Category: Statistics

Acta Radiol Open. 2025 May 22;14(5):20584601251342312. doi: 10.1177/20584601251342312. eCollection 2025 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pericoronary adipose tissue density (PCAT) is a parameter that quantifies inflammation and atherosclerosis around the coronary arteries.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between PCAT and plaque features, stenosis degrees in coronary arteries (LAD, RCA, Cx) with stenotic vulnerable plaques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Retrospective study including 103 patients (64M, 39F) who underwent coronary computed tomography was retrospectively examined at a single center. PCAT and high-risk plaques were measured independently and compared to stenosis and coronary artery type. Adipose tissue attenuation, ranging from -180 to -25 HU, was measured along the plaque’s length and in a 0.5-1 mm region around the perilesional coronary arteries.

RESULTS: The PCAT values increases with the degree of stenosis in the LAD, Cx, and RCA (r = 0.9161, p < .001; r = 0.9717, p < .001; r = 0.9315, p < .001, respectively). PCAT values demonstrate a positive pattern when plaque length increases in all coronary arteries (r = -0.6316, p < .001; r = -0.8825, p < .001; r = -0.7529, p < .001; LAD, Cx, RCA). PCAT values differed significantly based on plaque type in all coronary arteries. Calcified plaques showed statistically significant differences compared to both soft and mixed plaques (p < .05). Patients with positive remodeling had PCAT values of -69.43 (±8.76) HU, while cases without positive remodeling had PCAT values of -84.54 (±7.65) HU, indicating a significant difference (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: The combined evaluation of plaque features, stenosis degree, and PCAT provides a more accurate prediction of possible acute coronary syndrome cases than analyzing stenosis degree alone.

PMID:40416366 | PMC:PMC12099116 | DOI:10.1177/20584601251342312

Can Pharm J (Ott). 2025 May 22:17151635251332612. doi: 10.1177/17151635251332612. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization’s right to health underscores the need for accessible, acceptable, and quality health services. Given that most Canadians use the Internet for health information, the readability of online pharmacy services information is crucial for accessibility.

METHODS: This study assessed the readability of online information about pharmacy services from Canadian provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) and community pharmacy banners. Public-facing website content was evaluated using various readability tests. Scores were compared to recommended reading grade levels by health organizations, and differences between PRA and community pharmacy banner websites were analyzed.

RESULTS: Website content from 9 PRAs and 10 community pharmacy banners was analyzed in June 2024. Average readability scores exceeded the recommended eighth-grade level, with summary scores ranging from 8.45 to 15.28. International English Language Testing System scores for all websites also surpassed reading benchmarks necessary for Canadian immigration. Mann-Whitney U tests indicated statistically significant differences between PRA and community pharmacy banner websites, with the latter being more readable.

DISCUSSION: The results suggest that both PRAs and community pharmacy banners provide information at an advanced reading level, hindering accessibility. This aligns with other research indicating that online health information is often too complex for the general public. Improving readability, particularly for new Canadians, is essential for better accessibility.

CONCLUSION: Public health information on PRA and community pharmacy banner websites generally exceeds the recommended readability level, limiting accessibility. Implementing readability assessments and plain-language standards can enhance the accessibility and engagement of online health information.

PMID:40416341 | PMC:PMC12098308 | DOI:10.1177/17151635251332612

J Mark Access Health Policy. 2025 May 9;13(2):21. doi: 10.3390/jmahp13020021. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Advances in primary healthcare coverage for the improvement in health outcomes at the population level comprise a major goal of public policies of health, particularly considering increases in hospitalization costs linked to chronic diseases in recent decades. Previous evidence shows the positive effects of access to primary healthcare on hospitalization indicators in high-income countries; however, there is a lack of literature on the subject in Latin American countries. Thus, the present study proposes a quantitative investigation on connections between primary healthcare quality and effectiveness in relation to hospitalization indicators, in addition to the identification of its effects on inequalities in hospitalizations in Brazil. The study was based on an empirical analysis of data from five cross-sectional surveys representative at the population level conducted by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2019. Information on the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of individuals compatible across surveys were included in the analyses, in addition to data on household and survey characteristics. The statistical analyses were based on the estimation of logistic regression models for the exploration of effects of primary healthcare quality and effectiveness on hospitalizations, inpatient days, and perception of quality of hospital care. Furthermore, the estimation of concentration indexes and their disaggregation allowed to verify trends and determinants of inequalities in hospitalization indicators in Brazil throughout the period. The results indicate that primary healthcare effectiveness is associated with the lower occurrence and frequency of hospitalizations, and a lower length of stay in hospitals. Primary healthcare quality was associated with the perception of higher quality of hospital care. Trends in hospitalization indicators showed reduction in inequalities towards low-income individuals from 1998 to 2013, and primary healthcare quality presented minor influence on inequalities in hospitalizations, inpatient days, and perception of quality of hospital care.

