Category: Statistics

Int J Neurosci. 2024 Apr 16:1-9. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2341908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study aims to investigate the effect of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on the outcome of patients with SAH undergone endovascular occlusion or surgical clipping.

METHODS: Clinical data of consecutive patients with SAH patients who were managed in the neurosurgical department of Kanuni Research and Training Hospital in Trabzon from January 2020 to June 2022 was analyzed. The primary endpoint was early mortality in one month. The prognostic role of PNI was investigated.

RESULTS: Of the 46 patients, 17 were male and 29 were female. The median age was 57.3 (33-89). the last status according to the PNI values of the patients was statistically significant (p = 0.023 < 0.=5). When the patients were divided into two groups according to Glasgow Coma Score as group 1 (the patient’s GCS was lower than 12) and Group 2 (GCS score whose GCS score was between 12-15, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistical significant between this two group.

CONCLUSION: This study indicates that PNI was correlated with the outcome in patients with SAH. Preoperative impaired nutritional status based on PNI can be accepted as a predictor of affecting the outcome in aneurysmal SAH patients undergoing endovascular occlusion or surgical clipping.

PMID:38626294 | DOI:10.1080/00207454.2024.2341908

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024 Apr 16. doi: 10.2196/59587. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Wearable sensors are increasingly being explored in healthcare, including in cancer care, for their potential in continuously monitoring patients. Despite their growing adoption, significant challenges remain in the quality and consistency of data collected from wearable sensors. In particular, preprocessing pipelines to clean and standardize raw data have not been fully optimized.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of preprocessing techniques employed on wearable sensor data to ensure their readiness for artificial intelligence/machine learning (“AI/ML-ready”) applications. Specifically, we sought to understand the landscape of current approaches applied in cleaning, normalizing, and transforming raw datasets into usable formats for subsequent AI/ML analysis.

METHODS: We systematically searched IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Embase (including Embase, Embase Classic, MEDLINE, PubMed-not-MEDLINE), and Scopus to identify potentially relevant studies for this review. The eligibility criteria included: (1) mHealth and wearable sensor studies in cancer; (2) written and published in English; (3) published between January 2018 and December 2023; (4) full text available rather than abstracts; (5) original studies published in peer-reviewed journals or appeared in conference proceedings. The Covidence app was used as a review resource for the screening stage. Statistical learning and image processing techniques were considered irrelevant.

RESULTS: In the initial phase, 2,147 papers were identified between January 2018-December 2023. After a thorough evaluation of these selected papers, we applied our predefined eligibility criteria, which resulted in a total of 20 papers. The following three categories for preprocessing techniques were identified: (1) Data Transformation, (2) Data Scaling, (3) and Data Cleaning.

CONCLUSIONS: While wearable sensors are gaining traction in cancer care, there remain challenges in the application of standard AI/ML techniques due to low quality of raw data captured and not applying appropriate preprocessing pipelines to enrich the data quality. As of now, AI/ML methodologies remain individually tailored to specific studies or types of data, and limit the generalizability of research findings. A general framework for those multiple types of databases has been proposed in this work. Our findings suggest a pressing need to develop and adopt uniform data quality and pre-processing workflows of wearable sensor data that can support the breadth of cancer research and its diverse patient populations.

PMID:38626290 | DOI:10.2196/59587

Aesthet Surg J. 2024 Apr 16:sjae089. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjae089. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders, both with and without comorbid depression, are widespread globally. This study investigates the intersection of anxiety, depression, and self-reported Breast Implant Illness (BII) in women undergoing aesthetic breast surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our research is to enhance understanding about mental health history, psychotropic medication use, and its relation to BII symptoms.

METHODS: A cohort of 240 consecutive female patients undergoing elective breast surgery was studied. The study categorized patients into groups based on the presence of self-reported BII symptoms and the type of breast surgery performed. Mental health history, psychotropic medication use, and time spent in treatment for mental illness were scrutinized. Statistical analyses were conducted, including multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS: Results reveal that patients with self-reported BII symptoms often have a pre-existing anxiety/depression disorder treated medically before obtaining breast implants, and this disorder predicts the occurrence of BII symptoms. These patients tend to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression at a younger age, initiate medication therapy earlier, take more medications for their condition, and spend more time in therapy compared to others undergoing elective breast surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Implications of this study highlight the need for comprehensive counseling between plastic surgeons and patients with self-reported BII symptoms. Understanding the role of anxiety/depression in the pathogenesis of self-reported BII is crucial, and collaboration with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can ensure improved supportive care. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the psychological aspects surrounding breast implant surgery and self-reported BII and emphasize the importance of preoperative mental health assessments in appropriate patient selection for elective breast surgery.

