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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of an app on students’ knowledge about diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2022;30:e3595. doi: 10.1590/1518-8345.5798.3595.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the effect of an app on Nursing students’ knowledge about diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their self-assessment and satisfaction level.

METHOD: a quasi-experimental study carried out with 40 Nursing students from the Brazilian Northeast region. The E-MunDiabetes® app was used to assess the participants’ knowledge at the pre-test, immediate post-test and after 15 days, as well as their self-assessment and satisfaction level in relation to using the app. The analysis was performed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics (binomial test, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Wilcoxon’s test).

RESULTS: the comparison of the medians of correct answers in the three periods revealed a significant increase in the post-test. The self-assessment and satisfaction items presented an Agreement Index > 80%, with a total Agreement Index of 96.3% and an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of 0.91.

CONCLUSION: the app was considered satisfactory and promoted a significant increase in the students’ knowledge, therefore being suitable for its intended use.

PMID:35649093 | DOI:10.1590/1518-8345.5798.3595

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The National Student Performance Examination and the quality of Brazilian higher education in health

Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2022;30:e3585. doi: 10.1590/1518-8345.5714.3585.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: to analyze higher education in the health area in Brazil according to the results of the students’ performance in the 2019 National Student Performance Examination.

METHOD: a cross-sectional and retrospective study with a quantitative approach and online data referring to 192,715 students from 3,712 health courses, collected in 2020. The students’ performance was expressed in concepts, ordered on a scale of one to five. Box-plots were prepared, prevalence values of the concepts were estimated, and the differences were evaluated through statistical tests (α=5%) according to the administrative and management characteristics, as well as those of the cities where the courses were offered.

RESULTS: there was a satisfactory level of higher education in health (70.0% with a score ≥3). The Medicine courses were the most satisfactorily evaluated while Speech Therapy and Nursing obtained the worst scores. Public, face-to-face and university education were associated with better teaching quality. Lower levels were found in the North region states, in small towns, outside metropolitan areas and in those under private management.

CONCLUSION: heterogeneity in the quality of higher education across the health courses was verified, indicating its association with the characteristics of the teaching institutions and with the infrastructure of the cities where the courses are offered, pointing out challenges to the quality of health education in Brazil.

PMID:35649091 | DOI:10.1590/1518-8345.5714.3585

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

T2-weighted imaging hypointensity in an ovarian lesion: is it a benign finding?

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2022 May 27;20:eAO6851. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6851. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the presence of a hypointense signal at T2-weighted imaging in a solid ovarian lesion on magnetic resonance imaging is a predictor of stability and benignity.

METHODS: This is a single center study, prospectively read with retrospective acquired data. The database was searched for patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging between January 2008 and October 2019 and whose reports mentioned solid ovarian lesions with low signal on T2-weighted imaging. A total of 47 nodules were included. A radiologist who was blinded to the clinical indication for magnetic resonance imaging and original reports evaluated the cases. Objective and subjective criteria of ovarian lesions in magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated.

RESULTS: Thirty-five nodules were considered benign/stable and 12 were considered non-stable. The analysis showed that the non-stable lesions showed statistically more hyperintensity at T1-weighted imaging compared to the stable lesions.

CONCLUSION: T2-weighted imaging hypointensity can be considered a predictor of stability in solid ovarian lesions when associated with iso/hypointensity in T1-weighted imaging.

PMID:35649059 | DOI:10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6851

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Comparison between somatostatin analog injections

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2022 Apr;68(4):514-518. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.20211224.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Long-acting depot formulations of somatostatin analogs, i.e., octreotide and lanreotide, are the first-line medical therapies for patients with acromegaly to whom surgery/radiotherapy cannot be performed or who have inadequate response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short-term local and systemic adverse reactions developed after the somatostatin analogs injections in the patients with acromegaly, in order to compare the side effects of somatostatin analogs injections.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed with acromegaly who were referred to our endocrinology clinic for monthly somatostatin analogs injections were questionnaired. Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale was used to evaluate the injection-site pain at the time of injection. The existence of leg pain, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain following the previous injection was also investigated during the next injection.

RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were included in the study. The statistical difference could not be shown between the injection-site pain, anorexia, and leg pain frequencies of the groups, while the frequency of gastrointestinal disturbances, i.e., diarrhea and abdominal pain, was significantly lower in the octreotide group (p<0.001 and p=0.015, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective study that compared the severity of the injection-site pain by using a scoring scale, following the long-acting somatostatin analogs injections. We have shown that there was no significant association of the injection-site pain severity with the somatostatin analogs regimen nor the dose differences within each somatostatin analogs treatment.

