Category: Statistics

Psychiatr Pol. 2025 Feb 28;59(1):89-103. doi: 10.12740/PP/189457. Epub 2025 Feb 28.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential increased risk of eating disorders among women during the first year after childbirth.

METHODS: In this study involving 288 women between the ages of 21 and 45, the SCOFF questionnaire was used. This tool was used to evaluate and analyse the collected responses, using a predetermined dataset. After data collection, in-depth statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13.3 software. Analytical techniques included the χ2 test, Kruskal-Wallis rank ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: The results were considered statistically significant at a threshold of p ≤ 0.05. The results underscore that most women have concerns about their postpartum weight. The infant feeding method showed a clear correlation with satisfaction with current body weight. Women who chose to breastfeed were more likely to report satisfaction with their body weight. Interestingly, about 50% of female respondents showed a predisposition to developing an eating disorder.

CONCLUSIONS: This propensity appears to depend on variables such as the chosen method of feeding the baby, weight satisfaction and body mass index (BMI). To ensure the well-being of both mothers and infants, a comprehensive study of eating disorders in the perinatal phase is necessary. There is therefore an urgent need for educational initiatives that include mental well-being and nutritional knowledge, targeting pregnant and postpartum women.

PMID:40684344 | DOI:10.12740/PP/189457

Psychiatr Pol. 2025 Feb 28;59(1):25-38. doi: 10.12740/PP/188582. Epub 2025 Feb 28.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the changes in the postural stabilisation, quality of life, cognitive functions and behaviour of patients with paranoid schizophrenia who have undergone the Snoezelen therapy and the auctorial sensorimotor exercise program.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 55 patients aged 55 to 75 years. Group S underwent therapy in the Snoezelen room for nine weeks, group ES underwent the Snoezelen therapy and were also subjected to auctorial sensorimotor exercise programme, and group C were not given any therapeutic intervention. The Biosway portable balance system, the Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Test and the Timed Up & Go Test were used to evaluate the effects of the therapy.

RESULTS: In group ES, statistically significant changes were observed in all tested indicators; in group S such changes were observed in the Limit of Stability test, Tinetti Test and TUG test; while in group C, no statistically significant changes were found.

CONCLUSIONS: The Snoezelen therapy had a significant impact on changes in postural control rations and a reduced risk of falls. The auctorial sensorimotor exercise programme increased the impact of the Snoezelen room on postural stability measured using the Biosway platform and the risk of falls assessed using the TUG test.

PMID:40684342 | DOI:10.12740/PP/188582

Neurol Res. 2025 Jul 20:1-15. doi: 10.1080/01616412.2025.2532039. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon yet potentially life-threatening subtype of stroke that predominantly affects younger individuals. This study aimed to systematically identify and validate druggable genes associated with CVT susceptibility using Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches.

METHODS: We integrated two large-scale expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) datasets – eQTLGen (peripheral blood) and PsychENCODE (brain tissue) – as exposures, with CVT genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from FinnGen serving as the outcome. A two-sample MR (TSMR) framework was employed, supported by sensitivity analyses, summary-data-based MR (SMR), and Bayesian colocalization. Functional enrichment, single-cell analyses, drug prediction, and molecular docking were further performed to explore biological relevance and therapeutic potential.

RESULTS: TSMR identified 19 candidate genes from blood eQTLs after false discovery rate (FDR) correction; two were excluded due to pleiotropy, leaving 17, among which 10 were supported by SMR and colocalization. An additional nominally significant gene (ZP3) was detected from brain tissue. Of these, IL18, BMPR2, and COMT exhibited the strongest evidence. Functional annotation implicated these genes in cytokine signaling, cellular adhesion, and coagulation pathways. Single-cell RNA sequencing localized their expression mainly to monocytes, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. Drug repurposing and docking analysis suggested potential inhibitory interactions between IL18 and glucocorticoids/pioglitazone, and between BMPR2 and iloprost.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals novel gene networks potentially involved in CVT pathogenesis and prioritizes IL18, BMPR2, and COMT as promising candidates for future therapeutic development. Nonetheless, these findings are based on genetic inference and require further mechanistic and clinical validation.

PMID:40684330 | DOI:10.1080/01616412.2025.2532039

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2025 Jul 20. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2025.2536093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Respiratory infections such as pneumococcal disease (PD), RSV, influenza (Flu), and COVID-19 impose a major socio-economic burden in the UK. Adult vaccination programs cost-effectively reduce this burden, yet their societal value remains under-assessed.

