by COVID-19 has not been studied until now, the aim of this study was to determine whether any history of breastfeeding reduces the incidence rate of COVID-19 in children.Methods: This was a secondary analysis of an observational study on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 in Majorca. A total of 691 children were recruited. Eligible participants were children under 14 who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric emergency services. The independent explanatory variable was initial breastfeeding. Bivariate analyses were conducted through the Chi-square test, the Fisher's Exact test or the Student’s T test. All children had the same demographic, epidemiological and clinical data collected through a study team member interview and via the participants medical records. Aspredicted Trials Registry number is #62721. Results: Within the sample of children who visited emergency services with symptoms of potential COVID-19, we found higher prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results among those who were exclusively formula fed compared with those who were ever breastfed (OR, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.45-3.51; P=0.036). Conclusions: Since approximately 1 in 60 ever breastfed symptomatic children had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 versus 1 in 25 never breastfed symptomatic children, this study shows that initially breastfed children remain at lower risk of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Does breastfeeding protect children from COVID-19? An observational study from pediatric services in Majorca, Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Verd ◽  
Jan Ramakers ◽  
Isabel Vinuela ◽  
Maria-Isabel Martin-Delgado ◽  
Aina Prohens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background It has been demonstrated that children who had been breastfed remain better protected against various infections, and notably respiratory tract infections, well beyond infancy. Since the role of breastfeeding to explain why children are less affected by COVID-19 has not been studied until now, the aim of this study was to determine whether any history of breastfeeding reduces the incidence rate of COVID-19 in children. Methods This was a secondary analysis of an observational study on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 in Majorca. A total of 691 children were recruited during the 5 months of August–December 2020. Eligible participants were children under 14 who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric emergency services. The independent explanatory variable was any breastfeeding. Bivariate analyses were conducted through the Chi-square test, the Fisher’s Exact test or the Student’s T test. All children had the same demographic, epidemiological and clinical data collected through a study team member interview and via the participants medical records. Results Within the sample of children who visited emergency services with symptoms of potential COVID-19, we found higher prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results among those who were exclusively formula fed compared with those who were ever breastfed (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.45, 3.51; P = 0.036). Conclusions The present study suggests that ever breastfeeding reduces the risk of COVID-19 among children, as documented for other infections.

Incidence of adverse drug reactions induced by N-acetylcysteine in patients with acetaminophen overdose

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sa'ed H Zyoud ◽  
Rahmat Awang ◽  
Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman ◽  
Waleed M Sweileh ◽  
Samah W Al-jabi
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Drug Reactions ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Acetaminophen Overdose ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Comparative Results ◽  
Student’S T

Background: Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (IV-NAC) is widely recognized as the antidote of choice for acetaminophen overdose. However, its use is not without adverse drug reactions (ADR) that might affect therapeutic outcome or lead to treatment delay. Objective: the aim of this study was to investigate the type and incidence of ADR induced by IV-NAC in patients treated for acetaminophen overdose. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients admitted to the hospital for acute acetaminophen overdose over a period of 4 years (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008). The primary outcome of interest in this study was the occurrence of ADR during NAC administration. Pearson chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, student’s t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used in univariate analysis. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis. Results: Two hundred and fifty five patients were studied. Different types of ADR were observed in 119 (46.7%) cases. Of those patients, 83 (69.7%) had been treated with IV-NAC versus 36 (30.3%) who had not (p < .001). The following ADR were significantly associated with IV-NAC administration: vomiting (p = .001), flushing (p < .001), rash (p < .001), pruritus (p < .001), chest pain (p = .001), bronchospasm (p = .03), coughing (p = .01), headache (p = .001), dizziness (p < .001), convulsion (p = .03), and hypotension (p = .001). ADR were mild in 54 (43.2%), moderate in 17 (13.6%), and severe in 12 (9.6%) patients. There were no ADR in 42 (33.6%) patients. Comparative results of the characteristics of patients who reacted to IV-NAC and nonreactors showed that patients with ADR had no significant difference in age, gender, ethnicity, amount ingested, latency time, and acetaminophen level than nonreactors. Conclusion: ADR to IV-NAC were common among patients with acetaminophen overdose, but mostly minor and all reported adverse reactions were easily managed.

