Category: Statistics

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40685. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040685.

ABSTRACT

Evidence suggests a strong association between prostate diseases, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and pro-inflammatory diets. Our study was conducted to assess the relationship between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and prostate diseases, LUTS using the 2003 to 2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. After the chi-square test to investigate whether demographic data and prostate diseases, LUTS were correlated, for positive results, we performed weighted multivariable logistic regression models analysis. In addition, we performed nonlinear tests using restricted cubic spline (RCS) and assessed the stability between different subgroups by subgroup and interaction analyses. The study included 30,619 subjects. After adjusting the regression model for fully confounding variables, DII was only correlated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (OR = 1.074, 95% CI = 1.016-1.136; P = .012). And, the RCS relationship between DII and BPH was positively correlated (nonlinear: P = .830). We did not find statistically significant interactions in all subgroups. At the same time, we did not find any correlation between DII and other prostate diseases and LUTS. Pro-inflammatory diets are associated with an increased risk of BPH. Dietary modifications to reduce the intake of pro-inflammatory nutrients can be helpful in mitigating the development of BPH.

PMID:39612464 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040685

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40635. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040635.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the impact of the timing of low-dose hydrocortisone adjuvant therapy initiation on clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock by a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies available in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The search included articles published from the founding of these databases until August 1, 2024. The purpose of the search was to compare the results of initiating low-dose hydrocortisone (HC) adjuvant therapy at different time periods. The main reported results included short-term mortality (ICU mortality and hospital mortality) as key outcomes, and secondary outcomes such as the rate of renal replacement treatment continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and rate of shock reversal.

RESULTS: Seven trials, with a total of 3063 patients, were included. The main finding of this meta-analysis indicates that the early treatment group, which received low-dose hydrocortisone, had a lower ICU mortality rate compared to the late treatment group. Additionally, the hospital mortality rate in the early treatment group was lower than that in the late treatment group. There was a correlation between the timing of beginning of HC and the short-term mortality of patients with septic shock. The secondary findings indicated that there were no notable disparities in the rates of CRRT, the rate of reversing shock, and the duration of stay in the ICU.

CONCLUSION: Administering low doses of HC early on can decrease the risk of death in septic shock patients in the short-term mortality. There were no substantial disparities observed in the rate of CRRT, the rate of reversal of shock, and the duration of stay in the ICU. Additional extensive RCTs are required to validate this conclusion.

PMID:39612454 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040635

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40427. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040427.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association between polymorphisms in the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene and the risk of developing glaucoma has yielded conflicting results across various studies. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively assess whether genetic variations in ABCA1 significantly contribute to the susceptibility to glaucoma.

METHODS: An extensive search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), covering all publications from the inception of each database through December 2023. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to quantify the strength of the association between ABCA1 polymorphisms and glaucoma risk.

RESULTS: A significant association was observed between ABCA1 gene polymorphisms and glaucoma risk in the overall analysis, as demonstrated by allele contrast (P < .001), homozygote comparison (P < .001), heterozygote comparison (P < .001), recessive genetic model (P = .017), and dominant genetic model (P < .001). Notably, these associations were particularly pronounced in the Asian population, with all models showing statistical significance (P < .05). However, no significant association was detected in Caucasian or mixed populations, suggesting a potential ethnic specificity in the genetic susceptibility to glaucoma conferred by ABCA1 polymorphisms.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that ABCA1 polymorphisms may play a role in increasing the risk of glaucoma, specifically within Asian populations. This contrast highlights the importance of considering ethnic background in genetic association studies.

PMID:39612451 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040427

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40664. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040664.

ABSTRACT

Chronic opioid use (COU) after traumatic injuries is a global health concern. COU after trauma delays recovery and increases the risk of long-term drug dependence. However, the population-prevalence and factors associated with COU after traumatic injury in South Korea remain unclear. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of COU and associated risk factors in patients after trauma in South Korea. A historical cohort study using the population-representative database including 1,103,405 South Korean subjects, patients admitted due to a newly diagnosed trauma (n = 65,444) or nontraumatic etiologies (n = 338,321) from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2015, were analyzed. COU was defined as the prescription of opioid in the first 3 to 6 months from the index date. Prevalence of COU was summarized. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate association of COU with traumatic injuries, accounting for a priori sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. A total of 13.5% and 12.6% of patients were found to be chronic opioid users in the trauma and the control group, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of COU in the injured compared to the noninjured was 1.13 (1.01 to 1.16), when controlling for age group, sex, calendar year, area of residence, previous opioid use, comorbidity, surgery during the index admission and intensive care unit care. Risk factors included being aged 65 to 74 years (aOR = 2.87; 95% CI = 2.73 to 3.01), aged ≥ 75 years (aOR = 2.48; 95% CI = 2.35 to 2.62), and history of previous opioid use (aOR = 3.27; 95% CI = 3.21 to 3.34) were the most significant risk factors of COU, independent of injury. COU was prevalent both in the injured and noninjured patients, with slightly increased risk of COU in those sustaining traumatic injury compared to those who were noninjured. Further stud y to address prevalent COU in South Korea is required to avoid opioid-related harms.

