Category: Statistics

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003686. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Cooling interventions mitigating heat-related declines in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function are understudied in American football.

METHODS: This study exposed fifty, collegiate male athletes during their 2023 season to two bouts of cold air via air-conditioning prior to (60 mins) and during (5 min) training sessions in a hot and humid climate. Armband monitors, (Warfighter MonitorTM, Tiger Tech Solutions, Inc., Miami, FL, USA), were used to continuously measure core temperature (°C) during training and baseline heart rate (HR), HR recovery and HR variability (HRV) 24 hours post training. Two HRV time-domain indices were estimated: root mean square of the standard deviation of the NN interval (rMSSD) and the standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN). These data (2023) were then compared to data collected throughout the previous season (2022) during which players were not provided a cold-air intervention. As such, the 2022 cohort served as a “control” group.

RESULTS: Linear regression models no statistically significant associations at the following core temperature thresholds: ≥ 37.0 °C (baseline HR: p = 0.74; HR recovery: p = 0.71, rMSSD: p = 0.74; SDNN: p = 0.78), ≥ 38.0 °C baseline HR: p = 0.74; HR Recovery: p = 0.74; rMSSD: p = 0.68 and SDNN: p = 0.89) and ≥ 39.0 °C: baseline HR: p = 0.75; HR Recovery: p = 0.82; rMSSD: p = 0.78 and SDNN: p = 0.83). Compared to the 2022 season, the athletes spent considerably less time training under the higher core temperature thresholds (≥ 38 °C: 19.5 min vs 9.7 min; ≥ 39 °C: 10.5 min vs 0.9 min), respectively, despite longer overall training duration, (161.1 min vs 187.4 min).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that incorporating bouts of cold air exposure when training in high heat and humidity may mitigate the established heat-related deterioration in ANS function.

PMID:39999367 | DOI:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003686

J Foot Ankle Res. 2025 Mar;18(1):e70039. doi: 10.1002/jfa2.70039.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The lateral longitudinal arch (LLA) is an essential structure of the foot. However, LLA evaluation methods remain underexplored compared to those of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). This study sought to develop a method for measuring the cuboid height, the keystone of the LLA, using ultrasonography and to verify its correlation with radiography, as well as intrarater and interrater reliability.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 21 university students (14 males and seven females). The cuboid height was measured using radiography and ultrasonography. The validity of ultrasonographic measurements was assessed through correlation with radiographic measurements and Bland-Altman analysis. Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between cuboid heights measured using radiography and ultrasonography (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). The Bland-Altman analysis revealed a fixed bias of -0.71 mm (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: -0.96 to -0.46 mm). Intrarater and interrater reliability for ultrasonographic measurements were almost perfect, with ICCs of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Cuboid height measurements using ultrasonography demonstrated high validity and reliability. This method offers a noninvasive and cost-effective alternative to radiography, with potential clinical applications in the evaluation of LLA and related conditions such as cuboid syndrome and lateral foot injuries.

PMID:39999351 | DOI:10.1002/jfa2.70039

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025 Feb 25;13:e64527. doi: 10.2196/64527.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mobile health technologies show promise in addressing metabolic syndrome, but their comparative effectiveness in large-scale public health interventions remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of wearable devices (wearable activity trackers) and mobile app-based activity trackers (built-in step counters) in promoting walking practice, improving health behaviors, and reducing metabolic syndrome risk within a national mobile health care program operated by the Korea Health Promotion Institute.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 46,579 participants in South Korea’s national mobile health care program (2020-2022). Participants used wearable devices for 12 weeks, after which some switched to built-in step counters. The study collected data on demographics, health behaviors, and metabolic syndrome risk factors at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Outcomes included changes in walking practice, health behaviors, and metabolic syndrome risk factors. Metabolic syndrome risk was assessed based on 5 factors: blood pressure, fasting glucose, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Health behaviors included low-sodium diet preference, nutrition label reading, regular breakfast consumption, aerobic physical activity, and regular walking. To address potential selection bias, propensity score matching was performed, balancing the 2 groups on baseline characteristics including age, gender, education level, occupation, insurance type, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

RESULTS: Both wearable activity tracker and built-in step counter groups exhibited significant improvements across all evaluated outcomes. The improvement rates for regular walking practice, health behavior changes, and metabolic syndrome risk reduction were high in both groups, with percentages ranging from 45.2% to 60.8%. After propensity score matching, both device types showed substantial improvements across all indicators. The built-in step counter group demonstrated greater reductions in metabolic syndrome risk compared to the wearable device group (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36). No significant differences were found in overall health behavior improvements (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83-1.09) or walking practice (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.01) between the 2 groups. Age-specific subgroup analyses revealed that the association between built-in step counters and metabolic syndrome risk reduction was more pronounced in young adults aged 19-39 years (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.68). Among Android use subgroups, built-in step counters were associated with a higher reduction in health risk factors (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.39).

