Category: Statistics

BMC Surg. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):355. doi: 10.1186/s12893-024-02651-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique has garnered significant attention for its little paraspinal iatrogenic damage, expedited recovery, and low complication rates. This method is also applicable to open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the outcomes associated with unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF), minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), and TLIF for Meyerding grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODS: The study examined the outcomes of 79 patients with Meyerding grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent single-level intervertebral fusion. Clinical assessments included the measurement of pain levels using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for low back and leg pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), surgical data, and demographic information. Imaging techniques were utilized to evaluate the fusion rate.

RESULTS: The VAS-Back demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in Group UBE-TLIF compared to the other groups at the one-week postoperative evaluation (p < .05). Additionally, the UBE-TLIF group exhibited a significantly longer total operative time compared to the other groups (p < .05). However, it was noted that the Postop Hemovac drain were significantly greater in the MIS-TLIF and TLIF groups compared to the UBE-TLIF group (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: The present research demonstrated the effectiveness of UBE-TLIF, MIS-TLIF, and TLIF as surgical approaches for treating Meyerding grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis. Among these methods, UBE-TLIF demonstrated a reduction in Postop Hemovac drain, and an increase in operative duration.

PMID:39538275 | DOI:10.1186/s12893-024-02651-5

J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Nov 13;43(1):186. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00681-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted disease that is associated with considerable morbidity and harmful sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Strategies for prevention and treatment of infertility in women with C. trachomatis infection require further investigation. There is evidence suggesting that vitamin D could be a potential treatment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, chlamydia seropositivity, and the risk of infertility in women.

METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional study using 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Women aged 18-39 years with complete serum 25(OH)D and chlamydia Pgp3Ab multiplex bead/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay data available were included. The correlation between 25(OH)D level, chlamydia seropositivity, and infertility was evaluated using the weighted chi-squared test and the t-test with multivariate logistic regression and moderation effect models.

RESULTS: Among the 1424 women who met our eligibility criteria, the weighted chlamydia seropositivity rate was 36.8%. The 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the seropositive group compared with seronegative control. (P = 0.009). After adjusting for ethnicity, the effect of 25(OH)D was no longer significant (P = 0.693). Further analysis in the chlamydia-seropositive subset revealed that the vitamin D level was lower in the infertile group (P = 0.024). In an interaction model, 25(OH)D was found to antagonizes the positive relationship between chlamydia and infertility (OR = 0.985, 95% CI: 0.971-0.999, P = 0.040).

CONCLUSION: The serum vitamin D level may be more related to the prognosis in terms of infertility than to the risk of chlamydia infection. This finding may reveal a possible treatment strategy for chlamydia infection.

PMID:39538249 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-024-00681-6

Ital J Pediatr. 2024 Nov 14;50(1):243. doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01799-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis (BE) is defined as a clinical syndrome of recurrent, persistent wet cough and abnormal bronchial dilatation on chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scans. The aims of this study were to characterize the pattern of the trajectories of lung function parameters and to consider the relationship between the lung function and radiological severity according to the modified Reiff score.

METHODS: The study retrospectively considered 86 children (46.5% male, median age of 4 years) with non-CF BE, admitted at the Paediatric Pneumology Unit of Buzzi Children’s Hospital from January 2015 to December 2022. The diagnosis of BE was made according to the presence of a suggestive clinical history and symptoms and key features of BE evidenced on chest HRCT scans. The modified Reiff score was adapted to quantify the severity of BE. Spirometry (COSMED MicroQuark spirometer) was performed at median age of 5.78 years (baseline or T₀) and after 1 and 2 years from the baseline (T₁ and T_2, respectively). The general trends of lung function parameters were estimated by ANOVA models for repeated measurements. For each lung function parameter, a longitudinal regression model was fitted. The analysis was performed with the software R release 4.2.3. The statistical significance was deemed when the p-value resulted lower than 0.05.