METHODS: A benefit-cost analysis (BCA) using life-table-based disease modeling estimated morbidity and mortality reductions from current age- and risk-based recommendations. Mortality risk reduction was monetized using two approaches: value of a statistical life year (VSLY) and hence adjusting for remaining life expectancy, and value of a statistical life (VSL), assuming equal valuation across ages. Scenarios included current and expanded eligibility. Outcomes were reported as benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) and net benefits (NBs).

RESULTS: Over each cohort’s lifetime, vaccinations prevented 313,000 hospitalizations, freed up 1.9 million bed days, and averted over 86,000 deaths. First-year BCRs were 5.1 (VSLY) and 19.3 (VSL), with NBs of £5.1 billion and £23 billion, respectively. Lifetime net benefits ranged from £35.5 billion to £200.1 billion, with BCRs of 5.8 and 27.8. Expanded eligibility further increased NBs but lowered the BCR.

CONCLUSION: Adult respiratory vaccination delivers socio-economic benefits well beyond direct healthcare savings, yet investment remains low. Considering broader impacts beyond standard cost-effectiveness can better align policy with public health and economic goals.

PMID:40684318 | DOI:10.1080/14760584.2025.2536093

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2025 Jul 20. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2025.2536092. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Respiratory infections like pneumococcal disease (PD), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (Flu), and COVID-19 significantly impact Japan’s aging population, imposing substantial health and economic burdens. Effective vaccines exist, yet uptake remains limited due to funding constraints and vaccine hesitancy. This study assessed the societal return on investment in adult respiratory vaccination programs to support informed policy decisions.

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS: We conducted a benefit-cost analysis using static cohort models and life tables to estimate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) and societal net benefits (NBs), monetizing health impacts through value of statistical life and cost-of-illness methods. Costs comprised vaccination program expenses. Scenario and sensitivity analyses explore coverage scenarios and parameter assumptions.

RESULTS: Adult vaccination programs generated BCRs around 18:1 within five years and 20:1 over a lifetime. Lifetime NBs exceeded ¥113 trillion, preventing nearly three million hospitalizations and freeing millions of hospital bed-days, alongside avoiding over ¥100 billion in productivity losses. Expanding vaccine coverage significantly increased NBs by > 30%, whereas reduced COVID-19 vaccine uptake notably diminished returns.

CONCLUSION: Japan’s adult respiratory vaccination programs generate substantial socioeconomic returns, strengthening public health, healthcare resilience, and workforce productivity. Increasing uptake across the population can generate significantly higher NBs. Realizing these benefits requires addressing vaccine uptake barriers and enhancing public investment.

PMID:40684314 | DOI:10.1080/14760584.2025.2536092

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2025 Jul 20. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2025.2536086. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: China has yet to implement a nationwide two-dose vaccination strategy. This study assesses the real-world effectiveness of varicella vaccination in Guangzhou, where the policy recommends voluntary, self-funded administration of two doses of the live attenuated vaccine, to provide insights for optimizing vaccination strategies.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using outbreak data from 2017 to 2022 across preschools, primary, and secondary schools, we employed a three-level matched case-control design (school, grade, and class) and applied conditional logistic regression to estimate the effectiveness of single-dose (VE1) and two-dose (VE2) vaccinations, incremental VE, and the effectiveness of emergency vaccination.

RESULTS: From 2017 to 2022, 1,058 varicella cases were included in the study, with a median age of 9.0 years. The effectiveness of a single-dose vaccine ranged from 45.8% to 46.7%, while the two-dose vaccine showed higher effectiveness (94.5% to 95.8%), with an incremental VE of 89.7% to 92.1%. VE1 decreased over time, whereas VE2 remained relatively high within five years after the booster dose, with the interval between doses having little effect on VE2. Emergency vaccination was effective for the first dose (78.0%-84.5%) and more effective for the second dose (87.2%-91.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose varicella vaccination provides limited protection, whereas the two-dose regimen enhances effectiveness.