CONCLUSIONS: Both wearable devices and built-in step counters effectively reduced metabolic syndrome risk in a large-scale public health intervention, with built-in step counters showing a slight advantage. The findings suggest that personalized device recommendations based on individual characteristics, such as age and specific health risk factors, may enhance the effectiveness of mobile health interventions. Future research should explore the mechanisms behind these differences and their long-term impacts on health outcomes.

PMID:39999338 | DOI:10.2196/64527

Pediatrics. 2025 Mar 1;155(3):e2024066367. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066367.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed pharmacologic agents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Antibiotic treatment for suspected or culture-negative sepsis surpasses that for culture-proven infection. Therefore, we sought to reduce our overall antibiotic utilization rate (AUR), defined by total antibiotic days per 1000 patient days (DOT/1000-PD), by 20% within a 4-year period (by December 2023).

METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was convened to develop an antibiotic stewardship quality improvement initiative in our 39-bed level IV NICU. Consensus guidelines for antibiotic duration for common indications were developed. Interventions included educational sessions, antibiotic stop dates, and antibiotic necessity documentation in the electronic health record to standardize provider justification for antibiotic prescription and duration.

RESULTS: A total of 552 infants were included in the analysis, 137 in the baseline and 415 in the postintervention period. Overall AUR decreased by 50% from 278 to 140 DOT/1000-PDs. AUR related to culture-negative sepsis diagnoses decreased by 64% from 22 to 8 DOT/1000-PDs. The percent of antibiotic therapy reinitiation within 2 weeks remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION: Implementation of NICU antibiotic consensus guidelines supported by evidence-based education on culture-negative sepsis diagnosis can effectively reduce antibiotic use in a safe manner, despite a heterogenous, high acuity, level IV NICU population. Multidisciplinary team support and standardization of antibiotic justification in the electronic health record can be coupled to reinforce compliance with established guidelines to promote long-lasting antibiotic reduction.

PMID:39999320 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2024-066367

J Eval Clin Pract. 2025 Feb;31(1):e70031. doi: 10.1111/jep.70031.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To establish and validate a short scale of critical thinking ability for dental residents based on the Byrnes theory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-four dental residents in total from Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were divided into development group and validation group randomly. In the development phase, the content validation and the initial reduction was underwent by the modified Delphi method. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability test was used to validate the scale in the evaluation phase.

RESULTS: We developed a 21 items scale after two rounds of expert consultation via Delphi method. In the evaluation phase, no significant sociodemographic difference was found among the 234 participants. Fifteen items extracted three factors and CFA results indicated acceptable goodness-of-fit indices of this scale. The scale was with a good internal consistency and reliability.

CONCLUSIONS: This version of critical thinking scale for the Chinese dental residents was considered to be more feasible for application in the clinical practice and dental education.

PMID:39999223 | DOI:10.1111/jep.70031

Aging Ment Health. 2025 Feb 25:1-10. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2025.2467972. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Widowhood affects the quality of life and interpersonal relationships of older women. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a life review program on quality of life and quality of relationships among older rural widows in Iran.

METHOD: A clinical trial was conducted with 128 older adults widowed women who were served by rural health centers in the city of Iran. The intervention was carried out in six sessions over a period of 6 weeks in the form of remote conversations and virtual lessons. Quality of life and relationship quality before and 2 months after the intervention were assessed using the LEIPAD quality of life questionnaire with a score range of 31-124 and the relationship quality questionnaire with a score range of 25-100. The data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests with SPSS software version 26.

RESULTS: The results show that after the intervention, the scores for relationship quality and quality of life increased in the intervention group (p < 0.05) compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: Therefore, the use of this simple, inexpensive, and uncomplicated intervention is recommended for health counseling of the older adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: IRCT20111017007816N18.

PMID:39999220 | DOI:10.1080/13607863.2025.2467972

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3898. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Formal networks are increasingly being used as a strategy to address complex health system issues. This study aimed to understand the organisational performance of a novel network, the Rural Surgical and Obstetrical Networks (RSON) in the Canadian province of British Columbia, as it developed and grew over four years.

METHODS: Between 2019 and 2022, we administrated an annual 37-item survey on network organisational aspects with RSON leaders. We calculated the percentage of favourable ratings (four or five rating out of five) for each survey item and used a two-tailed Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney rank sum test to compare ratings over time. Key themes in respondent comments were described narratively.

