Category: Statistics

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2023 Dec 12;44(8):528-536. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and the occurrence and severity of leukoaraiosis.

METHODS: A total of 323 patients were retrospectively recruited. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at the time of admission, and the UACR was calculated based on the levels of urinary microalbumin and creatinine. All patients showed improvement in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The subjects were divided into leukoaraiosis and non-leukoaraiosis groups according to the results of the cranial MRI examination. According to the Fazekas standard score, the patients in the leukoaraiosis group were divided into the mild leukoaraiosis group: Fazekas (1-2 points), moderate leukoaraiosis group: Fazekas (3-4points); and severe leukoaraiosis group: Fazekas (5-6 points).

RESULTS: A regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors. (1) Compared with the non-leukoaraiosis group, UACR level was higher in the leukoaraiosis group at admission, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). (2) In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, UACR was correlated with the occurrence of leukoaraiosis, which may be an independent risk factor. (3) The UACR levels increased gradually in the mild, moderate and severe leukoaraiosis groups, and the difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). (4) In the ordered multi-category logistic regression analysis, UACR was correlated with the severity of leukoaraiosis, which may be an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSION: UACR is associated with the occurrence and severity of leukoaraiosis, and may be an independent risk factor.

PMID:38131176

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2023 Dec 12;44(8):491-499. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Standard low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) was used to accurately detect EEG changes in mental fatigue of air traffic controllers (ATCo) under a simulated air traffic control (ATC) task. We explored the changes in standard current density, activated cortical intensity, and brain source location.

METHODS: The participants were instructed to use the tower flight command simulation training system for three hours of uninterrupted ATC task. The 3-hour EEG signal was divided into four stages: task start, 1st hour, 2nd hour, and task end. Each stage was preprocessed for 3 minutes to explore the EEG changes and then processed by sLORETA in a statistical non-parametric mapping analysis.

RESULTS: The current density distribution of δ and α oscillations differed significantly during the four tasks, while θ, β and γ oscillations did not. Changes in δ oscillations of the brain during mental fatigue were detected mainly in the postcentral gyrus (BA2 and BA3), precentral gyrus (BA4 and BA6), inferior temporal gyrus (BA20), and superior temporal gyrus (BA38). The α oscillations were found mainly decreased in the postcentral gyrus (BA2) and inferior parietal lobule (BA40) when the task was in progress compared with the end of the task.

CONCLUSION: The superior temporal gyrus and somatosensory cortex were the main activated cortical regions during the simulated ATC task. The α and δ oscillations showed contrasting activity during simulated ATC task, which might reflect the release of task-relevant brain’s areas from inhibition and enhance the neural activity.

PMID:38131172

Inquiry. 2023 Jan-Dec;60:469580231219457. doi: 10.1177/00469580231219457.

ABSTRACT

The degree of communication between patients and pharmacists has a significant impact on the process of medication counseling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacists’ practices of medication counseling and to assess patients’ knowledge of medications and satisfaction with pharmacy services at Woldia Comprehensive Specialised Hospital (WCSH). A cross-sectional study involving 23 pharmacists and 339 patients was carried out between February and May 2022 at WCSH. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess the medication counseling activities of pharmacists, whereas interview-based questionnaires were used to evaluate patients’ knowledge of the drugs prescribed to them and their level of satisfaction with outpatient hospital pharmacy services. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Around two-thirds of pharmacy professionals (73.9%) agreed that they were satisfied with their counseling activities. But a very low number of them always provided counseling regarding the purpose of medications (13%), major drug-drug interactions (26.1%), possible side effects (30.4%), the importance of compliance (30.4%), storage conditions (34.8%), and drug-food interactions (39.1%). Among the 339 patients involved in the study, less than half (46.3%) of them had sufficient knowledge of their dispensed medication at the exit interview. Only nearly half of the patients (54.3%) agreed that they were satisfied with the pharmacy service. Despite the fact that a significant proportion of the pharmacy professionals agreed that they were satisfied with their counseling practices, their level of involvement in major counseling activities was limited, which impacted the knowledge of patients about their medication and patients’ satisfaction with pharmacy services. This might be because of potential barriers in terms of workload and lack of resources. The findings may indicate that pharmacy services need to improve through identifying potential gaps and tackling barriers.

PMID:38131171 | DOI:10.1177/00469580231219457

Acta Ophthalmol. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1111/aos.16616. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the suitability of machine learning (ML) techniques in predicting the development of fibrosis and atrophy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), receiving anti-VEGF treatment over a 36-month period.