PMID:35649076 | DOI:10.1590/1806-9282.20211224

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Telemedicine diagnosis of acute respiratory tract infection patients is not inferior to face-to-face consultation: a randomized trial

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2022 May 27;20:eAO6800. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6800. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze telemedicine diagnostic accuracy in patients with respiratory infections during COVID-19 pandemic compared to face-to-face evaluation in the emergency department.

METHODS: Randomized, unicentric study between September 2020 and November 2020 in patients with any respiratory symptom (exclusion criteria: age >65 years, chronic heart or lung diseases, immunosuppressed). Patients were randomized 1:1 for brief telemedicine followed by face-to-face consultation or direct face-to-face evaluation. The primary endpoint was the International Classification of Diseases code. The secondary analysis comprised length of stay, diagnostic test ordering, medical prescription, and proposed destination.

RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled. The mean age was 36.3±9.7 years old, 57.1% were women, and 81.6% had diagnostic test ordered. Mean grouped by International Classification of Diseases code for upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngotonsillitis, and sinusitis showed no difference between study groups or secondary endpoints. The Telemedicine Group was representative of the population usually evaluated in this center. In the Telemedicine Group (n=48), 18.7% patients would be referred for evaluation at the emergency department. The distribution of diagnoses by telemedicine was 67.4% for upper respiratory tract infection, 2.3% for pharyngotonsillitis, and 0% for sinusitis, being statistically similar to the subsequent face-to-face assessment, respectively: 72.1%, 11.6% and 7% (Kappa 0.386 [95%CI: 0.112-0.66]; p=0.536). Telemedicine ordered COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR) tests in 76.5% versus 79.4% in face-to-face evaluation (Kappa 0.715 [95%CI: 0.413-1]; p>0.999).

CONCLUSION: Diagnostic telemedicine consultation of low-risk patients with acute respiratory symptoms is not inferior to face-to-face evaluation at emergency department. Telemedicine is to be reinforced in the health care system as a strategy for the initial assessment of acute patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04806477.

PMID:35649057 | DOI:10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6800

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Impact of blood levels of progesterone on the day of ovulation onset on clinical, laboratory and reproductive parameters of young patients undergoing assisted reproduction: a cross-sectional study

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2022 May 30;20:eAO6896. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6896. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is an association between the level of progesterone on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin and clinical and laboratory characteristics, in addition to the results of in vitro fertilization of patients with a good prognosis.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising 103 women who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment, between November 2009 and May 2015, aged ≤35 years, with no comorbidities, with fresh embryo transfer. Data were collected from patient medical records.

RESULTS: There was a weak positive correlation between the level of progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin and the number of follicles larger than 14mm (ß=0.02, p=0.001), retrieved oocytes (ß=0.01, p=0.01) and oocytes in metaphase II (MII) (ß=0.02, p=0.02); that is, the increase in progesterone level has a slight association with increased values of these variables. Body mass index was inversely correlated with progesterone level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (ß=-0.01, p=0.02). No association was found between the level of progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin and the protocols used for controlled ovarian stimulation, quality of transferred embryos and the pregnancy rate.

CONCLUSION: There is an association between the value of progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration with body mass index, number of follicles larger than 14mm, number of retrieved oocytes and oocytes in metaphase II. Unlike embryo quality and pregnancy rate, which do not have a statistically significant relation with this value in the population studied.

PMID:35649054 | DOI:10.31744/einstein_journal/2022AO6896

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

National Health Survey reveals high percentage of signs and symptoms of leprosy in Brazil

Cien Saude Colet. 2022 Jun;27(6):2255-2258. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232022276.18322021. Epub 2021 Sep 18.

ABSTRACT

Leprosy is a debilitating, infectious, systemic or localized dermato-neurological disease caused by Mycobacterium lepra. In Brazil, the magnitude and high disabling power keep the disease as a public health problem. Skin spotting and numbness are pathognomonic signs and symptoms in leprosy. The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) 2019 National Health Survey (PNS-2019) considered the following question as a proxy to estimate its magnitude in the country. “Do you have a spot with numbness or part of the skin with numbness?”. In Brazil, 1,921,289 adults reported having a patch or part of the skin with numbness, with no regional differences. As for the age group, the older, the higher the prevalence, for example, between 18 to 29 years old (235,445) and 30 to 39 years old (236,485), 0.7% had the condition, between 40 to 59 years old (827,887), 1.5% and among the elderly, 1.8% (621,472). Being able to estimate, in population-based surveys, with statistical representativeness, a reported morbidity such as leprosy is essential to support the formulation of public policies, notably those related to primary health care actions. In this way, the IBGE fulfills its constitutional role of portraying the reality of the Brazilian population and today it is the main external evaluator of the Unified Health System (SUS) and of public policies developed by the federal level.

