Category: Statistics

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Sep 21. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18042. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The longitudinal associations of sleep timing and time in bed (TIB) with dementia and cognitive decline in older adults are unclear.

METHODS: This population-based cohort study used data from 1982 participants who were aged ≥60 years, free of dementia, and living in rural communities in western Shandong, China. At the baseline (2014) and follow-up (2018) examinations, sleep parameters were assessed using standard questionnaires. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Dementia was diagnosed following the DSM-IV criteria, and the NIA-AA criteria for Alzheimer disease (AD). Data were analyzed using restricted cubic splines, Cox proportional-hazards models, and general linear models.

RESULTS: During the mean follow-up of 3.7 years, dementia was diagnosed in 97 participants (68 with AD). Restricted cubic spline curves showed J-shaped associations of sleep duration, TIB, and rise time with dementia risk, and a reverse J-shaped association with mid-sleep time. When sleep parameters were categorized into tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of incident dementia was 1.69 (95%CI 1.01-2.83) for baseline sleep duration >8 hours (vs. 7-8 h), 2.17 (1.22-3.87) for bedtime before 9 p.m. (vs. 10 p.m. or later), and 2.00 (1.23-3.24) for mid-sleep time before 1 a.m. (vs. 1-1.5 a.m.). Early bedtime and mid-sleep time were significantly associated with incident AD (HR range: 2.25-2.51; p < 0.05). Among individuals who were free of dementia at follow-up, baseline long TIB, early bedtime and mid-sleep time, early and late rise time, and prolonged TIB and advanced bedtime and mid-sleep time from baseline to follow-up were associated with a greater decline in MMSE score (p < 0.05). These associations with cognitive decline were statistically evident mainly among men or participants who were aged 60-74 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Long TIB and early sleep timing are associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the associations with greater cognitive decline are evident only among older people aged 60-74 years and men.

PMID:36128778 | DOI:10.1111/jgs.18042

J Thromb Haemost. 2022 Sep 21. doi: 10.1111/jth.15890. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many important advances have been seen in anticoagulation therapy. However, bleeding risk is still a major concern. Factor XI inhibition has emerged as a potential advantageous target to minimize this risk.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence on factor XI inhibitors for thromboprophylaxis in major orthopedic surgery.

METHODS: We performed a systematic search of electronic databases (Pubmed, CENTRAL, and Scopus) until May of 2022. Studies were considered eligible if they were RCTs evaluating factor XI inhibitors in thromboprophylaxis vs. low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH). For analysis purposes, we considered efficacy (Venous Thromboembolism [VTE], symptomatic VTE) and safety (major and clinically relevant non-major [CRNM] bleeding events; major bleeding events; blood transfusion necessities; adverse events; major adverse events) outcomes.

RESULTS: Overall, 4 RCTs were included, with a total of 2269 patients, 372 VTE events, and 50 major or CRNM bleeding events. Regarding efficacy outcomes, factor XI inhibitors were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of VTE events (OR 0.50; 95%CI [0.36, 0.69]). Concerning safety outcomes, factor XI inhibitors significantly reduced major or CRNM bleeding events (OR 0.41 [0.22; 0.75]). It was also associated with a lower percentage of patients needing a blood transfusion, despite not meeting statistical significance (OR 0.69; 95%CI [0.32; 1.48]). Incidence of adverse events and major adverse events were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION: Factor XI inhibitors showed a significant reduction in the incidence of VTE and bleeding events among patients submitted to major orthopedic surgery.

PMID:36128769 | DOI:10.1111/jth.15890

West Afr J Med. 2022 Sep 16;39(9):958-963.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Information on the causes and outcome of treatment of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in sub-Saharan Africa is limited.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the causes and postoperative vision after vitrectomy for VH.

DESIGN: A retrospective review of records from consecutive eyes, with VH greater than one-month duration, who had vitrectomy and adjunctive treatment in a retina unit in Nigeria.

METHODS: We assessed the change between preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, bio data, cause of VH, duration of follow up, and additional treatment. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package 17.0 to determine the significance of the change in visual acuity for each cause of VH. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of the 221 eyes of 219 patients, the common causes of VH were trauma 43 eyes, (19.7%), proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 37 eyes (17.0%) and proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, 30 eyes (13.8%). There was no association between cause and the presenting preoperative visual acuity. There was a statistically significant association between cause of VH and postoperative visual outcome. Postoperative visual improvement was significant for branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy with VH only, proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, and trauma with VH only, p value = 0.000, 0.002, 0.001, 0.039, and 0.000 respectively. Postoperative visual change was not significant in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (p value = 0.155, 0.428 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in visual acuity can be achieved with active treatment of VH in the majority of cases in Nigeria. This information is useful for discussions on prognosis and agrees with previous studies.

