Category: Statistics

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Feb 16:djag042. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djag042. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41732977 | DOI:10.1093/jnci/djag042

Scand J Public Health. 2026 Feb 24:14034948261422102. doi: 10.1177/14034948261422102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To critically synthesize the evidence of lung cancer screening on lung cancer mortality, adverse effects, cost-effectiveness, and practical implementation, with a focus on the rationale and implications of introducing lung cancer screening in the Nordic countries.

METHODS: We reviewed existing literature on lung cancer screening, primarily drawing on Cochrane reviews, to examine mortality outcomes, adverse effects, cost-effectiveness, and implementation challenges of lung cancer screening.

RESULTS: Chest X-ray lung cancer screening has not been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality, whereas low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality in a high-risk population. For all-cause mortality, meta-analyses have shown mixed results depending on which trials are included and the methods used, albeit none of the European trials have revealed a reduction in all-cause mortality. Limited high-quality evidence on the unintended harms of LDCT screening exists but suggests that LDCT screening might cause considerable unintended harm, especially via false positives, incidentalomas, and overdiagnosis. Cost-effectiveness analyses on LDCT screening frequently fail to account for indirect costs, which might lead to an underestimation of the true economic burden of screening. Implementation of LDCT screening presents practical challenges, including reaching the target population and the limited capacity in the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of reduction in lung cancer mortality in a high-risk population screened with LDCT. However, further evaluation is needed to assess the potential unintended harms, the practical implementation within the Nordic healthcare systems, and the environmental impact, including increased CO₂ emissions.

PMID:41732975 | DOI:10.1177/14034948261422102

J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2026 Feb 24:1-12. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2026.2623430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Working equines are indispensable for transport and agriculture in Gondar town, yet welfare standards remain understudied. This first Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices study in this region highlights critical gaps despite working equines’ socio-economic importance. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from 384 equine owners, assessing their demographic profiles, knowledge of equine welfare, attitudes toward animal care, and the welfare practices. A 5-point Likert questionnaire was used, and descriptive analysis was conducted. Only 40.9% understood animal welfare concepts, while 59.4% couldnot define it. The largest group of equine owners were aged 21-30 (47.7%) and most respondents (84.5%) maintained only “fair” practices, which indicates a universal need for practical welfare support. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences across demographics, though numeric variability was observed by age, education, and occupation. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on animal welfare in Ethiopia, offering recommendations for future initiatives aimed at supporting equine owners. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the need for improved educational strategies and support systems to facilitate better health outcomes, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of those who rely upon them.

PMID:41732973 | DOI:10.1080/10888705.2026.2623430

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.70893. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of routine postpartum bathing in a bathtub.

METHODS: We conducted a quasiexperimental study at two perinatal centers between August 2024 and March 2025, including women who had vaginal deliveries. Participants were allocated to bathing-restricted or bathing-allowed groups according to institutional policy changes. The primary outcome was postpartum infection (endometritis or perineal wound infection) occurring between hospital discharge and the 1-month postpartum checkup. Secondary outcomes included maternal mental health assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), perineal and pelvic pain, and satisfaction with bathing.

RESULTS: A total of 577 women including 324 bathing-allowed women and 253 bathing-restricted women were involved in the study. No cases of endometritis or perineal wound infection were identified in either group. There were fewer women with an EPDS score ≥9 in the bathing-allowed group (8.3% vs. 12.8%), albeit without statistical significance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-1.04]). Similarly, perineal pain (32.1% vs. 39.5%) and pelvic pain (62.7% vs. 68.0%) were lower among bathing-allowed women, albeit without statistical significance. Satisfaction with bathing was significantly higher in the bathing-allowed group (75.9% vs. 19.8%; adjusted OR, 14.0 [95% CI, 9.2-21.1]).

CONCLUSION: Routine bathing in a bathtub during the early postpartum period did not increase infection risk and was associated with significantly higher maternal satisfaction. These findings suggest that postpartum bathing may be safe and could improve quality of life.

PMID:41732926 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.70893

Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2634447. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2634447. Epub 2026 Feb 24.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The treatment strategy for intestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and the role of surgery warrant reevaluation.

METHODS: This study analyzed clinical data from a cohort of 12,047 patients diagnosed with intestinal NHL, extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance System database between 2002 and 2021.

RESULTS: Among these patients, 3,566 (29.6%) were categorized into the surgery group, while 8,481 (70.4%) were included in the nonsurgery group. Surgery was independently associated with both prolonged overall survival (OS) and a favorable prognosis in multivariate analysis (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.645, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.598-0.695, p <.001). The median OS was longer in patients who underwent lymph node dissection during surgery than in patients who did not undergo lymph node dissection (10-year OS with lymph node dissection 63.17% vs. surgery without lymph node dissection 54.78%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first Korean population-based nationwide study to describe the clinical impact of surgery on the OS of patients with intestinal NHL. A prospective randomized study evaluating strategies to improve the survival of intestinal NHL patients is needed.

