Category: Statistics

Thorac Cancer. 2026 Apr;17(7):e70280. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.70280.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who did not undergo surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy (NACI). Patients were grouped according to subsequent treatment: radiotherapy (RT) or nonradiotherapy (non-RT), and the prognostic importance of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was further assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included NSCLC patients who received NACI between November 2020 and September 2024 at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College. Not all patients underwent surgery and subsequently received either RT or non-RT treatment. Patients were stratified by whether PET/CT was performed and by their SUV-max values before RT or non-RT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the start of neoadjuvant therapy using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: A total of 73 eligible patients were enrolled: 21 (28.8%) in the non-RT group (nRTG) and 52 (71.2%) in the RT group (RTG). The median follow-up time for all patients in the group was 18 months. The results show no significant difference in PFS (p = 0.653) or OS (p = 0.742) between RTG and nRTG. Among the patients who did not undergo PET/CT examination, the results showed a significant difference in PFS (p = 0.022), but no difference in OS (p = 0.320). Among the patients undergoing PET/CT examinations, in terms of PFS, compared to nRTG + SUV-max ≤ 4 g/mL, there is no significant difference in RTG + SUV-max ≤ 4 g/mL (p = 0.584), and RTG + SUV-max > 4, < 8 g/mL (p = 0.156). However, RTG + SUV-max ≥ 8 shows a statistical difference (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: Among NSCLC patients who did not undergo surgery following NACI, no significant differences in OS or PFS were observed between the RTG and nRTG groups. For patients who did not receive PET/CT evaluation, radiotherapy remains a key therapeutic option. In patients with a PET/CT SUVmax ≤ 4, radiotherapy may be safely omitted. In comparison, patients with a PET/CT SUVmax > 4 should be managed with a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes radiotherapy as the main component. PET/CT plays a critical role in guiding subsequent treatment selection.

PMID:41960615 | DOI:10.1111/1759-7714.70280

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2026 Apr;35(4):e70368. doi: 10.1002/pds.70368.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Concurrent use of benzodiazepines and opioids is discouraged due to synergistic adverse effects. However, patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) often receive them, particularly in the first 3 postoperative months. We identified factors associated with new outpatient concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid dispensation following THA/TKA.

METHODS: In this nationwide cohort study, we linked the Dutch Arthroplasty Register with the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics, which provided medication dispensation data. We included all patients undergoing primary elective THA/TKA (2013-2022) who had no preoperative concurrent use in the 6 months pre-procedure. The primary outcome was ≥ 7 days of a new concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid dispensation within 90-day postoperative. Determinants included patient and implant characteristics, and preoperative medication use. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity.

RESULTS: Among 89 139 THA and 76 710 TKA patients, 3756 (4%) and 5571 (7%), respectively, received new postoperative concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid dispensation within 90-days postoperative. The main factor associated with such dispensation was preoperative benzodiazepine use (THA: OR 23.5 [95% CI: 21.8-25.3], TKA: OR 22.8 [95% CI: 21.3-24.3]), followed by preoperative antidepressant/anxiolytic use (THA: OR 2.9 [95% CI: 2.6-3.1], TKA: OR 2.5 [95% CI: 2.3-2.7]). Other factors included female sex, current smoking, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scale III-IV. Preoperative pain scores, preoperative opioid use, and implant characteristics showed little to no association with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative benzodiazepine use was the main factor associated with new outpatient concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid dispensation after THA/TKA, followed by preoperative antidepressant/anxiolytic use. These results highlighted that careful review of the patient’s medication history when planning postoperative pain management could help prevent unsafe co-prescription.

PMID:41960602 | DOI:10.1002/pds.70368

Health SA. 2026 Mar 13;31:3233. doi: 10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3233. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare systems, posing risks for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in resource-limited, high HIV-prevalence settings. These disruptions threatened antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, viral load suppression (VLS) and retention in care (RiC).

AIM: This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes of ALHIV on ART in the Khayelitsha and Eastern Substructure (KESS) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SETTING: The study was performed in KESS, Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted among ALHIV aged 10-19 years receiving ART at public health facilities, pre-COVID-19 (before 01 March 2020) and during COVID-19 (01 March 2020-31 December 2021). Sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment data were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics compared outcomes and determined factors associated with VLS (< 1000 copies/mL) using SPSS v.30.

RESULTS: Data from 1702 ALHIV (pre-COVID-19) and 2733 ALHIV (during COVID-19) were analysed. Viral load suppression declined from 82.1% to 64.8%, while full VLS (< 50 copies/mL) from 70.8% to 53.7% (p = 0.065). Antiretroviral therapy adherence fell from 96.4% to 70.0% (p < 0.001), and RiC 80.3% to 76.3% (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, higher CD4 count, and consistent ART adherence predicted VLS.

CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral therapy adherence and VLS rates among ALHIV declined during COVID-19. Adolescent-centred healthcare delivery models are needed to ensure continuity of HIV treatment during public health emergencies.

CONTRIBUTION: This study provides local evidence on the pandemic’s impact in a high-burden South African context. By quantifying declines in ART adherence, RiC, and VLS, it highlights ALHIV vulnerabilities and the need to strengthen adolescent-responsive, resilient healthcare systems.

PMID:41960585 | PMC:PMC13058524 | DOI:10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3233

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):385-387. doi: 10.6026/973206300220385. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Orthodontic appliances influence patients’ oral functions, especially speech and mastication. Therefore, it is of interest to compare speech and mastication difficulties among patients treated with clear aligners and conventional braces. One hundred participants were assessed through a validated questionnaire and performance tests. Clear aligners showed fewer articulation and chewing problems than fixed braces. The differences were statistically significant. Thus, we show clear aligners may provide improved comfort and oral function during orthodontic treatment.