RESULTS: Over four years, we distributed 114 survey invitations to RSON leaders and received 77 responses. From 2019 to 2022, 24 out of 37 survey items (65%) had a statistically significant increase in ratings. Ratings and comments indicated that RSON could have improved its function by (a) including more peripheral network members in decision-making and (b) formalising structures and processes for some network areas. Findings also indicate the presence of three network tensions within RSON: inclusiveness versus efficiency, stability versus flexibility, and network operations versus health system operations.

CONCLUSION: Study findings validate and build on existing network theories and provide practical learnings for other jurisdictions interested in implementing a network like RSON. Among the tensions identified within RSON, the network operations versus health system operations tension, specific to a healthcare delivery setting, has not been well described previously.

PMID:39999218 | DOI:10.1002/hpm.3898

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Feb;60(2):e71018. doi: 10.1002/ppul.71018.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) are commonly treated for pulmonary exacerbations with intravenous tobramycin, but data on tobramycin pharmacokinetics in PCD is lacking. The objective of this study was to compare tobramycin pharmacokinetics in pediatric patients with PCD to those with cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS: This retrospective study included pediatric patients hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation between January 2018 and June 2023. Included patients were treated with systemic tobramycin and had two concentrations usable to calculate patient-specific pharmacokinetics. Each patient with PCD was matched 1:2 to patients with CF based on age. The primary outcome was tobramycin elimination rate constant.

RESULTS: Seven patients with PCD were matched to 14 patients with CF. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The final tobramycin dose was not significantly different between groups (9.3 vs. 11.8 mg/kg, p = 0.192). All doses were infused over 30 min every 24 h. Tobramycin elimination rate constant (0.510 vs. 0.493 h^-1, p = 0.433) and volume of distribution (0.31 vs. 0.23 L/kg, p = 0.640) were not different between groups. No patient experienced acute kidney injury. Additionally, both groups experienced similar duration of tobramycin therapy (12.3 vs. 9.6 days, p = 0.184) and length of stay (12.0 vs. 12.6 days, p = 0.801).

CONCLUSIONS: No difference in tobramycin elimination rate constant was found between patients with PCD and those with CF. Clinical outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Although not statistically significant, a lower tobramycin dose was observed in patients with PCD.

PMID:39998853 | DOI:10.1002/ppul.71018

Cancer. 2025 Mar 1;131(5):e35788. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35788.

ABSTRACT

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) populations experience health disparities across all areas of health care due to issues of bias, discrimination, and structural barriers to care. Existing literature on cancer screening in TGD populations demonstrates significant gaps in care; for example, transgender men receive Pap smears at lower rates than cisgender women. Because of known disparities in cancer screening, and gaps in our understanding in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, the authors conducted a rapid review of the literature to examine cancer care continuum (screening, treatment, and survivorship) disparities among TGD persons. The results reported disparities across the cancer care continuum. Although there is currently limited research on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, the available evidence indicates TGD patients are diagnosed with cancer at later stages than cisgender patients. TGD patients were also less likely than cisgender patients to receive treatment for some types of cancer. The results of this rapid review demonstrate the need for more research across the cancer care continuum for TGD patients with significant gaps in knowledge for cancer treatment and survivorship.

PMID:39998846 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.35788

Ir Med J. 2025 Jan 27;118(1):4.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The social care system is currently under enormous pressure leading to delays in home care provision and unnecessarily prolonged hospital stays for frail, older people. This study examines the rate of hospital-associated complications (HAC) amongst older inpatients who are medically optimised but awaiting home care to facilitate discharge home.

METHODS: Electronic records of patients =65 years with delayed transfer of care (DTOC) awaiting home care provision were examined for incidence of delirium, falls and infection (n=100). A smaller cohort of current inpatients (n=14) awaiting home care were interviewed with focus on quality-of-life (CASP-19), loneliness (UCLA Scale) and depressive symptoms (CES-D).

RESULTS: 59% (57/97) (median 82 years) developed a HAC while medically optimised for discharge. For every additional day awaiting home care, the likelihood of HAC increased by 4% (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.04 (1.00-1.08; p=0.027). Almost half of interview respondents reported quality-of-life had declined while discharge home was delayed (6/14, 43%), while over one third reported significant depressive symptoms (5/14, 36%).

DISCUSSION: Almost 60% of frail, older inpatients have a HAC while awaiting home care provision, with the likelihood increasing significantly for every additional day in hospital awaiting care. Interventions to address this deficit in home care are required urgently.

PMID:39998843