PMID:40416334 | PMC:PMC12101434 | DOI:10.3390/jmahp13020021

ACS Photonics. 2025 Apr 29;12(5):2291-2303. doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c02430. eCollection 2025 May 21.

ABSTRACT

Combining multiple optical resonators or engineering dispersion of complex media has provided an effective method for demonstrating topological physics controlling photons in unprecedented ways such as unidirectional light propagation and spatially localized modes between an interface or on a corner. Further, adding nonlinear responses to those topological photonic systems has enabled achieving diverse phases of photons in both space and time, allowing for more functionalities in photonic devices that provide a new playground for studying dynamic features of nonlinear topological systems. However, most methods for describing nonlinear topological photonic systems rely on linear topological theories, making it challenging to accurately characterize the topology of nonlinear systems. Thus, substantial efforts have focused on rigorously describing nonlinear topological phases and developing effective tools to analyze nonlinear topological effects. Meanwhile, coupled multimode optical waveguides with nonlinear dynamic responses provide an excellent platform for the statistical description of photons, opening a new paradigm called “optical thermodynamics”. This review will introduce the basic concepts of nonlinear topological photonics and the recent development of theoretical approaches focusing on data-driven approaches for creating phase diagrams as well as the spectral localizer framework and the pseudospectrum method for understanding optical nonlinearities in topological systems. In addition, the new concept of optical thermodynamics will be introduced with some recent theoretical works.

PMID:40416326 | PMC:PMC12100720 | DOI:10.1021/acsphotonics.4c02430

F1000Res. 2025 Apr 25;13:1242. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.156703.2. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease affecting quality of life and causing pruritus. The factors influencing itch and its impact on the quality of life in Thai psoriasis patients are unknown. We aimed to identify these factors and their effect on quality of life.

METHODS: In this questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, we included patients with psoriasis who received treatment at Chulabhorn Hospital in Thailand from January 2019 to July 2021. Interviewer is the non-dermatologist practician. The patient’s information was collected, including demographic data, Itch Numeric Rating Scale (Itch NRS) score, factors affecting itch, and score on the Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). We performed descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Of 100 participants, most (99%) experienced itching, with a moderate degree of pruritus (mean Itch NRS score 6.5 ± 2.6) and a moderate effect on quality of life (mean DLQI score 9.4 ± 6.2). Factors associated with itch aggravation were dry skin (p-value = 0.003) and heat and humidity (p-value = 0.042). The results of binary logistic regression revealed that factors associated with moderate-to-extremely large DLQI scores were itch intensity (no-to-mild vs. moderate-to-severe itch: odds ratio [OR] = 13.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.72-65.32, p < 0.001; and adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 31.17; 95% CI = 4.55-213.36; p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that the quality of life among patients with psoriasis is their greatest concern. Eliminating the itch intensity that affects their quality of life is crucial but remains challenging in Thailand.

PMID:40416300 | PMC:PMC12103706 | DOI:10.12688/f1000research.156703.2

Cureus. 2025 Apr 24;17(4):e82944. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82944. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever and enteric fever, two prevalent infectious diseases in tropical and subtropical regions, pose significant public health challenges due to their overlapping clinical manifestations and distinct therapeutic approaches. This study aims to evaluate hospitalization and management protocols for both illnesses, assessing their adherence to clinical guidelines and examining patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing hospital records over a five-year period (April 2019-April 2024). A total of 218 individuals diagnosed with enteric fever (n=98) and dengue fever (n=120) were included in the study. Data were retrospectively collected using standardized forms from hospital records, laboratory reports, and discharge summaries to capture demographics, clinical presentations, lab findings, treatments, complications, and outcomes for patients with dengue or enteric fever. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, Version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, logistic regression, and Cox modeling to evaluate associations between treatment protocols and patient outcomes, with significance set at p<0.05.