PMID:39612447 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040664

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40474. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040474.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS: Eight databases were searched. The search time limit is from January 2000 to November 2023. All randomized controlled trials on acupuncture treatment of AF were included. After the literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation were carried out independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the included literature was analyzed by Meta using RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS: A total of 15 research studies on randomized controlled trials were included, involving 1960 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that acupuncture therapy could increase the sinus cardioversion rate of patients with AF, and the difference was statistically significant (relative risk = 1.21, 25% confidence interval (CI) [1.11, 1.31], P < .001). The clinically effective rate of the acupuncture plus drug treatment group was higher than that of the drug treatment group (relative risk = 1.32, 95% CI [1.19, 1.46], P < .01). Acupuncture plus other conventional therapies treatment was more helpful in reducing the ventricular rate of patients with AF (mean difference = -7.89, 95% CI [-14.52, -1.26], P = .006). The cardioversion time of patients with AF treated with acupuncture plus conventional therapies was shorter than those treated with traditional therapies alone (standardized mean difference = -1.82, 95% CI [-3.28, -0.35], P = .01). No severe adverse reactions such as hemorrhage, hematoma, or local infection caused by acupuncture were reported in the study.

CONCLUSION: The available evidence shows that acupuncture can effectively improve the total clinical effective rate and sinus rhythm recovery rate, shorten the recovery time of sinus rhythm, and reduce the ventricular rate, and there are no apparent adverse reactions. However, a limited number of studies may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future studies should include more extensive and diverse studies to enhance the power and generalizability of the findings.

PMID:39612438 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040474

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40612. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040612.

ABSTRACT

While observational studies have illustrated correlations between plasma metabolites and gastric cancer (GC), the causal association between the 2 is still unclear. Our study aims to delineate the bidirectional relationship between plasma metabolites and GC and find potential metabolic pathways. We undertook a bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationship, specificity, and direction of association between 1400 plasma metabolites and GC. The GWAS data for metabolites was obtained from a cohort of 8299 European individuals. And the GC’s GWAS data was from FinnGen Consortium with 2384 European individuals, and the GWAS catalog with 1029 European ancestry cases for validation. Causal estimates were primarily calculated by the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. To ensure robustness, we performed comprehensive sensitivity analyses to assess heterogeneity and address concerns regarding horizontal pleiotropy. We validated the forward relationship between metabolites and GC from another database and implemented meta-analysis. Furthermore, we conducted metabolic enrichment and pathway analysis of these causal metabolites using MetaboAnalyst5.0/6.0 with the database of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. All statistical analysis was carried out using R software. Metabolites like 2s, 3R-dihydroxybutyrate, 4-acetamidobutanoate, ferulic acid 4-sulfate and methyl indole-3-acetate was proven positively linked with the development of GC. Asparagine, glucose to maltose ratio, glycohyocholate, Gulonate levels, linoleoyl ethanolamide and Spermidine to (N(1) + N(8))-acetylspermidine ratio was proven to be negatively associated with GC. Moreover, linoleic acid, histidine, glutamine, bilirubin, Succinate to proline ratio were found to be potentially linked to the development of GC. Furthermore, our analysis identified 18 significant metabolic pathways, including Arginine and proline metabolism (P < .009) and Valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis (P < .031). Our findings offer evidence supporting potential casual relations between multiple plasma metabolites and GC. These findings may offer great potential for future application of these biomarkers in GC screening and clinical prevention strategies.

PMID:39612432 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040612

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40483. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040483.

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently results in hospital readmission and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. This multicenter prospective study aimed to identify factors that increase the risk of readmission within 30 to 90 days of severe COPD exacerbation. A total of 415 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) or general pulmonology ward after discharge due to severe exacerbations from 13 tertiary centers in Turkey were included. Of the participants, 346 (83.4%) were male and 69 (16.6%) were female, with an average age of 69.0 ± 9.1 years. Readmissions within 30 and 90 days after the initial hospitalization occurred in 176 (42.4%) and 191 (46%) patients, respectively. Prospective data collection focused on exacerbation severity, disease severity, and the utility of initial admissions. Factors for 30 to 90 day readmission were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression models. A 30-day readmission correlated significantly with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores above 16 [odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.9 (1.1-3.6); P = .042], severe exacerbation history in the previous year [OR 95% CI: 1.7 (1.1-2.9); P = .038], hospital-acquired pneumonia [OR 95% CI: 1.9 (1-4.1); P = .049)], and frequent antibiotic use in the previous year [OR 95% CI: 1.8 (1.2-2.7); P = .007]. Risk factors for 90-day readmissions included: Grades 3 to 4 tricuspid regurgitation [OR 95% CI: 2.2 (1.1-4.4); P = .024], 2 or more moderate COPD exacerbations [OR 95% CI: 1.9 (1.2-3.1); P = .010], severe exacerbation history in the previous year [OR 95% CI: 2.5 (1.5-4.2); P = .001], immunosuppression [OR 95% CI: 2.7 (1.2-5.7); P = .013], frequent antibiotic use the previous year [OR 95% CI: 1.5 (1-2.4); P = .048], hospitalization via the ED [OR 95% CI: 1.6 (1.1-2.6); P = .028]. To mitigate complications and readmissions, patients with a history of frequent severe COPD exacerbations, high anxiety and depression scores, frequent antibiotic requirements, immunosuppression, tricuspid regurgitation, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and those admitted to the ED should be prioritized for remote monitoring after initial discharge.

