Category: Statistics

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2023 Dec 15:10499091231213359. doi: 10.1177/10499091231213359. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: Opioid therapy is critical for pain relief for most hospice patients but may be limited by adverse side effects. Combining medical cannabis with opioids may help mitigate adverse effects while maintaining effective pain relief. Aim: This single-arm study investigated the impact of combined medical cannabis/opioid therapy on pain relief, opioid dose, appetite, respiratory function, well-being, nausea, and adverse events in hospice inpatients. Design: Adult hospice inpatients using scheduled oral, parenteral, or transdermal opioids for pain were administered standardized oral medical cannabis, 40 mg CBD/1.5 mg THC or 80 mg CBD/3 mg THC. Descriptive statistics detailed demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, the Mann-Whitney test compared outcomes, and the longitudinal mixed effects regression model analyzed longitudinal effects of combined therapy. Setting/Participants: Sixty-six inpatients at The Connecticut Hospital, Inc. were assessed over 996 treatment days; average age was 68.2 ± 12.9 years, 90.9% were white. Cancer was the most common diagnosis. Results: The medical cannabis/opioid combination showed a significant longitudinal reduction in pain intensity (P = .0029) and a non-significant trend toward lower opioid doses. Well-being, appetite, nausea, and respiratory function showed non-statistically significant changes. Three patients (4.5%) experienced minor, reversible adverse events potentially related to medical cannabis. No serious or life-threatening adverse events were seen. Conclusion: Combination medical cannabis/opioid therapy showed statistically significant pain relief and may have the potential for reducing opioid dose and mitigating opioid toxicity, offering a safe pain management alternative to opioids alone for patients in end-of-life care settings, and warrants further investigation in larger controlled trials.

PMID:38100655 | DOI:10.1177/10499091231213359

Eur J Emerg Med. 2023 Dec 13. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0000000000001108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with poor prognosis, and timely evidence-based treatment is paramount for increasing survival rates. Physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service use in major trauma has demonstrated improved outcomes. However, the sparsity of data highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of traumatic cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate survival and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and to investigate the characteristics of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by the Danish HEMS.

DESIGN: This was a population-based cohort study based on data from the Danish helicopter emergency medical service database.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The study included all patients assessed by the Danish helicopter emergency medical services between 2016 and 2021.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND ANALYSIS: Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric testing and logistic regression analyses. Descriptive analysis of prehospital interventions included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, airway management, administration of blood products, and thoracic decompression. The primary outcome was 30-day survival, and the key secondary outcome was prehospital ROSC.

MAIN RESULTS: A total of 223 patients with TCA were included. The median age was 54 years (IQR 34-68), and the majority were males. Overall, 23% of patients achieved prehospital ROSC, and the 30-day survival rate was 4%. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of ROSC were an initial shockable cardiac rhythm, odds ratio (OR) of 3.78 (95% CI 1.33-11.00) and endotracheal intubation, OR 7.10 (95% CI 2.55-22.85).

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the low survival rates observed among patients with traumatic cardiac arrest assessed by helicopter emergency medical services. The findings support the positive impact of an initial shockable cardiac rhythm and endotracheal intubation in improving the likelihood of ROSC. The study contributes to the limited literature on traumatic cardiac arrests assessed by physician-staffed helicopter emergency services. Finally, the findings emphasise the need for further research to understand and improve outcomes in this subgroup of cardiac arrest.

PMID:38100645 | DOI:10.1097/MEJ.0000000000001108

J Med Virol. 2023 Dec;95(12):e29276. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29276.

ABSTRACT

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus (Togaviridae family, Alphavirus genus) that was first identified in 1953 in Tanzania. In 2014, the Asian and East/Central/South/African (ECSA) genotypes were identified in Brazil, although the genotype that spread the most in the following years across the Brazilian territory was the ECSA. The clinical symptoms associated with the infection caused by CHIKV include mainly fever, myalgia, headache, and arthralgia. In infections caused by other arboviruses (such as the ones caused by Dengue and West Nile viruses), changes in biochemical markers are often observed. This study aims to evaluate the biochemical markers profile of kidney and liver injury in acute patients infected with CHIKV. Two groups of correlations were found between the variables analyzed, namely, one between liver enzymes (r = 0.91), and another for kidney markers (r = 0.54-0.66). A significant elevation in the percentage of altered creatinine in CHIKV-infected patients was observed, followed by uric acid and AST. Altogether, in 8 different comparisons, it was possible to observe statistically significant differences between the levels of the markers when compared to the manifestation of symptoms (presence and absence). These noticeable changes in marker measurements could potentially be connected to the range of clinical symptoms seen in the disease.