PMID:38626277 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjae089

Diabetes Care. 2024 Apr 16:dc232311. doi: 10.2337/dc23-2311. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate glucose metrics and identify potential predictors of the achievement of glycemic outcomes in children and adolescents during their first 12 months of MiniMed 780G use.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter, longitudinal, real-world study recruited 368 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) starting SmartGuard technology between June 2020 and June 2022. Ambulatory glucose profile data were collected during a 15-day run-in period (baseline), 2 weeks after automatic mode activation, and every 3 months. The influence of covariates on glycemic outcomes after 1 year of MiniMed 780G use was assessed.

RESULTS: After 15 days of automatic mode use, all glucose metrics improved compared with baseline (P < 0.001), except for time below range (P = 0.113) and coefficient of variation (P = 0.330). After 1 year, time in range (TIR) remained significantly higher than at baseline (75.3% vs. 62.8%, P < 0.001). The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over the study duration was lower than the previous year (6.9 ± 0.6% vs. 7.4 ± 0.9%, P < 0.001). Time spent in tight range (70-140 mg/dL) was 51.1%, and the glycemia risk index was 27.6. Higher TIR levels were associated with a reduced number of automatic correction boluses (P < 0.001), fewer SmartGuard exits (P = 0.021), and longer time in automatic mode (P = 0.030). Individuals with baseline HbA1c >8% showed more relevant improvement in TIR levels (from 54.3 to 72.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the sustained effectiveness of MiniMed 780G among youths with T1D. Findings suggest that even children and adolescents with low therapeutic engagement may benefit from SmartGuard technology.

PMID:38626260 | DOI:10.2337/dc23-2311

Eur Heart J Suppl. 2020 Dec 17;22(Suppl N):N81-N82. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/suaa200. eCollection 2020 Dec.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Strong epidemiologic evidence has highlighted the role of pollution, on top of adverse climate features, as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. However, mechanistic proof that reducing pollution may be beneficial to prevent atherothrombotic events is limited. We aimed at appraising the impact of temporary traffic bans in a large metropolitan area on the risk of acute coronary syndromes.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Aggregate and anonymized data from 15 tertiary cardiac care centers were obtained detailing pre-coronarivus disease 2019 (COVID-19) daily cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including those treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on pollutants and climate were sought for the same days. Mixed level regression was used to compare the week before vs. after the traffic ban (Fortnight analysis), the 3 days before vs. after (Weekly analysis) and the Sunday before vs. after (Sunday analysis). A total of 8 days of temporary traffic bans were included, occurring between 2017 and 2020, totaling 802 STEMI and 1196 NSTEMI in the Fortnight analysis, 382 STEMI and 585 in the Weekly analysis, and 148 STEMI and 210 NSTEMI in the Sunday analysis. Fortnight and Sunday analysis did not disclose a significant impact of traffic ban on STEMI or NSTEMI (all P > 0.05). Conversely, Weekly analysis showed non-significant changes for STEMI but a significant decrease in daily NSTEMI when comparing the 3 days before the traffic ban with the ban day (P = 0.043), as well as the 3 days before vs. the 3 days after the ban (P = 0.025). No statistically significant effect of traffic ban was found at Fortnight, Weekly or Sunday analyses for daily mean concentrations of benzene, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM) <2.5 µm or PM < 10 µm (all P > 0.05). However, minimum daily concentrations showed a significant reduction of ozone during the ban in comparison to the week preceding it (P = 0.034), nitric oxide during the ban in comparison to the 3 days preceding it (P = 0.046), and an increase in benzene during the ban in comparison to the Sunday before (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSION: Temporary traffic bans may favorably reduce coronary atherothrombotic events, and in particular NSTEMI, even if not globally and immediately impacting on environmental pollution. Further controlled studies are required to confirm and expand this hypothesis-generating results.