METHODS: An extensive analysis was conducted on the use of ML to predict fibrosis and atrophy development on nAMD patients at 36 months from start of anti-VEGF treatment, using only data from the first 12 months. We use data collected according to real-world practice, which includes clinical and genetic factors.

RESULTS: The ML analysis consistently identified ETDRS as a relevant factor for predicting the development of atrophy and fibrosis, confirming previous statistical analyses. Also, it was shown that genetic variables did not demonstrate statistical relevance in the prediction. Despite the complexity of predicting macular degeneration, our model was able to obtain a balance accuracy of 63% and an AUC of 0.72 when predicting the development of atrophy or fibrosis at 36 months.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential of ML techniques in predicting the development of fibrosis and atrophy in nAMD patients receiving long-term anti-VEGF treatment. The findings highlight the importance of clinical factors, particularly ETDRS (early treatment diabetic retinopathy study) visual acuity test, in predicting these outcomes. The lessons learned from this research can guide future ML-based prediction tasks in the field of ophthalmology and contribute to the design of data collection processes.

PMID:38131161 | DOI:10.1111/aos.16616

Dent Traumatol. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1111/edt.12916. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Contact sports-related oro-dental trauma contributes to a significant proportion of sports injuries among school children. Oro-dental trauma imposes a detrimental impact on the oral health-related quality of life. However, the burden of oro-dental trauma among contact sports players and their practices of mouthguards remains a research gap in Sri Lanka. The current study bridges that while providing evidence for contextual changes such as initiating sports dentistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 1340 adolescent contact sports players in Colombo district, Sri Lanka; 63.1% males and 36.9% females (age 13-18), who were enrolled in football, rugby, hockey, boxing, basketball, and martial arts in the school setting. A checklist was administered to obtain demographic information, sports practices, and the use of mouthguards. An oral examination was conducted for those who experienced oro-dental trauma during the last 12 months.

RESULTS: Self-reported oro-dental trauma pooled prevalence of the contact sports players was 35.9% (95% CI = 33.3-38.5), with males’ preponderance. Dental trauma was present in 23.8% (n = 319), while 15.8% were uncomplicated and 8% were complicated. Soft tissue injuries were present in 12.1% (n = 162). Oro dental trauma (ODT) was highly prevalent among boxing, rugby, and hockey players. Only 20.8% (n = 279) of players used mouthguards. However, 91.0% (n = 254) of them were using ready-made mouthguards. Mouthguard use and the type of mouthguard showed statistically significant associations across the type of oro-dental trauma among contact sports players.

CONCLUSIONS: Contact sports-related oro-dental trauma prevalence is as high as 35.9% among Colombo district school children in Sri Lanka. However, their level of mouthguard usage is shallow at 20.8%. Further research is necessary to investigate the reasons behind this, and national guidelines should be developed to prevent and manage sports-related accidental injuries.

PMID:38131151 | DOI:10.1111/edt.12916

Cardiol Young. 2023 Dec 22:1-7. doi: 10.1017/S1047951123004262. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pain management is essential in the immediate post-surgical period. We sought to describe the ketorolac dose regimen in neonates and infants following cardiac surgery. Secondary outcomes included renal dysfunction, bleeding, and pain management.

METHODS: We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study of neonates and infants (aged < 12 months) who received ketorolac following cardiac surgery, from November 2020 through November 2021 (inclusive). Ketorolac was administered at 0.5 mg/kg every 6 hours. Safety was defined by absence of a clinically significant decline in renal function (i.e., increase in serum creatinine [SCr] by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL from baseline within 48 hours and/or urine output ≤ 0.5 mL/kg/hour for 6 hours) and absence of clinically significant bleeding defined as major by International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis paediatric criteria or Severe/Fatal Bleeding Events by Nellis et al. Efficacy measures included pain scores and opioid utilisation.

RESULTS: Fifty-five patients met eligibility criteria. The median (range) dose and duration of ketorolac administration was 0.5 mg/kg/dose for 48 (6-90) hours. Among all patients, there was not a statistically significant difference observed in median SCr within 48 hours of baseline (p > .9). There were no major or severe bleeding events. The median (range) opioid requirements (morphine intravenous equivalents per kg per day) at 48 hours post-ketorolac initiation was 0.1 (0-0.8) mg/kg/day.

CONCLUSIONS: If validated prospectively, these findings suggest that a ketorolac regimen 0.5 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours in neonates and infants post-cardiac surgery may be safe with regard to renal function and bleeding risk, and effective regarding opioid-sparing capacity.