scholarly journals Comparison of epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toan Ha ◽  
Gualberto Ruaño ◽  
Lewis Judy
Keyword(s):  
International Travel ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Overseas Travel ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
Local Transmission

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited data on COVID-19 patients in Vietnam. The paper examined and compared epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients in VietnamMethodThe data was obtained using publicly available information from the official website of Vietnam Ministry of Health covering a period of 01/23/2020 to 05/27/2020. T-test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test were utilized to compare characteristics of COVID-19 patients between under-treatment and discharge groups and between overseas and non-overseas travel groups.ResultsVietnam had a total of 327 cases of COVID-19 as of May 27, 2020. The median age of patients was 30 years (ranging from 3 months to 88 years). About 68% of patients (n=223) had acquired the disease from overseas while 32% were infected from local transmission. Among those infected from local transmission, 66% were women. Men were more likely than women to be infected with COVID-19 from overseas (p<0.001). Younger patients were significantly associated with international travel (p=.001). While patients in the South reported highest levels of overseas travel history (77.9%), those (100%) in the Central reported the highest level of being discharged (p<0.001). Women (54.7%) had a higher rate of discharge compared to men (45.3%) [p <0.001]. Nearly 86% have recovered and discharged from hospitals. There has been no reported fatality.ConclusionsA majority of COVID-19 cases in Vietnam were acquired overseas. A significantly higher number of women than men were infected inside the country calling for further research about gender disparities in the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam.

scholarly journals Utilização do serviço de urgência pediátrica: a experiência de um centro português

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 24919
Author(s):  
Margarida S. Rafael ◽  
Sofia Portela ◽  
Paulo Sousa ◽  
Adalberto Campos Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Manchester Triage System ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Almost All

DOI: 10.15448/1980-6108.2017.1.24919Aims: The excess demand for pediatric emergency services has caused much concern among health professionals and hospital administrators. The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of a pediatric emergency department and to determine whether its use was injudicious. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all emergency cases treated throughout 2012 in a general hospital located in the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal. The data were obtained from the hospital’s computer information system. Each patient was submitted at admission to the Manchester triage system adapted for Portugal, and the episodes were categorized into immediate, very urgent, urgent, standard, non-urgent, and not classified. All those episodes classified as standard and non-urgent were denoted as unjustified urgent episodes. The data were collected anonymously and analyzed by the IBM SPSS Statistics software using the chi-square test and one-way ANOVA at a 5% significance level (p<0.05).Results: We analyzed 37,099 pediatric emergency department episodes, of which 19,478 patients were male (53%), the median age was 4 years (interquartile range of 1-9 years), and 78.4% were up to 10 years old. Of all the episodes, 21,177 (57.1%) were classified as standard and 15,470 (41.6%) as urgent or very urgent. Of these patients, 27,294 (73.6%) used the emergency department during the week and 28,679 (77.3%) between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. It was found that in 90.8% of very urgent, 97.1% of urgent, and 99.4% of standard episodes, patients were discharged without the need for hospitalization. Conclusions: More than half of the children who used the pediatric emergency department had standard or non-urgent needs, and almost all of them were discharged with follow-up recommendations by the attending physician. Most of the episodes occurred during opening hours of primary healthcare centers.