PMID:38100636 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.29276

Int J Surg. 2023 Dec 14. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000990. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Conversional bariatric surgery inherently has less weight loss (WL) compared to primary procedures. Adjunctive use of the GLP-1analogue, liraglutide with conversional Roux-en-RYGB Gastric Bypass (cRYGB) may maximize the WL benefits of surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial included 80 patients randomized into two groups; the liraglutide group (40 patients) who received daily injections of liraglutide, and the placebo group (40 patients) who received normal saline starting at 6-weeks from cRYGB and continued for 6 months. After discontinuing the drugs at 6 months and unblinding, the patient were followed up to 12 months. The endpoints were percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and changes in the metabolic biomarkers, and complications within 30 and 90 days according to the global outcome benchmark (GOB) stratification.

RESULTS: In total, 38 patients in the liraglutide group and 31 in the placebo group completed the 24 weeks. Liraglutide group experienced better WL with a significantly higher mean %TWL at one month (10.27±1.39 vs. 8.41±2.08), at 6 weeks (12.65±1.77 vs. 10.47±2.23), at 6 months (18.29 ±1.74vs. 15.58 ±1.65), and at 12 months 24.15±2.35 versus 22.70±2.13 (all P<0.001). For %EWL, this was also significantly higher in the liraglutide group at all time points. A %TWL of>20% at 6 months of treatment was recorded in 6 (15.8%) patients in the liraglutide group and none in the placebo group (P=0.029). Both groups had comparable changes in metabolic biomarkers. Adverse events were recorded in 11 (27.5%) patients in the liraglutide, with no adverse events in the placebo group (P<0.001). Both groups had Clavien-Dindo scores I and II (5.0% and 2.5%), and GOB values indicated that 90.0% and 97.5% were low-risk patients.

CONCLUSION: Adjunctive use of liraglutide with cRYGB gives significantly higher WL and resolution of associated medical problems.

PMID:38100630 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000000990

Cancer. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35135. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although cure rates remain low and effective screening strategies are elusive, the recent advances in systemic therapies over the past year highlighted in this review have prolonged survival for women with ovarian cancer. In 2022, the first antibody-drug conjugate for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer received accelerated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Confirmatory studies examining the efficacy of mirvetuximab and other antibody-drug conjugates are underway. In the upfront setting, the first data establishing an overall survival benefit from poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor maintenance was demonstrated after a 7-year follow-up period. In contrast, long-term updates from poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor trials in the noncurative setting reported survival detriments, and the FDA withdrew the respective indications. Several trials attempted to improve upon the standard of care for platinum-sensitive ovarian carcinoma and those with rare ovarian cancer histologies (carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma) but failed to demonstrate a clinically or statistically meaningful benefit. This leaves the open question of how to further optimize systemic therapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma to improve long-term survival and cure rates.

PMID:38100616 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.35135

Res Synth Methods. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1693. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The trace plot is seldom used in meta-analysis, yet it is a very informative plot. In this article, we define and illustrate what the trace plot is, and discuss why it is important. The Bayesian version of the plot combines the posterior density of $\tau$ , the between-study standard deviation, and the shrunken estimates of the study effects as a function of $\tau$ . With a small or moderate number of studies, $\tau$ is not estimated with much precision, and parameter estimates and shrunken study effect estimates can vary widely depending on the correct value of $\tau$ . The trace plot allows visualization of the sensitivity to $\tau$ along with a plot that shows which values of $\tau$ are plausible and which are implausible. A comparable frequentist or empirical Bayes version provides similar results. The concepts are illustrated using examples in meta-analysis and meta-regression; implementation in R is facilitated in a Bayesian or frequentist framework using the bayesmeta and metafor packages, respectively.

PMID:38100240 | DOI:10.1002/jrsm.1693

Child Care Health Dev. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1111/cch.13216. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children’s occupational performance and participation. It is known that the Covid pandemic has adversely affected the whole world in many areas. We aim to investigate the occupational performance and participation of children with DCD before and during the COVID-19.

METHODS: Sixty-five children aged 5-12 years included in the study were assessed by the Canadian Measure of Occupational Performance and the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were detected in occupational performance and satisfaction scores (p < 0.01). Additionally, except for ‘involvement in the home environment’ (p > 0.05), there were statistically significant differences in all other areas of participation (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The occupational performance and participation of children with DCD are impacted during COVID-19. In addition, it is seen that the desire of families to change regarding participation has increased due to COVID-19. It would be beneficial to include strategies to improve these areas in the rehabilitation processes.

PMID:38100218 | DOI:10.1111/cch.13216

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16126. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the changes in the lower eyelid position, following ptosis surgery of the upper eyelid of the same eye in blepharoptosis patients.

METHODS: This prospective interventional before and after study included patients aged more than 5 years with blepharoptosis. Margin reflex distance one (MRD-1), MRD two (MRD-2), and levator function were measured before and the 6 months after the surgery.