RESULTS: Dengue and enteric fever showed distinct clinical patterns: rash and headache were more common in dengue fever, while abdominal pain and diarrhea predominated in enteric fever. Although demographic differences in age, sex, and residence were observed, they were not statistically significant. Improved outcomes in dengue fever were significantly associated with fluid replacement (n=110, 91.67%, p=0.02), reflecting the collective effect of standard supportive care measures. In contrast, antibiotic therapy (n=98, 100.00%, p=0.01) was central to favorable outcomes in enteric fever. Dengue fever was primarily diagnosed through serological testing (n=115, 95.83%), while enteric fever relied on blood cultures (n=78, 79.59%) (χ²=126.98, p<0.0001, OR=0.02). Hospitalization durations were significantly longer in enteric fever, patients staying ≥5 days compared to dengue fever patients (χ²=8.76, p=0.0031, OR=0.39). Recovery without complications was slightly more frequent in dengue fever (n=112, 93.33%) than in enteric fever (n=88, 89.80%), though this difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.49, p=0.483, OR=0.60). These findings apply to general dengue fever cases only; patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever were managed separately due to differing clinical protocols.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the necessity of tailored treatment protocols for enteric and dengue fever, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to established clinical guidelines to optimize patient outcomes, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings. While appropriate management, such as antibiotic therapy for enteric fever and supportive care for dengue, is well defined, differentiating between these conditions based solely on clinical presentation remains a significant challenge due to overlapping symptoms with other febrile illnesses. This diagnostic ambiguity underscores the urgent need for more robust, accessible, and rapid diagnostic tools. Furthermore, ongoing education and capacity building for healthcare professionals are essential to enhance clinical judgment, ensure early recognition, and improve compliance with evolving evidence-based practices in the management of febrile illnesses.

PMID:40416296 | PMC:PMC12103918 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82944

Cureus. 2025 Apr 25;17(4):e82966. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82966. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Introduction This study aimed to analyze the costs of emergency department (ED) visits among patients aged 65 years and older, with a particular focus on the financial burden of recurrent admissions within a one-year period. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 143,909 ED visits recorded between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, at the Emergency Department of Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Data for patients aged 65 and older were extracted from the Hospital Information Management System. Cost data were based on the Social Security Institution billing system and converted into US dollars (USD) using the 2014 exchange rate. Patients were categorized by age, gender, diagnosis, and visit frequency. Nonparametric statistical tests were used due to the non-normal distribution of cost variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 21,458 (15.0%) ED visits were made by patients aged 65 and older. The median cost per visit in this group was $58.16. Costs increased with age: $42.90 for patients aged 65-74, $76.67 for those aged 75-84, and $96.42 for those aged ≥85 (Kruskal-Wallis H = 1,125.3, df = 2, p < 0.001). Among the 19,159 elderly patients who visited the ED, 1,951 (10.2%) had recurrent visits. Within this subgroup, internal medicine diagnoses were most common (1,345 visits, or 68.9%), followed by pulmonary (320, or 16.4%), cardiovascular (211, or 10.8%), and non-specific complaints (231, or 11.8%) as the leading causes. This diagnostic distribution differed significantly from that of single-visit patients (χ² = 42.7, df = 3, p < 0.001). Recurrence rates varied significantly by diagnostic category (χ² = 89.4, df = 5, p < 0.001): the highest recurrence was observed in patients with hematologic conditions (56/355, or 15.8%; adjusted OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.28-2.31), followed by psychiatric (8/57, or 14.0%; adjusted OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.99-2.12) and pulmonary diagnoses (320/2,358, or 13.6%; adjusted OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.22-1.57), all above the overall recurrence rate of 10.2%. The median cost of the first ED visit was significantly higher in the recurrent group ($72.13) compared to the non-recurrent group ($59.76) (Mann-Whitney U = 14.2 × 10⁶, p < 0.001, r = 0.14). Among recurrent cases, the mean cost of the first visit ($101.84) exceeded the average cost of subsequent visits ($93.98) (Wilcoxon T = 2.4 × 10⁵, p < 0.001, r = 0.09). Conclusion Older patients generate disproportionately higher ED costs in Turkey, particularly those with recurrent visits and chronic conditions. These findings support the implementation of geriatric-focused emergency care models and preventive strategies to optimize resource utilization in aging populations.