scholarly journals Ανοσολογική διερεύνηση των παιδιών με κοιλιοκάκη

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Μαρουδιά Κρίνη
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
T Test ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Fisher's Exact Test ◽  
Fisher’S Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν να διερευνήσει την κατανομή των HLA-DRB1, DQA1 και DQB1 αλληλομόρφων γονιδίων, των απλοτύπων και γονοτύπων στον ελληνικό παιδιατρικό πληθυσμό με κοιλιοκάκη, σε σύγκριση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες, και να αξιολογήσει την επίδραση των HLA τάξης ΙΙ γονιδίων στην επιδεκτικότητα της νόσου. Παράλληλα, αναζητήθηκαν συσχετίσεις του HLA-γενετικού υποστρώματος των ασθενών με τα κλινικά, επιδημιολογικά, ορολογικά και ιστολογικά χαρακτηριστικά της νόσου.Μελετήθηκαν 118 παιδιά με κοιλιοκάκη ελληνικής καταγωγής. Oι συμπτωματικοί ασθενείς ταξινομήθηκαν σε 3 ομάδες ως εξής: ομάδα Α = DQB1*02 ομοζυγώτες, ομάδα Β = DQB1*02 ετεροζυγώτες και ομάδα Γ = DQB1*02 αρνητικοί ασθενείς. Ως ομάδα ελέγχου, για τη σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων της HLA τυποποίησης των ασθενών, χρησίμευσε η HLA τυποποίηση 120 υγιών ατόμων, δοτών αίματος και μυελού των οστών, μη συγγενών μεταξύ τους, ελληνικής καταγωγής και εθνικότητας. Η γονιδιακή HLA τυποποίηση πραγματοποιήθηκε με τις μεθόδους PCR-SSP και PCR-SSO. Η στατιστική ανάλυση περιελάμβανε τα Pearson’s Chi-Square test, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney και Kruskal-Wallis test. Ο βαθμός τη σχέσης ελέγχθηκε με ακριβή λογιστική παλινδρόμηση (exact logistic regression) και παρουσιάστηκε ως λόγος σχετικών πιθανοτήτων (odds ratios, OR). Tα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν στατιστικά αυξημένη συχνότητα των HLA-DQB1*02:01, DQB1*02:02, DQA1*02:01, DQA1*05:01, DRB1*03 και DRB1*07 και στατιστικά μειωμένη συχνότητα των HLA-DQB1*03:01, DQB1*05:01, DQB1*05:02, DQA1*01:01, DQA1*01:02, DQA1*01:04, DQA1*05:05, DRB1*01 και DRB1*16 στους ασθενείς σε σύγκριση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες. Σε επίπεδο απλοτύπων, ο κύριος συσχετιζόμενος με την κοιλιοκάκη απλότυπος ήταν ο DR3-DQ2 και ακολούθησε ο DR7-DQ2. Το 95,8% των ασθενών με κοιλιοκάκη εκφράζει το DQ2 ή/και το DQ8 μόριο. Μόνο ένας στους 118 ασθενείς, που αντιστοιχεί σε πιθανότητα 0,8%, δεν εκφράζει κανένα από τα συσχετιζόμενα με την κοιλιοκάκη αλλήλια και είναι DQ2/DQ8/DQA1*05/DQB1*02 - αρνητικός. Τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης έδειξαν μια στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά στον τίτλο των ΕΜΑ αντισωμάτων μεταξύ των ομάδων Α και Γ. Αναλυτικά, οι τίτλοι των ΕΜΑ αντισωμάτων είναι σημαντικά υψηλότεροι στους HLA-DQB1*02 ομοζυγώτες σε σχέση με τους HLA-DQB1*02 αρνητικούς ασθενείς, γεγονός που πιθανόν να αντανακλά μια HLA-DQB1*02 δοσοεξαρτώμενη επίδραση στον τίτλο των ΕΜΑ αντισωμάτων.Συμπερασματικά, η παρούσα διατριβή περιγράφει για πρώτη φορά στον ελληνικό παιδιατρικό πληθυσμό τη συχνότητα εμφάνισης των HLA τάξης ΙΙ αλληλομόρφων γονιδίων, απλοτύπων και γονοτύπων, και επιβεβαιώνει τη συμβολή των HLA τάξης ΙΙ γονιδίων στη γενετική προδιάθεση της νόσου. Επιπλέον, παρέχει στοιχεία που υποδηλώνουν μια πιθανή HLΑ-DQB1*02 δοσοεξαρτώμενη επίδραση στον τίτλο των ΕΜΑ αντισωμάτων.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH AND THE NEED FOR TREATMENT IN ADOLESCENTS IN A FULL-TIME SCHOOL SYSTEM