PMID:35649013 | DOI:10.1590/1413-81232022276.18322021

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Prophylactic Clipping to Prevent Delayed Bleeding and Perforation After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022 May 25. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001721. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To help prevent delayed adverse events after endoscopic surgery, endoscopists often place clips at the site. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of prophylactic clipping in the prevention of delayed bleeding and perforation after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).

METHODS: Multiple databases were searched from the inception dates to April 2021. And we included all relevant studies. Pooled odds ratio comparing the prophylactic clipped group versus nonprophylactic clipped group were calculated using the random effects model.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a total size of 8693 participants. There was statistically significant difference in prophylactic clipping versus no prophylactic clipping for delayed bleeding and perforation found in all studies (odds ratio: 0.35, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.49, P<0.01; odds ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.83, P<0.05; respectively). Besides, statistically significant difference was also found in subgroup analyses based on patients with lesions larger than 20 mm. Prophylactic clipping was more protective for duodenal delayed adverse events than colorectum. The use of clip closure was more protective to ESD-related delayed adverse events than EMR.

CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic clipping after ESD and EMR was beneficial in preventing delayed bleeding and perforation.

PMID:35648969 | DOI:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001721

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Epidemiological profile and temporal trend of exogenous intoxications in children and adolescents

Rev Paul Pediatr. 2022 May 27;40:e2021004. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2021004IN. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological profile and to analyze the trend in the incidence rate of exogenous poisoning concerning children and adolescents (0-19 years old) in the city of Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil, in the period from 2007 to 2015.

METHODS: Observational study with data extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The variables sex, age group, toxic agent, and circumstance were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For temporal analysis, cut-off rates of incidence/10,000 inhabitants were calculated and the inflection point regression model was used for analysis.

RESULTS: There were 5,539 cases of exogenous intoxication in individuals aged 0-19 years in the city, of which 53.1% (n=2,944) occurred in girls and 61.5% (n=3,405) in children aged 0-9 years. Medicines consisted in the main agent responsible for intoxications (28.5%; n=1,580), mainly by accidental use (18.2%; n=1,010). There was a significant increase in the events during the study period (Average Annual Percent Change: 12.7; 95%CI 1.1-25.6; p<0.001), with rates increasing from 56.52/10,000 inhabitants in 2007 to 56.64/10,000 inhabitants in 2015. The incidence of cases in girls increased from 57.34/10,000 inhabitants in 2007 to 62.27/10,000 inhabitants in 2015. In boys, the incidence of cases was stationary: 55.69/10,000 inhabitants to 50.9 /10,000 inhabitants in the same period.

CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a higher frequency of cases in girls aged 0 to 4 years and an increasing trend in the incidence rate during the study period. Implementation of actions and strategies, with emphasis on health education, is needed in order to prevent cases of exogenous intoxication.

PMID:35648984 | DOI:10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2021004IN

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Plug-and-play pixel super-resolution phase retrieval for digital holography

Opt Lett. 2022 Jun 1;47(11):2658-2661. doi: 10.1364/OL.458117.

ABSTRACT

In order to increase signal-to-noise ratio in optical imaging, most detectors sacrifice resolution to increase pixel size in a confined area, which impedes further development of high throughput holographic imaging. Although the pixel super-resolution technique (PSR) enables resolution enhancement, it suffers from the trade-off between reconstruction quality and super-resolution ratio. In this work, we report a high-fidelity PSR phase retrieval method with plug-and-play optimization, termed PNP-PSR. It decomposes PSR reconstruction into independent sub-problems based on generalized alternating projection framework. An alternating projection operator and an enhancing neural network are employed to tackle the measurement fidelity and statistical prior regularization, respectively. PNP-PSR incorporates the advantages of individual operators, achieving both high efficiency and noise robustness. Extensive experiments show that PNP-PSR outperforms the existing techniques in both resolution enhancement and noise suppression.

PMID:35648898 | DOI:10.1364/OL.458117