PMID:41732903 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2026.2634447

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.70914. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum comfort refers to the mother’s perceived physical, psychospiritual, and sociocultural well-being during the postpartum period. The present study examined the mediating role of postpartum comfort in the effect of perceived social support on breastfeeding self-efficacy among primiparous mothers who had undergone a cesarean delivery.

METHODS: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 at a university hospital. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires completed by the mothers, including the maternal personal information form, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form (BSES-SF), and the postpartum comfort scale (PCS). Higher scores indicate higher perceived social support, higher postpartum comfort, and greater breastfeeding self-efficacy. The data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.

RESULTS: In the present study which included 314 primiparous mothers, correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between total MSPSS and total BSES-SF scores (r = 0.357; P < 0.001), a weak positive relationship between total MSPSS and total PCS scores (r = 0.225; P < 0.001), and a strong positive relationship between total PCS and total BSES-SF scores (r = 0.703; P < 0.001). In the hierarchical regression analysis, Model 1 showed that social support significantly predicted breastfeeding self-efficacy and explained 12.8% of the variance (F_1,312 = 45.623; P < 0.001). In Model 2, when postpartum comfort was added, both variables remained significant predictors, and the explained variance increased to 53.6% (F_2,311 = 179.517; P < 0.001). The standardized effect of social support decreased from β = 0.357 to β = 0.210. The Sobel test (z = 6.26; P < 0.001) confirmed the partial mediating role of postpartum comfort.

CONCLUSION: A substantial part of the effect of perceived social support on breastfeeding self-efficacy is explained by postpartum comfort. The findings indicate integrating strategies that enhance comfort and social support into policies and nursing practices can strengthen maternal-infant health and improve breastfeeding outcomes.

PMID:41732902 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.70914

HLA. 2026 Feb;107(2):e70617. doi: 10.1111/tan.70617.

ABSTRACT

The Han Chinese are divided into Chinese Northern Han (CNH) and Chinese Southern Han (CSH) by the Yangtze River. CSH shows enriched KIR-HLA-A/B interactions due to historical migrations, while the research on CNH’s KIR-HLA diversity and evolution remains insufficient. This study elucidated the KIR-HLA immunogenetic landscape in CNH and compared it with CSH and global populations. Peripheral blood samples from 530 healthy, unrelated CNH individuals were analysed for KIR and HLA-A, -B, -C genes, using the Lifecodes KIR-SSO typing and SeCore HLA genotyping kits. Data were compared with global populations using the Allele Frequency Net Database and the 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop and Conference. Statistical analyses included principal component analysis, genetic distance calculations, and hierarchical clustering. Based on the distribution of 16 KIR genes, CNH was clustered within the East Asian genetic sphere, closest to Inner Mongolia Han (distance = 0.587) and CSH (0.685). The global average KIR AA1 frequency was 29.06%, with CNH’s frequency (52.1%) being substantially above this average. CNH exhibited a Δ genetic distance of -0.4 between KIR+HLA pairs and HLA ligands when compared with CSH, highlighting their close genetic relationship in KIR-HLA interactions. HLA class I haplotypes in CNH encoded more KIR ligands compared to other populations, with a significant difference between CNH and CSH (p_c = 0.017). This study showed CNH had a unique KIR-HLA profile in East Asia, with higher KIR AA1 frequencies and more KIR ligands encoded by HLA class I haplotypes, reflecting its genetic diversity and impact on immunity and disease.

PMID:41732890 | DOI:10.1111/tan.70617

Circ Popul Health Outcomes. 2026 Feb 24:e012643. doi: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.125.012643. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent selection of reference groups may contribute to inconclusive blood pressure control targets for patients with hypertension. This study aims to identify optimal systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets for individuals with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) by employing a novel metric combining blood pressure magnitude and duration.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of individual-level data from 4 clinical trials (ACCORD, ALLHAT, SHEP, and SPRINT). Participants aged >80 years, with prevalent heart failure, or with missing follow-up SBP measurements or CVD history were excluded. The proportion of time-in-target range (TTR) was estimated using linear interpolation to quantify longitudinal SBP changes across predefined SBP ranges. Associations between TTR and major adverse cardiovascular events were assessed using stratified Cox proportional hazards models, analyzed separately by CVD history, and stratified by study trials, with hazard ratios (HRs) estimated per 10% increase in TTR. Lower TTR within the same target served as the implicit reference.