PMID:41960548 | PMC:PMC13058382 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220385

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):405-408. doi: 10.6026/973206300220405. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

The success of dental implants is influenced by the timing of prosthetic loading. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of immediate loading (IL) versus conventional loading (CL) of dental implants supporting fixed prostheses. Hence, a total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to either IL or CL groups. Clinical parameters such as implant stability (measured by Periotest), peri-implant soft tissue health and radiographic marginal bone loss (MBL) were evaluated over a 12-month period. Results indicated that both groups demonstrated high implant survival rates (96.6% IL vs 100% CL), with no statistically significant differences in MBL at 3, 6 and 12 months (p > 0.05). However, IL provided faster functional rehabilitation and patient satisfaction. Thus, we show the clinical viability of immediate loading protocols in appropriately selected cases, without compromising implant stability or bone levels.

PMID:41960537 | PMC:PMC13058331 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220405

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):175-179. doi: 10.6026/973206300220175. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Titanium (Ti) dental implants are considered the gold standard in edentulous rehabilitation. However, the tribocorrosion and subsequent release of titanium ions into the systemic circulation has become an issue of concern. Hence, this prospective longitudinal study used the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) at baseline, 1-week and 6-months post-operative in order to study serum titanium levels in 60 healthy patients that were undertaking the implant surgery. The baseline serum titanium levels were 1.42 ± 0.55 ng/mL with a statistically significant increase of the mean serum titanium levels to 2.15 + 0.82 ng/mL after one week post- operation and a partial stabilization to 1.94 + 0.71 ng/mL at 6 months. Though, the dental implant placement causes a statistically significant increase in the levels of titanium in the systemic compartments, these levels are far below the accepted toxicological limits.

PMID:41960517 | PMC:PMC13058369 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220175

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):66-70. doi: 10.6026/973206300220066. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic and periampullary tumors and its impact on postoperative outcomes is highly relevant. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic and periampullary tumors. A prospective observational analysis of 50 patients revealed that sarcopenia, assessed through Psoas Muscle Index, Hand Grip Strength and Gait Speed, is a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes. Age did not notably affect sarcopenia prevalence, while factors such as gender, ECOG status and diabetes were identified as key risk factors. Gait speed was found to be the strongest predictor of mortality, emphasizing its potential as a primary diagnostic tool. The identification of sarcopenia as a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients with gait speed emerging as the strongest predictor of mortality, offering a potential tool for preoperative assessment and improved patient management.

PMID:41960489 | PMC:PMC13058357 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220066

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):357-361. doi: 10.6026/973206300220357. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Somatosensory deficits have gained growing attention in cerebral palsy; therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the central perceptual abnormalities in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Seventy children (35 children with CP and 35 controls, age-range: 6 months-10 years) were evaluated by somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), visual evoked potentials (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and the association with electroencephalography (EEG), clinical and radiologic findings was sought for. Tibial SSEPs and median SSEPs revealed abnormal cortical response in 77.14 % (27 of 35) and 65.22 % (15 of 23) respectively, 14.29 % (5 of 35) had abnormal BAEP, 18 of 35 (51.4 %) had abnormal VEP, 14 patients (40 %) demonstrated abnormal EEG and 91.43 % had abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Abnormal tibial SSEPs were statistically correlated with abnormal EEG (p=0.005) and perinatal asphyxia (p=0.01) while abnormal median SSEPs were statistically correlated with abnormal VEP (p=0.0098) and perinatal asphyxia (p=0.03) (chi-square test). Evidences of sensory cortical involvement in CP can help in designing better treatment plans. Cortical SSEPs may further be evaluated in prospective studies to assess their potential utility as a prognostic tool in children with CP.

PMID:41960465 | PMC:PMC13058302 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220357

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):328-332. doi: 10.6026/973206300220328. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

The role of serum lipids as tumour markers in the diagnosis of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is of interest. Hence, three groups (oral cancer, OPMDs and age and sex matched healthy controls) comprising 40 patients each was selected. Serum lipid profile values (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein) were compared among the groups (unpaired t-test and one way-ANOVA) (p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant). Mean values of total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were found to be elevated in cases of oral cancer and oral PMDs as compared to controls with statistical significance (p<0.001). The alterations in levels obtained in the study, support the role of serum lipid profile as biomarkers for oral cancer and OPMDs, yet strengthening of the evidences by long-term follow-up studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to establish the association.

PMID:41960459 | PMC:PMC13058311 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220328

Bioinformation. 2026 Jan 31;22(1):593-598. doi: 10.6026/973206300220593. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

The validity of clinical research depends on robust statistical methodology, yet peer review often fails to identify analytical flaws, particularly in Prosthodontics where statistical errors can mislead evidence-based practice. Therefore, it is of interest to audits the statistical rigor of available data on this issue. Hence, 328 publications were systematically analysed. Our analysis shows that about one-third demonstrated rigorous, assumption-validated analyses, while nearly half showed ambiguous or inappropriate usage. Common issues included lack of assumption checks, inadequate adjustment for multiple comparisons, and missing sample size justifications. Thus, we show the urgent need for improved editorial standards, mandatory reporting checklists, and dedicated statistical review to ensure transparency and research integrity.

PMID:41960457 | PMC:PMC13058335 | DOI:10.6026/973206300220593