PMID:38626246 | PMC:PMC7799104 | DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/suaa200

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 16;19(4):e0298881. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298881. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a common cause of neuropathic pain in peripheral neuropathies. Good accessibility of diagnostics and treatment is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of SFN. Evidence is lacking on the quality performance of the diagnostic SFN service in the Netherlands. Our aim was to determine the patient satisfaction and -accessibility of the diagnostic SFN service, and to identify areas for improvement.

METHODS: In a single-center, prospective, survey-based cohort study, 100 visiting patients were asked to fill in the SFN patient satisfaction questionnaire (SFN-PSQ), with 10 domains and 51 items. Cut-off point for improvement was defined as ≥ 25% dissatisfaction on an item. A chi-square test and linear regression analyses was used for significant differences and associations of patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: From November 2020 to May 2021, 98 patients with SFN-related complaints filled in the online SFN-PSQ within 20 minutes. In 84% of the patients SFN was confirmed, average age was 55.1 (52.5-57.8) years and 67% was female. High satisfaction was seen in the domains ‘Waiting List Period’, Chest X-ray’, ‘Consultation with the Doctor or Nurse Practitioner (NP)’, ‘Separate Consultation with the Doctor or NP about Psychological Symptoms’, and ‘General’ of the SFN service. Overall average patient satisfaction score was 8.7 (IQR 8-10) on a 1-to-10 rating scale. Main area for improvement was shortening the 8-week period for receiving the results of the diagnostic testing (p < 0.05). General health status was statistically significant associated with patient satisfaction (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: A good reflection of the high patient satisfaction and -accessibility of the SFN-service is shown, with important points for improvement. These results could help hospitals widely to optimize the logistic and diagnostic pathway of SFN analysis, benchmarking patient satisfaction results among the hospitals, and to improve the quality of care of comparable SFN services.

PMID:38626240 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0298881

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 16;19(4):e0301973. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301973. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause considerable morbidity and mortality from their acute and chronic infections. The transmission of the viruses within the prisons is high due to overcrowding, and other risk behaviors such as drug use, and unsafe sexual practices. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of HBV and HCV infections among prisoners in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gondar City Prison Center from May 1, 2022, to July 30, 2022. A total of 299 prison inmates were selected by using a systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral and prison related factors. Five milliliters of blood sample were collected, and the serum was separated from the whole blood. The serum was tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody by using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data was entered using EpiData version 4.6.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done to assess the association between the independent variables and HBV and HCV infections. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of HBV or HCV infections was 10.4%. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections was 7.0% and 4.0%, respectively. It has been demonstrated that having several heterosexual partners, sharing sharp materials in prison, having longer imprisonment, and having a body tattoo are significantly associated with HBV infection. The presence of a body tattoo, a history of surgical procedures, and previous imprisonment are associated risk factors for HCV infection.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV and HCV were high-intermediate and high, respectively. Therefore, preventative and control initiatives are needed in prisons to decrease the rate of infection and transmission.

PMID:38626232 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0301973

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024 Apr 16;18(4):e0011635. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011635. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatosis which can occur after successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and is a public health problem in VL endemic areas. We conducted a systematic scoping review to assess the characteristics of published PKDL clinical studies, understand the scope of research and explore the feasibility and value of developing a PKDL individual patient data (IPD) platform.

METHODS: A systematic review of published literature was conducted to identify PKDL clinical studies by searching the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Ovid Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, WHO Global Index Medicus, PASCAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, Ovid Global Health, Cochrane Database and CENTRAL, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Only prospective studies in humans with PKDL diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up measurements between January 1973 and March 2023 were included. Extracted data includes variables on patient characteristics, treatment regimens, diagnostic methods, geographical locations, efficacy endpoints, adverse events and statistical methodology.