RESULTS: Sixty patients with blepharoptosis (33 congenital and 27 acquired) were recruited. The mean age was 21.61 ± 10.82 and 59.8 ± 13.73 years in congenital and acquired groups, respectively. The mean MRD-1 improved from 1.95 ± 0.99 before treatment to 4.47 ± 0.47 after treatment (p < 0.001). The mean MRD-2 improved from 5.57 ± 0.63 before treatment to 4.95 ± 0.51 after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in MRD-1 and MRD-2 changes between the two groups (p > 0.05) There was no statistically significant correlation between MRD-2 changes and LF (r = -0.03. p = 0.83).

CONCLUSION: Present study showed a significant improvement in the condition of the lower eyelid improved after upper eyelid ptosis surgery.

PMID:38100212 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.16126

Trop Med Int Health. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1111/tmi.13961. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Despite declining TB notifications in Southern Africa, TB-related deaths remain high. We describe patient- and population-level trends in TB-related deaths in Eswatini over a period of 11 years.

METHODS: Patient-level (retrospective cohort, from 2009 to 2019) and population-level (ecological analysis, 2009-2017) predictors and rates of TB-related deaths were analysed in HIV-negative and HIV-coinfected first-line TB treatment cases and the population of the Shiselweni region. Patient-level TB treatment data, and population and HIV prevalence estimates were combined to obtain stratified annual mortality rates. Multivariable Poisson regressions models were fitted to identify patient-level and population-level predictors of deaths.

RESULTS: Of 11,883 TB treatment cases, 1302 (11.0%) patients died during treatment: 210/2798 (7.5%) HIV-negative patients, 984/8443 (11.7%) people living with HIV (PLHIV), and 108/642 (16.8%) patients with unknown HIV-status. The treatment case fatality ratio remained above 10% in most years. At patient-level, fatality risk was higher in PLHIV (aRR 1.74, 1.51-2.02), and for older age and extra-pulmonary TB irrespective of HIV-status. For PLHIV, fatality risk was higher for TB retreatment cases (aRR 1.38, 1.18-1.61) and patients without antiretroviral therapy (aRR 1.70, 1.47-1.97). It decreases with increasing higher CD4 strata and the programmatic availability of TB-LAM testing (aRR 0.65, 0.35-0.90). At population-level, mortality rates decreased 6.4-fold (-147/100,000 population) between 2009 (174/100,000) and 2017 (27/100,000), coinciding with a decline in TB treatment cases (2785 in 2009 to 497 in 2017). Although the absolute decline in mortality rates was most pronounced in PLHIV (-826/100,000 vs. HIV-negative: -23/100,000), the relative population-level mortality risk remained higher in PLHIV (aRR 4.68, 3.25-6.72) compared to the HIV-negative population.

CONCLUSIONS: TB-related mortality rapidly decreased at population-level and most pronounced in PLHIV. However, case fatality among TB treatment cases remained high. Further strategies to reduce active TB disease and introduce improved TB therapies are warranted.

PMID:38100203 | DOI:10.1111/tmi.13961

J Med Internet Res. 2023 Dec 15;25:e44599. doi: 10.2196/44599.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Loyalty card data automatically collected by retailers provide an excellent source for evaluating health-related purchase behavior of customers. The data comprise information on every grocery purchase, including expenditures on product groups and the time of purchase for each customer. Such data where customers have an expenditure value for every product group for each time can be formulated as 3D tensorial data.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use the modern tensorial principal component analysis (PCA) method to uncover the characteristics of health-related purchase patterns from loyalty card data. Another aim was to identify card holders with distinct purchase patterns. We also considered the interpretation, advantages, and challenges of tensorial PCA compared with standard PCA.

METHODS: Loyalty card program members from the largest retailer in Finland were invited to participate in this study. Our LoCard data consist of the purchases of 7251 card holders who consented to the use of their data from the year 2016. The purchases were reclassified into 55 product groups and aggregated across 52 weeks. The data were then analyzed using tensorial PCA, allowing us to effectively reduce the time and product group-wise dimensions simultaneously. The augmentation method was used for selecting the suitable number of principal components for the analysis.

RESULTS: Using tensorial PCA, we were able to systematically search for typical food purchasing patterns across time and product groups as well as detect different purchasing behaviors across groups of card holders. For example, we identified customers who purchased large amounts of meat products and separated them further into groups based on time profiles, that is, customers whose purchases of meat remained stable, increased, or decreased throughout the year or varied between seasons of the year.

CONCLUSIONS: Using tensorial PCA, we can effectively examine customers’ purchasing behavior in more detail than with traditional methods because it can handle time and product group dimensions simultaneously. When interpreting the results, both time and product dimensions must be considered. In further analyses, these time and product groups can be directly associated with additional consumer characteristics such as socioeconomic and demographic predictors of dietary patterns. In addition, they can be linked to external factors that impact grocery purchases such as inflation and unexpected pandemics. This enables us to identify what types of people have specific purchasing patterns, which can help in the development of ways in which consumers can be steered toward making healthier food choices.

PMID:38100168 | DOI:10.2196/44599