RESULTS: The general trends of lung function parameters showed a statistically significant variation of forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV₁%) from T₀ to T₁ (p = 0.0062, 0.0009) and no significant change for FVC%, FEV₁% and forced expiratory flow 25-75% of VC (FEF_25/75%) from T₁ to T₂ (p = 0.145, 0.210, 0.600, respectively). Notably, we found no correlation between the age at diagnosis and the lung function parameters at T₀ (r = 0.149, 0.103 and 0.042 for FVC%, FEV₁% and FEF_25/75%, respectively). Instead, a poor negative correlation resulted between the Reiff score and FVC%, FEV₁% e FEF_25/75% at baseline (Spearman coefficients: rho=-0.156, -0.204, -0.103, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: A stable pulmonary function is detectable within 2 years follow up from baseline spirometry. The modified Reiff score should be considered as a good tool not only to quantify the radiological lung involvement but also the degree of pulmonary function impairment.

PMID:39538243 | DOI:10.1186/s13052-024-01799-3

BMC Urol. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):251. doi: 10.1186/s12894-024-01645-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ureteral spatulation, the first ureteral suture, and double-J stenting may be challenging and time-consuming in laparoscopic pyeloplasty, especially in small children. We aimed to present our comparative results of the extracorporeal ureteral spatulation, suturing, and stenting (EUSSS) technique in mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty (MLP) and the conventional intracorporeal technique in prepubertal children.

METHODS: The data of 46 prepubertal pediatric patients (< 12 years) who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty by a single surgeon between January 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: who underwent EUSSS-MLP (Group-1, n = 26) and who underwent conventional intracorporeal pyeloplasty (Group-2, n = 20).

RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 5.3 years (4.8 ± 2.8 years in Group-1 and 6.0 ± 2.1 years in Group-2 p = 0.126). The mean duration of ureteral preparation plus double-J stenting was 5.7 ± 1.6 min in Group-1 and 19.2 ± 4.1 min in Group-2 (p < 0.0001). The mean duration of surgery was statistically significantly higher in Group-2 (p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in terms of postoperative complications (p = 0.482). Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was successful in 42 (91.3%) patients, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (Group-1: 24 (92.3%), Group-2:18 (90%), p = 0.783).

CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal ureteral preparation and double-J stenting can be safely and effectively preferred in MLP for prepubertal children.

PMID:39538237 | DOI:10.1186/s12894-024-01645-y

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Nov 13;25(1):908. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-08030-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the clinical efficacy of TBS (Trabecular Bone Score) of DXA in hip fracture patients. This study aimed to investigate the difference of TBS in trochanteric fractures and femoral neck fractures in hip fracture patients.

METHODS: Data were derived from the University affiliated hospital, the participants included 249 patients aged 60 years or older who were available of TBS prescribe by DXA. 89 femoral neck fracture patients and 160 trochanteric fractures were enrolled. Spine T- score, hip T- score (neck), hip T- score (total), lowest T- score in hip, L1-L4 TBS. TBS Z-score, L1-L4 BMD(g/cm²), L1-L4 BMD T-score, L1 TBS, L1 BMD(g/cm2), L1 BMD T-score, L2 TBS, L2 BMD(g/cm2), L2 BMD T-score, L3 TBS, L3 BMD(g/cm2), L3 BMD T-score, L4 TBS, L4 BMD(g/cm2), L4 BMD T-score, lowest TBS score, highest TBS score were analyzed.

RESULTS: Demographic data (age, sex, height, weight, BMI) and T-score of hip and spine in two groups showed no significant difference. TBS in spine in two groups revealed higher TBS in femoral neck fracture groups.

CONCLUSION: There is no difference of age, sex, and BMI in two groups. The T-score was not statistically significant in comparison of bone quality in hip fracture groups. The TBS in femoral neck fracture group is higher than trochanteric fractures. The TBS in spine can be more valuable than T-score of DXA for the proper evaluation of bone quality in the hip fracture patients.