PMID:39612431 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040483

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40708. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040708.

ABSTRACT

Acute postoperative urinary retention (APOUR) is 1 of the most common complications of spinal surgery, impacting both postoperative care and the patients’ quality of life. This study is designed to investigate the risk factors and the incidence of APOUR after spinal surgery in Taiwan. We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), a nationwide cohort of patients who underwent spinal surgery from the year 2000 to 2013. Patients suffering from APOUR were collected and perioperative parameters were recorded. The risk factors related to APOUR after spinal surgery were examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 16,160 patients who underwent spinal surgery were retrieved from NHIRD. Among them, 432 (2.67%) suffered from acute urinary retention after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01-1.02), male gender (adjusted OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10-1.60) and undergoing spinal surgery more than 2 times (adjusted OR = 4.78, 95% CI = 2.49-9.20) were statistically significant risk factors for APOUR after spinal surgery. The results of this retrospective cohort study suggest that patients undergoing spinal surgery more than 2 times, male gender and advanced age are significantly associated with an increased risk of APOUR after spinal surgery. This information may assist surgeons to identify patients who have a high risk of APOUR after spinal surgery and proactively provide them with early intervention.

PMID:39612429 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040708

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40734. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040734.

ABSTRACT

Serum albumin on admission has been investigated among inpatients with COVID-19. However, studies on the lowest level of serum albumin during hospitalization and adverse outcomes are limited. This research aimed to explore association between them in older adults with COVID-19. A retrospective study was conducted with 300 patients aged 60 or older with first confirmed COVID-19 from January to February 2023. An adverse outcome was defined as development of acute respiratory failure, shock, or death. Data on demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, the initial phase of COVID-19, coinfection, sepsis, receipt of antiviral treatment and outcomes were gathered from the electronic medical records. The association between the lowest level of serum albumin and adverse outcomes was analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression models, along with generalized additive models. After adjusting potential confounders, nonlinear relationship with an inflection point of 29.1 g/L was detected between the lowest level of serum albumin and adverse outcomes in the elderly. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals on the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.667 (0.520, 0.856) and 1.171 (0.875, 1.568), respectively. This demonstrated that the lowest level of serum albumin was negatively correlated with adverse outcomes when albumin was <29.1 g/L. A rise of 1 unit in the lowest level of albumin equated to a 33.3% decrease in the risk of adverse outcomes. The correlation between the lowest level of serum albumin and adverse outcomes of COVID-19 is a nonlinear. this study indicates that serum albumin levels should be sustained above the critical inflection point identified to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

PMID:39612427 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040734

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 29;103(48):e40563. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040563.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to (1) analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid depression and (2) explore the association between SIRT1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphism sites and this comorbidity. A total of 450 type 2 diabetes patients hospitalized in the General Medicine Department at The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from July 2022 to September 2023, and 300 healthy individuals from the physical examination department were selected as study subjects. Both groups were assessed using general information surveys and questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed to compare clinical indicators across 3 groups: individuals with only type 2 diabetes, those with comorbid depression, and healthy controls. The age, gender, disease duration, marital status, income and drug expenditure, employment status, fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level difference, insulin resistance index difference, glycated hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein level, and HCY difference among the 3 groups of patients were risk factors for type 2 diabetes comorbid depression patients. The SIRT1 mRNA level was significantly reduced in type 2 diabetes comorbid depression patients. The SIRT1 gene had 3 sites: rs12415800, rs3758391, and rs932658, which were related to the patient’s type 2 diabetes comorbid depression. They were the additive model and dominant model of rs12415800 and rs3758391, respectively. In addition, the GTGGT haplotype composed of rs12415800-rs932658-rs7895833-rs2273773-rs1467568 and the AGACT haplotype composed of rs3758391-rs932658-rs33957861-rs3818292-rs1467568 were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes comorbid depression. Numerous factors influence the presence of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes, with the SIRT1 gene playing a significant role, serving as a potential biomarker for this comorbidity.

PMID:39612426 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040563