PMID:38131146 | DOI:10.1017/S1047951123004262

Acta Ophthalmol. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1111/aos.16609. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Lubricant eye drops are the main therapeutic resource for dry eye disease (DED), with each drop representing the equivalent of ocular surface disease treatment. Thus, any reduction in the frequency of eye drop application reflects a degree of therapeutic success. Considering also the socioeconomic burden of DED, we investigated eye drop application frequency (DF) as a parameter to potentially track the success of therapy in severe DED. Hyaluronan (HA)-containing eye drops have become the first choice for tear substitution in many countries, and recent data indicate that the average molecular weight (Mw) of HA determines the therapeutic efficacy of such eye drops. This post-hoc subgroup analysis of a previously published multicentre prospective randomized open-label study, HYLAN M, is set out to compare the effects of very high Mw HA (hylan A) eye drops to comparator eye drops, containing lower Mw HA (control).

METHODS: Patients with severe DED (n = 47), recruited as part of the larger HYLAN M prospective, multicentre, open-label study, were randomized into two groups: hylan A and control group. In the hylan A group, 24 patients replaced their HA-containing eye drops with eye drops containing 0.15% hylan A, whereas the 23 control patients continued to use comparator HA eye drops. The DF was recorded daily by all participants over 8 weeks, and other subjective and objective parameters of DED were assessed at the time of inclusion (baseline), as well as at week 4 and 8.

RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in DF in the hylan A users between the baseline and week 4 (p = 0.004), remaining stable until week 8. Indeed, in contrast to the baseline, the hylan A group had a significantly lower DF than the control group at weeks 4 (p = 0.018) and 8 (p = 0.008). Likewise, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) improved significantly between the time of inclusion and week 4 (p < 0.001) in hylan A users, remaining stable until week 8. The OSDI was similar in both groups at the baseline but it was significantly lower in the hylan A group than in the control group at week 4 (p = 0.002), remaining lower at week 8. Such a decrease in the DF and OSDI was not witnessed in the control group at any time point. The objective parameters assessed did not differ significantly within or between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: When treating severe DED, the DF can be significantly reduced by using very high Mw HA (3 MDa) lubricant eye drops, which better alleviate DED symptoms and decrease the OSDI scores. These drops not only provide an attractive and comfortable alternative for patients with severe DED but also offer the possibility of reducing the disease’s socioeconomic burden, both for affected individuals and society as a whole.

PMID:38131131 | DOI:10.1111/aos.16609

Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1111/opo.13261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: (1) To assess the feasibility of conducting tablet-based vision tests in hospital clinic waiting areas; (2) To test the hypothesis that increasing severity of diabetic macular oedema (DME) is associated with the performance of tablet-based surrogates of everyday tasks and self-reported visual function.

METHODS: Sixty-one people with mild (n = 28), moderate (n = 24) or severe (n = 9) DME performed two tablet-based tests of ‘real-world’ visual function (visual search and face recognition) while waiting for appointments in a hospital outpatient clinic. Participants also completed a tablet-based version of a seven-item, visual-functioning (VF-7) patient-reported outcome measure. Test performance was compared to previously published 99% normative limits for normally sighted individuals.

RESULTS: Thirty-four participants (56%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 43%-68%) exceeded normative limits for visual search, while eight (13%; 95% CI 65%-24%) exceeded normative limits for face discrimination. Search duration was significantly longer for people with severe DME than those with mild and moderate DME (p = 0.01). Face discrimination performance was not significantly associated with DME severity. VF-7 scores were statistically similar across DME severity groups. Median time to complete all elements (eligibility screening, both tablet-based tasks and the VF-7) was 22 (quartiles 19, 25) min. Further, 98% and 87% of participants, respectively, reported the search task and face discrimination task to be enjoyable, while 25% and 97%, respectively, reported finding the two tasks to be difficult.

CONCLUSIONS: Portable tablet-based tests are quick, acceptable to patients and feasible to be performed in a clinic waiting area with minimal supervision. They have the potential to be piloted in patients’ homes for self-monitoring.

PMID:38131130 | DOI:10.1111/opo.13261

Pharmacotherapy. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1002/phar.2902. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Studies have demonstrated that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are kidney protective; however, their ability to cause hemodynamic changes may predispose patients to acute kidney injury (AKI). A United States Food and Drug Administration warning recommends evaluating for factors that predispose patients to AKI before initiating a SGLT2 inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors that may predispose persons with diabetes to AKI when initiating SGLT2 inhibitor therapy.