PMID:39538232 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-024-08030-8

BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):3145. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20593-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of obesity is increasing not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. In addition to the role of genetic and biological factors, policies such as the need for quarantine during the coronavirus epidemic and the family’s behavioral and socioeconomic status in causing obesity cannot be ignored. The current research aimed to investigate the effect of virtual education programs on the health responsibility of overweight students during the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

METHODS: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a randomized control group, which was conducted in three stages)pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention) during 2021-22 in Tehran Province, Iran. The samples were 60 adolescent girls aged 12-18 with a body mass index higher than 25 and placed in two test and control groups through random cluster sampling. Data was collected using the demographic information profile and the 12-item health responsibility questionnaire from HPLPII. The intervention was implemented as 6 virtual training sessions of 1.5 h for the test group. After 1.5 months, BMI was measured and a post-test was done. SPSS version 22 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: There was no significant change in the BMI of students after the intervention in the control group (p = 0.476), but it decreased significantly in the test group (p < 0.001). Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the average score of health responsibility in the test group (54.63 $\pm 6.93$ ) and the control group (53.03 $\pm$ 6.79) (P = 0.370). After the intervention, the mean difference between the test group (62.56) and the control group (55.10) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Before the intervention, about 70% of the students in both the test and control groups were at a relatively favorable health responsibility level. After the study, the number of students in the test group who were placed at a completely favorable level was almost twice as before, and a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups(P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that virtual education during the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to an increase in the responsibility for the health of overweight and obese students (in terms of improving health behaviors, increasing the hours of physical activity, and modifying the eating pattern) and reducing the body mass index of students.

PMID:39538224 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-20593-8

BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):3154. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20654-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Safe motherhood programs must include both readiness for complications and childbirth. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a comprehensive approach that helps resolve delays in deciding to seek care for obstetric problems.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the determinants of BPCR practice among reproductive age group women in Africa.

DESIGN: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) were followed and databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were used to find the available studies. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to identify associated factors. I2 statistics, funnel plot, and Egger test were used to assess the studies’ heterogeneity and publication bias.

RESULTS: In this review, a total of 32 studies with 17,787 sample sizes were included. Knowledge of BPCR (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.44, 3.13), knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.37, 1.88), Knowledge of labor and delivery danger signs (AOR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.62), Knowledge of postpartum danger signs (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.63), urban residency (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.70), Antenatal Care follow-up (AOR = AOR = 1.52;95% CI:1.42, 1.63), history of stillbirth (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.86), parity (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.66) and secondary or higher educational status (AOR = 1.51: 95% CI: 1.35, 1.68) were the determinants of BPCR practice.

CONCLUSION: BPCR practice among African women of reproductive age has been greatly affected by antenatal care visits, urban residency, knowledge of danger during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, history of stillbirth, primiparity, and secondary or higher education. Focused interventions that address the identified factors may enhance BPCR practices and maternal health outcomes in Africa.

PMID:39538222 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-20654-y

Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2024 Nov 14;22(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s12955-024-02305-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite being a widely used generic measure of health-related quality of life worldwide, there is limited evidence on the psychometric properties of the EuroQoL Five-dimensions five level (EQ-5D) among cervical cancer patients in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate psychometric properties of the Amharic version of EQ-5D among Ethiopian cervical cancer patients.

METHODS: A longitudinal survey of cervical cancer patients receiving treatment at two Ethiopian tertiary care facilities was conducted from March 2022 to July 2023. Participants completed the EQ-5D and the European Organization for Research and Therapy of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) at baseline and after three months on treatment. Effect size and standardized response mean were used to assess responsiveness. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to calculate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Minimal detectable change (MDC) ratios were computed at the individual and group levels. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one patients completed the survey at baseline and follow-up with a mean age of 49.72 (10.80) years. The majority (268,73%) of the patients had early-stage cancer. The EQ-5D index and EQ VAS scores respectively improved by 0.04 and 7.0 post-treatment.The physical domains of EORTC QLQ-C30 had showed high correlation with physical dimensions of EQ-5D (r > 0.6) and the instrument showed good discriminate validity between patients with different health states. The effect size ranged between – 0.12 and 0.60 for the EQ-5D index value and – 0.12 to 1.16 for the EQ VAS, indicating small to large responsiveness. The average (range) MCID value of the EQ-5D index was 0.10-0.15. The findings showed that MCID to MDC ratios at the group level were more clinically meaningful than the individual level.