RESULTS: Among 59 727 participants included in the analysis, the mean age was 65.8 (SD, 6.9) years, 52.3% were men, and 24 524 (41.1%) had a history of CVD. Higher TTR within SBP ranges of 110 to 140 mm Hg was consistently associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in participants with and without CVD. For SBP of 110 to 120 mm Hg, HRs were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86-0.92) in participants without CVD and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.95) among those with CVD; corresponding HRs were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.88) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88-0.92) for 120 to 130 mm Hg, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92-0.96) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91-0.95) for 130 to 140 mm Hg. SBP ≥150 mm Hg was associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular event risk in both groups, whereas SBP <110 mm Hg was associated with reduced risk only in participants without CVD (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.97]) and not among those with CVD (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.98-1.06]).

CONCLUSIONS: Restricted cubic spline analyses demonstrated a J-shaped association between achieved SBP and major adverse cardiovascular event irrespective of CVD history. Maintaining SBP within 110 to 140 mm Hg was similarly associated with lower cardiovascular risk in patients with and without CVD. Risk appeared lowest when SBP was between 120 and 130 mm Hg, while an SBP target <110 mm Hg may offer additional benefit among patients without CVD.

PMID:41732877 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.125.012643

Cardiol Young. 2026 Feb 24:1-6. doi: 10.1017/S1047951126111299. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical efficacy and prognosis of Ozaki procedure and Ross procedure in the treatment of paediatric aortic valve disease.

METHODS: According to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant clinical studies were comprehensively searched in three databases, and relevant data were extracted for analysis and comparison.

RESULTS: This meta-analysis included four retrospective cohort studies with a total of 243 patients (117 undergoing Ozaki procedure and 126 undergoing Ross procedure). There were no significant difference in the in-hospital all-cause mortality [odds ratio = 1.38; 95% confidence interval: 0.38, 5.07, p = 0.63] and all-cause mortality during the follow-up period [odds ratio = 1.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.54, 6.32, p = 0.32] between Ozaki procedure and Ross procedure. The reoperation on the aortic valve [odds ratio = 10.48; 95% confidence interval: 2.22, 49.40, p = 0.003] was higher in the Ozaki procedure than in the Ross procedure. There were no patients who underwent pulmonary valve reoperation after Ozaki procedure [odds ratio = 0.21; 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 1.23, p = 0.08]. The cumulative reoperation rate after Ozaki procedure [odds ratio = 2.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.93, 5.66, p = 0.07] was higher than that of Ross procedure, but the difference was not statistically significant. The cardiopulmonary bypass time after Ozaki procedure [odds ratio = -32.09; 95% confidence interval:-45.05, -19.14, p < 0.00001] was shorter than that of Ross procedure. The incidence of postoperative complications [odds ratio = 0.24; 95% confidence interval: 0.04, 1.62, p = 0.14], aortic cross-clamping time [odds ratio = -20.39; 95% confidence interval: -43.68, 2.90, p = 0.09], ventilator assistance time [odds ratio = 1.71; 95% confidence interval: -42.70, 46.13, p = 0.94], and ICU time [odds ratio = -0.38; 95% confidence interval: -0.93, 0.16, p = 0.17] in Ozaki procedure was not statistically significant compared to Ross procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of children with aortic valve disease, there is no statistically significant difference between the Ozaki procedure and the Ross procedure in terms of freedom from reoperation and all-cause mortality.

PMID:41732876 | DOI:10.1017/S1047951126111299

Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2026 Feb 24:13591045261417801. doi: 10.1177/13591045261417801. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PurposeGiven adolescents’ extensive social media use and its mixed impacts, this study explores: (1) adolescent and young adult (AYA) social media habits, (2) familial factors associated with parental controls, and (3) social media use among AYA with disordered eating.MethodsAYA aged 11-20 visiting an urban academic medical center and fluent in English or Spanish were surveyed on social media use and mental health. Caregivers of minors provided consent and data on demographics and parental controls. The survey included multiple choice, yes/no, and free-text questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, and qualitative coding.ResultsParticipants averaged 15.3 years; 46% spent 4+ hours on social media daily. Younger adolescents (11-14) were more likely to report high use (p = 0.002) and have parental controls (p = 0.006). Most AYA (76%) felt better after using social media. Over half of parents (54.4%) used controls. Qualitative themes included: social media’s unrecognized benefits, its dual role in time use, and its value for health information.ConclusionAYA generally viewed social media positively, though many wished to reduce usage. Parental controls focused more on content than time. Social media supported some with eating disorders, though 30% encountered harmful content.

PMID:41732862 | DOI:10.1177/13591045261417801