PMID:40416294 | PMC:PMC12103731 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82966

Cureus. 2025 Apr 24;17(4):e82946. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82946. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Background Patient safety in pediatric care is a critical concern, as hospital environments pose unique risks for children, particularly falls. Despite advancements in healthcare, falls remain a common safety issue, emphasizing the need for effective preventive measures. Nurses play a vital role in reducing fall risks, but gaps in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) can hinder the success of these efforts. This study evaluates the impact of targeted education on enhancing nursing officers’ KAP of fall prevention. Materials and methods A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design was conducted in the pediatric units of a tertiary care hospital in Bhopal. Nursing officers with at least one year of pediatric experience participated. KAP was assessed before a structured educational intervention, which included a workshop and educational materials. One week post-intervention, data were collected to measure changes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 26 (IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), with paired t-tests assessing improvements in KAP and chi-square tests examining associations with demographic variables. Results A total of 64 nurses participated, with the majority being between 26 and 30 years old and holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Pre-intervention knowledge levels indicated that most participants had average knowledge, which significantly improved post-intervention (mean score: 16.2 ± 4.20 to 24.0 ± 3.37, p<0.001). Attitudes toward fall prevention became more positive (mean score: 69.7 ± 6.07 to 73.5 ± 4.82, p<0.001), and preventive practices improved significantly (mean score: 10.7 ± 2.15 to 12.8 ± 1.50, p<0.001). Knowledge was significantly associated with age (p=0.029) and marital status (p=0.021), while attitudes and practices were linked to the department and the age group of the children in care. Conclusions Targeted educational interventions significantly improved nurses’ KAP of pediatric fall prevention. Although the intervention led to immediate improvements, further research is needed to assess long-term retention and sustainability. Continuous professional development, institutional policies, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to maintaining high standards of pediatric patient safety.

PMID:40416284 | PMC:PMC12103634 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82946

Cureus. 2025 Apr 23;17(4):e82853. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82853. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) surrounds many malignancies that affect mucosal linings, lymphatic tissues, and salivary glands. The predominant subtypes include squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and pleomorphic adenoma (PA). One long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) known as B-cell lymphoma 1 (BCL1) has been observed to be a key regulator of tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Objective This study aims to quantify the expression of BCL1 across HNC subtypes to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Materials and methodology A case-control study was conducted for nine months from February 2023 to October 2023. The study involved 160 HNC patients and 40 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected, and RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and RT-qPCR analysis were done afterward using BCL1-specific primers. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS v.26 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, US) with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results In patients with HNC, elevated relative gene fold levels of BCL1 highlighted malignancy in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 3.19±0.72), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL; 1.91±0.72), and pleomorphic adenoma (PA; 2.24±0.72), in comparison to the control group (1.07±0.72). SCC patients showed the highest expression, which correlated with advanced tumor stages (Stage IV: 60%). Conclusion There was an overexpression of BCL1 observed in HNC subtypes, which highlighted its role as an important biomarker for tumor aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance. This advocates its integration into frameworks of precision oncology.

PMID:40416279 | PMC:PMC12101792 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82853

Cureus. 2025 Apr 23;17(4):e82879. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82879. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Complications such as acute rejection (AR) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) following kidney transplantation can adversely affect graft function, complicating the treatment process and endangering patient health. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has emerged as a promising imaging modality for detecting microscopic changes in renal tissue, particularly those affecting cellular structures. This study aims to evaluate the potential of DWI in detecting AR and ATN in kidney transplant patients. Methods A total of 24 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at the Department of Organ Transplantation, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. Fourteen patients with AR or ATN formed the study group, while the remaining 10 patients, who did not develop complications, constituted the control group. All patients underwent DWI using a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured at different levels of the renal cortex and medulla. Results When evaluating the mean ADC values (×10⁻³ mm²/second) measured from the upper, middle, and lower poles of the kidneys, significantly lower values were observed in the study group compared to the control group. Statistically significant differences were found in all regions (p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights the potential utility of DWI as a non-invasive tool for assessing renal allograft function and detecting early graft injury in kidney transplant recipients.

PMID:40416269 | PMC:PMC12102636 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82879