PMID:36128750

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022 Sep 21. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14443. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Allostatic load (AL) is a practical index that reflects multi-system physiological changes which occur in response to chronic psychosocial stress. This study investigated the association between female pre-pregnancy allostatic load and time to pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 444 women who met the inclusion criteria and were attempting to achieve pregnancy. Their allostatic load scores at baseline were evaluated by nine indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, plasma cortisol, noradrenaline, interleukin-6, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index). The participants were followed up and their pregnancy outcome ascertained 1 year later; we then calculated time-to-pregnancy. Cox models were used to estimate fecundability ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for different allostatic load scores.

RESULTS: The median allostatic load score was 1 with a range of 0-6. The females were divided into four groups according to allostatic load score: group A (allostatic load = 0, 150/444, 33.8%), group B (allostatic load = 1-2, 156/444, 35.1%), group C (allostatic load = 3-4, 100/444, 22.5%) and group D (allostatic load = 5-6, 38/444, 8.6%). The cumulative pregnancy rate over 12 months for the four groups (A-D) was 55.4%, 44.5%, 50.9% and 26.9%, respectively (log-rank test, p = 0.042). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, group D showed a 59% reduction of fecundability compared with group A (fecundability ratio = 0.41, 95% CI 0.21-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS: Women with a higher allostatic load score may have lower fecundability. Our findings suggest that the assessment of allostatic load during pre-conception consultation would be highly prudent.

PMID:36128721 | DOI:10.1111/aogs.14443

Medeni Med J. 2022 Sep 21;37(3):220-225. doi: 10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.54030.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) can be separated into three general categories: non-modifiable factors, modifiable risk factors, and lifestyle. This study aimed to investigate whether or not there was any effect of cardiac wall thickness and coronary artery obstructions on acute MI.

METHODS: In this retrospective study of histopathological examinations of autopsies, two groups were formed. The first contained 28 cases diagnosed with acute MI and the second 28 cases with no heart pathology and the cause of death was reasons other than heart disease. The subjects in the two groups were similar in age, height, weight, and body mass index. The groups were compared in terms of the left and right ventricular wall thicknesses and the degree of obstruction of the right, left, anterior descending, and circumflex coronary arteries.

RESULTS: The mean left ventricular wall thickness was 1.461±0.2767 cm in the acute MI group and 1.386±0.2460 cm in the control group, with no statistically significant difference found between the two groups (p=0.289). A statistically significant difference in the degree of obstruction of the coronary arteries was found between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the mean cardiac wall thickness was greater in the acute MI cases, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups.

PMID:36128690 | DOI:10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.54030

Clin Transl Sci. 2022 Sep 20. doi: 10.1111/cts.13402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a common genetic regulatory mechanism that generates distinct 3′ ends for RNA transcripts. Changes in APA have been associated with multiple biological processes and disease phenotypes. However, the role of hormones and their drug analogs in APA remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated transcriptome-wide the impact of glucocorticoids on APA in 30 human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines. We found that glucocorticoids could regulate APA for a subset of genes, possibly by changing the expression of 142 RNA-binding proteins, some with known APA-regulating properties. Interestingly, genes with glucocorticoid-mediated APA were enriched in viral translation-related pathways, while genes with glucocorticoid-mediated expression were enriched in interferon and interleukin pathways, suggesting that glucocorticoid-mediated APA might result in functional consequences distinct from gene expression. For example, glucocorticoids, a pharmacotherapy for severe COVID-19, were found to change the APA but not the expression of LY6E, an important antiviral inhibitor in coronavirus diseases. Glucocorticoid-mediated APA was also cell-type-specific, suggesting an action of glucocorticoids that may be unique to immune regulation. We also observed evidence for genotype-dependent glucocorticoid-mediated APA (referred to as pharmacogenomic-alterative polyadenylation quantitative trait loci), providing potential functional mechanisms for a series of common genetic variants that had previously been associated with immune disorders, but without a clear mechanism. In summary, this study reports a series of observations regarding the impact of glucocorticoids on APA, raising the possibility that this mechanism might have implications for both disease pathophysiology and drug therapy.

PMID:36128656 | DOI:10.1111/cts.13402

Brain Behav. 2022 Sep 20:e2760. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The number of regular smartphone users has increased dramatically worldwide. Headaches, followed by sleep difficulties, forgetfulness, dizziness, and other ailments, are among the most prevalent complaints among smartphone users during or after use. In addition, migraine is a debilitating disease and is the world’s second leading cause of disability. Hence, we performed this study to determine how smartphone overuse influenced migraine patients’ level of disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.