RESULTS: A total of 3,418 records were screened, of which 56 unique studies (n = 2,486 patients) were included in this review. Out of the 56 studies, 36 (64.3%) were from India (1983-2022), 12 (21.4%) from Sudan (1992-2021), 6 (10.7%) were from Bangladesh (1991-2019), and 2 (3.6%) from Nepal (2001-2007). Five (8.9%) studies were published between 1981-1990 (n = 193 patients), 10 (17.9%) between 1991-2000 (n = 230 patients), 10 (17.9%) between 2001-2010 (n = 198 patients), and 31 (55.4%) from 2011 onwards (n = 1,865 patients). Eight (14.3%) were randomised clinical trials, and 48 (85.7%) were non-randomised studies. The median post-treatment follow-up duration was 365 days (range: 90-540 days) in 8 RCTs and 360 days (range: 28-2,373 days) in 48 non-randomised studies. Disease diagnosis was based on clinical criterion in 3 (5.4%) studies, a mixture of clinical and parasitological methods in 47 (83.9%) and was unclear in 6 (10.7%) studies. Major drugs used for treatment were miltefosine (n = 636 patients), liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) (n = 508 patients), and antinomy regimens (n = 454 patients). Ten other drug regimens were tested in 270 patients with less than 60 patients per regimen.

CONCLUSIONS: Our review identified studies with very limited sample size for the three major drugs (miltefosine, L-AmB, and pentavalent antimony), while the number of patients combined across studies suggest that the IPD platform would be valuable. With the support of relevant stakeholders, the global PKDL community and sufficient financing, a PKDL IPD platform can be realised. This will allow for exploration of different aspects of treatment safety and efficacy, which can potentially guide future healthcare decisions and clinical practices.

PMID:38626228 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0011635

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 16;19(4):e0298584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298584. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably strained health care providers and family caregivers. Double-duty caregivers give unpaid care at home and are employed as care providers. This sequential mixed-method study, a survey followed by qualitative interviews, aimed to comprehensively understand the experiences of these Canadian double-duty caregivers amidst the pandemic and the transition to the endemic phase. The multi-section survey included standardized assessments such as the Double-duty Caregiver Scale and the State Anxiety Scale, along with demographic, employment-related, and care work questions. Data analysis employed descriptive and linear regression modeling statistics, and content analysis of the qualitative data. Out of the 415 respondents, the majority were female (92.5%) and married (77.3%), with 54.9% aged 35 to 54 years and 29.2% 55 to 64 years. 68.9% reported mental health decline over the past year, while 60.7% noted physical health deteriorated. 75.9% of participants self-rated their anxiety as moderate to high. The final regression model explained 36.8% of the variance in participants’ anxiety levels. Factors contributing to lower anxiety included more personal supports, awareness of limits, younger age, and fewer weekly employment hours. Increased anxiety was linked to poorer self-rated health, and both perceptions and consequences of blurred boundaries. The eighteen interviewees highlighted the stress of managing additional work and home care during the pandemic. They highlighted the difficulty navigating systems and coordinating care. Double-duty caregivers form a significant portion of the healthcare workforce. Despite the spotlight on care and caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic, the vital contributions and well-being of double-duty caregivers and family caregivers have remained unnoticed. Prioritizing their welfare is crucial for health systems as they make up the largest care workforce, particularly evident during the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage.

PMID:38626216 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0298584

PLoS Comput Biol. 2024 Apr 16;20(4):e1012017. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Current malaria elimination targets must withstand a colossal challenge-resistance to the current gold standard antimalarial drug, namely artemisinin derivatives. If artemisinin resistance significantly expands to Africa or India, cases and malaria-related deaths are set to increase substantially. Spatial information on the changing levels of artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia is therefore critical for health organisations to prioritise malaria control measures, but available data on artemisinin resistance are sparse. We use a comprehensive database from the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network on the prevalence of non-synonymous mutations in the Kelch 13 (K13) gene, which are known to be associated with artemisinin resistance, and a Bayesian geostatistical model to produce spatio-temporal predictions of artemisinin resistance. Our maps of estimated prevalence show an expansion of the K13 mutation across the Greater Mekong Subregion from 2000 to 2022. Moreover, the period between 2010 and 2015 demonstrated the most spatial change across the region. Our model and maps provide important insights into the spatial and temporal trends of artemisinin resistance in a way that is not possible using data alone, thereby enabling improved spatial decision support systems on an unprecedented fine-scale spatial resolution. By predicting for the first time spatio-temporal patterns and extents of artemisinin resistance at the subcontinent level, this study provides critical information for supporting malaria elimination goals in Southeast Asia.

PMID:38626207 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012017