PMID:40684305 | DOI:10.1080/14760584.2025.2536086

Psychother Res. 2025 Jul 20:1-14. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2025.2530561. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: As the amount of qualitative psychotherapy research has increased, methodological and reporting practices have evolved and changed to reflect trends in the field. We investigated trends by surveying the methodological characteristics of the qualitative research on therapists’ experiences conducting psychotherapy prior to the publication of the SQIP methodological integrity framework and APA reporting standards for qualitative research. Methods: We identified articles using PsycINFO and coded features including publication year, reported epistemological perspective, number of participants, research design, and procedural checks. We analyzed trends in 140 studies (published 1985 to2015) across these characteristics using descriptive and exploratory inferential statistics. Results: The number of publications grew substantially. Researchers reported their epistemological stance in approximately a quarter of studies, which was not predictive of article age, number of participants, reports of reflexivity, or credibility checks. Additionally, a larger number of participants were associated with grounded theory designs, whereas fewer were associated with phenomenological studies. Higher numbers of reflexivity and credibility checks were associated with consensual qualitative research. Procedures promoting reflexivity, such as formal reflection and self-description by researchers, increased over time, whereas procedures promoting credibility, such as consensus, decreased. Conclusions: Qualitative psychotherapy research is fast-growing and becoming more reflexive, although researchers should more routinely report features related to methodological integrity.

PMID:40684292 | DOI:10.1080/10503307.2025.2530561

Int J Environ Health Res. 2025 Jul 20:1-11. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2025.2534420. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dengue fever has been increasing in recent decades and has become a key concern for the health sector in the USA. This study aims to investigate the impact of meteorological conditions on the incidence of dengue fever in the USA. This research based on the evidence of weekly dengue cases from January 2015 to December 2021 in 56 regions in the USA. Besides descriptive statistics, association was examined between dengue fever incidence and specific environmental factors. A number of multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) for count data was applied to discover the elements that substantially influence the spread of dengue sickness. The hurdle negative binomial regression (NBR) model was considered the final model based on the AIC and BIC criteria. This study showed that temperature, humidity, rainfall, and surface pressure are positively correlated with dengue cases. However, the sky clearance index has negative relationships with dengue cases. The hurdle-NBR model revealed that humidity, temperature, and air-pressure are more prone to dengue cases. In contrast, precipitation, wind speed, and sky clearance index are negatively associated with dengue incidence. The findings of this research impart crucial information about meteorological parameters that could increase the risk of dengue incidence.

PMID:40684289 | DOI:10.1080/09603123.2025.2534420

Med Educ Online. 2025 Dec;30(1):2535414. doi: 10.1080/10872981.2025.2535414. Epub 2025 Jul 20.

ABSTRACT

Although the number of female medical school students is increasing, there is an imbalance regarding women in neurosurgery. In addition, a huge gender gap concerning leading positions as well as scientific careers exists. We performed a questionnaire-based data assessment of former and current neurosurgical residents, medical school students in their final and medical school students in their first year. The questionnaire assessed reasons for resigning from the residency program as well as possible discrimination or gender-specific disadvantages which prevent medical school students from choosing a surgical speciality. We found that significantly more (p = 0.05) female residents left neurosurgical training and indicated gender-based inequalities during the program (p < 0.001). Significantly fewer final-year students would choose a surgical career compared to first-year medical students (p < 0.001). The main reasons against neurosurgical training were poor work-life balance, psychological stress and difficulties in family/child care. Women must continue to be supported to pursue surgical and scientific careers.

PMID:40684282 | DOI:10.1080/10872981.2025.2535414

Urol J. 2025 Jul 20. doi: 10.22037/uj.v22i.8280. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and complications of low-frequency acupuncture therapy based on Midnight-Noon Acupuncture in the central neurogenic bladder (CNB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients diagnosed with CNB without prior treatment were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n=30) was treated with basic rehabilitation training, and the treatment group (n=30) was treated with basic rehabilitation training plus low-frequency acupuncture therapy based on Midnight-Noon Acupuncture flow injection for 4 weeks. The fixed acupuncture points selected were: Sanyinjiao (bilateral), Zhongji (unilateral), and Diji (unilateral). The study compared pre- and post-treatment clinical curative effects, urodynamic indicators, urination status, the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS), the Urinary Symptom Distress Scale (USDS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Inventory (WHOQOL-BREF), and the occurrence of adverse reactions and complications between the control group and treatment group.

RESULTS: The overall efficacy rate of 96.67% in the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the MBC, MFR, Pdet, DASUV, and WHOQOL-BREF scores significantly increased, while the RUV, DUF, DAUL, NBSS scores, and USDS scores all decreased between the two groups, with the treatment group showing significantly better results than the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse reactions and complication rates between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Low-frequency acupuncture therapy based on Midnight-Noon Acupuncture significantly improves bladder function and alleviates urinary difficulties in CNB, demonstrating good safety and considerable clinical applicability.

PMID:40684275 | DOI:10.22037/uj.v22i.8280