Methods Twenty cancer patients, ten family members and eight physicians participated in this study. Data were collected via semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Three categories were identified: cancer avoidance, a climate of non-disclosure and mutual concern. The findings demonstrated that cancer is a taboo subject and the word cancer, as well as other indicative terms, was rarely used in daily communication. A climate of non-disclosure predominated because patients were the last to know their diagnosis,

they were unaware of their prognosis, and family members and physicians employed strategies to conceal this information. The mutual concern of patients, family members and physicians was the main reason that cancer was not discussed. Raf inhibitor SIS 3 Conclusion Cancer is a taboo subject in Iran that is maintained and reinforced primarily because of the mutual concern of patients, family members and physicians. The first step to address this taboo and inform cancer patients of their diagnosis would be to understand and help mitigate the individual, family and social consequences of disclosure. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Obesity has a rising prevalence in children and adolescents, affecting 30% of the paediatric population

in Portugal. Leptin is an important hormone involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and has been under investigation as a risk marker for future complications.

Aims: 1. To evaluate the relation between serum leptin levels and body mass index (BMI) and height. 2. To compare leptin levels in obese and non-obese children.

3. To evaluate the relation between leptin levels and insulin resistance index.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, using a sample of 70 obese children and a control group Nutlin3 of 53 non-obese children. Obesity was defined as BMI standard deviation >2 for age and sex. In the obese group we assessed sex, age, BMI SDS and height SDS for age and sex, and serum levels of glucose, insulin and leptin. In the control group were obtained BMI SDS and height SDS for age and sex and leptin levels. Data were analysed using SPSS 12.

Results: The mean age of obese and non-obese children was 10.3 +/- 2.9 versus 10.9 +/- 3.5 years. In the obese group, 32 (45.7%) were boys versus 18 (31.0%) in the non-obese group. BMI SDS in the obese group was 3.12 +/- 0.60 versus 0.20 +/- 0.99 in the non-obese group (p <0.001). Leptin levels showed a positive correlation with BMI SDS (r = 0.69; p <0.001) and height SDS (r = 0.31; p <0.001). When comparing leptin levels between obese and non-obese groups, we found a significant difference in boys (50.7 +/- 27.3 versus 7.0 +/- 6.8 ng/ml; p <0.001) and in girls (57.6 +/- 25.5 versus 16.5 +/- 10.3 ng/ml; p <0.001). In the non-obese group, leptin levels were lower in boys.