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-163
Author(s):  
Priscilla Bittencourt de Almeida Figuereido ◽  
Suelly Maria Mendes Ribeiro ◽  
Marina Glaucia Alves Ramos ◽  
Miriam Almeida Alho ◽  
Arilson Lobo Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Need For Treatment ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T

This study evaluated the self-perception of adolescents' oral health and their oral conditions and the need for treatment in relation to dental caries. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, in 2018. The sample consisted of 200 students, aged 11 to 16 years old, from a full-time public school. The data were collected through a questionnaire where their self-perception of their oral health was assessed and an intra-oral examination was carried out to assess oral health conditions in relation to dental caries, using the Dental Caries Index and need for treatment (ICDNT). The data analysis was based on the Chi-square test, and when the npq <5 restriction occurred, Fisher's exact test was applied. The comparison between quantitative variables was performed using the Student's t test. The average DMFT index was 3.57, with only 17% of the studied population free of caries. The carious component was the one with the greatest significance (3.14) and the need for treatment with the highest prevalence was the restoration of one face (47.5%). A percentage of 88.5% of the adolescents evaluated answered that they did not take a toothbrush to school. The studied sample had a moderate prevalence of caries compared to the parameters recommended by the WHO, but above the standard obtained in the national survey carried out in 2010. Therefore, it is necessary to implement measures aimed at improving the quality of oral health of these adolescents and a full-time system would be a ideal for implementing good habits and routines for the adolescent’s oral health.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Screening By Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seropositivity: Clinical And Epidemiological Characteristics, Comorbidities, And Food Intake Quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Macedo-Ojeda ◽  
JF Muñoz-Valle ◽  
P Yokogawa-Teraoka ◽  
AC Machado-Sulbarán ◽  
MG Loza-Rojas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Blood Type ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fats ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background: Developing countries have reported lower molecular diagnostic testing levels due to a lack of infrastructure and resources. Therefore, antibody tests represent an alternative to detect exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and analyze possible risk factors in them. This study aimed to describe and compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the quality of food intake between individuals with a positive or negative test to antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.Methods: Mexican individuals of diverse ages and sex, that attended to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity from July to November 2020 were included. A survey was applied to identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and food intake quality in negative and positive individuals for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. These variables were compared using the Chi-square test, Kruskal Wallis, Fisher's exact test, or t-student.Results: In this study, a total of 1,799 individuals participated; 42% were positive for SARS-CoV-2. It was found that seropositive subjects were older and that diabetes was more prevalent in them (p <0.01). No differences were identified in the blood type nor vaccination against influenza between seronegative and seropositive cases. Cough, respiratory distress, muscle pain, joint pain, and anosmia were more prevalent in seropositive cases than in those seronegative (p<0.0001). The IgM or IgM+IgG seropositive cases presented anosmia more frequently than those with only IgG antibodies (p<0.05). The dietary patterns and individual food intake habits were similar in both groups, except for the most consumed type of fat (p = 0.006). Seronegative cases showed to consume monounsaturated fats more frequently than other types of fats, whereas seropositive subjects have more regular consumption of polyunsaturated fats.Conclusion: This study confirms the association between being anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive with older age and the presence of diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, it suggests muscle and joint pain could also be considered major criteria for discriminating patients with suspected COVID-19 seropositivity. Moreover, the results suggested polyunsaturated fats as a possible new risk factor associated with COVID-19, and anosmia as a marker of active disease. This finding will be of interest to investigate in further studies regarding the type of fat consumed and the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Non-Communicable Disease and the Need to Strengthen Prehospital Care: Experience from Kigali, Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Rosenberg ◽  
Jacqueline Mukagasasira ◽  
Verene Turikumana ◽  
Myles Dworkin ◽  
Vizir Nsengimana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Services ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in incidence in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many NCDs present as emergencies which require emergency response. We aimed to review NCDs transported by Service d’Aide Medicale Urgente (SAMU), the public ambulance service in Rwanda.Methods Descriptive analysis of a REDCap database was performed for medical cases between December 2012 to May 2016 and compared to non-medical cases. Student’s t-test, ANOVA, and chi square test were run with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results A total of 832 patients were seen. 51% were female, and the average age was 57 years old + 22. Cardiac indications were most common (52%) followed by diabetic complications (22%), cancer (16%) and stroke (10%). Patients with NCDs were more likely to be tachycardic, HR>100 bpm (OR 2.61 [P<0.001]), hypoxic with SPO2 <90% (OR 3.28 [P<0.0001]), hypotensive with blood pressure <100 mmHg (OR 2.65 [P<0.0001]), and tachypneic with respiratory rate >20 breaths per minute (OR 2.06 [P<0.0001]).Conclusions Access to emergency services is essential for NCD management. Compared to other emergencies treated by SAMU in Kigali, Rwanda, the NCD cohort had a higher acuity despite being a smaller proportion. As NCDs increase, investment in robust prehospital care will have substantial value in LMICs.