CONCLUSION: The EQ-5D effectively detected changes and discriminate patients with different levels of health. While group-level MCIDs were established in this study, further studies are recommended to prove its usefulness at the individual-level.

PMID:39538221 | DOI:10.1186/s12955-024-02305-3

BMC Pulm Med. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):565. doi: 10.1186/s12890-024-03335-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) with various cardiovascular events has been well-established. However, the exploration of its potential involvement in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently limited. Therefore, our study aims to examine the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and pulmonary conditions, including emphysema, obstructive ventilatory dysfunction as well as small airway dysfunction, to provide further evidence of a possible association with COPD development.

METHODS: Using data from the Southwest Hospital Health Management Center, spanning January 2013 to July 2024, we analyze relationship of serum Lp-PLA2 levels with diffuse pulmonary emphysema and pulmonary functions. In univariate analysis, group differences were assessed with t-tests for numerical variables and Chi-square tests for categorical data. Variables found to be statistically significant (two-sided P < 0.05) in univariate analysis were subsequently included as covariates in multivariate analysis, performed using a binary logistic regression model. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the differences.

RESULTS: We established 2 case-control populations: the Imaging population (1056 subjects, mean age 57.666 ± 8.700 years old, 89.9% male) selected from 24,670 initial records, and the Pulmonary Function population (279 subjects, mean age 52.082 ± 11.473 years old, 71.4% male) selected from 1868 initial records. Univariate analysis revealed that serum Lp-PLA2 levels were significantly higher in patients with diffuse pulmonary emphysema, obstructive ventilatory dysfunction as well as small airway dysfunction compared to those without (454.682 ± 141.382U/L vs. 423.330 ± 140.658U/L, P < 0.001; 475.059 ± 157.181U/L vs. 420.824 ± 142.119U/L, P = 0.006; 475.31 ± 148.980U/L vs. 439.036 ± 157.977U/L, P = 0.049, respectively). Multivariate analysis further showed higher Lp-PLA2 levels were associated with increased risks of diffuse pulmonary emphysema, obstructive ventilatory dysfunction as well as small airway dysfunction. Using Lp-PLA2 ≤ 300 U/L as reference, odds ratios for the aforementioned conditions showed a gradually increasing trend with every 100U/L increase in Lp-PLA2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study suggests that Lp-PLA2 is independently associated with diffuse pulmonary emphysema, obstructive ventilatory dysfunction as well as small airway dysfunction, which are commonly seen in COPD development. These findings indicated a possible association between Lp-PLA2 and COPD, though further validation is needed in a large cohort of COPD patients.

PMID:39538218 | DOI:10.1186/s12890-024-03335-9

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):796. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-06146-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is common in chronic schizophrenia patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of Shen-based Qigong Exercise (SBQE) in improving the cognitive impairment of stable schizophrenia patients in rehabilitation wards.

METHODS: SBQE is derived from the theory of “body-spirit syncretism (xin shen he yi)” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is extracted from the four traditional Qigong techniques. In this 12-week, randomized, single-blind, controlled study, a total of 40 schizophrenia patients were randomly assigned to either the SBQE group or the control group. The scores for the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) were recorded at baseline and week 12, respectively.

RESULTS: At week 12, the mean RBANS total score was 84.5 points in the SBQE group and 72.8 points in the control group. The estimated mean difference was – 11.60 points (2-sided 95% CI, -22.41 to -0.79; P = 0.04). This difference was statistically significant (time-by-group interaction effect estimates, F_(1,38) = 5.07; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings indicated that SBQE led to an improvement in cognitive impairment in stable schizophrenia patients in rehabilitation wards. Further research with robust design and larger sample sizes is necessary to validate the effects of SBQE on cognitive function and psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia, thus providing more substantial evidence for the clinical application of SBQE.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05310955 on 22/02/2022; http://www.chictr.org.cn/ Identifier: ChiCTR2200057373 on 10/03/2022.

PMID:39538216 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-024-06146-8