METHODS: This was a multi-center retrospective cohort chart review of patients with type 2 diabetes prescribed a SGLT2 inhibitor from January 2013 to September 2019. Patients were included if they were receiving care at Advocate Medical Group and were confirmed to have taken one of the four SGLT2 inhibitors available at the time of study approval, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, or ertugliflozin, for at least 7 days. Patients were excluded if they did not have a basic metabolic panel or comprehensive metabolic panel recorded 1 year prior to or 6 months after SGLT2 inhibitor therapy initiation.

RESULTS: Data extraction from the electronic medical record identified 6425 patients receiving a SGLT2 inhibitor, of which 1962 met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Thirty-five (1.8%) patients experienced an AKI after SGLT2 inhibitor therapy initiation. There was no statistically significant difference between groups based on background medication use (p = 0.325). At baseline, patients experiencing an AKI after SGLT2 inhibitor initiation were more likely to be older in age (p=0.010), have a higher serum potassium (p< 0.001), blood glucose (p=0.018), SCr (p=0.009) and UACR (p<0.001), and a lower eGFR (p=0.028) compared to those who did not experience AKI.

CONCLUSIONS: The transient eGFR decline with SGLT2 inhibitor initiation should be expected and is generally not an indication to discontinue therapy. Future initiatives should be directed at increasing knowledge of monitoring recommendations for these agents.

PMID:38131129 | DOI:10.1002/phar.2902

J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024 Dec;21(1):2296888. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2296888. Epub 2023 Dec 22.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of a multi-ingredient, low calorie dietary supplement (MIDS, XTEND® Healthy Hydration) on 5-kilometer (5-km) time trial performance and blood electrolyte concentrations compared to a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (CE, GATORADE® Thirst Quencher) and distilled water (W).

METHODS: During visit 1 (V1), participants (10 men and 10 women, 20-35 years old, BMI ≤ 29 kg/m², recreationally active) reported to the laboratory whereby the following tests were performed: i) height and weight measurements, ii) body composition analysis, iii) treadmill testing to measure maximal aerobic capacity, and iv) 5-km time trial familiarization. The second visit (V2) was one week after V1 in the morning (0600 – 0900) and participants arrived 12-14 h fasted (no food or drink). The first battery of assessments (V2-T1) included nude body mass, urine specific gravity (USG), a profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire, and the completion of a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire to quantify cramping. Then heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), total body hydration (via bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy [BIS]) were examined. Finally, a measurement of blood markers via finger stick was performed. Participants consumed a randomized beverage (16 fl. oz. of MIDS, 16 fl. oz. of W, or 16 fl. oz. of CE) within 3 min followed by a 45-min rest. Following the rest period, a second battery (V2-T2) was performed whereby participants’ USG was assessed and they completed the POMS and VAS questionnaires, and HR, BP, and blood markers were measured. The participants then performed a 5-km treadmill time trial. Immediately following the 5-km time trial, participants completed a third testing battery (V2-T3) that began with blood markers, HR and BP assessments, followed by nude body weight assessment, and the POMS and VAS questionnaires. After 60 min, a fourth battery (V2-T4) was performed that included HR, BP, and blood markers. After sitting quietly for another 60 min a fifth battery assessment was performed (V2-T5) that included participants’ USG, POMS and VAS questionnaires, HR, BP, blood markers, and total body hydration. Visits 3 (V3) and 4 (V4) followed the same protocol except a different randomized drink (16 oz. of CE, MIDS, or W) was consumed; all of which were separated by approximately one week.

RESULTS: No differences occurred between conditions for 5-km time trial completion, indirect calorimetry outcomes during 5-km time trials, USG, or nude mass measurements (p > 0.05 for all relevant statistical tests). However, blood potassium and the sodium/potassium ratio displayed significant interactions (p < 0.05), and post hoc testing indicated these values were better maintained in the MIDS versus other conditions. Post-exercise cramp prevalence was greater in the CE (p < 0.05) and trended higher with W (p = 0.083) compared to the MIDS condition. Post-exercise cramp severity was also elevated with the W and CE beverages (p < 0.05) but not the MIDS (p = 0.211).

CONCLUSIONS: The MIDS did not affect 5-km time trial performance but exhibited favorable effects on blood electrolyte and post-exercise self-reporting cramp outcomes compared to the CE and W drinks.

PMID:38131124 | DOI:10.1080/15502783.2023.2296888