PREEMPTIVE ANALGESIA WITH AMITRIPTYLINE IN WOMEN UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

2020 ◽  
pp. 2-5
Author(s):  
Antônio Henriques De França Neto ◽  
Alexandre Magno Nóbrega Marinho ◽  
Eveline Pereira De Arruda Agra ◽  
Priscilla Guimarães Alves ◽  
Josikwylkson Costa Brito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Abdominal Hysterectomy ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressant ◽  
Preemptive Analgesia ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Student’S T

The concept of preemptive analgesia, albeit long-standing, has reemerged. Consequently, recent research has focused on testing a variety of drugs preoperatively to prevent the occurrence of postoperative pain, a major factor of morbidity. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat chronic pain. Because amitriptyline acts on pain transmission pathways, it could theoretically be used as an agent for the prevention of postoperative pain. This study evaluated the effectiveness of amitriptyline in preventing pain in patients submitted to hysterectomy, the most commonly performed gynecological surgery. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 145 patients, 72 of these receiving amitriptyline and 73 placebo. All patients were evaluated at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after surgery using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and algometry to determine the pressure-pain threshold. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test of association, Student's t-test, and the Mann-Whitney test, with Fisher's exact test being used whenever appropriate. No statistically signicant difference was found between the two groups with respect to pain at any of the time points evaluated, leading to the conclusion that at a dose of 25 mg, amitriptyline is ineffective in preventing postoperative pain in patients submitted to abdominal hysterectomy

scholarly journals A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group, Trial on the Effects of Melatonin on Fatigue Associated with Breast Cancer and Its Adjuvant Treatments

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542098834
Author(s):  
Abdolazim Sedighi Pashaki ◽  
Kamal Mohammadian ◽  
Saeid Afshar ◽  
Mohammad Hadi Gholami ◽  
Abbas Moradi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Severe Fatigue ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Brief Fatigue Inventory ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Student’S T

Objective: Fatigue associated with malignant conditions and their treatments is a disabling condition. This trial assessed the anti-fatigue effects of melatonin coadministration during adjuvant treatment of patients with the breast cancer. Material and Methods: Patients with breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive melatonin or placebo during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thirty-seven patients were randomly enrolled in each group. The mean ages of patients in the intervention and control groups were 50.47 ± 10.79 and 46.05 ± 10.55 years, respectively ( P = .223). The intervention group received oral melatonin (18 mg/day) from 1 week before until 1 month after the adjuvant radiotherapy. The level of fatigue was assessed before and after intervention using Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) in both groups. To analyze data, the Student’s t-test and the Chi-square test were used at a significance level of P ≤ .05. Results: The BFI score was similar before the intervention in both groups, however, after the intervention, it was significantly lower in the melatonin group ( P < .001). Moreover, the frequency of severe fatigue in the melatonin group was significantly lower than in the placebo group after intervention (42.1% vs 83.3%, P < .001). Conclusion: Coadministration of melatonin during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy of women with breast cancer decreased the levels of fatigue associated with the malignant condition and its treatments.

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