METHODS: In this observational study, the patients were divided into two groups high mobile phone use group (HMPUG) and the low mobile phone user group (LMPUG) using the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale. We assessed, for each group, patients’ level of disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life through the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 24-h Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire, respectively.

RESULTS: Our study showed that the respondents’ average age was 27.59 (9.79) years. The average number of family members was 5.98 (2.3251). A total of 65.8% (n = 263) of the 400 participants were female, while 34.3 % (n = 137) were male. Greater pain intensity, poor sleep quality, and reduced medication effectivity were found in HMPUG compared to LMPUG (p < .05). However, increased duration of migraine and medication intake was reported in the LMPUG (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: We observed that smartphone overuse could worsen pain, sleep, and reduce treatment efficacy in individuals with migraine. Therefore, controlled smartphone use is recommended to avoid worsening symptoms.

PMID:36128652 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2760

Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2022 Sep 21:1-8. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2022.182. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As COVID-19 was declared a health emergency in March 2020, there was immense demand for information about the novel pathogen. This paper examines the clinician-reported impact of Project ECHO COVID-19 Clinical Rounds on clinician learning. Primary sources of study data were Continuing Medical Education (CME) Surveys for each session from the dates of March 24, 2020 to July 30, 2020 and impact surveys conducted in November 2020, which sought to understand participants’ overall assessment of sessions. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney testing. Qualitative data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Clinicians rated their knowledge after each session as significantly higher than before that session. 75.8% of clinicians reported they would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ use content gleaned from each attended session and clinicians reported specific clinical and operational changes made as a direct result of sessions. 94.6% of respondents reported that COVID-19 Clinical Rounds helped them provide better care to patients. 89% of respondents indicated they ‘strongly agree’ that they would join ECHO calls again.COVID-19 Clinical Rounds offers a promising model for the establishment of dynamic peer-to-peer tele-mentoring communities for low or no-notice response where scientifically tested or clinically verified practice evidence is limited.

PMID:36128645 | DOI:10.1017/dmp.2022.182

Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2022 Sep 20:1-7. doi: 10.1080/00365513.2022.2122075. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to reveal the predictive power of biomarkers and SYNTAX (SX) score for short-term mortality in patients diagnosed with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in the emergency department. This is prospective observational cohort study. Demographic characteristics of the patients, laboratory parameters on admission, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) percentages, affected vessels in angiography (CAG) and the treatment strategy [medical therapy, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), coronary angio by-pass graft] and SX scores were recorded on the data collection form. ROC curve was used to investigate the predictivity of blood urea nitrogen/albumin ratio (BAR), procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (Hs-cTnI), CRP to serum albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SX scores in mortality. Multivariate analysis of biomarkers and SX score was performed to estimate the patients’ 30-day mortality. Of the 415 patients were included in the study. ROC analysis of BAR, CAR, CRP, Procalcitonin, Hs-cTnI, NLR and SX score to predict mortality was statistically significant. BAR (OR: 1.280, 95% CI: 1.113-1.472, p = .001) and SX score (OR: 1.071, 95% CI: 1.018-1.126, p = .007) were found to be independent predictors of 30 days mortality. LVEF reduction, SX score, the number of affected vessels and the frequency of LMCA lesions increase were found to be statistically significant in patients with BAR ≥4.8. BAR, which can be calculated easily and quickly on admission to the emergency department and in clinical practice, may be used to predict mortality in patients with NSTEMI.

PMID:36128642 | DOI:10.1080/00365513.2022.2122075

Biometrics. 2022 Sep 20. doi: 10.1111/biom.13760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We propose a unified framework for likelihood-based regression modeling when the response variable has finite support. Our work is motivated by the fact that, in practice, observed data are discrete and bounded. The proposed methods assume a model which includes models previously considered for interval-censored variables with log-concave distributions as special cases. The resulting log-likelihood is concave, which we use to establish asymptotic normality of its maximizer as the number of observations tends to infinity with the number of parameters fixed, and rates of convergence of -regularized estimators when the true parameter vector is sparse and and both tend to infinity with . We consider an inexact proximal Newton algorithm for computing estimates and give theoretical guarantees for its convergence. The range of possible applications is wide, including but not limited to survival analysis in discrete time, the modeling of outcomes on scored surveys and questionnaires, and, more generally, interval-censored regression. The applicability and usefulness of the proposed methods are illustrated in simulations and data examples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36128638 | DOI:10.1111/biom.13760